Kawasaki Ninja H2 HySE: the concept that prefigures the hydrogen motorcycle [VIDEO]

Presented by Kawasaki in mid-December on the occasion of the "Group Vision 2030" corporate event in which the Japanese company provided indications on the strategic future of its motorcycle production, the Ninja H2 HySE is the new concept which aspires to become the first Japanese hydrogen-powered motorcycle.

Behind the bold and futuristic shapes lies a prototype with enormous and significant potential for the future of the Japanese brand. 

Made by the HySE team

Although built by Kawasaki and based on the well-known sports tourer Ninja H2 SX, the prototype is actually the result of HySE (Hydrogen Small Mobility & Engine Technology), the "consortium" team set up for the development of hydrogen engines and made up of the main Japanese manufacturers, namely Kawasaki, Honda, Toyota, Suzuki and Yamaha. 

The objective of this hyperbike, as well as other HySE creations including the Toyota HySE-X1 buggy presented last October, is to explore the potential of hydrogen in its different applications to mobility. “In the future,” said the CEO of Kawasaki Hiroshi Itō – we will continue to explore the potential of hydrogen engines by bringing together manufacturers not only from Japan, but from around the world to conduct and deepen basic research.” 

“Today – continued Ito – we are pleased to present the world premiere of the motorcycle with a hydrogen engine. The bike is based on our Ninja H2 SX and we will begin testing at the beginning of the year to study its future.” 

Based on the Ninja H2 SX

Although technical details on the concept are limited at the moment, Kawasaki has explained that the bike is ready to move on the street. Since it is essentially one Ninja H2 SX converted, many of the mechanical components, as well as much of the electronics and chassis, are known, to which the hydrogen-powered H2 HySE adds some specific features. 

998 cc hydrogen engine and more than 200 HP

To push the hydrogen motorbike there is a 998 cc supercharged four-cylinder engine which integrates direct injection and is potentially capable of developing a power of over 200 hp. 

The design of the motorbike, revised compared to the Ninja H2 SX, offers a front with an H-shaped LED headlight, a letter that refers to hydrogen, while the bodywork is in a bold blue color with a honeycomb pattern that it clearly differs from the traditional Kawasaki green. 

The eye-catching side bags, which might seem like traditional luggage for a weekend away, actually hide the hydrogen tanks, thus suggesting a solution for one of the major critical issues related to hydrogen mobility: the safety of its storage on board a vehicle.