Yamaha YZF R1 vs Kawasaki Ninja H2® Carbon ABS (2026)
Side-by-side spec comparison, pricing, and a plain-English breakdown of how the Yamaha YZF R1stacks up against the Kawasaki Ninja H2® Carbon ABS. Numbers pulled from manufacturer spec sheets — click either bike for the full review.
Spec comparison
| Spec | Yamaha YZF R1 | Kawasaki Ninja H2® Carbon ABS |
|---|---|---|
| Model year | 2026 | 2026 |
| Price | $19,199 | $38,100 |
| Engine | 998 cc | 998 cc |
| Weight | 203 kg | 218 kg |
| Seat height | 856 mm | 825 mm |
| Fuel capacity | 17.0 L | 17.0 L |
| Fuel type | petrol | petrol |
| Transmission | Manual, 6 speed, Chain | Manual, 6 speed, Chain |
| Front brakes | Dual Hydraulic Disc | Dual Hydraulic Disc |
| Rear brakes | Hydraulic Disc | Hydraulic Disc |
| Tires | Bridgestone® BATTLAX RACING STREET RS11F 120/70 ZR17 / Bridgestone® BATTLAX RACING STREET RS11R 190/55 ZR17 | Bridgestone® Battlax RS11: 120/70ZR17 (58W) / Bridgestone® Battlax RS11: 200/55ZR17 (78W) |
Yamaha YZF R1 vs Kawasaki Ninja H2® Carbon ABS — which should you buy?
Picking between the Yamaha YZF R1 and the Kawasaki Ninja H2® Carbon ABS usually comes down to the numbers you care about most. On paper, the Yamaha YZF R1 brings its published horsepower in a 203 kg package, while the Kawasaki Ninja H2® Carbon ABS counters with its own power figure at 218 kg. On price, the Yamaha YZF R1 has the lower MSRP.
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: