7 ms·

2024 Kawasaki Ninja 7 hybrid motorcycle first ride review

89 points by harambae 3y ago

xeromal 3y ago
Wow! I never really imagined a market where a motorcycle needed a hybrid considering their gas mileage (Extra bad emissions though), but this bike seems like a wonderful idea. I bet the instantaneous torque would be something to behold too. Love the 3 mode concept too I want to ride one.
- whelp_24 3y ago
  The gas mileage isn't actually higher than a regular motorcycle (*well some yeah but not by much). It seems mostly useful as a demonstration of the tech.
  - somerandomqaguy 3y ago
    To be fair, this is Kawasaki we're talking about. Only company I know that's nuts enough to put out a 250cc inline 4 screamer in the ZX25R. Then also produce the H2 which has a supercharger with holes cut into it so that you can hear the chirping of the impeller blade tips exceeding the speed of sound and generating a small sonic boom. Don't know of another large motorcycle company that's willing to try wonderfully silly things like this.
    - dharmab 3y ago
      Yamaha Niken. Ducati also does some really cool stuff with their bike tech, but doesn't market it as much as the other brands, preferring their exotic brand image.
    - bogantech 3y ago
      Wow that is cool to see! When I was a learner the hot bike to have in Aus was a 90s MC22 CBR250RR, all the newer 250 "sports" bikes were sad single or parallel twins
    - berjin 3y ago
      I guess loud noises sell more bikes because the riders tend to be obnoxiously noisy assholes.
  - xeromal 3y ago
    I'm only speaking from my own experience but my Suzuki VStrom has about a 5.5 Gallon tank and the Kawasaki hubrid has a 3.7 gallon tank and they both get about the same mileage so I think it still gets a better MPG.
    - sitkack 3y ago
      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_GT750 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_GT750 750cc liquid cooled two stroke.
- odiroot 3y ago
  The emissions are not really bad for modern motorcycles. It's not hard to get a Euro 5 certified one.
bogantech 3y ago
Why did they go for paddle shifting instead of a standard foot shifter?? For the extra 134 pounds over the original Ninja 400 you get a whopping 7.5 miles EV range Why not just get a full electric like the Zero?
- davidthewatson 3y ago
  I've ridden a friend's zero. Love the bike. The price is right, but comes with compromise since my weekend trips are beyond the zero's range. My friend has had problems which are all fixed at manufacturer cost under warranty; however, having the kevlar belt break at speed is not a place I ever want to be.
  - stavros 3y ago
    What happens when the belt breaks?
    - ce4 3y ago
      The most obvious thing is: you will lose power transmission immediately. That once happened to me on a vintage Moto Guzzi LeMans while overtaking (the cardan drive's joint broke apart, but didnt block the rear wheel). That was absolutely not funny. Apart from that: it depends if the snapped belt just flies away or if it obstructs/blocks the rear sprocket (very dangerous instant blockage of the read wheel). A chain is probably more prone to that than a belt.
      - stavros 3y ago
        Hm yeah, instant blockage is very not fun, but loss of power transmission doesn't sound that terrible. It should be fine to coast to a stop, even if you're overtaking (you can probably fall back into your old position, no?).
        guenthert 3y ago
        > but loss of power transmission doesn't sound that terrible On a m/c it is, particularly when leaning in a turn. An experienced rider should recover, but it won't be fun. Also, other traffic participants don't expect a m/c to suddenly stop in the middle of the road for no apparent reason. Never had such a drastic mechanical failure, just ran out of gas (on the GG bridge of all places) and had a blown main fuse (fortunately on the down-hill section and was able to coast through multiple lanes of traffic to a stop at the side of the road).
deleted 3y ago
[deleted]
davidthewatson 3y ago
I intend to buy this bike if it ever reaches my local market. I've owned Japanese and German bikes from 300cc to 1000cc. This hits a sweet spot of weight, speed, and price for me that's hard to match. Which is to say that 500 lbs. is as heavy as my Ninja SX 1000, but adds a reverse gear without lifting the front wheel at 100 MPH in third gear - not a good survival strategy for someone my age. I'm still concerned about the weight, but in my tight garage, reverse will make a huge difference in maneuverability for the aged weakling that I am. The EV range is nearly exactly what I need in the urban area in which I live, but the ICE makes mom's house in the sticks commutable on the weekend without needing to fuel up or charge. That last part is the deal maker for me since just about any electric either makes the 100 mile round trip impossible without a recharge, or the purchase price so expensive I'd pass since a cage is cheaper and I'd be better off to spend the money electrifying my fixed gear bicycle.
- MuffinFlavored 3y ago
  Just a guess out of my butt but, I would bet that very few people on this website have ever driven a 1000cc bike. What's the fastest you've gone on your Ninja SX 1000 and how do you balance the fear of dying/getting into an accident/danger?
  - sen 3y ago
    I daily commuted on a 1300cc sport bike for 6 years (and have owned them for much longer). Only reason I don’t now is that I work from home. As a taller person I find I feel way safer on a big bike over a small one. Theyre more comfortable (less hunched over, better for my back), more stable, have more grip due to more weight on bigger tyres, yet have the power to punch your way out of a sticky spot or overtake someone in a split second if needed. It’s all personal preference but I’ve ridden everything from 250cc to 1300cc and way prefer the upper end of the scale. Plus they just put a stupid grin on your face and make the commute a happy part of the day rather than a boring one. In saying that I’m far from your typical big-cc rider. I’ve never done stupid speeds or raced anyone and just love the feeling of vehicles with some oomph.
