The first thing that comes to mind when motorcyclists start jabbering about Kawasaki’s Ninja H2 is, without a doubt, the supercharger. Never once, for instance, has a discussion about the SX SE — the supposedly sport touring version of the supercharged H2 — started with “How about those saddlebags, eh?” Or the brakes. Almost assuredly not the seat, TFT gauge set or the comfy, supple suspension. It’s always the supercharger.
It’s easy to understand why. For one thing, superchargers on motorcycles are rare enough,: a quirk of past racing rules saw their use on some pre-war BMW and AJS racers. And I think I remember reading there was a Vincent Black Lightning once that was similarly “enhanced” with a belt-driven supercharger. But, as far as I know, Kawasaki is the only company auda-cious enough — that could also be read “demented enough” — to install one on a production bike sold to, you know, common folk.
Unintimidating
Then there’s the whole 197 horse-power thing, not to mention the attendant 101.3 ft-lb of torque. Yes, I know, the
