Author Topic: 2018 Kawasaki H2 SX SE first ride review  (Read 8264 times)

Offline Rubber_Snake

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2009 GTR 1400 ABS, 48k miles, AMSOIL synthetic 10W-40 (since new), AMSOIL synthetic 75W-90 final drive (since new). Helibar Horizons, Oxford heated grips, V-Stream windscreen, Mountain Runner Flash, Brian’s low fuel eliminator farkle, ST2 smart brake module and smart turn system, Two Brothers Black Series M5 w/P1X decibel killer.

Offline katata1100

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Re: 2018 Kawasaki H2 SX SE first ride review
« Reply #1 on: April 01, 2018, 10:37:47 AM »
I can’t see myself doing heavy mileage on that . If I were to hit the lottery, that’d sit next to my C14, it’d be the around town ride and the bike I take on two or three day rides.The C14 gets the nod for long trips. Heck, I can’t see strapping much luggage to the H2, along with my tail bag and the rack on that, I can easily fit a huge duffel bag on the passenger part of my seat.

Offline Rubber_Snake

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Re: 2018 Kawasaki H2 SX SE first ride review
« Reply #2 on: April 01, 2018, 11:08:39 AM »
The things I like are:

TFT Display with different display options
Adjustable power modes and T/C
Heated grips
Bags
Cruise Control
Quickshifter

The things I do not care for:

Chaindrive
Sportbike riding position
Seat height (high for me...)
The horsepower (GTR has plenty enough for me)
The price

I’m not sure what type of rider mama Kaw is after here, but I don’t think it is Concours owners.

I would really love to see a TFT, cruise and heated grips/seat built into the Connie.  I certainly hope this doesn’t mean its future demise.


2009 GTR 1400 ABS, 48k miles, AMSOIL synthetic 10W-40 (since new), AMSOIL synthetic 75W-90 final drive (since new). Helibar Horizons, Oxford heated grips, V-Stream windscreen, Mountain Runner Flash, Brian’s low fuel eliminator farkle, ST2 smart brake module and smart turn system, Two Brothers Black Series M5 w/P1X decibel killer.

Offline maxtog

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Re: 2018 Kawasaki H2 SX SE first ride review
« Reply #3 on: April 01, 2018, 11:50:19 AM »
Very neat, but hardly an ST in my book.  Review says as much too, but without too many details in that regard (and as if we didn't already know and hash it through on previous threads: small fairings for minimal weather control, chain drive, small windscreen also not powered, too leaned over, shorter wheel base, puny warranty, crappy range, etc.)  It is an amazing bike, but priced at $23K and with its other limitations, I still think the C14 still reigns king in its category.  The H2SXSE can be king in it's own "mostly sport somewhat touring" category :)

http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=22980
Shoodaben (was Guhl) Mountain Runner ECU flash, Canyon Cages front/rear, Helibars risers, Phil's wedges, Grip Puppies, Sargent World seat-low & heated & pod, Muzzy lowering links, Soupy's stand, Nautilus air horn, Admore lightbar, Ronnie's highway pegs, front running lights, all LED, helmet locks, RAM Xgrip, Sena SMH10, Throttle Tamer, MRA X-Creen, BearingUp Shifter, PR4-GT, Scorpion EXO-T1200,etc

Offline katata1100

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Re: 2018 Kawasaki H2 SX SE first ride review
« Reply #4 on: April 01, 2018, 12:28:43 PM »
Costs $23k, issupercharged, will do 1/4 mile in the mid 9’s...
As good as this bike looks on paper, in person and on the road ,
I think we all can agree that the annual insurance bill on it will be
very ugly.

Offline Akumu

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Re: 2018 Kawasaki H2 SX SE first ride review
« Reply #5 on: April 01, 2018, 02:57:12 PM »
H2 SX - Hyper Sport Touring
C14 - Sport TOURING
N1K - SPORT Touring
Versys 650/1000 - Sport Touring

IMO, C14 and the Versys can do with an update. N1K sells like hotcakes in EU, according to the numbers. No surprise it sees an update every 3 years.

