Kawasaki Has Unveiled Supercharged 2027 Ninja H2 And H2RGuessing HeadlightsAndre NalinThu, September 17, 2026 at 10:00 PM UTCAdd us on GoogleImage Credit: Kawasaki.Kawasaki's supercharged Ninja lineup is getting another chapter for 2027. The Japanese manufacturer has revealed its latest Ninja H2 family, keeping one of the most unusual powertrain concepts in the motorcycle world alive.European riders haven't been able to buy a new road-going H2 for several years, however. The previous version disappeared from Kawasaki's European lineup after 2020 as increasingly stringent emissions regulations caught up with it.Kawasaki wasn't ready to retire its supercharged flagship entirely. Instead, engineers have extensively revised the powertrain and brought the H2 up to the latest Euro5+ emissions requirements.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe result is the 2027 Ninja H2 family, comprising the road-going H2, limited-production H2 Carbon, and the much wilder track-only H2R. The mean green machine had to sacrifice some horsepower to get the street bike back into European showrooms, though.The Ninja H2 Now Makes 206 HP With Ram AirImage Credit: Kawasaki.The 2027 H2's supercharged 998cc inline-four produces a claimed 197 hp at 11,000 rpm, increasing to 206 hp with ram air. Maximum torque stands at 99.5 lb-ft at 8,500 rpm.That's a substantial reduction from the outgoing version, which was rated at up to 240 hp with ram air. Kawasaki has made extensive changes to meet Euro5+, including revised throttle bodies, pistons, cylinder head, cylinder, crankshaft, and camshafts, along with a redesigned supercharger impeller and exhaust system.The six-speed transmission also receives revised gearing. Visually, though, Kawasaki hasn't dramatically reinvented the H2, retaining its unmistakable bodywork, Mirror Coated Spark Black finish and green trellis frame.The H2R Still Makes More Than 300 HPAnyone disappointed by the road bike's reduced output can look toward the H2R, assuming they have access to a racetrack. The track-only machine produces a claimed 306 hp at 14,000 rpm, climbing to an extraordinary 321 hp with ram air, along with 121.7 lb-ft of torque.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe H2R also weighs less, with Kawasaki claiming 476 pounds compared with 525 pounds for the road-going H2. Both use a 998cc supercharged inline-four and six-speed dog-ring transmission.Interestingly, the regular H2 gets some hardware that the more powerful H2R doesn't. Kawasaki has fitted Brembo Hypure front calipers to the road bike, making it the first Kawasaki to use them, while the H2R retains Brembo Stylemas.There's Still An H2 CarbonImage Credit: Kawasaki.The third member of the family is the H2 Carbon. Mechanically, it shares the regular H2's output but adds a lightweight carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic upper fairing for a more exclusive take on Kawasaki's supercharged road bike.The H2 also has serious suspension hardware, including a KYB AOS-II 43-mm inverted fork and Öhlins TTX36 rear shock. Electronic aids include traction and launch control, Kawasaki's cornering management system, KIBS, a quickshifter, engine-brake control, and electronic cruise control.AdvertisementAdvertisementBritish pricing starts at £28,600 for the H2, rising to £31,350 for the H2 Carbon and £52,000 for the H2R. U.S. availability and pricing had not been announced at the time of writing.Losing horsepower isn't usually something worth celebrating on a superbike. In this case, however, it means European riders can once again buy one of the strangest and most outrageous motorcycles Kawasaki has ever put on the road.If you want more stories like this, follow Guessing Headlights on Yahoo so you don't miss what's coming next.