diziet 3y ago
I am excited for these sort of motorcycles to continue getting better. Ideally I'd want either a full electric bike similar to my F 850 GS from BMW, or some plug in hybrid with at least 35 miles range.
- dharmab 3y ago
  My F750GS is such an easy bike to live with. It's one of those products that on paper seems boring compared to the competitors but when you actually use it every day you see why it's nice.
  - rantingdemon 3y ago
    I also had a F750GS for a year or so. It was my first bike (at age 41). It was a wonderful motorcycle, considering my lack of experience on other motorcycles. Lightweight, not too tall (as I am relatively short at 5'7"). Capable with good performance, but not too fast.
    - dharmab 3y ago
      I wouldn't call it lightweight, but for an adventure bike it's certainly accessible.
- sgt 3y ago
  I wonder when an EV bike becomes available that replaces my BMW R1200GS's abilities. Consider this: I can do 200 miles, refill, continue riding, then refill, continue riding, then get to my destination as it turns dark because on these adventures it's hard to plan exactly ahead. With EV's however, it's a different picture. You don't have a way of charging on real adventures (going mostly offroad), the weight of the bike would be even worse, the range questionable. Will a proper alternative ever exist? The energy density of Lithium ion batteries is so far far off. Even today - using gasoline, you can easily find yourself in situations where even 200 mile range is not sufficient (especially if there's an incident and you need to back track 50 miles, etc).
  - 3y ago
rasz 3y ago
In other news EV bikes are banned on all Australian race tracks. Dont know about cars, but probably same. Sucks for Zero owners.
- gambiting 3y ago
  Wait, why? What's the reasoning?
  - rasz 3y ago
    Wait, I think its New Zealand, but AU might follow. Something about lack of infrastructure/regulation for putting down EV fires.
    - saiya-jin 3y ago
      A freaking small electric scooter caught fire recently, it took fire department few hours to even contain it, they were not able to actually put out flames. Maybe less than ideal procedure, but electric stuff getting on fire is a massive risk and regulators recognize it as such, especially when not out in the open.
      - _ea1k 3y ago
        How is that even possible? Was it located somewhere that limited their ability to bring in water? I just can't imagine a small scooter being that difficult to contain. Usually reignition is the big risk here rather than containment.
    - _ea1k 3y ago
      That doesn't really make sense for motorcycles, tbh. It barely makes sense for the cars, but they at least have significantly larger batteries.
  - ben7799 3y ago
    It's cause the track has to shut down for a fire. Yes maybe they can figure out a way to get the burning EV bike off the track but if they can't get it out they probably still have to stay shut down for a while. I used to go to lots of track days and have sat through both emergency medical shut-downs and fire & chemical spill shut-downs. At least for motorcycles the way the race track works is you have a bunch of people who either pay for a track day or for race entries. Depending on how much they are willing to pay you either get 1 or 2 ambulances and EMT crews and you have a certain size fire crew and this has to be factored into the pricing. If you have 1 EMT crew + ambulance and someone has an accident IME the track shuts down and no one can ride again until the ambulance returns from the hospital. While it's shut down all the customers are wasting money and considering whether they want to come back. It's the same thing with a fire. But an ICE motorcycle doesn't take very long to put out and get off the track. If the EV takes even an hour to put the fire out and get it off the track it wrecks the schedule for the whole day as you have races or sessions that are shut down. IME an ICE fire was a 20 minute delay. That's one missed track day session or one race that has to be rescheduled (amateur races are short). A 1-hour EV fire would cancel 2+ races/sessions, and realistically do we actually think the EV fire is put out in 1 hour? ICE motorcycles go out on the track with barely any fuel at all, especially in races they go out with minimal fuel to save weight, so the fires go out quick.
4gotunameagain 3y ago
I wonder why the electronic shifting is necessary. They wouldn't have opted for such a radical shift (no pun indented) in the way you control a bike unless there is a reason. Could it be because the control system of the motor needs to be aware of shifts ? I don't think so, as the response time is so low that it could detect the shift and act accordingly. It could make sense that an electric motor which is not directly control needs to throttle down after an upshift, as traditional ICEs bog down because of the higher torque requirement when the RPMs go down, while the motor could just plough through, lifting the front and lowering your butt on the asphalt if you're not going straight. Also curious why they opted for a TFT, and why is the design so.. meh in my opinion. Anyway, it is great to see innovation like that in motorcycles.
- _yb2s 3y ago
