Yamaha YZF R1 vs Kawasaki Ninja® H2® SX SE 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® SX SE ABS. Numbers pulled from manufacturer spec sheets — click either bike for the full review.
Spec comparison
| Spec | Yamaha YZF R1 | Kawasaki Ninja® H2® SX SE ABS |
|---|---|---|
| Model year | 2026 | 2026 |
| Price | $19,199 | $29,999 |
| Engine | 998 cc | 998 cc |
| Weight | 203 kg | 248 kg |
| Seat height | 856 mm | 835 mm |
| Fuel capacity | 17.0 L | 18.0 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 Hypersport S22: 120/70 ZR17 M/C 58W / Bridgestone® Battlax Hypersport S22: 190/55 ZR17 M/C 75W |
Yamaha YZF R1 vs Kawasaki Ninja® H2® SX SE ABS — which should you buy?
Picking between the Yamaha YZF R1 and the Kawasaki Ninja® H2® SX SE 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® SX SE ABS counters with its own power figure at 248 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: