By the standards of its time, its handling was sufficient to make it the production bike to beat on the race track.

Nonetheless, its tendency to pull wheelies and a less than solid feel through high speed corners led to adjustments to the design as it evolved.

The 1972 H2 came with a single front disc brake, a second disc brake was an optional Kawasaki part, an all-new capacitor discharge ignition system unique to the H2, a chain oiler, and two steering dampers; one friction and one hydraulic.

In 1973, there were minor mechanical changes made to the carburetor jets, oil injection pump and cylinder port timing in an effort by the factory to get more MPG from the H2A.

In 1972, the H2, as well as the 350 cc S2 Mach II, had a race tail that held the taillight, and had a small storage space.