Offline Rubber_Snake

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Re: 2018 Kawasaki H2 SX SE first ride review
« Reply #6 on: April 01, 2018, 06:38:25 PM »
(and as if we didn't already know and hash it through on previous threads: small fairings for minimal weather control, chain drive, small windscreen also not powered, too leaned over, shorter wheel base, puny warranty, crappy range, etc.)

http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=22980

I just thought it might make for an interesting read.  This is the first time I’ve ever heard of someone riding it and giving a good review of it.  I suppose I could’ve just added it to that thread, but I was too lazy to look it up...   ;)
2009 GTR 1400 ABS, 48k miles, AMSOIL synthetic 10W-40 (since new), AMSOIL synthetic 75W-90 final drive (since new). Helibar Horizons, Oxford heated grips, V-Stream windscreen, Mountain Runner Flash, Brian’s low fuel eliminator farkle, ST2 smart brake module and smart turn system, Two Brothers Black Series M5 w/P1X decibel killer.

Offline maxtog

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Re: 2018 Kawasaki H2 SX SE first ride review
« Reply #7 on: April 01, 2018, 08:42:50 PM »
I just thought it might make for an interesting read.  This is the first time I’ve ever heard of someone riding it and giving a good review of it.

It is a decent/interesting ride review.
Shoodaben (was Guhl) Mountain Runner ECU flash, Canyon Cages front/rear, Helibars risers, Phil's wedges, Grip Puppies, Sargent World seat-low & heated & pod, Muzzy lowering links, Soupy's stand, Nautilus air horn, Admore lightbar, Ronnie's highway pegs, front running lights, all LED, helmet locks, RAM Xgrip, Sena SMH10, Throttle Tamer, MRA X-Creen, BearingUp Shifter, PR4-GT, Scorpion EXO-T1200,etc

Offline eng943

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Re: 2018 Kawasaki H2 SX SE first ride review
« Reply #8 on: April 07, 2018, 04:26:27 PM »
When I initially heard this bike was coming out, I thought it would end up as a replacement for the C14. However, it's clear now that this really is not a bike I could do any distance on.   
2017 C14 - AST Risers / Peg Lowering kit / mccruise /Garmin 595/Shoodaben MR / Area P / Kawi Touring Seat.
Second Bike 2017 BMW R12R

Offline mikeb2411

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Re: 2018 Kawasaki H2 SX SE first ride review
« Reply #9 on: May 10, 2018, 10:04:31 AM »
But guys, Cruise Control :thumbs:, the bike has Cruise Control! We can only HOPE that the C14 is next? If Kawi would just add that and ESA the C14 would be, hands down, the best ST! I'm currently on the Trophy and am holding out a year to see what the 2019/2020 Concours offers. I really hope they add those items. The rest of the stuff they put on these bikes, like the Trophy and RT, is just fluff and not needed...give us CC, EAS, and that C14 power and it's over!
Mike
Ojai, CA
2016 Black Triumph Trophy SE

Offline gPink

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Re: 2018 Kawasaki H2 SX SE first ride review
« Reply #10 on: May 10, 2018, 10:21:00 AM »
  Possibility exists there won't be a '19/20 model.

Offline mikeb2411

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Re: 2018 Kawasaki H2 SX SE first ride review
« Reply #11 on: May 10, 2018, 10:22:14 AM »
really? What have you heard? Are they discontinuing the C14?
Mike
Ojai, CA
2016 Black Triumph Trophy SE

Offline gPink

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Re: 2018 Kawasaki H2 SX SE first ride review
« Reply #12 on: May 10, 2018, 10:28:37 AM »
speculation due to slow sales

