VICTORIA’S top traffic cop has slammed the new fastest motorcycle in the world — capable of hitting 100km/h in 2.5 seconds — as a potential “recipe for disaster”.

Assistant Commissioner Bob Hill raised concerns after Kawasaki released details of its H2 Ninja, to go on sale early next year in Australia for about $30,000.

The bike has the acceleration of a Formula One car and uses technology from ­Kawasaki’s aerospace division.

“Reports of a new high-powered motorbike potentially being made available for sale in Australia are very concerning,” Mr Hill said.

“Motorcycle riders are among our most vulnerable road users and speed is a major factor in about one-third of all fatal collisions. To put those two factors together is a recipe for disaster on our roads.”

A total of 23 motorcyclists have perished on Victoria’s roads in 2014 so far.

The new bike will be available to anyone with a full bike licence. Its supercharged engine has almost as much power as a Volkswagen Golf GTI hot hatchback, but the motorbike weighs about one-fifth as much as the car.

Mr Hill said the H2 Ninja’s arrival in Australia was a concern because when a biker was involved in a collision they were more likely to be seriously injured or killed.

“If you include high speed in that equation then the results are obvious,” he said. “When a motorcyclist falls from a bike there are often no second chances.

“I urge all riders to slow down, travel at a safe speed and always ride with care.”

The H2 Ninja has electronics to limit its power to enable it to be ridden safely in the wet. But like some V8s it has “launch control” for super-fast take-offs, and bigger brakes than a V8 Commodore.

david.hurley@news.com.au

@davidhurleyHS

Originally published as Top cop slams new ‘fastest motorbike’