Kawasaki plans to blow it and I hope it's small

Why? It's not that I have anything against the H2 lineup of supercharged bikes. In fact, I regret that I haven't had a chance to ride one yet. I think they make great sense for Kawasaki as a halo model that paints a layer of sophistication atop Kawasaki's reputation for power and performance. To envision what I'm talking about, just compare the original H2 from the 1970s to the current one.

Some writers are assuming the new Z model in the teaser video will be a naked H2, and that would certainly be the easiest option for Kawasaki. I'm not sure the H2 line needs further expansion, however, beyond the $29,000 H2, the $55,000 H2R and the $19,000 sport-touring H2 SX. Do I need a naked liter bike with a supercharger? If so, do I also need improved grip strength to keep from being blown off the back of the motorcycle?

The thing is, liter bikes make plenty of power already without the added cost and complexity of forced induction. It's just an issue of tuning them for your needs. We already see liter bikes producing in the neighborhood of 200 horsepower when tuned for peak power — in other words, race track use. Or, take the same displacement and tune it for torque-heavy street use, like the Versys 1000 LT SE+ we're still flogging. Peak horsepower is dialed way back but the accessible torque has been sufficient to keep even Lemmy entertained on his adventure commute. I know, because he told me so himself.

So if not another H2 derivation, what then?

What if the blower were bolted onto a Z650 with appropriate accompanying upgrades in other parts (brakes, suspension, tire sizes) to match the power bump? Or, dare we hope for an all-new model? What I'd really like to see is a Z500 with a supercharger so you could dawdle around town sipping gas and being all mild-mannered until you wanted the power and then you could spool up that impeller and suddenly be riding a lightweight 750 on the highway to hooligan heaven.

Of course I won't get that. It's a far safer bet to keep pumping up big-power liter bikes. Because while motorcycles like the H2 may produce more power than the great majority of riders will ever be able to harness and use, it's a truth of human nature that many riders will be able to fully exploit all the bragging rights and spec-sheet awesomeness Kawasaki can give them. No amount is too much.

So, we'll see. Kawasaki hasn't said when we'll see, but assume one of the fall shows, probably EICMA.