By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Supersport vs Sport Tourer
Suzuki Hayabusa (MY2021) vs Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE+ (MY2019)
Suzuki Hayabusa vs Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE+: where they split, and which one to buy.
You'll feel the Suzuki Hayabusa shove from its fat midrange the instant you roll the throttle open, well short of the redline. The Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE+ doesn't buzz or stumble as you wind it on; it builds in one clean line. Then the intake chirps and the bike launches hard.
So which one do you buy?
Buy the Ninja H2 SX SE+ if…
Daily commuting & city riding
Better bet: Ninja H2 SX SE+
The Ninja H2 SX SE+ suits a daily commute clearly better. In traffic, it's simply less work.
Keeping running costs low
Clearly ahead: Ninja H2 SX SE+
If every service bill hurts, the Ninja H2 SX SE+ is your bike. It's the easier one on your wallet.
Which one's the smarter buy
Two different jobs
They sit in different classes, so the money question is a trade-off. Neither is the obvious better buy for the money.
What makes each one tick
Hayabusa
Triple-digit speeds don't unsettle the Hayabusa, whose long wheelbase keeps it pinned flat to the pavement. The brake lever hauls that speed back down, with cornering ABS working through any lean. Broken pavement gets swallowed by the KYB suspension before it can jolt the seat. Potholes come through as soft thuds.
Ninja H2 SX SE+
Highway passes on the Ninja H2 SX SE+ are over almost before they start, because the supercharged four doesn't run out of pull. Through the Blue Ridge Parkway's bends, the bar points the front at the apex you've picked, and the chassis holds steady to the exit. Parking-lot U-turns take real effort.
Nils rode the Ninja H2 SX SE+ in Hungary in 2021 (NastyNils Testride).
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Hayabusa has the lower seat: 31.5 in (800 mm) vs 32.9 in (835 mm).
- The Hayabusa makes more peak torque: 111 lb-ft (150 Nm) vs 101 lb-ft (137 Nm).
- The Hayabusa has the larger engine: 1340 cc vs 998 cc.
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Not its job: Hayabusa
Long days on the highway aren't the Hayabusa's job, so there's no verdict for it here.
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Not built for this
Learning on either of these is the hard way. A gentler bike will make you a better rider sooner.
For twisty roads, you won't find daylight between them. Let the test ride settle it.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
Hayabusa
What owners say
Strengths
- Supremely supple ride quality and rock-solid high-speed stability
- Comprehensive, user-friendly electronics suite
- Strong, creamy midrange from the retuned engine
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
Hayabusa
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 5-year-old Hayabusa with a 5-year-old Ninja H2 SX SE+.
- Hayabusa
- about $14,900
- Ninja H2 SX SE+
- about $18,000
At five years old, the Suzuki Hayabusa sits around $14,900 while the Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE+ runs about $18,000. That's a $3,100 gap in the Hayabusa's favor. These are US market estimates, not live listings.
What they share
- Engine
- Inline-four
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
Where the spec sheets split
| Hayabusa | Ninja H2 SX SE+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 31.5 in (800 mm) | 32.9 in (835 mm) |
| Wet weight | 582 lb (264 kg) | 578 lb (262 kg) |
| Hayabusa | Ninja H2 SX SE+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1340 cc | 998 cc |
| Power | 190 hp (140 kW) | 200 hp (147 kW) |
| Peak power at | 9,700 rpm | 11,000 rpm |
| Torque | 111 lb-ft (150 Nm) | 101 lb-ft (137 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 7,000 rpm | 9,500 rpm |
| Hayabusa | Ninja H2 SX SE+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 5.3 US gal (20 L) | 5.0 US gal (18.9 L) |
| Hayabusa | Ninja H2 SX SE+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Rear tire | 190/50-17 | 190/55-17 |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Hayabusa | Ninja H2 SX SE+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Electronic Suspension | Not offered | Standard |
| Smartphone Connectivity | 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.
