Kawi2strokes.com Forum

The December ‘72 superbike comparison test. I remember buying this back when I owned a Triumph T150 triple. Now that my ‘72 H2 is a running bike I want to read about what I’m in for and can expect.

“The Mach IV had the most willing and hysterical engine in the entire test”.

Is this a good thing? The H2 won the test, narrowly beating out the Z1 on total points. The two traded top places in most of the tests.

Mark

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Obstreperous stink wheels!
1975 Yamaha RD350
1975 Yamaha TZ750
1980 Moto Guzzi SP1000
2019 Triumph T100

I'm surprised Kawasaki allowed it to be published that the H2 was as good or better than the Z1. We've all heard the story about the H2 being detuned at the drag strip to allow the Z1 to beat it.

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If it surges, that's normal, upshift.

According to Tony Nicosia, they were all a "cheatin"......

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Twist the throttle, tilt the horizon, and have a great time. What triples are all about...........

In this test the H2 beat the Z1 by just a whisker in each test, but they went on to say the Z1 was so much easier to ride and live with, and could have done better with decent shocks and tires.

Cycle went to great pains to explain each bike had to be bone stock inside, and were stripped to the cases after the testing was done. They expected the H2 to be a ringer but it was completely stock from the airbox snorkel to the lumpy port castings.
The article went on to describe how the bikes were all getting more civilized to live with and still performed well, and bikes like the Z1 would become the norm for superbikes. The H2 was a last hold out of what the definition of a superbike was before this test. The H2 might have narrowly won by measurement, but the Z1 was surely the better bike.

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Obstreperous stink wheels!
1975 Yamaha RD350
1975 Yamaha TZ750
1980 Moto Guzzi SP1000
2019 Triumph T100

Dont believe everything you read.... wink wink....

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Twist the throttle, tilt the horizon, and have a great time. What triples are all about...........

still have the magazine andd yes the H2 was the better bike

Exactly!
“The H2 wheelied through all gears”
If I were at the track and a stock H2 and a stock Z1 were staged; my money would be on the Z1.
Why would Kawasaki spend mega $$ to build a ‘World Class SuperBike’ and it wouldn’t beat one of their own models?
Research Z1 records vs H2 records.
I have most every article/document I can find,
And... I have both bikes.
Z1 is a much better bike in every way.
MY NON PC OPINION

Even in the 90 lbs. heavier way?

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If it surges, that's normal, upshift.

In my case, the electric start, better fuel mileage and smoother ride (long ride) offset the 62lb (dry H2- 452lbs, Z1-510lb) difference.
I guess I ‘m open to debate, but I’ve tried to imagine launching an H2 off the line, and have done the Z.
I don’t think the average person could make a successful 60ft time on an H2 as they could on a Z.

My H2B is faster than my KZ1100, 100hp stock, at least at lower speeds, up to maybe 70 or so. The H2 comes on power hard, where the KZ power delivery is real linear, you have to rev the piss out of it to make it go. I think the H2's advantage is the much lighter weight and its huge midrange power delivery. Mine is the longer B chassis, plus lowered front, and clip ons, so it does not wheelie. Very different bikes, in almost every way.
I can almost get bored riding the 1100, it lets you piddle along if you feel like it, but the H2, no way!

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1974 Kawasaki H2B 750, 1981 Yamaha XV750 Cafe, 1986 Kawasaki KDX200, 2003 Honda XR100, 2004 SDG140. 2006 Ninja 500R Turbo intercooled fuel injected.