So the supercharged Kawasaki H2 has settled into its role as the world’s fastest production motorcycle, kicked off its boots, poured a whiskey and lit up a cigar while awaiting its first really worthy rival for the crown. That might be a while a-coming, so let’s look back at its illustrious great, great grandfather – the 1972 Kawasaki 750cc H2, a fire-breathing stick of dynamite that made you feel like you’d just lit a fuse or pulled a pin every time you turned the twist-grip. Kawasaki built an entire family of two-stroke triples in the ‘60s and ‘70s, ranging between 250cc and 750cc. They were all devastatingly quick, and it not for emissions control legislation, would still be with us today.
By today’s standards the 750cc H2 – also known as the Mach IV – would have rated poorly. By the factory’s own admission, it demanded “the razor sharp reactions of an experienced rider” because it had only one purpose in life – to excite and exhilarate. It also mentioned how the H2 “demands the razor sharp reactions of an experienced rider,” and is “a machine you must take seriously.” The frame was ill-equipped to deal with the – for those days – monstrous 74 horsepower, and the brakes – well, they didn’t. There was, as with today’s supercharged H2, a racetrack-only version called the H2R that delivered an awesome 100hp, and a later liquid-cooled version of that in 1975 delivered 115hp and was good for 300 km/h.
That was then and now is now. The Kawasaki H2 two-stroke triples, killed off because of high fuel consumption and emissions, are still revered around the world today. People still tune them, drag race them, ride them on the road or just stand back and admire them.
For those of you who’ve never enjoyed the aural delights of a lively multi-cylinder two-stroke, take a look and listen HERE. Drool over the styling, marvel at the sound, and feel a slight sense of shock as you note the skinny front forks, rear shock absorbers and narrow tyres of the ‘70s.
And, for some idea of what it’s like to do a 9,64 second standing quarter mile at 215 km/h on a hellishly modified 750cc two-stroke please join the queue HERE.
Picture sourced from ZA Bikers