2015 Kawasaki 998cc H2R

2015 Kawasaki 998cc H2R
Registration no. not applicable
Frame no. JKA2XTOPPA0001827
Engine no. ZXT00NE002431
• The world's fastest production motorcycle
• One of only 27 2015 UK examples
• One owner
• Never used

'Know this: the new H2R isn't a game-changer. It's way more than that. This is a life-changer. There isn't another production vehicle on the planet that gets anywhere near the relentless power, head-splitting noise, and bloody-hell-fire-sweet-lord-help-me-now performance of Kawasaki's utterly mental H2R' – Bike magazine.

If 'too much is never enough' is not Kawasaki's motto then it should be, for the company's history is punctuated by a series of outrageous machines that have captured the motorcycling public's imagination like few others. From the Mach III, to the Z1, to the ZX-10R, and on to today's H2 and H2R, the focus has always been on offering uncompromising high performance, even if the limitations of available technology meant that utilising all their straight-line speed was frequently perilous.

What sets the H2 and H2R apart from their contemporaries is their supercharged engine. Adopting forced induction and smaller engines is seen as the emissions-friendly way forward for the internal combustion engine, but for Kawasaki the H2's blower is simply there to maximise power output. Within the last few years, an almost-200bhp maximum output for a 1,000cc superbike has become the norm, but the track-only H2R delivers a mighty 310bhp, rising to 326 horsepower with ram-air effect at speed. In comparison, the road-going H2 has 'only' 200bhp on tap.

Only 27 H2Rs were allocated to the UK in the first (2015) year of production with an asking price of £41,000, so apart from a select band of journalists few have experienced one. Bike's Mike Armitage: 'Nothing gathers revs and scorches for the horizon with even half the gusto of the H2R. The acceleration is utterly relentless, entirely overwhelming and more than a little bit scary...traction control making the pipe warble like a MotoGP bike as you dare to try and explore 300 horses while leant over.'

The redoubtable Mr Armitage saw 314km/h (195mph) on the clock at the Losail circuit in Qatar, and there was talk that 384km/h (239mph) had been seen in testing....yes, those fairing wings are there for good reason. Seemingly the only downside is finding the opportunity to use your H2R: 'It comes with slick tyres, no warranty, is too loud for any trackday and needs a service every 15 hours'. Despite these apparent drawbacks, the UK allocation sold our pretty quickly, one of them going to the owner of the example offered here, which was purchased from Seastar Superbikes in August 2015. Presented in unused, effectively brand new condition, this awesome machine comes with supplying-dealer's and manufacturer's correspondence relating to its purchase.