Kawasaki H2 at 2015 Pikes Peak - We Have the Inside Scoop

How do you think a new Kawasaki H2 would do at Pikes Peak? With a supercharged motor helping to offset the power loss of thinner air and 200hp from the factory, it could be the fastest production bikes to ever tackle the mountain.

At this moment there is no official entry from Kawasaki in the race. [Word from Kawasaki is they've been working on an entry, but nothing is official.] They've had major names in motorcycle racing approach them about campaigning an H2 or H2R on the mountain, but with the limited number of bikes in general means their media and race fleets are even smaller.

[“We had ongoing discussions, but right now nothing is confirmed. I would hate to shut the door on this just yet,” said our Kawasaki rep.]

There is one man with a dream to race the H2 at Pikes Peak this year and the bike to do it. Unfortunately, he's facing some hurdles with timelines; namely that production of the bike is behind schedule, the port of Long Beach is still cleaning up after a protracted strike. Every second that ticks by is a second he loses in testing, prepping and modifying the bike for the race. We still wanted to talk to the man who would be "King of the Mountain",

Takahiro Itami, has been to Pikes Peak before and now waiting on his very own H2 to take it there for this year. We noticed his name and bike on the entry sheet and decided to give him a call. (The answers are unedited from Takahiro, PP stands for Pikes Peak)

READ MORE: Kawasaki H2R & H2 Unveiled at Japanese American Museum

RideApart: Are you going to run it as close to stock as possible or will there be any major performance modifications?

Takahiro Itami: I’ve been planning to go as close as it is to stock. Nevertheless, I will change the exhaust, steps, tires. Other than that, I might tune a bit of the ECU only to adjust the high altitude there at Pikes Peak (PP).

RA: Why the H2?

TI: The answer for that is simple, because, of the course PP is obviously a high power course and everyone in this world wants to see that H2 to growl, right? I know it would be even better with the H2R, but we’ll see.

RA: Who is helping you with this endeavor?

TI: For parts and equipments I have: Sato Racing/steps, Magical Racing/cowling, Rapid Bike/ Sub computing, Pirelli/tires, RS Taichi/Racing gears, Arai/helmet Sponsor: MaxFritz, Kumeno Animal Hospital, MIKI STEEL,Sato
Racing, WISE ESTATE and KANAGAWA TV.

READ MORE: Watch This Stock(ish) Kawasaki H2 Run a low-8 Second 1/4-mile Pass

RA: Have you talked to Kawasaki USA about getting a bike if you cannot ship your into the USA?

TI: I’m looking forward to the whole process from modifying to packing for the Pikes Peak starting from Japan. I want to write about the whole experience of it. Therefor, if they can’t make it by the time for the entry of this year, my challenge might be delayed to next year.