Offline mikeb2411

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Re: 2018 Kawasaki H2 SX SE first ride review
« Reply #13 on: May 10, 2018, 10:41:30 AM »
That's sad to hear. First, the Trophy is discontinued and now the C14 might be?
Mike
Ojai, CA
2016 Black Triumph Trophy SE

Offline mikeb2411

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Re: 2018 Kawasaki H2 SX SE first ride review
« Reply #14 on: May 10, 2018, 10:42:33 AM »
I like the H2, looks good but the bags are small and the range is weak...2 strikes! With the loss of the Trophy and possibly losing the C14 I will have to resort to saying a bad word...BMW :-\
Mike
Ojai, CA
2016 Black Triumph Trophy SE

Offline gPink

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Re: 2018 Kawasaki H2 SX SE first ride review
« Reply #15 on: May 10, 2018, 10:44:29 AM »
It's more of a Sport tourer than a sport Tourer. Not a suitable replacement for the 14

Offline Conniesaki

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Re: 2018 Kawasaki H2 SX SE first ride review
« Reply #16 on: May 10, 2018, 12:51:26 PM »
I like the H2, looks good but the bags are small and the range is weak...2 strikes! With the loss of the Trophy and possibly losing the C14 I will have to resort to saying a bad word...BMW :-\

I'm with you  :thumbs:


Offline mikeb2411

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Re: 2018 Kawasaki H2 SX SE first ride review
« Reply #17 on: May 10, 2018, 01:05:25 PM »
wow, beautiful bike! Now I have to see what happens and possibly begin thinking RT? I could have, NEVER would have, thought RT until owning the Trophy. I do miss the C14 but if I had to, I could do an RT. I love ST bikes and plan on staying in that class for a long time! I would NEVER pay $24K+ for the H2 when I could spend the same on a decked-out RT!
Mike
Ojai, CA
2016 Black Triumph Trophy SE

Offline Poseidon

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Re: 2018 Kawasaki H2 SX SE first ride review
« Reply #18 on: May 10, 2018, 03:02:32 PM »
wow, beautiful bike! Now I have to see what happens and possibly begin thinking RT? I could have, NEVER would have, thought RT until owning the Trophy. I do miss the C14 but if I had to, I could do an RT. I love ST bikes and plan on staying in that class for a long time! I would NEVER pay $24K+ for the H2 when I could spend the same on a decked-out RT!

...or just buy two C14’s! Heck, just buy one C14 and pay someone to install cruise control and upgrade the suspension, flash the ECU, along with any other mods your heart desires and still have plenty of money left for some long trips!!!
2017 Concours 14
2016 Victory Magnum
2013 M109R
2016 Can Am Spyder F3T - Wife's bike

Offline mikeb2411

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Re: 2018 Kawasaki H2 SX SE first ride review
« Reply #19 on: May 10, 2018, 03:16:59 PM »
That is on my mind too! I haven't ruled the Concours out, and when next year rolls around who knows where Kawi will be with the C14! But, NO WAY am I having someone else install cc on my new Concours, I'll do it myself...did it on my 2012 and can/will do it again ;) I thought I saw one that is pretty much plug-and-play for the Concours and costs around $1000? If that's true, I'd probably go that route this time. I would definitely have someone upgrade the suspension for me, would hopefully be fine on the new seat they have, would throw the large 56 liter GIVI Monokey trunk on it when the wife rides with me, order the taller windscreen, add my LED fogs on either side of the wheel, my flashing brake lights, my power block under the seat, my harness for heated gear, the extra power port, and whatever else I can think of! The beauty of owning the C14 is how much you can do to it to make it "yours"! I could do ALL of that and STILL be under the cost of a new RT so the C14 is still favorable! I will admit that the ownership cost of the RT does scare me and the thought of being on the Concours and having service available pretty much anywhere I go is a comforting thought...all of this is being weighed in my mind and will be until I make the switch! I have one regret, I regret selling my 2012! I did it thinking I could walk away and never look back, but that didn't happen :'(
Mike
Ojai, CA
2016 Black Triumph Trophy SE