What makes these H2 motorcycles so great is the supercharged engine. It’s the fire-breathing heart that makes other motorcycle engines feel old-fashioned. Created by Kawasaki Heavy Industries in a unique collaboration, this supercharged engine features some of the most advanced technologies ever used on motorcycles. Let’s dive in to see what’s inside this supercharged engine. Buckle up too, because things are about to get technical.
To give you the most current and accurate information, the data used to compile this article comes from authoritative sources such as Kawasaki Heavy Industries Group. The information in this article relates primarily to the Kawasaki Ninja H2 engine and may vary by model.
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The Ninja H2R’s supercharged engine is a wonder like no other
The Kawasaki H2R and its street-legal brother, the H2, are designed to give riders something they’ve never experienced before: ultimate performance. The engines had to deliver intense acceleration, a high top speed and track performance at supersport level, which required a powerful, compact engine. So Kawasaki had to develop something from scratch and Kawasaki Heavy Industries Group was involved in this project. You know, the group that produces everything from rockets to submarines and space systems, no problem.
Using its extensive knowledge and database to create some of the most high-tech machines in the world, the KHI Group, in collaboration with Kawasaki motorcycles, developed the supercharged inline-four engine that would power the brand’s flagship sports bikes. This engine, in its most performance-oriented state, is capable of producing a mind-numbing 322 horsepower, taking the engine to 148,548 miles per hour in just 20 seconds.
How did Kawasaki manage to squeeze so much performance out of this compact engine without sending the pistons into space or compromising reliability? The answer lies in the insane technology that KHI Group has put into the engine. For example, the engine is coupled to a mechanical centrifugal supercharger, which is very efficient and compact. Meanwhile, the engine itself has been strengthened to maintain performance, along with improved cooling and intake/exhaust systems. That makes this supercharged engine an engineering marvel, the likes of which has never been seen on two wheels.
Motorcycles that use Kawasaki’s supercharged engine
Models | Kawasaki Ninja H2R | Kawasaki Ninja H2 | Kawasaki Ninja H2SX SE | Kawasaki Z-H2 | Bimota Tesi H2 | Bimota H2 Tera |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Assets | 322 hp at 14,000 rpm | 240 hp at 11,500 rpm | 207 hp at 10,000 rpm | 197 hp at 10,500 rpm | 231 hp at 11,500 rpm | 200 hp at 11,000 rpm |
Torque output | 121.5 LB-FT @ 12,500 rpm | 104.9 LB-FT @ 11,000 rpm | 101 LB-FT @ 8,500 rpm | 101 LB-FT @ 8,500 rpm | 104.51 LB-FT @ 11,000 rpm | 101 LB-FT @ 8,500 rpm |
Compression ratio | 8.3:1 | 8.3:1 | 11.2:1 | 11.2:1 | 8.5:1 | 11.2:1 |
Extremely efficient supercharger designed for maximum performance across the entire speed range
We’ve seen supercharged motorcycles before, but those examples were limited to modified Hayabusas and Harley-Davidsons. Such units used to be large and bulky, usually completely compromising the usability and reliability of the bicycle. However, Kawasaki’s unit is completely different; it is a centrifugal-type mechanical supercharger designed with technology from KHI’s Gas Turbine and Machinery Company, Aerospace Company and Corporate Technology Division. Thanks to its completely unique design, it can be perfectly matched to the inline-four power source and the desired engine character of the Kawasaki.
The supercharger itself is very efficient in achieving the goals of intense acceleration and maximum power. For example, the supercharger is linked to a planetary gear train driven by the crankshaft, courtesy of Aerospace Company. This gear can spool the impeller shaft to almost 130,000 rpm, pumping almost 200 liters of air into the engine per second. At this rate, the internal air pressure can reach 2.4 atmospheric pressure with a flow rate of 100 meters per second at the inlet.
