By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Hyper Naked vs Sport Tourer
Kawasaki Z H2 (MY2020) vs Ninja H2 SX (MY2018)
Kawasaki Z H2 vs Ninja H2 SX: different classes, one choice. Here's how to make it.
You'll feel these two split apart once a fast ride stretches into hours. The Kawasaki Z H2 settles into an easy, relaxed gait when you're not chasing it, but it's ruled out for days that long. The Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX stays planted for hours.
So which one do you buy?
Buy the Ninja H2 SX if…
Traveling with luggage
By a mile: Ninja H2 SX
On a loaded road trip, the Ninja H2 SX comes out clearly ahead. Put it down to better wind protection and more comfort on long stints.
The Z H2 has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Edges it: Z H2
Back-road fun leans slightly toward the Z H2. It's a narrow call, so trust your test ride.
What makes each one tick
Z H2
Under acceleration there's a supercharger whine riding over the Z H2's inline-four, and it pulls hard from low revs without a jolt. Town pace doesn't bother it. A bump at speed doesn't get the front nervous, since the high-spec suspension and the bike's mass keep the trellis frame steady. Every roll-off ends in the supercharger's chirp.
Nils rode the Z H2 in Austria in 2020 (NastyNils Testride).
Ninja H2 SX
On the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Ninja H2 SX's broad fairing pushes wind blast off your chest while the padded seat keeps fatigue at bay. Its supercharged four swells without buzz. The brake lever's hauling 564 lb (256 kg) to a stop, and tight turns ask for deliberate input. At triple digits, the suspension's holding the line dead straight.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Z H2 has the lower wet weight: 527 lb (239 kg) vs 564 lb (256 kg).
- Adaptive Cruise Control: standard (from 2022) on the Ninja H2 SX, not offered on the Z H2.
- Quickshifter: standard on the Z H2, not offered on the Ninja H2 SX.
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Off its turf: Z H2
No long-distance verdict for the Z H2. It's made for something else entirely.
They come out level on commuting and running costs. The better-kept used example is the smarter money.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
Z H2
What owners say
Strengths
- Distinctive supercharger sound
- Excellent electronics package
- Surprisingly compliant road manners
Ninja H2 SX
What owners say
Strengths
- Supercharged smooth power
- High-speed stability and touring comfort
Trade-offs
- Heavy weight impacts low-speed agility
Known problems to check before you buy
Z H2
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
Ninja H2 SX
- Recall 20V676000: POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION Recall 20V676000 Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (KMC) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Ninja H2 SX, Ninja H2 SXSE, and 2019-2020 Ninja H2 SXSE+ motorcycles. In the event of a gear misengagement the engine electronic control unit (ECU) programming doesn't have the capability to suppress high RPM during transmission. If the transmission gears are not properly engaged while shifting into 4th or 5th gear, high engine RPM can cause the output gears of 4th or 5th to fracture when the gears re-engage.
What they cost used
These prices compare a 4-year-old Z H2 with a 4-year-old Ninja H2 SX.
- Z H2
- about $17,700
- Ninja H2 SX
- about $18,000
At four years old, the Kawasaki Z H2 sits around $17,700 while the Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX lands near $18,000. That's no meaningful gap between the two. These are estimates from the used market, not live listings.
What they share
- Displacement
- 998 cc
- Engine
- Inline-four
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Power
- 200 hp (147 kW)
- Peak power at
- 11,000 rpm
- Torque
- 101 lb-ft (137 Nm)
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
- Front brake
- 320 mm
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
- Rear tire
- 190/55-17
Where the spec sheets split
| Z H2 | Ninja H2 SX | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 32.7 in (830 mm) | 32.9 in (835 mm) |
| Wet weight | 527 lb (239 kg) | 564 lb (256 kg) |
| Z H2 | Ninja H2 SX | |
|---|---|---|
| Peak torque at | 8,500 rpm | 9,500 rpm |
| Z H2 | Ninja H2 SX | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy | 39 mpg (US) / 6 L/100 km | 41 mpg (US) / 5.7 L/100 km |
| Fuel capacity | 5.0 US gal (19 L) | 5.0 US gal (18.9 L) |
| Z H2 | Ninja H2 SX | |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 57.3 in (1455 mm) | 58.3 in (1480 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Z H2 | Ninja H2 SX | |
|---|---|---|
| Adaptive Cruise Control | Not offered | Standard (from 2022) |
| Quickshifter | Standard | Not offered |
| USB Charging Port | Option | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
