Yamaha MT-09 SP 2018 vs. Kawasaki Z H2 2020

Yamaha MT-09 SP 2018

Yamaha MT-09 SP 2018

Kawasaki Z H2 2020

Kawasaki Z H2 2020

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Overview - Yamaha MT-09 SP 2018 vs Kawasaki Z H2 2020

The Yamaha MT-09 SP 2018 and the Kawasaki Z H2 2020 are both naked bikes with powerful engines and advanced rider assistance systems.

The Yamaha MT-09 SP 2018 is equipped with a 115 HP three-cylinder engine, while the Kawasaki Z H2 2020 boasts a more powerful 200 HP four-cylinder engine. This makes the Z H2 significantly more powerful and provides an incomparable engine performance. The Yamaha MT-09 SP, on the other hand, still offers a highly powerful engine that delivers impressive performance.

In terms of torque, the Yamaha MT-09 SP has 87.5 Nm, while the Kawasaki Z H2 has a higher torque of 137 Nm. This means that the Z H2 has more pulling power and acceleration, providing a thrilling riding experience.

Both bikes have fuel injection systems and liquid cooling, ensuring efficient and reliable performance. The Yamaha MT-09 SP has a displacement of 847 ccm, while the Kawasaki Z H2 has a larger displacement of 998 ccm. This larger displacement contributes to the Z H2's higher power output.

Yamaha MT-09 SP 2018

Yamaha MT-09 SP 2018

In terms of suspension, both bikes feature upside-down telescopic forks in the front and swing arm suspension with monoshock absorbers at the rear. The Yamaha MT-09 SP is equipped with Kayaba front suspension and Öhlins rear suspension, while the Kawasaki Z H2 features Showa suspension components for both the front and rear. Both bikes offer adjustable suspension settings for compression, preload, and rebound, allowing riders to fine-tune their riding experience.

The chassis of the Yamaha MT-09 SP is made of aluminum and features a twin-tube frame, while the Kawasaki Z H2 has a steel frame with a tubular design. Both frames provide stability and durability, with the aluminum frame of the MT-09 SP offering a lightweight advantage.

In terms of braking, both bikes have double disk brakes in the front, but the Kawasaki Z H2 has larger 320 mm diameter disks compared to the 298 mm disks on the Yamaha MT-09 SP. This gives the Z H2 enhanced braking power and performance.

Both bikes are equipped with advanced rider assistance systems such as ABS and traction control. The Yamaha MT-09 SP also features a quickshifter, allowing for seamless upshifting. The Kawasaki Z H2, on the other hand, offers a more comprehensive range of advanced rider assistance systems, including riding modes, cornering ABS, launch control, ride by wire, quickshifter, traction control, and anti-wheelie. This makes the Z H2 more technologically advanced and provides additional safety and performance features.

In terms of dimensions and weights, the Yamaha MT-09 SP has a wheelbase of 1500 mm and a seat height of 820 mm. It has a kerb weight of 193 kg and a fuel tank capacity of 14 liters. The Kawasaki Z H2 has a slightly shorter wheelbase of 1455 mm and a slightly higher seat height of 830 mm. It has a higher kerb weight of 239 kg and a larger fuel tank capacity of 19 liters.

Kawasaki Z H2 2020

Kawasaki Z H2 2020

Both bikes are equipped with LED headlights, but the Kawasaki Z H2 also features LED daytime running lights and a TFT display, providing enhanced visibility and a more modern and informative instrument panel.

In terms of strengths, the Yamaha MT-09 SP offers an incredibly powerful three-cylinder engine, good brakes, a sporty and comfortable seating position, ABS, traction control, and a shift assistant. The Kawasaki Z H2, on the other hand, offers an incomparable engine, full power, an easy-to-control power unit, a pleasant seating position, high riding comfort for a naked bike, a quiet but charismatic sound, and stable and transparent handling. It is a bike that can be ridden carefree in everyday life despite its extravagant drive.

