Review: 2025 Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE – Sport-Touring with a Supercharger
Hyperbike DNA Meets Touring Refinement
Swing a leg over the Ninja H2 SX SE and you immediately know this is no ordinary sport-tourer. The name “H2” evokes Kawasaki’s flagship supercharged machines, and indeed the H2 SX SE is powered by a supercharged 998cc inline-four derived from the H2 superbike. Twist the throttle and the familiar whistle of the supercharger spooling up is followed by a sledgehammer of acceleration – it’s an experience few touring-oriented bikes can replicate. Kawasaki has tuned the SX’s engine for a more balanced delivery compared to the H2 track bike, but it still punches out roughly 200 horsepower, giving this machine effortless passing power even when laden with luggage. In fact, the Ninja H2 SX SE can surge from 60 mph to license-revoking speeds in mere heartbeats; one has to be judicious with the throttle.
Yet, what’s remarkable is how civilized it feels when you’re not chasing triple digits. Kawasaki’s engineers achieved a superb “balanced supercharged engine” character – around town and at cruising RPM, the powerplant purrs along smoothly without the lurchiness one might expect from a high-strung motor. The supercharger’s boost comes on progressively, and in the default Middle power mode the bike is perfectly tame for city traffic or winding down after a spirited run. This dual nature defines the H2 SX SE: it can be a gentle tourer or a raging hypersport at the flick of your wrist. The fact that it meets strict Euro5 emissions and still delivers such performance is a testament to Kawasaki’s engineering.
Cutting-Edge Tech and Features
The 2025 Ninja H2 SX SE is absolutely brimming with technology, befitting its status as Kawasaki’s most advanced street bike. Front and center is the ARAS (Advanced Rider Assistance Systems) suite – a package of radar-based features rare on motorcycles. This includes Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) for maintaining a set distance behind traffic, Forward Collision Warning that alerts if you’re closing in too fast, and Blind Spot Detection with indicators in the mirrors. On our test highway stints, ACC worked brilliantly, smoothly adjusting speed when a car pulled in front and resuming our set pace once clear. It reduces fatigue on long drones and is a glimpse into the future of touring safety. The blind spot warnings (via amber lights at mirror edges) were a welcome extra pair of eyes when navigating multi-lane roads. It’s clear Kawasaki wasn’t content with just making another fast bike – they aimed to make a smart bike that augments the rider’s abilities.
That ethos carries through the rest of the electronics. The Ninja H2 SX SE gets a six-axis IMU enabling cornering ABS, lean-sensitive traction control, and wheel lift mitigation. There are multiple power modes and Kawasaki’s KTRC traction settings to let you tune the intervention level. It also features Kawasaki’s KECS electronic suspension, which automatically adjusts damping on the fly to suit the road conditions and your riding style. You can feel it firm up in Sport mode for improved feedback in corners, then soften in the rain mode to absorb rough pavement – all without turning a knob. Additionally, conveniences like a TFT color dash with Bluetooth, LED cornering lights that illuminate as you lean, a center stand, and even KIPASS keyless ignition are standard. This bike wants for nothing when it comes to equipment – it’s as premium as it gets. Essentially, Kawasaki took their hyperbike and layered it with everything a sport-touring rider could desire, creating an “ultimate integration of technology, performance, and comfort.”
High-Speed Comfort and Handling
Despite the spaceship-level tech and explosive power, a sport-touring bike lives or dies by how it handles real roads over long distances. The Ninja H2 SX SE surprises here too – it is remarkably comfortable and composed for such a high-performance machine. The riding position is a tad more forward-leaning than pure touring rigs, but it’s far more relaxed than a sportbike. You get clip-on style handlebars that are raised, a reasonably plush seat for rider and passenger, and adjustable footpegs. In practice, we found it easy to rack up a few hundred miles a day with minimal fatigue. Wind protection from the mid-sized screen is adequate; taller riders might opt for the accessory touring screen for extended highway slogs. Vibration from the supercharged four is impressively muted thanks to balance shafts – at a steady 75 mph cruise, the bike is smooth and the engine loafs well below its stratospheric redline.
