2018 Kawasaki H2SX SE Fairing And Air Filter Removal

A quick and basic tour of how the left side fairing, intake tube and engine air filter housing is removed. Check out my long term ride review of the H2SX SE here: www.webbikeworld.com/2018-kaw...
** UPDATE ** I'm told you can access the air filter by just removing the rear fairing bolts and loosening the front ones. This will allow you to remove the mounting bolts on the ram air tube where the filter is housed and move it outwards enough to change the filter.
I tried it and it works perfectly, so if you are just looking to replace the air filter I recommend doing that instead of tearing everything apart.

[@farklesf8588]

Thanks Jim. I'm not sure how many of us H2SXSE owners are willing to do our own maintenance, but I'm glad you made this video. I just ended up ordering a sprint filter and I need to break into mine. These things swallow a ton of bugs and I think the service intervals need to be amended.

[@Proonur]

Hi Larson! I don't blame people for being apprehensive. No one wants to ruin or damage such a beautiful machine that Kawasaki put so much work into making awesome after all. It turns out changing the air filter isn't too bad really as long as you take your time and carefully check your work along the way. The Sprint should make a world of difference when it comes to airflow and the bike will be happier. Nice choice! Wait until you see what I have coming next for the Ninja! I've been chosen as a brand ambassador for Twisted Throttle and Denali Electronics! They are sending me a ton of products to try and install on the Ninja, including some D2 flood lamps that I'm going to attempt to install behind the front wheel underneath the triple tree area or perhaps tucked down low in the bottom of the fairing. I'm planning out how to do this so the lights are hidden from view to keep the bike looking clean. I believe I'm also getting some DRL lights to mount on the front fender and maybe a tail tidy kit. We shall see! I've also got one of their massively loud Soundbomb horns, a Scottoiler eSystem chain lubricator and some lovely R&G guarding coming too. Additionally I've got Engine Ice working to send me some of their racing coolant to try out in the engine which I am chomping at the bit to do. Changing the coolant actually looks pretty straightforward. I'm planning to video these adventures, but I'll be uploading them on the WebBikeWorld KZbin channel instead of this one, because there are more subscribers there and TT and Denali want to get some good exposure out of this opportunity. This channel is where I just upload the basic stuff I do around my garage or quick tip videos that I use in my written product reviews. I would encourage you to go and download the full service manual from this link as well : h2sxriders.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=483 It's a huge help to be able to read the directions to what you're doing before you do it. Thanks for commenting and if I can be of help I will. Feel free to ask.

[@RickRyder1]

Thanks Jim, fitting a rad cover tomorrow, hopefully loosening one side will give me some wriggle room.

[@Proonur]

I installed a guard from R&G when I had mine but I don’t recall whether I had to remove the fairing or not to do it. I’m sure you’ll manage well enough.

[@henkokkerse2540]

Great job Jim, this info wil help a lot when i'm going to change the filter on my bike. Thanks from the netherlands.Hank

[@Proonur]

Thanks Henk! I'm glad to help. Please note you can replace the air filter without removing the fairing as I originally thought.

[@garyboyce6186]

Ahh glad I found this video, I loosened everything around and didn’t remove the front finicky bolts so the fairing dangled giving access to the air intake and filter. I got stopped after removing the two intake bolts but until now couldn’t see the 3rd one above hidden by upper fairing pieces. I’ll try again and many thanks

[@Proonur]

No worries Gary! Glad it helped.

[@slythedragon7017]

I had a similar experience the other day, out of all the places I took it I decided to be careless and ended up tipping it in the middle of nowhere, horrible feeling! Great video!

[@Proonur]

Oh noooooo! When it happened to me I honestly almost threw up I was so upset. I don't want that for anyone. It's too tragic. Thank you for the positive words. I hope these simple videos help someone save money working on their bike. Cheers.

[@slythedragon7017]

​@@Proonur Yeah, it hits you right in the heart, you go to sleep with tears in your eyes! Replaced the fairing asap, just bugs me that it isn't all nice and tidy. Cheers!

[@williamwintemberg]

I'm thinking there may be a market for a air duct that allows easy air filter maintenance. Great video. Thanks for taking the time. I'm sure this will help many.

