Page 14 - LHR Motorcycle Magazine August 2024

Hybrid thinking: Kawasaki drip feed further details on
their Ninja 7 HEV
Kawasaki have released further details on their
upcoming Ninja 7 HEV hybrid – which will be
available as of April 2024 combining a 451cc parallel
twin engine with an electric ‘traction motor’ and
battery to provide an additional boost function.
First revealed as a production model on Friday
October 6, with further detail arriving on October 10,
the HEV will be operated through three switchable
modes and does away with the conventional clutch
and shift levers for a semi-automatic button
arrangement for the six-speed box.
Despite its modest petrol motor – likely shared with
the incoming Eliminator 500 cruiser range –
Kawasaki say the Ninja 7 will offer ZX-10R
superbike-beating acceleration to low speed,
alongside the option of zero-emission full electric for
riding around town.
Although the peak combined output of its two power
sources was known to be a claimed 69bhp already,
this has now been revealed to be at 10,500rpm, with
59 of those horses coming from the ICE unit and the
electric motor providing the additional ‘e-boost’
function.
Peak combined torque, meanwhile, has also now
been revealed to be an impressive 44lb.ft, or
around the same as Kawasaki’s Z650 twin.
However, this comes at just 2800rpm on the HEV
instead of the Zed’s 6700rpm – hence the
impressive acceleration claim.
Away from performance, the Ninja 7 HEV’s kerb
weight has also been revealed to be hefty 227kg,
which is unsurprising given the two propulsion
methods on board. That said, it’s still less than
Kawasaki’s own Ninja 1000 SX sports-tourer – with
everything held in place via a steel trellis chassis
and shrouded by styling inspired by the firm’s
supercharged H2 family.Available in three colour
options, the HEV will also feature stop/start
technology – making it the only current large
capacity motorcycle to make use of the tech.
Currently only found on small scooters like Honda’s
PCX125, the function will be available when the bike
is in ‘Eco-Hybrid’ mode.
Despite all of this fancy tech, some may be
disappointed to see a fairly basic set of conventional
telescopic forks and twin piston brake calipers –
presumably added to keep costs down. Full pricing
is yet to be announced, but with their recently
revealed Z e-1 naked priced at £7799 it’s unlikely to
be cheap.
Kawasaki are claiming fuel economy similar to that
of a 250cc petrol motorcycle, with an Automatic
Launch Position Finder selecting first gear for you at
a standstill.
Kawasaki Ninja Hybrid