Kawasaki Ninja H2

Say Hello to the the most anticipated sports bike in decades: Kawasaki’s H2. The 998cc inline four features a supercharger rotated at up to 130,000 rpm by planetary gears, forcing air into the cylinders to let more fuel be burnt. Cams are designed for low-rev torque, ports are polished, and special two-material exhaust valves take the heat. Extra oil jets cool the pistons, blower drive chain and gearbox, with 35% more engine oil than usual.

This engine makes 200 PS, or 197 bhp same as claimed for the ZX-10R, but delivered 2000 rpm earlier (11,000rpm) with way more driveability and 19% more peak torque. There’s a dog-ring gearbox instead of shift forks moving the gears about, the gears are fixed and a dog ring slides to pick ratios, for a lighter feel and quicker changes Want gizmos? The H2 has multi-level traction control, riding modes, launch control, engine braking control, quickshifter, anti-lock brakes..

Steel tubing forms the frame, the mounting plates for Kawasaki’s first-ever single-sider bolting to the back of the engine. Steering geometry is a tad sharper than a ZX10R. Kayaba Air Oil forks use technology from motocross, and the shock fixes to the swingarm mounting plate. Bodywork has ‘silver mirror’ paint, lights are LED, wheels have a machined finish. Bet on over £20,000.

 If this is too tame there’s also the track-only H2R, with 296bhp and slicks. Built in limited numbers, it has a 120 dB exhaust, needs servicing every 15 hours if you exceed 8000 rpm and has ‘no warranties, express or implied’. Order a H2R before 19 December if you’re serious.