By NastyNils· ·
Motorcycle comparison · Supersport
Suzuki Hayabusa (WVCK ABS) vs Kawasaki Ninja H2 (ZXT00X)
Suzuki Hayabusa vs Kawasaki Ninja H2: which one to buy for the riding you do.
You'll roll open the Suzuki Hayabusa's throttle in top gear and feel it pull clean from low revs. The Kawasaki Ninja H2's supercharger whines and the bike lunges.
So which one do you buy?
The Hayabusa has the edge if…
Keeping running costs low
Nose ahead: Hayabusa
For the money you spend after the purchase, the Hayabusa nudges ahead. The gap is too small to plan a budget around.
Daily commuting & city riding
Edges it: Hayabusa
For the Monday-to-Friday grind, the Hayabusa pulls a nose in front. Thank simpler maintenance and lower running costs for that. Your own commute could easily flip it.
The Ninja H2 has the edge if…
Racetrack use
By a nose: Ninja H2
For a day at the track, the Ninja H2 makes slightly more sense. That comes from better suspension and a sportier chassis.
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Narrow edge: Ninja H2
Through a string of corners, the Ninja H2 feels a little more eager. The gap is small, so ride both.
What makes each one tick
Hayabusa
At triple-digit speeds the Hayabusa's long wheelbase keeps it planted, and the bodywork parts the wind. Bumps there don't stir the chassis. In tight bends, the bike's 586 lb (266 kg) won't flick quickly from side to side. Mile after mile, the plush seat soaks up the hours.
Ninja H2
At Barber Motorsports Park, the Ninja H2's light steel trellis frame doesn't fight the quick bends. Every twist of the throttle brings ferocious acceleration, and there's no step in the powerband. The surge just keeps coming.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Hayabusa has the lower seat: 31.7 in (805 mm) vs 32.7 in (830 mm).
- The Ninja H2 has the lower wet weight: 525 lb (238 kg) vs 586 lb (266 kg).
- The Hayabusa makes more peak torque: 114 lb-ft (155 Nm) vs 98 lb-ft (133 Nm).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Neither is a natural fit
For all-day comfort, both fall short. Keep the rides short and you'll get on fine with either.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
Hayabusa
What owners say
Strengths
- Astounding torque and in-gear acceleration
- Strong Brembo brakes with ABS
- Rock-solid high-speed stability
- Surprising long-distance comfort
Trade-offs
- Heavy and ponderous in tight corners
Ninja H2
What owners say
Strengths
- Explosive supercharged power
Known problems to check before you buy
Hayabusa
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
Ninja H2
- Camshaft chain tensioner recall (2017-2018 units) Recall 22V912000 A defect in the camshaft chain tensioner relief valve could cause it to stick, leading to chain slippage and engine stall. NHTSA campaign 22V-912 (22V912000) affects certain 2017-2018 Ninja H2 models.
What they share
- Engine
- Inline-four
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
Where the spec sheets split
| Hayabusa | Ninja H2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 31.7 in (805 mm) | 32.7 in (830 mm) |
| Wet weight | 586 lb (266 kg) | 525 lb (238 kg) |
| Hayabusa | Ninja H2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1340 cc | 998 cc |
| Peak power at | 9,500 rpm | 11,000 rpm |
| Torque | 114 lb-ft (155 Nm) | 98 lb-ft (133 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 7,200 rpm | 10,500 rpm |
| Top speed | 186 mph (299 km/h) | 184 mph (296 km/h) |
| Hayabusa | Ninja H2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 5.5 US gal (21 L) | 4.5 US gal (17 L) |
| Hayabusa | Ninja H2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Rear tire | 190/50-17 | 200/55-17 |
| Wheelbase | 58.3 in (1480 mm) | 57.3 in (1455 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Hayabusa | Ninja H2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Traction Control | Not offered | Standard |
| Launch Control | Not offered | Standard |
| Quickshifter | Not offered | Standard |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
