By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Hyper Naked vs Sport Tourer
Kawasaki Z H2 (MY2020) vs Ninja H2 SX SE+ (MY2019)
Kawasaki Z H2 vs Ninja H2 SX SE+: two kinds of bike, and who each one is for.
You'll find the Kawasaki Z H2 settles into a relaxed ride between the bends. Lean the Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE+ into one and it'll point exactly where you aim. Then it holds that line through the exit.
So which one do you buy?
Buy the Ninja H2 SX SE+ if…
Traveling with luggage
Strong pick: Ninja H2 SX SE+
Loaded for a long trip, the Ninja H2 SX SE+ pulls clearly ahead. It's down to better wind protection and more comfort on long stints. It's the one you'll want with a week of gear on board.
The Ninja H2 SX SE+ has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Edges it: Ninja H2 SX SE+
On a winding road, the Ninja H2 SX SE+ comes out a touch ahead. You wouldn't bet much on a gap like that.
Daily commuting & city riding
Nose ahead: Ninja H2 SX SE+
Through rush hour, the Ninja H2 SX SE+ is a little easier to live with. The difference is friendlier manners.
What makes each one tick
Z H2
The Z H2's supercharger whines louder each time the throttle opens, and there's explosive pull from low revs with no hitch in it. It'll lug top gear without complaint. At high speed, its weight keeps the bars from getting nervous. Every closed throttle draws a chirp from the supercharger.
Nils rode the Z H2 in Austria in 2020 (NastyNils Testride).
Ninja H2 SX SE+
The Ninja H2 SX SE+'s inline-four barely buzzes through the bars, and its supercharged surge keeps building on a highway pass. In a parking lot, its 578 lb (262 kg) won't swing through a U-turn without effort. Once it's rolling, the front tire turns in accurately at corner entry. Mid-corner, the chassis stays nailed to the pavement.
Nils rode the Ninja H2 SX SE+ in Hungary in 2021 (NastyNils Testride).
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Z H2 has the lower wet weight: 527 lb (239 kg) vs 578 lb (262 kg).
- Electronic Suspension: standard on the Ninja H2 SX SE+, not offered on the Z H2.
- Heated Grips: standard on the Ninja H2 SX SE+, option on the Z H2.
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Not suited: Z H2
No long-distance verdict for the Z H2. It's made for something else entirely.
Call it even on running costs. Choose on fit, price and the one that makes you grin.
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 SE+
What owners say
Strengths
- Exceptional build quality
- Luxurious touring amenities
- Silky-smooth engine character
- Surprisingly agile for its size
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 SE+
- Transmission gear misengagement can cause engine lock-up (Recall MC20-10, NHTSA Recall 20V-676) Recall 20V676000 If the transmission gears are not properly engaged while shifting into 4th or 5th gear, high engine RPM can cause the output gears to fracture and lock the engine. Kawasaki issued a recall for 2018-2020 models to reprogram the ECU to suppress high RPM during misengagement.
What they cost used
These prices compare a 6-year-old Z H2 with a 6-year-old Ninja H2 SX SE+.
- Z H2
- about $15,000
- Ninja H2 SX SE+
- about $18,300
At six years old, the Z H2 sits around $15,000 while the Ninja H2 SX SE+ runs about $18,300. That's a $3,300 gap in the Z H2's favor. These are US market estimates, 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
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
- Rear tire
- 190/55-17
Where the spec sheets split
| Z H2 | Ninja H2 SX SE+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 32.7 in (830 mm) | 32.9 in (835 mm) |
| Wet weight | 527 lb (239 kg) | 578 lb (262 kg) |
| Z H2 | Ninja H2 SX SE+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Peak torque at | 8,500 rpm | 9,500 rpm |
| Z H2 | Ninja H2 SX SE+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 5.0 US gal (19 L) | 5.0 US gal (18.9 L) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Z H2 | Ninja H2 SX SE+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Electronic Suspension | Not offered | Standard |
| Heated Grips | Option | Standard |
| Cornering Lights | Not offered | Standard |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