[@Proonur]

I was thinking the same thing myself as it is time consuming to change the air filter this way. If they could put a split in the intake tube halfway back perhaps to allow easy access? I haven't attempted to change the filter without removing the fairing yet though. It might be possible.

[@JonTheChron]

@@Proonur I've changed my filter twice already, both times by just removing the 3 bolts holding the assemble and removing a few bolts just to loosen the fairing.

[@Proonur]

Oh sure now you tell me Jon! LOL That’s good information thanks!

[@h.j.s.890]

JonTheChron agree 👍🤓

[@JonTheChron]

Time for an other Filter change :0 just recieved my F1-85 from vcyclenut

[@mattivolotinen6156]

Thanks a lot Jim - cool stuff

[@Proonur]

Glad to help even if just a little.

[@mattivolotinen6156]

@@Proonur You could do another video just to show step by step how to remove fairings off. It would be even more awesome. Please!

[@Proonur]

I was thinking about it. I recently replaced the green section on the right side and thought about filming it. It’s much easier the second time when you know where the little clips hide.

[@DabbiWalaKachha]

Hi Jim! Great video, I need the right side Both black and green Fairings and the cornering light, where did you buy it from, could you please send me the link?

[@Proonur]

I just bought from my local Kawasaki dealer.

[@kiddcisco]

great video will assist as I have a new Sprint filter and BF sale is upcoming on Vcyclenut

[@Proonur]

Oh baby you're going for the big horsepower eh? Are you putting on the ZX10R exhaust headers and doing the ECM flash? The ECM is over on the right side of the front fairing in case you didn't know.

[@kiddcisco]

@@Proonur hey Jim, no I am not doing headers, just filter and Yosh Alpha slip on. I mainly am considering flash because cost is fair and it will greatly improve the low speed throttle response. The added power will be welcome, how much it will be used I can not say. My bike is at 850km, due for first service and oci. Think I will remain on mineral oil until second cha Ge then switch to an ester blend

[@Proonur]

@@kiddcisco Oh it's a brand new H2SX?! Mine is at 24,000 kms now and it just had the major service done by my dealership. I didn't realize how rough it was running until I picked it up from the dealership. They replaced all the spark plugs and wow it's so smooth now... just like brand new. It cost me almost $1700 CAD, but they gave me a spreadsheet showing the valve clearances. The gaps were all bang on to factory spec and none needed adjustment. They also told me the wear in the engine valve train/cam lobes is almost non existent which was reassuring to me. I considered switching to a high flow air filter but reconsidered after talking to the techs who did the service on my bike. Those high flow filters do allow in some dirt particles contrary to what they claim and that will affect the supercharger slightly. In full power mode after the break in 1000kms was done I don't find any issues with the throttle response on my bike. For a sport bike it has gobs of torque right from idle. I've started in second gear many times by accident without stalling it. lol! I think you're wise to stick with dino oil until the second oil change. My dealer put in a semi-synthetic IIRC at the first service and then I did the oil changes after that until now. I've been using the Kawasaki S4 synthetic oil and OEM filter as well. I figure the company who built the bike know what I should be running in it and I have extended warranty on it for another 2.5hrs so I don't want to give them any reason to deny a claim should I have one. I'm told the supercharger alone costs $3000 CAD and recently another dealership nearby me did a complete engine swap on someone's H2SX for a whopping $16,000 CAD! Plenty of good reasons to keep it simple with this engine for those reasons. Before you go and get a flash done to the ECU make sure your bike doesn't need the recall done on it. Kawasaki just released one due to problems with the quick shift and transmission programming. I'm told if you bring it in with a reflashed ECU you'll lose it when the dealer installs the recall flash.

[@TheGreatestBeyonder]

Excellent bit of info Jim, thanks. I'm keen to get my hands on this bike soon but any suggestions as to why so many people don't seem to keep this bike for long? There are tons of this model on Ebay and Autotrader (UK sites).. which begs me to ask... why?

