By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Hyper Naked
Kawasaki Z H2 (MY2020) vs KTM Brabus 1300 R (MY2022)
Kawasaki Z H2 vs KTM Brabus 1300 R: which one to buy, and what actually separates them.
Roll on from low revs and the Kawasaki Z H2 surges forward on a rising supercharger whine. On the KTM Brabus 1300 R, the throttle's an instant shot of joy.
So which one do you buy?
The Brabus 1300 R has the edge if…
Racetrack use
Slight edge: Brabus 1300 R
The Brabus 1300 R nudges ahead once you're on a closed course. It's down to more suspension adjustment and a sportier chassis. Hardly a big enough gap to bank on.
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Small edge: Brabus 1300 R
In the twisties, the Brabus 1300 R asks a bit less of you to go quickly. What tips it: better suspension and more feel through the bars. Call it a modest edge.
Character, looks and sound
Edges it: Brabus 1300 R
Parked side by side, the Brabus 1300 R draws the eye a little more. Most of that is a purer look. Only a little, and taste can flip it.
Which one's the smarter buy
No clear advantage
The lower price doesn't settle which one is the better buy.
What makes each one tick
Z H2
From barely off idle, the Z H2's four pulls hard without a hiccup, and it chirps each time you shut the throttle. It'll lug top gear at a crawl without a grumble. At speed, the bike's weight settles the chassis as you turn in. The bars don't flinch.
Nils rode the Z H2 in Austria in 2020 (NastyNils Testride).
Brabus 1300 R
On Angeles Crest Highway, the Brabus 1300 R turns in clean and holds its line on a steady throttle. The seat locks you in place and the pegs bite your boots, while in Sport mode the chassis firms up and still tells you what the front tire's doing. With Anti-Dive on in Comfort mode, a hard pull on the brake lever won't pitch the nose down. The fork stays tall through stops.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Z H2 has the lower seat: 32.7 in (830 mm) vs 33.3 in (845 mm).
- The Z H2 makes more peak power: 200 hp (147 kW) vs 179 hp (132 kW).
- The Brabus 1300 R has the larger engine: 1301 cc vs 998 cc.
Which one for the way you ride
Daily commuting & city riding
Not suited: Brabus 1300 R
There's no daily-ride verdict for the Brabus 1300 R. Getting to work isn't its job.
Comfortable long-distance riding
Both fall short
Long-haul comfort is a weak spot for both. If you tour, shop with that in mind.
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
Brabus 1300 R
From Nils' own saddle time
Strengths
- Big twin behaves in traffic
- Rider aids you never fight
- Cockpit locks your body in
- Suspension modes that mean something
- Precision you can lean on
Trade-offs
- Left switchgear feels cheap
- Switchgear clashes with the finish
- Mirrors show far too little
- Mirrors catch your knees
What they cost used
These prices compare a 4-year-old Z H2 with a 4-year-old Brabus 1300 R.
- Z H2
- about $17,700
- Brabus 1300 R
- about $45,500
At four years old, the Kawasaki Z H2 sits around $17,700 while the KTM Brabus 1300 R holds near $45,500. That's a $27,800 gap in the US market. These are estimates, not live listings.
What they share
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
- Front brake
- 320 mm
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
Where the spec sheets split
| Z H2 | Brabus 1300 R | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 32.7 in (830 mm) | 33.3 in (845 mm) |
| Z H2 | Brabus 1300 R | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 998 cc | 1301 cc |
| Engine | Inline-four | 75° V-twin |
| Power | 200 hp (147 kW) | 179 hp (132 kW) |
| Peak power at | 11,000 rpm | 9,500 rpm |
| Torque | 101 lb-ft (137 Nm) | 103 lb-ft (140 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 8,500 rpm | 8,000 rpm |
| Z H2 | Brabus 1300 R | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy | 39 mpg (US) / 6 L/100 km | 43 mpg (US) / 5.5 L/100 km |
| Fuel capacity | 5.0 US gal (19 L) | 4.2 US gal (16 L) |
| Z H2 | Brabus 1300 R | |
|---|---|---|
| Rear tire | 190/55-17 | 200/55-17 |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Z H2 | Brabus 1300 R | |
|---|---|---|
| Electronic Suspension | Not offered | Standard |
| Steering Damper | Not offered | Standard |
| Smartphone Connectivity | Standard | Not offered |
| USB Charging Port | Option | Not offered |
| Heated Grips | Option | Standard |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
