The Kawasaki could outrun the Hayabusa, but the Suzuki wouldn’t back down without a fight. Equipped with taller gear ratios, the Hayabusa is initially faster in a straight line, rushing from zero to 60 mph in 2.77 seconds. Meanwhile, the Ninja H2R takes 2.93 seconds. It’s similar in the quarter-mile rush, with the Hayabusa taking 9.91 seconds at 150 mph compared to the Ninja H2R’s 9.76 seconds.
But at that point, the Ninja H2R is just warming up. With its four-cylinder engine capable of spinning to a heady 14,000 rpm (the Hayabusa redlines at 11,200 rpm), the Kawasaki explodes to 180 mph from a standstill in just 11.77 seconds. On the other hand, the Hayabusa takes 16.81 seconds to reach 180 mph, over five seconds slower than the Ninja H2R. Data shows that Hayabusa has an advantage on the street, but the Ninja H2R’s explosive top end makes it an essential track weapon.
