Suzuka is the Japanese circuit par excellence, and there we have seen for the first time some of the most impressive motorcycles on the market. On this occasion, the Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX Hydrogen has made its debut on the track owned by Honda, which has gone from photos and explanations to being shown without any complexes in public.
The Suzuka 8 Hours is the country’s most important motorcycle event, and showing off its most technically revolutionary machine is quite a statement of intent. It should be noted that the engine used by the Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX Hydrogen is derived from the supercharged four-cylinder engine used in the petrol Ninja H2 SX. A slight internal modification to the injectors and the hydrogen is injected into the combustion chamber.
Thanks to this public presentation we have also been able to compare sizes and observe details such as the fact that refilling would be done through a rear valve, so, at least on this occasion, it is ruled out that the hydrogen cylinders would have to be changed.
For now, we still don’t know the weight, power and autonomy data, although Kawasaki officials have assured that from the first steps of the project it exceeded 100 kilometers. However, without specifying the driving conditions.
In any case, what can be clearly seen is that the bike is very bulky at the rear where the tanks are located. Although the most important thing about this prototype that we were able to see during the 8 Hours of Suzuka, is what it tells us about the sound and operation of the Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX Hydrogen.
This is what the Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX Hydrogen sounds like
In a video from our colleagues at Young Machine, you can see how the bike starts with a starter motor, and then it emits a sound that we could consider almost identical to that of a normal motorcycle. Then comes the time to start the ride and after engaging the first gear, the sound is still comparable to that of a combustion motorcycle. However, we still wish they had pushed the engine a little further to give us a small idea of what it is capable of at this point.
There is no doubt that this is a major step forward in Kawasaki’s hydrogen motorcycle project and, especially, in the possibility that the Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX Hydrogen will one day become a reality.
Will hydrogen ultimately prove to be a viable and economical alternative? Only time will tell.
