Japanese motorcycle brand Kawasaki might be developing a new supercharged cruiser based on the Kawasaki H2 engine which could be introduced in the near future. Though it might use the same engine from the H2 SX sport touring motorcycle, the new supercharged cruiser is likely to get a newly developed frame and bodywork.
Kawasaki has recently launched the Ninja H2 SX and the Ninja H2 SX SE sport-tourers based on the Kawasaki Ninja H2 Supersport and unveiled the Kawasaki Z H2 naked roadster last year. The brand might be looking at expanding the H2 line-up into the cruiser segment as well and the H2 Crusier could be dubbed ‘Vulcan H2’ hypothesized on the Z H2 moniker.
In terms of design, the Vulcan H2 is likely to be an amalgamation of the Kawasaki Vulcan cruiser and the H2 superbike drawing elements from the recently unveiled Z H2 such as the front fascia but the engine is expected to be mounted in a proprietary frame. Styling elements such as a teardrop extended fuel tank, front and rear fenders are likely to be inspired from the Vulcan.
The Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE is powered by a 998cc four-cylinder liquid-cooled in-line 4-stroke 16-valve DOHC supercharged engine with electronic fuel injection designed to offer both power and fuel efficiency. The sport-touring focussed H2 SX SE features a redesigned new impeller and intake system, new pistons, cylinder, cylinder head, crankshaft, camshafts and exhaust system along with revised gear ratios. The Vulcan H2 is also likely to come with gear ratios that suit the riding style of a cruiser.
The Vulcan H2 is expected to share other mechanical parts from the Z H2 or the H2 SX but offer a more relaxed rake angle on the front. The supercharged cruiser is also likely to share the electronics package from other H2 motorcycles that are offered with a multifunction full-colour TFT instrumentation, quick shifter, launch control, LED cornering lights etc.
Closer to home, the brand retails the Vulcan S with a 649cc Parallel-Twin liquid-cooled, 8-valve DOHC engine that produces 61 Ps of power and 63 Nm of torque matched to a 6-speed transmission. The brand is in the process of upgrading this engine to BS6 standards in India and has already launched the MY 2021 Kawasaki Ninja 650 in the BS6 avatar.
The brand has not yet confirmed any development of a supercharged cruiser and the development phase is speculated to take 1-3 years.