[@Proonur]

Hi Steve! A very good question which I have a few theories about I can share with you. 1- Some owners want to upgrade to the 2019 and 2020 version because it comes with bluetooth connection to the display, brembo brakes and I think electronic suspension on the H2SX SE plus model IIRC. 2 - They get scared of the power or like the power, but want a lighter and smaller bike for cornering. This bike isn't as good cornering as smaller bikes because it's a touring bike. 3 - It's expensive to buy and some owners might want to rid themselves of the burden after the first year of ownership. I can tell you for sure it's not the maintenance costs as I've spent next to nothing on mine and had zero issues. I have almost 19,000 kms on it now and it's flawless. Rides just like brand new. There is an expensive valve clearance check scheduled for 24,000 kms which some owners may be looking to avoid and sell the bike before. That could be an issue I suppose. I' m told most of these bikes don't need any adjustment when checked though. Having said that I'm looking to trade mine in next spring too. LOL. My reasons are different though. I review motorcycles for webbikeworld.com and so I'm keen to move on to the next project to share on the site. If I wasn't a reviewer I would happily keep this Ninja.

[@TheGreatestBeyonder]

@@Proonur Thanks Jim. Good points all!

[@jasonlee5190]

Insurance could be a factor...I have a clean driving record cheapest insurance $900/yr...they quotes $4000 with a $100 deductable...😳....but if you can affird the bike maintenance and insurance prob isnt a factor...I agree with Jim, I think some get little intimidated by its power. Its a white knuckler for sure....

[@gruntmax43]

What a coincidence seeing this now. Today I pulled my DNA air filter out of mine & cleaned it out for more Woolich Racing Auto Tuning. I did not pull off the intake ducting though.

[@Proonur]

Definitely no need to pull everything apart as I thought at that time. Your bike will be how many horsepower after the tune?

[@gruntmax43]

@@Proonur Probably around 270, has stage 4 (+18%) SCharger drive ⚙️ s, rising rate regulator fuel pump, 8 x 650cc/min injectors as apposed to 4 x 420 & 4 x 380cc/min OEM. Also has my invention piggybacked onto an Extreme Creations Air to Water Intercooler to eliminate pre-ignition & detonation which is already on ytube: "Kawasaki H2SXSE+ Thermoelectric Boost Cooling & Charging System". Have already blown up 3 x Turbosmart FCD2,s. This time I'll fit a voltage regulator to the FCD2 so is a steady 12 vdc supply as can only get 21.7psi boost without the FCD2. Fuel maps are pretty much H2R copied into H2SXSE ecu & fuel pump set at 43psi as apposed to 55psi OEM to save on amperage.

[@gruntmax43]

Also allows for normally motor exploding ignition timing advances

[@kalirani3857]

Hi Jim, great video - thank you. I have the exact same bike, and dropped standing (armature mistake on my part). I am having a hard time find the right-side green (lower fairing) and black (upper fairing). I know you mentioned the prices In the video and you also said that you had to replace the right side. I’m hoping you could direct/help me: 1) where did you purchased the replacements (can’t find a source)? 2) where they OEM?, 3) do you happen to have the part numbers for both units? I’m in Canada as well. Thanks in advance - and thanks for making and sharing this video.

[@Proonur]

Hi Kal! I’m really sorry to hear about the drop. That sucks. I ordered my fairing from the Kawasaki dealer in Calgary (BlackFoot Motosports) and they showed up pretty quick, but that was in 2018. The pandemic has made getting things nearly impossible. I’m not aware of any other places that could get you replacement parts for the H2. The paint is so complex I doubt an aftermarket painter could match it without massive effort and cost. I would go to your local dealer and see what they can do. Prepare to pay through the nose and wait a long time. :(

[@kalirani3857]

@@Proonur Thanks Jim for the info, super helpful. I know that dealer, bought a bike from them years ago when I lived in Calgary. Wish me luck!

[@jasonlee5190]

Good vid Jim, just purchased a 2021 SE SX....love the bike....just getting ready to put new air fliter in mine....video was helpful... Have you done any mods?