  Computer control of the transmission (and engine) is likely necessary because it is a parallel hybrid: to charge the battery and to seamlessly switch between power sources, a computer needs to control the throttle, clutch, and shifting based on long term goals like maintaining a certain charge level, and optimizing the fraction of power coming from each motor, that are invisible and orthogonal to what the rider would want for controlling the bike.
  - 4gotunameagain 3y ago
    I understand why the ICE throttle, but why the transmission ? Regardless of which gear you're at, the control input from the driver should dictate the power output, and it is up to the control system to figure out the split based on current conditions like state of charge, setpoints etc. What am I missing ?
    - _yb2s 3y ago
      For example, to shut off the gas motor without drag while seamlessly switching to EV power, the clutch has to be auto engaged. Another example is the opposite, if the battery is getting low and needs to be charged, the transmission needs to downshift to a lower gear at the same moment the drag from charging is engaged, or the bike will not have enough torque to maintain speed. Since the transmission is not just for driving the bike, but is also the connection between the charging generator and the engine, it’s automatic control is necessary as part of managing the battery level. Now if you had an old fashioned simple EV system like the first Honda Insight, where the electric motor and gas engine are directly connected and can’t spin independently, in that case you can have a regular manual transmission, as those vehicles did. However, they are much less efficient and versatile, and don’t have a useful EV only mode.
throwaway81523 3y ago
7.5mi range at 40 mph = about 5C discharge rate. Pretty high. 29 lb battery, 27.2AH 48V = about 100 WH per kg. Sounds like LFP which I guess is a good thing.
trabant00 3y ago
Unfortunately it is heavier, longer wheelbase, less powerful and the nail in the coffin: gets the same real world fuel economy as a ~700cc pure ICE parallel twin. And they mention this in the article with the Honda NC750X. Not to mention about 50% more expensive. For me it would have to get at least 80mpg (3l/100km) to make any sense. And even then if your target is the highest economy, lowest pollution, practicality in town, something like Honda PCX 125 gets 100mpg at a quarter of the price. But maybe it's just the start and future generations will have some real advantage other than "hybrid" in the name.
- VBprogrammer 3y ago
  I used to ride a SV650 before we had kids. Honestly, I can't think of a fuel efficiency figure which would make me think "I have to have that!" You just don't spend that much on fuel on a motorbike, even commuting about 20 miles each way it was still less than a single day on the train per week, about £30 in fuel. Even halving that spend is a negligible difference practically. If I wanted to have cheap motoring I'd probably go for the Toyota Yaris hybrid which gets those fuel efficiency figures and is a lot more fun to be in when it's dark and wet.
  - ben7799 3y ago
    Yep.. I had an SV650 too, and IIRC I would typically turn in 50-55mpg any place except doing laps at the racetrack. I get they need to get something out to start this process but this seems very underwhelming given the price, the weirdness with the transmission, the extra complexity of the whole thing, etc.. Probably a big issue with getting the fuel economy up is simply that bikes aren't very aerodynamic. So they suffer even more than a car with highway riding. But acceleration, etc.. is just not a problem with bikes in any way, there is absolutely zero need for an electric motor to help with anything. Even a 250cc bike can move out with authority at low speeds. I'm in the US. I had the SV650 quite some time ago, but it would cost me maybe $10-12 to fill it even today. It was VERY cheap to run. Later on I had a Honda Interceptor, that got 40-45mpg in street riding despite being a big heavy bike with excessive power (as opposed to so many even faster bikes that are just absolutely ridiculous) that I usually had luggage on.
guenthert 3y ago
I loved my Prius (sadly had to move internationally and give up on that car) and am very interested in a hybrid m/c (more in a standard/ADV kind one like the Versys though), particularly with such a 'stealth mode' for places where m/c aren't welcomed. I would have thought, that the additional weight would make it a losing proposition for m/c. Glad Kawasaki proved me wrong.
xtiansimon 3y ago
Walking mode sounds kewl—reverse.
charlie0 3y ago
Yes, but why? I have an entry level Kawi and it gets about 60MPG, which is already higher than most cars. Motorcycles already accelerate pretty quickly, so the electric drivetrain doesn't offer a lot there. I can see this making more sense at the higher CC levels, because the bigger bikes burn more fuel and are heavier. Not seeing the big deal for smaller CC sporty bikes.
- semanticist 3y ago
  FTA: "The 7 Hybrid differs from those models in its attempt to be three motorcycles in one. Think of it as a zero-emissions bike for heavily restricted city centers, a fuel-sipping urban cruiser, and a fully capable canyon carver able to take on 200-plus mile days, suggests Kawasaki." It's less about fuel economy and more about emissions. Also FTA: "the Kawasaki Ninja 7 Hybrid, the first mass-production strong hybrid motorcycle—Kawasaki’s two-wheeled solution for the modern world, where Zero- and Low-Emissions Zones are very much a reality. Even if they haven’t made their way to the United States, yet."
LispSporks22 3y ago
Lot of focus on mpg here. I couldn’t even tell you what the mpg on any of my 3 bikes is. It’s so unimportant to most riders. Most interesting to me is the Ninja 7 smoking a zx10r, for a few hundred feet off the line, granted. Picture of exciting shit to come perhaps.

