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

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

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.