RideApart VIDEO: 2015 Kawasaki Ninja H2 and H2R, What's the Difference?

At the American launch of the 2015 kawasaki ninja h2, we examine the differences between the H2 and the H2-R.

By: Jesse Kiser

May 20, 2015 at 8:43am ET

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We recently had the opportunity to be amongst the first American journalists to check out the 2015 Kawasaki Ninja H2 and H2R. This American media launch was held at California Superspeedway, and Kawasaki let a select few journalists ride the H2 for limited track time on the road course.

2015 Kawasaki Ninja H2 vs. H2R

See, the thing is that the supply for the H2 and H2R are so high and the production is so limited, even the media outfits are only allowed one bike per country (some having to share within their continent). This meant the US Kawasaki people were sweating bullets watching their only bike dragging pegs around the track.

This was the launch for the H2, not the H2R—as that bike is even more limited with around 300 on the globe at the moment (Kawasaki won't openly give an exact number). We sat down with some of the engineers and examined the differences between the two bikes. The H2R is simply not an H2 with a different, more aggressive tune and stronger head gasket—far from it. It's, in fact, built in a special facility off the assembly line. All hand built with particular care, it took the plant roughly one business day to produce a single H2R.

Watch out for a more detailed story of the launch that is coming soon. But for now, enjoy our quick video, listening to that sweet sound of the H2 hitting the banks at the California speedway.