Although the Gen-3 and the H2 SX SE are seen as rivals and the two Jap bikes in the serious Sports Tourer Class they are quite different.
The Busa, (any Busa) has THAT engine. The big bore, the grunt, the unmatched “go faster” options. It’s a proven product, a legend.
The H2 SX SE is a bit different, it’s not even Kawasaki’s flagship horsepower road bike, the Sports H2 takes that crown. Don’t confuse the H2 and H2-SX, the SX and the Z-H2 run high comp motors and low boost, the H2 lower comp, higher boost, this is partly what gives the SX its very good road manners and makes it user friendly. What the SX is, is a very well equipped Sports Tourer. Everyone seems to get hooked on straight line speed, dyno numbers etc, that’s not Sports Touring.
The SX will certainly pick its feet up and go, more than anyone touring will probably need, seeing 54 degree lean with total stability before the centre stand an cat drag, the “chirp” from the supercharger as you go up the gears. It’s no slouch.
To me, stuff that separates the two, is like the centre stand, the ignition key operated frameless luggage, factory braided lines, cornering lights, the single sided arm with its nice chain adjustment, the 4 into 1 pipe, the TFT dash with a host of display options, the fact it’s a fuel thirsty missile when used hard but still gets 235 miles from a 19ltr tank when cruising in top at legal speeds, Stuff like this makes for a nice Sports Tourer, the Gen-3 lacks a lot of this, but gets…. hill start !
Im a huge Suzuki fan, I’d be very surprised if my next bike isn’t a Suzuki, I do like the Gen-3, but to me (personal opinion) the Busa is still a bloody good bike, it will suit a lot of folk, but it’s not a Sports Tourer Class Leader.
You’re not going to be seeing any 300hp SX’s or see them dominating Busa’s at the drags, you will see SX owners with a very well equiped bike enjoying the bike for what it is and what it has.
A stock SX isn’t perfect.
*The S21 tyres are average (factory tyres are rarely the same as aftermarket). Fit S22’s, run 42-42 psi, get the suspension professionally set and it’s much better.
*Kawasaki don’t give you a spanner to adjust the chain or offer an option. Annoying but there’s some nice C-spanners on EBay and a 10mm Allen key socket, not expensive but really should have been in the tool kit.
* Not every Kawasaki dealer is H2 trained. There’s a few things like Supercharger end float and the hard to get to oil screen, and the ECU recall flash my local Kawasaki dealer won’t touch.
The H2 SX SE is not perfect, and the Busa has some advantages, but I’m happy with mine.