It’s crazy how tech’s taken over. Probably like you, I don’t have to think back too far to a time when traction control and the rest was the preserve of the GP gods, but now rider aids are more common than chlamydia. This isn’t meant to be a rant about tech, though. It’s more a case of grasping reality and highlighting how times have moved on irrevocably. Most modern sportsbikes come bristling with tech and Kawasaki’s H2 SX SE is no exception.
We pitched the supercharged sensation against an old school Hayabusa for this issue’s cover test, and had a right hoot in the process. Both bikes were great for their own individual reasons, but while the Kwacker held the key to no-nonsense, drama-free fast riding, there was a big part of me that envied Boothy (that doesn’t happen very often) each time he cracked the technophobic Suzuki’s throttle wide open and unleashed relentless power wheelies, plus the odd bit of rear wheel steering. He looked to be having a right laugh, while I was treated to a colourful disco display from the H2’s life-preserving systems.