89 points by harambae 3y ago

Wow! I never really imagined a market where a motorcycle needed a hybrid considering their gas mileage (Extra bad emissions though), but this bike seems like a wonderful idea. I bet the instantaneous torque would be something to behold too. Love the 3 mode concept too I want to ride one.

whelp_24 3y ago
The gas mileage isn't actually higher than a regular motorcycle (*well some yeah but not by much). It seems mostly useful as a demonstration of the tech.
- somerandomqaguy 3y ago
  To be fair, this is Kawasaki we're talking about. Only company I know that's nuts enough to put out a 250cc inline 4 screamer in the ZX25R. Then also produce the H2 which has a supercharger with holes cut into it so that you can hear the chirping of the impeller blade tips exceeding the speed of sound and generating a small sonic boom. Don't know of another large motorcycle company that's willing to try wonderfully silly things like this.
  - dharmab 3y ago
    Yamaha Niken. Ducati also does some really cool stuff with their bike tech, but doesn't market it as much as the other brands, preferring their exotic brand image.
  - bogantech 3y ago
    Wow that is cool to see! When I was a learner the hot bike to have in Aus was a 90s MC22 CBR250RR, all the newer 250 "sports" bikes were sad single or parallel twins
  - berjin 3y ago
    I guess loud noises sell more bikes because the riders tend to be obnoxiously noisy assholes.
- xeromal 3y ago
  I'm only speaking from my own experience but my Suzuki VStrom has about a 5.5 Gallon tank and the Kawasaki hubrid has a 3.7 gallon tank and they both get about the same mileage so I think it still gets a better MPG.
  - sitkack 3y ago
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_GT750 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_GT750 750cc liquid cooled two stroke.
odiroot 3y ago
The emissions are not really bad for modern motorcycles. It's not hard to get a Euro 5 certified one.

bogantech 3y ago

Why did they go for paddle shifting instead of a standard foot shifter?? For the extra 134 pounds over the original Ninja 400 you get a whopping 7.5 miles EV range Why not just get a full electric like the Zero?

