Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE

[Matt]

4 years warranty! Shows their confidence.

Yes, your words got me onto my local Kawasaki flipping dealer site again!

Jesus H they've got... well look at this page, how does one work out which one they want/need?!
Greenham Kawasaki New Sports Tourers

[richtea]

When I looked at that I also found the range confusing - it's difficult spot/understand what the £4k price differential buys you.
It's the same engine & frame (i.e. base bike) as far as I could tell, but with the usual slightly random bundles of extras - some you will definitely want (panniers, quickshift), some you probably don't need (radar, cornering lights).

They need a bike configuration site.
I think this is it:
https://www.kawasaki.co.uk/en/products/Sport_Tourer/2023/Ninja_H2_SX_SE/overview?Uid=08D7CgleW19fDQpdDA5dXAwOWVBfXlgKX1BYWwpdUQ5fUA0

But they missed the config bit :-)

[black-k1]

It's really not that difficult!

Approach 1. Pick the one with the biggest price! 

Approach 2. Two models

H2 SX and H2 SX SE. SE model includes things like electronic suspension and curnering lights.

Both can have the performance pack added.

Both can have the tourer pack added.

Both can have the performance AND the tourer pack added.

[richtea]

Hmm, but no actual definition of what the 'SE', 'Touring' and 'Performance' packs actually contain for your £4k. 

I know you've stated some it but it must be defined somewhere. Stylema brakes in 'SE" spec, maybe an Akra in 'Performance'?

[black-k1]

All the details are on the Kawasaki web site.

https://www.kawasaki.co.uk/en/products/Sport_Tourer/2023/Ninja_H2_SX_SE_Performance_Tourer/overview?Uid=0900CgsODVleWQtaXlgLXAkNWlBbUV0MUVxfDQoOUF5RXQw

[richtea]

Ah ha! Its the 'Features' link. That is subtle. I thought all that text was all one link. They need to change the 'hover over' text colour.
And the 'Drag' slider is the visual hint as to what changes.

Thanks David!

[black-k1]

You're welcome,  though I do agree that a simple tick box list of optional extras would be easier.

[Matt]

You're welcome,  though I do agree that a simple tick box list of optional extras would be easier.

Or even a compare function. Still, your point is valid, I did just work my way to the one with the most letters after its name!

[black-k1]

You're welcome,  though I do agree that a simple tick box list of optional extras would be easier.

Or even a compare function. Still, your point is valid, I did just work my way to the one with the most letters after its name!

I don't think any individual add-on appears in more than on "package" thus the comparison is simply with the selected add-ons fitted, or not! The slider bar does that.

My current bike is the SX SE Performance Tourer and I don't think there is a single add-on that I'd choose not to have fitted, including the cornering lights and the smoked screen. The cornering lights are OK on dark country lanes and help with the otherwise mediocre headlight (compared to the K1300S HID enhanced headlight I had before. The H2 SX headlight is better than the stock BMW unit but is MUCH more difficult to upgrade being LED!).

As such, simply going for the bike with the biggest price tag is the easiest way to navigate the options!

[Phmode]

I just happened to glance at the R100RS whilst navigating the death trap that is my garage and thought how simple things were back in 1997. Although someone did have to decide whether to have the optional new-fangled alloy wheels...

[Phmode]

Thanks for the dealer-oriented stuff David.

You are right about the price I guess. Those of us who only change bikes every 5-10 years or so have little idea of how high new bike prices are rising.

The bit about the flashy and spacious BMW showrooms is mainly, I think, to do with the car side of the business.

Although bike-only dealers such as Bahnstormer Alton are OK and have the corporate ID, they are not car-showroom flashy although waayyyy better than my local Honda bike-only dealer.

I think BMW are the only folks who mix bikes and cars, often to the annoyance of some toffee-nosed BMW car owners who don't understand why fly-spattered hooligans are nicking all their buns. As overheard in North Oxford Garage bike department from some posh woman who had obviously wandered too far from the safety of the comfy armchairs 'Oh dear, don't tell me that BMW have started selling noisy motorcycles. How gross.'  (Sorry about the emoji, it is the only one left working on my iPad this week)

The bit about fitting non-OEM parts is interesting. I know some BMW dealers are happy to, whilst others simply refuse. Whether that is down to the dealer or the relationship (did you buy your bike from us?) I don't know.

It's good to know that the 'risk' you took swapping marques has proved to be a positive experience and one I am sure others will follow now that BMW don't was sports-tourer types as customers.

[black-k1]

I just happened to glance at the R100RS whilst navigating the death trap that is my garage and thought how simple things were back in 1997. Although someone did have to decide whether to have the optional new-fangled alloy wheels...

I think you have miss typed! The R100RS was launched in 1976. My first one was a 1978 bike then. later I had a 1981 bike. As you say, simple but robust, reliable and quality (for the time) engineering. My first bike was subject to an alloy wheel recall where BMW replaced the front wheel as they were prone to cracking and, ultimately, collapse.

[Phmode]

Er, yes, by 20 years...

Mine is a 1977 one with the optional alloys (worn and pitted and stacked under the bench with some hard as nails rubber on them) as well as the original spoked wheels which are immaculate, unused and look lovely on the bike.