Auto Expo 2018 was the India launch venue for two new Kawasaki bikes, its new supercharged sports tourers, the H2 SX and higher–spec H2 SX SE. The SX range was recently launched internationally and features a lot of changes over the standard H2 – including an improved fuel economy – that make it more of a tourer. The H2 SX is priced at ₹21.80 lakh and the high-spec H2 SX SE is priced at ₹26.80 lakh (all prices, ex-showroom).
Kawasaki has revised the H2’s engine to provide greater mid-range power for the SX abs SX SE rather than a top-end whack. Revisions include new cylinders, pistons, camshafts and supercharger unit. Both bikes come with a 998cc, liquid-cooled, 4-cylinder engine developing 200hp and 137.3Nm of torque.
Kawasaki’s new sports tourers also get a new trellis frame that has been built with a strengthened rear sub-frame, so that it can handle additional loads and weight has increased by around 18kg over H2 superbike after its additional fairing and touring add-ons. The SX SE is the more premium variant of the two and comes equipped with additional features, Kawasaki’s first colour TFT LCD instrument cluster and LED cornering lights. It also comes with an up-down quickshifter, Kawasaki Launch Control Mode (KLCM), a large windscreen and heated grips.