davidthewatson 3y ago
I've ridden a friend's zero. Love the bike. The price is right, but comes with compromise since my weekend trips are beyond the zero's range. My friend has had problems which are all fixed at manufacturer cost under warranty; however, having the kevlar belt break at speed is not a place I ever want to be.
- stavros 3y ago
  What happens when the belt breaks?
  - ce4 3y ago
    The most obvious thing is: you will lose power transmission immediately. That once happened to me on a vintage Moto Guzzi LeMans while overtaking (the cardan drive's joint broke apart, but didnt block the rear wheel). That was absolutely not funny. Apart from that: it depends if the snapped belt just flies away or if it obstructs/blocks the rear sprocket (very dangerous instant blockage of the read wheel). A chain is probably more prone to that than a belt.
    - stavros 3y ago
      Hm yeah, instant blockage is very not fun, but loss of power transmission doesn't sound that terrible. It should be fine to coast to a stop, even if you're overtaking (you can probably fall back into your old position, no?).
      - guenthert 3y ago
        > but loss of power transmission doesn't sound that terrible On a m/c it is, particularly when leaning in a turn. An experienced rider should recover, but it won't be fun. Also, other traffic participants don't expect a m/c to suddenly stop in the middle of the road for no apparent reason. Never had such a drastic mechanical failure, just ran out of gas (on the GG bridge of all places) and had a blown main fuse (fortunately on the down-hill section and was able to coast through multiple lanes of traffic to a stop at the side of the road).

deleted 3y ago

[deleted]

davidthewatson 3y ago

I intend to buy this bike if it ever reaches my local market. I've owned Japanese and German bikes from 300cc to 1000cc. This hits a sweet spot of weight, speed, and price for me that's hard to match. Which is to say that 500 lbs. is as heavy as my Ninja SX 1000, but adds a reverse gear without lifting the front wheel at 100 MPH in third gear - not a good survival strategy for someone my age. I'm still concerned about the weight, but in my tight garage, reverse will make a huge difference in maneuverability for the aged weakling that I am. The EV range is nearly exactly what I need in the urban area in which I live, but the ICE makes mom's house in the sticks commutable on the weekend without needing to fuel up or charge. That last part is the deal maker for me since just about any electric either makes the 100 mile round trip impossible without a recharge, or the purchase price so expensive I'd pass since a cage is cheaper and I'd be better off to spend the money electrifying my fixed gear bicycle.

MuffinFlavored 3y ago
Just a guess out of my butt but, I would bet that very few people on this website have ever driven a 1000cc bike. What's the fastest you've gone on your Ninja SX 1000 and how do you balance the fear of dying/getting into an accident/danger?
- sen 3y ago
  I daily commuted on a 1300cc sport bike for 6 years (and have owned them for much longer). Only reason I don’t now is that I work from home. As a taller person I find I feel way safer on a big bike over a small one. Theyre more comfortable (less hunched over, better for my back), more stable, have more grip due to more weight on bigger tyres, yet have the power to punch your way out of a sticky spot or overtake someone in a split second if needed. It’s all personal preference but I’ve ridden everything from 250cc to 1300cc and way prefer the upper end of the scale. Plus they just put a stupid grin on your face and make the commute a happy part of the day rather than a boring one. In saying that I’m far from your typical big-cc rider. I’ve never done stupid speeds or raced anyone and just love the feeling of vehicles with some oomph.

diziet 3y ago

I am excited for these sort of motorcycles to continue getting better. Ideally I'd want either a full electric bike similar to my F 850 GS from BMW, or some plug in hybrid with at least 35 miles range.

dharmab 3y ago
My F750GS is such an easy bike to live with. It's one of those products that on paper seems boring compared to the competitors but when you actually use it every day you see why it's nice.
- rantingdemon 3y ago
  I also had a F750GS for a year or so. It was my first bike (at age 41). It was a wonderful motorcycle, considering my lack of experience on other motorcycles. Lightweight, not too tall (as I am relatively short at 5'7"). Capable with good performance, but not too fast.
  - dharmab 3y ago
    I wouldn't call it lightweight, but for an adventure bike it's certainly accessible.
sgt 3y ago
I wonder when an EV bike becomes available that replaces my BMW R1200GS's abilities. Consider this: I can do 200 miles, refill, continue riding, then refill, continue riding, then get to my destination as it turns dark because on these adventures it's hard to plan exactly ahead. With EV's however, it's a different picture. You don't have a way of charging on real adventures (going mostly offroad), the weight of the bike would be even worse, the range questionable. Will a proper alternative ever exist? The energy density of Lithium ion batteries is so far far off. Even today - using gasoline, you can easily find yourself in situations where even 200 mile range is not sufficient (especially if there's an incident and you need to back track 50 miles, etc).
- 3y ago

rasz 3y ago

In other news EV bikes are banned on all Australian race tracks. Dont know about cars, but probably same. Sucks for Zero owners.