In terms of weaknesses, the Yamaha MT-09 SP has a high saddle, a shift assistant that is only for upshifting, and instruments that do not stand out strongly from the basic version. The Kawasaki Z H2 has a quickshifter that makes interventions that take too long, a suspension strut that becomes a bit spongy during sporty riding, and the exclusive motorbike deserved exclusive components all round.

Overall, both the Yamaha MT-09 SP 2018 and the Kawasaki Z H2 2020 are powerful and technologically advanced naked bikes, with the Z H2 offering a higher level of performance and a more comprehensive range of advanced rider assistance systems. However, the MT-09 SP still provides impressive power and performance, making it a worthy contender in the naked bike segment.

Technical Specifications Yamaha MT-09 SP 2018 compared to Kawasaki Z H2 2020

Yamaha MT-09 SP 2018
Kawasaki Z H2 2020

Engine and Drive Train

Engine typeEngine typeIn lineEngine typeIn line
BoreBore78 mmBore76 mm
StrokeStroke59.1 mmStroke55 mm
Engine powerEngine power115 HPEngine power200 HP
Rpm at Max. PowerRpm at Max. Power10,000 rpmRpm at Max. Power11,000 rpm
TorqueTorque87.5 NmTorque137 Nm
Rpm at TorqueRpm at Torque8,500 rpmRpm at Torque8,500 rpm
Compression RatioCompression Ratio11.5 Compression Ratio11.2
Fuel systemFuel systemInjectionFuel systemInjection
StarterStarterElectricStarterElectric
Clutch TypeClutch TypeMultiplate in oil-bathClutch TypeMultiplate in oil-bath
IgnitionIgnitionTransistorIgnitionDigital
TransmissionTransmissionChainTransmissionChain
Transmission TypeTransmission TypeGearshiftTransmission TypeGearshift
Number of gearsNumber of gears6Number of gears6
CylindersCylinders3Cylinders4
Valves per cylinderValves per cylinder4Valves per cylinder4
ValvesValvesDOHCValvesDOHC
CoolingCoolingliquidCoolingliquid
DisplacementDisplacement847 ccmDisplacement998 ccm

Suspension Front

Front suspensionFront suspensionUpside-Down telescopic forkFront suspensionUpside-Down telescopic fork
BrandBrandKayabaBrandShowa
TravelTravel137 mmTravel120 mm
AdjustmentAdjustmentCompression, Preload, ReboundAdjustmentCompression, Preload, Rebound

Suspension Rear

SuspensionSuspensionSwing armSuspensionSwing arm
Shock absorberShock absorberMonoshockShock absorberMonoshock
Shock mountShock mountDeflectionShock mountUni Trak
BrandBrandÖhlinsBrandShowa
TravelTravel142 mmTravel134 mm
AdjustmentAdjustmentCompression, Preload, ReboundAdjustmentCompression, Preload, Rebound

Chassis

FrameFrameAluminiumFrameSteel
Frame typeFrame typeTwin TubeFrame typeTubular
RakeRake66 degreeRake65.1 degree

Brakes Front

TypeTypeDouble diskTypeDouble disk
DiameterDiameter298 mmDiameter320 mm

Brakes Rear

TypeTypeDiscTypeDisc
DiameterDiameter245 mmDiameter250 mm

Assistance Systems

Advanced Rider Assistance SystemsAdvanced Rider Assistance SystemsABS, Quickshifter, Traction controlAdvanced Rider Assistance SystemsABS, Riding modes, Cornering ABS, Launch-Control, Ride by Wire, Quickshifter, Traction control, Anti-wheelie