[@Proonur]

Hi Jason! I installed the Denali SoundBomb air horn on the bike instagram.com/tv/CAe4vrWjXke/ But I found out you shouldn't mount the compressor horizontally as I did. Almost 2 years later it's still working though, so I don't know why they say not to do it like that. I also installed the Denali B6 auxiliary tail light and the R&G tail tidy kit along with bar sliders. All very nice mods for the Ninja that I got from Twisted Throttle.

[@jasonlee5190]

@@Proonur lmao...yup thats LOUD!!!

[@justinmartin7723]

Thanks buddy much appreciated 👍 how the intake vents themselves come off? Are they easy once you get to this point.

[@Proonur]

Hi Justin! I'm not sure what you mean by intake vents? There's only one intake tube coming from the left front side of the fairing that the engine draws air through. It's that black tube I hold up in the video and mention the drain holes in. As already mentioned in the description, if you're only looking to replace the air filter it's not necessary to remove the fairing, and all that. You can loosen fairing bolts and then undo the filter housing bolts to sneak out the filter.

[@justinmartin7723]

@@Proonur sorry Jim clear as mud lol. I was talking about the main intake vent on the front faring. I have been looking at the carbon fiber replacements !.

[@Proonur]

@@justinmartin7723 Oooooh... Ya I like CF replacement parts. You won't save a lot of weight swapping that tube out, but it'll look nice on the side of the bike going into the air box. I would tend to favor replacing the body panels around the gas tank and dash area first for CF and then maybe the fenders, and other guards, but hey it's all good. That tube is a little annoying to remove because it has harnesses connected to it using those plastic clips and the voltage regulator/rectifier, but it's all just labour and patience. If you go slow and don't force the removal you won't break anything from what I recall.

[@CrusaderGeneral]

I can't get the left fairing back on.. cant line up the fn green plastic prong with the hole

[@Proonur]

Try loosening off all the mounting screws and it might allow enough slack to get it done.

[@CrusaderGeneral]

@@Proonur thanks.. I got it back on, but the prong never snapped into the hole.. It seems that kawi has some shitty fitment issues

[@Proonur]

@@CrusaderGeneral I only found it to be a problem if something wasn’t lined up fully otherwise the fairings went on nicely unlike on some other bikes I’ve worked on.

[@benstabile8493]

Very helpful, thanks!

[@Proonur]

My pleasure Ben! I hope I didn't mislead you with changing your air filter. It turns out you can change it without taking everything apart afterall.

[@benstabile8493]

No worries Jim. I haven't even bought the bike yet! I've taken apart my FJR for servicing. But I haven't even touched the panels on my K1600GT (just bought that bike three months ago). I'll probably hold off on the H2 SX until they release the 2020 and then try and find a good deal on a leftover 2019 SE+. So I've got some time to learn a bit beforehand. Last weekend I sat on one for the first time at my dealer, and I absolutely loved the rider's triangle on it. I'm 6'1" and most sport bikes don't feel comfortable to me at all. I'm 62 with no back issues or anything, but....

[@Proonur]

You're the perfect height for the H2SX bikes, no question. Those big BMWs sure are impressive as is the FJR. I like your choice of rides, but neither of them can compare to this fire breathing Kawasaki when it comes to unadulterated yet civilized fun. From what I've seen the H2SX SE plus isn't a whole lot better than the non plus model if we can call it that. You might find a better deal on the first year bike and not notice a whole lot of difference. I'm actually trying to sell mine right now because I am moving on to do other long term reviews for webbikeworld.com even though I love having it. For a blogger like me it's always about what's next. I dunno, I may just keep it too.

[@benstabile8493]

@@Proonurou are probably right that the $3k difference for the plus is not really warranted. I've gotten used to having ESA on my two other sport-touring bikes. But in reality, I'm less likely to ride two-up on the H2SX very often. Up to now, I've been justifying to my wife the insurance I'm paying on seven vehicles ("Only one for each day of the week, honey"). I may have to sell one of my sports cars to squeeze in another bike. Which wouldn't be so bad since I usually opt for two wheels if there isn't significant ice on the road!