When the road gets curvy, the H2 SX SE handles with poise. It carries its weight (~260 kg or 573 lbs wet) low, and the chassis geometry is optimized for stability at speed. Tipping into a fast sweeper, the bike feels planted and predictable – you can thank the longer wheelbase and advanced suspension for that. In tight switchbacks, it’s not as flickable as a ZX-10R, of course, but once you set your line it holds it confidently. Grip from the Bridgestone Battlax sport-touring tires was excellent in both dry and a surprise rain shower – and knowing you have traction control and cornering ABS in your back pocket adds to confidence in subpar conditions. The linked Brembo brakes haul the bike down from speed without drama, and the lever feel is progressive, which is ideal given how rapidly this machine can build speed. We particularly appreciated the Vehicle Hold Control, which automatically holds the bike on a hill when you’re stopped – no need to maintain brake pressure with your hand or foot. Little touches like that remind you this is a touring machine in spirit, even if it can embarrass 600cc sportbikes off the line.
One area where the H2 SX SE shines is high-speed stability. We took it on an unrestricted autobahn stretch (in the name of science, of course) and saw the speedometer sweep well into the triple digits (mph) with astounding ease. At those velocities, the bike felt as solid as a bullet train – no headshake, minimal wind noise, just a surreal sense of velocity. It will relentlessly accelerate to an electronically limited ~186 mph if you let it. Knowing that Kawasaki built this platform to handle insane speed gives you assurance that at “normal” fast riding, you’re well within its comfort zone. And unlike pure track bikes, the Ninja’s suspension compliance and ergonomic comfort mean you won’t be aching after enjoying a spirited backroad ride. It truly hits a sweet spot: you get superbike thrills and touring civility in one package.
The Trade-Offs and Who It’s For
No bike is perfect, and the Ninja H2 SX SE does come with a few caveats. Firstly, there’s the matter of cost – all this engineering marvel doesn’t come cheap. It’s one of the priciest Kawasaki models ever, putting it in competition with high-end European sport-tourers. Also, its fuel economy can dip into the low 30s (mpg) if you frequently exploit the boost, meaning the range from the 5-gallon tank can shrink on spirited rides. Heat management is pretty good considering the power on tap, but on hot days you’ll still feel some warmth around your legs in slow traffic. And, practically speaking, the sheer performance is overkill for many riders – it’s possible to cover ground nearly as quickly on a Ninja 1000SX or similar with less effort.
However, for the sport-touring enthusiast who refuses to compromise on performance, the Ninja H2 SX SE is peerless. This is the bike for riders who want to munch miles and obliterate straights, who want corner-carving agility and cutting-edge tech. It could serve a commuter role during the week (with panniers attached for your laptop and gear) and then transform into a hypersport missile on the weekends. The Ninja H2 SX SE might actually be in a class of its own – not many bikes let you drag knees on a trackday and then comfortably ride across state lines the next morning.
The Ultimate Sport-Touring Machine?
Kawasaki dared to imagine a sport-touring bike with no limits – in power, technology, or capability, and the 2025 Ninja H2 SX SE is the stunning result. It takes the concept of a two-wheeled GT and infuses it with adrenaline, yet retains the comfort and features needed for serious riding adventures. After our time with it, we’re left deeply impressed (and admittedly a bit addicted to the supercharger rush). Few motorcycles can make you laugh out loud in your helmet with sheer acceleration, then hours later have you relaxed and enjoying the sunset at a roadside vista. That duality is what makes the H2 SX SE special.
Certainly, there are more practical mounts and more affordable choices. But as an engineering halo and an experience for the senses, this Kawasaki stands apart. It asks the question: why not have it all? For those riders who hear that supercharger chirp calling their name, the answer is clear. The Ninja H2 SX SE delivers an intoxicating blend of speed and sophistication that redefines sport-touring. Ready to feel the force of a supercharged tourer? This bike is eager to oblige – just hold on tight and enjoy the ride of a lifetime.