gambiting 3y ago
Wait, why? What's the reasoning?
- rasz 3y ago
  Wait, I think its New Zealand, but AU might follow. Something about lack of infrastructure/regulation for putting down EV fires.
  - saiya-jin 3y ago
    A freaking small electric scooter caught fire recently, it took fire department few hours to even contain it, they were not able to actually put out flames. Maybe less than ideal procedure, but electric stuff getting on fire is a massive risk and regulators recognize it as such, especially when not out in the open.
    - _ea1k 3y ago
      How is that even possible? Was it located somewhere that limited their ability to bring in water? I just can't imagine a small scooter being that difficult to contain. Usually reignition is the big risk here rather than containment.
  - _ea1k 3y ago
    That doesn't really make sense for motorcycles, tbh. It barely makes sense for the cars, but they at least have significantly larger batteries.
- ben7799 3y ago
  It's cause the track has to shut down for a fire. Yes maybe they can figure out a way to get the burning EV bike off the track but if they can't get it out they probably still have to stay shut down for a while. I used to go to lots of track days and have sat through both emergency medical shut-downs and fire & chemical spill shut-downs. At least for motorcycles the way the race track works is you have a bunch of people who either pay for a track day or for race entries. Depending on how much they are willing to pay you either get 1 or 2 ambulances and EMT crews and you have a certain size fire crew and this has to be factored into the pricing. If you have 1 EMT crew + ambulance and someone has an accident IME the track shuts down and no one can ride again until the ambulance returns from the hospital. While it's shut down all the customers are wasting money and considering whether they want to come back. It's the same thing with a fire. But an ICE motorcycle doesn't take very long to put out and get off the track. If the EV takes even an hour to put the fire out and get it off the track it wrecks the schedule for the whole day as you have races or sessions that are shut down. IME an ICE fire was a 20 minute delay. That's one missed track day session or one race that has to be rescheduled (amateur races are short). A 1-hour EV fire would cancel 2+ races/sessions, and realistically do we actually think the EV fire is put out in 1 hour? ICE motorcycles go out on the track with barely any fuel at all, especially in races they go out with minimal fuel to save weight, so the fires go out quick.

4gotunameagain 3y ago

I wonder why the electronic shifting is necessary. They wouldn't have opted for such a radical shift (no pun indented) in the way you control a bike unless there is a reason. Could it be because the control system of the motor needs to be aware of shifts ? I don't think so, as the response time is so low that it could detect the shift and act accordingly. It could make sense that an electric motor which is not directly control needs to throttle down after an upshift, as traditional ICEs bog down because of the higher torque requirement when the RPMs go down, while the motor could just plough through, lifting the front and lowering your butt on the asphalt if you're not going straight. Also curious why they opted for a TFT, and why is the design so.. meh in my opinion. Anyway, it is great to see innovation like that in motorcycles.

_yb2s 3y ago
Computer control of the transmission (and engine) is likely necessary because it is a parallel hybrid: to charge the battery and to seamlessly switch between power sources, a computer needs to control the throttle, clutch, and shifting based on long term goals like maintaining a certain charge level, and optimizing the fraction of power coming from each motor, that are invisible and orthogonal to what the rider would want for controlling the bike.
- 4gotunameagain 3y ago
  I understand why the ICE throttle, but why the transmission ? Regardless of which gear you're at, the control input from the driver should dictate the power output, and it is up to the control system to figure out the split based on current conditions like state of charge, setpoints etc. What am I missing ?
  - _yb2s 3y ago
    For example, to shut off the gas motor without drag while seamlessly switching to EV power, the clutch has to be auto engaged. Another example is the opposite, if the battery is getting low and needs to be charged, the transmission needs to downshift to a lower gear at the same moment the drag from charging is engaged, or the bike will not have enough torque to maintain speed. Since the transmission is not just for driving the bike, but is also the connection between the charging generator and the engine, it’s automatic control is necessary as part of managing the battery level. Now if you had an old fashioned simple EV system like the first Honda Insight, where the electric motor and gas engine are directly connected and can’t spin independently, in that case you can have a regular manual transmission, as those vehicles did. However, they are much less efficient and versatile, and don’t have a useful EV only mode.