Dimensions and Weights

Front tyre widthFront tyre width120 mmFront tyre width120 mm
Front tyre heightFront tyre height70 %Front tyre height70 %
Front tyre diameterFront tyre diameter17 inchFront tyre diameter17 inch
Rear tyre widthRear tyre width180 mmRear tyre width190 mm
Rear tyre heightRear tyre height55 %Rear tyre height55 %
Rear tyre diameterRear tyre diameter17 inchRear tyre diameter17 inch
LengthLength2,160 mmLength2,085 mm
WidthWidth850 mmWidth810 mm
HeightHeight1,375 mmHeight1,130 mm
WheelbaseWheelbase1,500 mmWheelbase1,455 mm
Seat HeightSeat Height820 mmSeat Height830 mm
Kerb Weight (with ABS)Kerb Weight (with ABS)193 kgKerb Weight (with ABS)239 kg
Fuel Tank CapacityFuel Tank Capacity14 lFuel Tank Capacity19 l
License compliancyLicense compliancyALicense compliancyA

Equipment

EquipmentEquipmentLED-HeadlightsEquipmentLED daytime running lights, LED-Headlights, TFT display

Pros and Cons in comparison

Pros and Cons in comparison

Yamaha MT-09 SP 2018

Yamaha MT-09 SP 2018

The Yamaha MT-09 SP is the refinement of an already very good mid-range naked bike. With better suspension components from Öhlins and Kayaba, a nicer paint job and a justifiably higher price, the SP version is clearly the sportiest choice within the Yamaha MT-09 range. The brute power of the engine does not allow the MT-09 SP to be ridden comfortably, but that is not necessary on the "Special" - the fun is clearly in the foreground! The Yamaha MT-09 EVO with Wilbers suspension is now available as an interesting alternative, because it has no "war paint" and is very discreet. But unfortunately only for Switzerland...

incredibly powerful three-cylinder engine

good brakes

sporty and comfortable seating position

ABS

traction control

shift assistant

high saddle

shift assistant only for upshifting

instruments do not stand out strongly from the basic version

Kawasaki Z H2 2020

Kawasaki Z H2 2020

The fascinating power unit of the Kawasaki not only inspires as a motif for quartet cards or at the regulars' table. The engine is made for practical use. In the saddle of the bike, you can enjoy the thrust in every situation. Commands from the throttle are implemented directly, intensively but also controllably. However, the bike is not an athletic sportsman but a beefy naked bike. It always scores when sovereignty and power are required.

Incomparable engine

full power

easy to control power unit

pleasant seating position

high riding comfort for a naked bike

quiet but charismatic sound

stable and transparent handling

despite the extravagant drive, a motorbike that can be ridden carefree in everyday life.

Quickshifter OK

but makes interventions that take too long

suspension strut becomes a bit spongy during sporty riding

the exclusive motorbike deserved exclusive components all round

Price Comparison Avarage Market Price Yamaha MT-09 SP vs Kawasaki Z H2

There are a few key differences between a Yamaha MT-09 SP 2018 and a Kawasaki Z H2 2020. In terms of price, the actual average price of a Kawasaki Z H2 2020 is about 54% higher. A Yamaha MT-09 SP 2018 experiences a loss of 770 USD in one year of ownership. This is offset by a loss of 630 USD for a Kawasaki Z H2 2020. Compared to Kawasaki Z H2 2020 there are less Yamaha MT-09 SP 2018 bikes available on the 1000PS.de Marketplace, specifically 5 compared to 10. It takes less time to sell a Yamaha MT-09 SP with 72 days compared to 148 days for a Kawasaki Z H2. Since model year 2018 1000PS.de editors have written 29 reviews for the Yamaha MT-09 SP and 14 reviews for the Kawasaki Z H2 since model year 2020. The first review for the Yamaha MT-09 SP was published on 11/6/2017 and now has more than 49,000 views. This compares to more than 82,500 views for the first review on Kawasaki Z H2 published on 10/10/2019.

Price Yamaha MT-09 SP

Model year
Current average market prices

Price Kawasaki Z H2

Model year
Current average market prices

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