[@Proonur]

Hahaha no sense trying to get logical now, Ben. The brembo brakes are better and the self healing paint is fascinating as well. If they’d increased the horsepower as they did with the H2 maybe I’d be more on board with the plus model. I dunno, it’s a win either way really. Interestingly I still haven’t had a passenger on my bike. I don’t think they could stay on because there’s no backrest.

[@FastRu-kl7iy]

Hello , why did you clean airfilter instead of replacing it with the new one ?

[@Proonur]

Hi there! Availability of a new filter was my issue. A new one was 2 weeks away and I wanted to go riding so i just cleaned out the dirty one using compressed air. I wouldn't recommend doing this. Once I got the new filter I replaced it without removing everything like I did in this video. You can just loosen the fairing bolts and remove a couple that are close to the air filter housing, then removing the filter cover and outer housing to access the filter.

[@FastRu-kl7iy]

Jim Pruner I see. Ok, thanks for the advise. With time I came to the conclusion, that I would be changing air filters in my own bikes every 3-3,5 kkm ( very dusty roads in Russia) . 5kkm is absolute maximum. Did you notice luck of the steering damper ?

[@Proonur]

@@FastRu-kl7iy I think once you try changing the filter it's not hard. Just be careful to make sure the seal is correct after changing it. You mean do I feel the bike needs a steering damper? No I don't feel the steering needs any changes, but if you plan on taking the bike to the track it would perhaps be helpful to have a damper.

[@FastRu-kl7iy]

Jim Pruner I got it . Thank you

[@SandipDas-cs1hi]

Nice bike bro ...how much is mentanance cost of ninjah2sx 1000

[@Proonur]

Hi Sandip! The cost is very low surprisingly. I've got almost 19,000 km on mine and the only thing I've done for maintenance is regular oil and filter changes so far. The valve clearances need to be checked at 24,000 km and that will cost a fair bit if done at the dealership of course, but that's a regular interval for any motorcycle.

[@14icbm]

nice vid!Thanks.BTW...they're called QUICKRIVETS!LOL.

[@Proonur]

AH yes, quick rivets! Thanks I'll call them that if I ever do another video with them.

[@ortegacjoseluis]

Hi Jim, Thanks a lot for these video. I am considering buying the SX SE. I own a Yamaha FZ1, 150CV. Would you think I will be able to manage this beast with 210CV? It seems your experience with this bike is nice. Would you say that? Thanks in advance for your response

[@Proonur]

Hi Jose! The answer is yes I think you could easily adapt to more horsepower and torque with the Ninja because there are three power levels to choose from that can be changed using switches on the handlebars. Low power mode is 50% of full power. Medium is 75% and Full is 100%. I rode the bike when I first got it in Medium power mode to get used to it and to preserve my rear tire on my 8000km trip from my home to Dawson City, Yukon and back. If I had put it in full power mode the tire wouldn't have lasted the trip because it barely made it back in Medium. I really can't name a more versatile or flexible motorcycle for ON ROAD use than this one. It will keep up with most any super sport motorcycle, can be ridden fairly comfortably over long distances while loaded with luggage, it does fine in busy city streets and can even be taken to race at the track if you want. It has so few bad points it's not even worth mentioning, but you can find them in my full review. Thanks for watching!

[@ortegacjoseluis]

@@Proonur Thank you very much indeed.

[@ortegacjoseluis]

@@Proonur Hi Jim. I finally bought the H2 before the end of 20219. It is an impressive motorbikem extemely easy to ride, even at full power mode. Now, I am watching again you video to make the first air filter cleaning by myself, after the first 4000km. Thank for you very illustrative video.. Excellent.

[@Proonur]

Jose you're going to love it! So you don't need to remove the whole fairing and intake tube to change the air filter. Just loosen the bolts on the fairing and remove the two that are closest to the air filter housing. Then remove all the bolts from the air filter housing. Also remove the seat to access one fairing bolt. This should allow you to wiggle out the intake tube and then the black plastic air filter housing. It's a little bit tight but it's possible with a little patience. Be very careful when installing the new air filter. Everything needs to be in contact with the sealing surface of the air filter so you don't suck dirty air into the engine.

[@trip5003]

Radiator does not look clean either . Try to find a guard screen for it