throwaway81523 3y ago

7.5mi range at 40 mph = about 5C discharge rate. Pretty high. 29 lb battery, 27.2AH 48V = about 100 WH per kg. Sounds like LFP which I guess is a good thing.

trabant00 3y ago

Unfortunately it is heavier, longer wheelbase, less powerful and the nail in the coffin: gets the same real world fuel economy as a ~700cc pure ICE parallel twin. And they mention this in the article with the Honda NC750X. Not to mention about 50% more expensive. For me it would have to get at least 80mpg (3l/100km) to make any sense. And even then if your target is the highest economy, lowest pollution, practicality in town, something like Honda PCX 125 gets 100mpg at a quarter of the price. But maybe it's just the start and future generations will have some real advantage other than "hybrid" in the name.

VBprogrammer 3y ago
I used to ride a SV650 before we had kids. Honestly, I can't think of a fuel efficiency figure which would make me think "I have to have that!" You just don't spend that much on fuel on a motorbike, even commuting about 20 miles each way it was still less than a single day on the train per week, about £30 in fuel. Even halving that spend is a negligible difference practically. If I wanted to have cheap motoring I'd probably go for the Toyota Yaris hybrid which gets those fuel efficiency figures and is a lot more fun to be in when it's dark and wet.
- ben7799 3y ago
  Yep.. I had an SV650 too, and IIRC I would typically turn in 50-55mpg any place except doing laps at the racetrack. I get they need to get something out to start this process but this seems very underwhelming given the price, the weirdness with the transmission, the extra complexity of the whole thing, etc.. Probably a big issue with getting the fuel economy up is simply that bikes aren't very aerodynamic. So they suffer even more than a car with highway riding. But acceleration, etc.. is just not a problem with bikes in any way, there is absolutely zero need for an electric motor to help with anything. Even a 250cc bike can move out with authority at low speeds. I'm in the US. I had the SV650 quite some time ago, but it would cost me maybe $10-12 to fill it even today. It was VERY cheap to run. Later on I had a Honda Interceptor, that got 40-45mpg in street riding despite being a big heavy bike with excessive power (as opposed to so many even faster bikes that are just absolutely ridiculous) that I usually had luggage on.

guenthert 3y ago

I loved my Prius (sadly had to move internationally and give up on that car) and am very interested in a hybrid m/c (more in a standard/ADV kind one like the Versys though), particularly with such a 'stealth mode' for places where m/c aren't welcomed. I would have thought, that the additional weight would make it a losing proposition for m/c. Glad Kawasaki proved me wrong.

xtiansimon 3y ago

Walking mode sounds kewl—reverse.

charlie0 3y ago

Yes, but why? I have an entry level Kawi and it gets about 60MPG, which is already higher than most cars. Motorcycles already accelerate pretty quickly, so the electric drivetrain doesn't offer a lot there. I can see this making more sense at the higher CC levels, because the bigger bikes burn more fuel and are heavier. Not seeing the big deal for smaller CC sporty bikes.

semanticist 3y ago
FTA: "The 7 Hybrid differs from those models in its attempt to be three motorcycles in one. Think of it as a zero-emissions bike for heavily restricted city centers, a fuel-sipping urban cruiser, and a fully capable canyon carver able to take on 200-plus mile days, suggests Kawasaki." It's less about fuel economy and more about emissions. Also FTA: "the Kawasaki Ninja 7 Hybrid, the first mass-production strong hybrid motorcycle—Kawasaki’s two-wheeled solution for the modern world, where Zero- and Low-Emissions Zones are very much a reality. Even if they haven’t made their way to the United States, yet."

LispSporks22 3y ago

Lot of focus on mpg here. I couldn’t even tell you what the mpg on any of my 3 bikes is. It’s so unimportant to most riders. Most interesting to me is the Ninja 7 smoking a zx10r, for a few hundred feet off the line, granted. Picture of exciting shit to come perhaps.