Kawasaki Gives 2021 Z H2 SE Skyhook Suspension

You’ve gotta hand it to Kawasaki for making the most of its supercharged H2 platform—and for, well, supercharging a 998cc inline-four in the first place. Having gone to all the trouble of developing that nuclear reactor of a motor for the Ninja H2 and H2R hypersports, Kawasaki figured why not put it in a sport-tourer (the Ninja H2 SX) and a naked bike (the Z H2)? Why not? indeed. Maybe Kawi will put it in a cruiser next. Or a side-by-side. Wishful thinking aside, for 2021, last year’s Z H2 debutante will come in SE guise, featuring Kawasaki Electronic Control Suspension (KECS), incorporating Showa Skyhook technology.

The technology, the original version of which debuted on Ducati’s Multistrada in 2013, differs from other semi-active systems by aiming to maintain the motorcycle’s vertical position relative to the road for a smooth ride, while reducing pitching under deceleration—thus creating the “suspended from the sky” feeling. Kawasaki fine-tuned the system for implementation on the Z H2 SE. The system gathers information about suspension stroke speed, positive and negative acceleration, wheel speed, and front braking pressure—and takes into account vertical acceleration and pitch rate—before adjusting damping via a solenoid valve that can react in as little as one millisecond.

Damping quality—what riders would describe using the shorthand “soft” or “firm”—corresponds to the selected ride mode (Sport, Road, Rain, Manual). The system also includes electronically adjustable rear preload.

The press release mentions that one of Skyhook’s major benefits is that it reduces pitching during two-up riding. While one can foresee some light two-up touring on the H2 SX, it’s gotta be said, if your significant other is willing to sit on the back of a 200-hp, supercharged hyper naked, you may be dating/married to a lunatic. Just a heads-up.

The Z H2 SE also features high-end Brembo Stylema calipers, replacing the standard Z H2′s Brembo M4.32 calipers, that bite 320mm discs up front and a 250mm disc in the rear.

In all other respects, the SE is the same sledgehammer as the standard Z H2—not that a supercharged Ninja with 200-ish hp (claimed) can ever rightly be called “standard.” What I mean is, the SE gets the same goodies: TFT dash, up-to-the-minute rider aids, quickshifter, cruise control, slip-assist clutch, smartphone connectivity, etc.

The 2021 Z H2 SE is available in Golden Blazed Green/Metallic Diablo Black for $19,700. That’s $2,200 more than the base model Z H2.