2027 Kawasaki Ninja H2 to make less power

A little over a decade ago, Kawasaki unveiled a motorcycle that immediately secured its place in the history books. The Ninja H2 (along with its track-only H2R sibling) made headlines for being among the first production motorcycles to feature a supercharged engine. The forced-induction 998cc inline-four produced astonishing power figures that helped define the bike’s identity. Since then, Kawasaki has expanded its supercharged line-up with the more road-focused Z H2 SE, and it now appears that the fully faired Ninja H2 could be adopting a similar engine tune for 2027.

1. Peak power could drop from 240hp to 197hp
2. Will reportedly use the same exhaust system as the Z H2 SE

2027 Kawasaki Ninja H2 power drop

New model codes hint at more extensive updates than just an engine retune

Emissions filings with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reveal that the 2027 Ninja H2 has been certified with the same 197hp peak output as the Z H2 SE. The naked bike uses a lower state of tune of Kawasaki's 998cc supercharged inline-four, producing 197hp at 10,500rpm, compared to the outgoing Ninja H2's 240hp at 11,500rpm.

A separate filing with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) also confirms that the 2027 Ninja H2 will use the same exhaust system as the Z H2 SE, with a secondary catalytic converter, likely to meet tightening emissions regulations. 

Interestingly, Australian homologation documents reveal that the 2027 Ninja H2 and H2 Carbon carry new model codes instead of the current designation. This suggests Kawasaki could be preparing a more comprehensive update rather than a simple engine retune, although no further details have emerged yet.

As for the track-only Ninja H2R, there's currently no indication of whether it will receive similar changes. Since it isn't road legal, it isn't subject to the same emissions requirements as the standard H2, giving Kawasaki considerably more flexibility with its flagship 322hp machine.

The Ninja H2 isn't sold in India, but its sport-touring sibling, the Ninja H2 SX SE, is listed on Kawasaki India's website. That said, it is still a MY25 model, while several other models have already been updated to MY27 specifications. While Kawasaki is expected to expand its Indian portfolio with additional global models next year, there is nothing to suggest the updated Ninja H2 will be among them.

Source: Motorcycle.com