Because so much air is passing through and the impeller winds up exceptionally quickly, the supercharger will heat up and lose efficiency. Fortunately, Kawasaki has made the unit extremely efficient, preventing overheating under a wide range of conditions. This is unlike most aftermarket superchargers, which only provide this level of efficiency under a limited number of conditions. At the same time, Kawasaki says the unit can also handle a wide range of pressure ratios and flow rates, ideal for on-road motorcycle use. Finally, this efficient design eliminates the need for an intercooler.
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Compact but robust liter class engine with high-tech components
It is possible to produce such high power with conventional naturally aspirated engines, but that would generally increase engine displacement. While that sounds simple enough, it would increase the size of the engine, reducing the motorcycle’s track performance. So the logical choice was to go the supercharger route to keep engine size under control without sacrificing performance. According to Kawasaki, the result is an inline-four engine with dimensions comparable to those of conventional liter-class engines.
The next goal was to make the engine strong enough to withstand high compression and deliver performance without constant blowing. Thus, the engine is designed to withstand twice the load of a naturally aspirated liter engine. This is possible thanks to high-tech components, starting with cast pistons. Still, in the highest state of tune on the H2R, the engine requires a tolerance check every 15 hours, followed by a full service after 30 hours. The same is not the case with street versions of the engine, which have longer maintenance intervals.
The third piece of the engine puzzle is cooling, which can sometimes be a significant limiting factor to engine power. Here Kawasaki has improved the cooling in every possible way, resulting in a very complex engine design. For example, the cylinders are equipped with large coolant passages to keep the combustion chamber cool. Because a single lubrication system supplies cooling oil to the engine, transmission and supercharger, the engine holds 1.32 liters of oil, which is 35 percent more than a conventional liter-class inline-four engine.
Everything before and after the engine, designed to support supercharger performance
Kawasaki has ensured that this fire-breathing combination is supported at all times and that starts with the air intake. A RAM air intake on the left side of the air hood directs air to the supercharger in as straight a line as possible. This intake chamber uses newly developed technology, where the upper injectors spray fuel onto stainless steel nets positioned above the intake funnels to create a more uniform fuel-air mixture. The exhaust ports are designed to efficiently draw exhaust air from the combustion chamber.
On the other side, a dog ring unit that provides a smooth, fast-shifting experience. This type of transmission is usually found in MotoGP or Formula 1 and was developed with feedback from the Kawasaki Racing Team. What makes this transmission unique is that, unlike a standard transmission, it relies on dog ring shifting rather than entire gears shifting with shift forks. As a result, the shifts become lighter with better feedback and a much shorter shift time, allowing fast acceleration.
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Supercharged performance and versatility baked into the design and now in action
All this information would have you believe that this supercharged inline-four is all about performance, but that’s far from the reality. The inline-four engine is already a great powerplant that can be tailored to different driving needs, from high-revving super sports cars to quiet sports tourers. The Kawasaki supercharger not only makes it much more powerful, but also makes it work more efficiently. According to the company, this supercharger is tuned for a broad power delivery suitable for a variety of driving conditions, including revs.
Don’t believe us? Just look at the motorcycles this engine powers. It started with the race-ready H2R and street-legal H2 hyperbikes, but has now made its way to other motorcycles. You can get the same engine in a sports tourer package with the H2 SX or in a Naked Bike with the Z H2, albeit with milder tuning and different components. If green isn’t your favorite color and you have deeper pockets, you can even opt for Bimota motorcycles, including the Tesi H2 Tera, a 200-horsepower crossover beast.
In general, all motorcycles powered by this supercharged engine are at the higher end of the engine spectrum and feature the very latest technology and components. But it is this power source that makes these bikes so special. As far as we know, this supercharged engine can also save internal combustion engines. It can enable manufacturers to deliver high performance while keeping engine displacement low, helping to meet increasingly stringent emissions standards. While no one knows for sure where motorcycles will go from here, this supercharged engine offers some hope. It also inspires enthusiasts to save more money and have the ultimate motorcycle experience.
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