We all know that the Kawasaki Ninja H2R is a crazy motorcycle, designed specifically to set racetracks on fire. But New Zealand’s Scott Wilkins took this beast of a motorcycle to the 2022 Timed Speed Event hosted by the Landspeed New Zealand Association.
The result? An all-new national landspeed record of 226.5mph (362.5kmph) with a two-way average speed of 222mph (358.4km/h).
Kawasaki Ninja H2R Landspeed Record
Scott Wilkins has been attempting to set this landspeed record since 2017 and failed last year due to a mechanical problem. This year though, it was all smooth sailing and hence, he went home with the first-place trophy.
How serious was the competition? Well, behind the mighty H2R were two turbocharged Suzuki Hayabusas, the second-place bike posting an average two-way speed of 348kmph (216mph).
As astonishing as this record is, this is not the fastest we’ve seen the Kawasaki Ninja H2R go on public roads. To jog your memory, back in 2016, WSBK legend Kenan Sofuoglu reached a mind-boggling 400kmph (248mph) aboard his Kawasaki Ninja H2R on the Osmangazi Bridge.
This record is a clear-cut example of how fast and beastly the Kawasaki Ninja H2R is in the right hands and what it can do on a clean stretch of tarmac.
If you’re curious to know how Scott Wilkins feels during these runs, here’s a cockpit view of his 2021 attempt:
Kawasaki Ninja H2R Details
The Kawasaki Ninja H2R is a track-only motorcycle, laden with carbon fiber bodywork and a free-flow titanium exhaust.
Under the skin, the H2R uses a supercharged 999cc, inline-four engine putting out nearly 330 horsepower and 122 pound-feet. Now, this is more than enough to launch you skywards in an instant, so Kawasaki has equipped the bike with top-spec electronics, an Ohlins steering damper, and aerodynamic winglets to help with downforce.
Accompanying this is a top-spec suspension setup featuring a fully-adjustable 43mm USD fork and Ohlins TTX36 monoshock.
All this makes the Kawasaki Ninja H2R a very exclusive motorcycle indeed and rides like these come with a premium price tag. This bad boy is priced at a sky-high $56,500, excluding handling charges.