Harley-Davidson XLH 1000 Sportster vs Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE (2026)

Side-by-side spec comparison, pricing, and a plain-English breakdown of how the Harley-Davidson XLH 1000 Sportsterstacks up against the Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE. Numbers pulled from manufacturer spec sheets — click either bike for the full review.

Spec comparison

SpecHarley-Davidson XLH 1000 SportsterKawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE
Model year19852026
Price$28,500
Engine997 cc998 cc
Horsepower50 hp200 hp
Torque137 Nm
Weight264 kg
Seat height835 mm
Fuel capacity2.3 L19.0 L
Fuel typepetrolpetrol
Transmission4-speed6-speed manual
Front brakesSingle discDual 320mm discs
Rear brakesSingle discSingle 250mm disc
TiresMJ 90-19 / MT 90-16 120/70-17 front, 190/55-17 rear

Harley-Davidson XLH 1000 Sportster vs Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE — which should you buy?

Picking between the Harley-Davidson XLH 1000 Sportster and the Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE usually comes down to the numbers you care about most. On paper, the Harley-Davidson XLH 1000 Sportster brings 50 hp, while the Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE counters with 200 hp at 264 kg.

Our spec tables above highlight the winning number on each line. For the full rider-focused reviews including real-world fuel economy, service costs and available colors, click into either bike: