Kawasaki has long had the idea of entering the electric motorcycle market. At EICMA the company’s motorcycle division president unveiled a new prototype machine that may move that quest a little closer to reality. The theoretical bike looked traditional in its sport bike livery which suggests it will likely first appear as a faired e-Ninja and be followed up by a naked e-Z20, being that the output of the electric motor is claimed to be 20kW for acceleration and 10kW for cruising.
The bike is said to accomplish Kawasaki’s mission of “Rideology” which we assume has something to with being an enthusiast machine rather than a utility tool. To that end there is good news.
The electric offering, if it comes to market, will feature a clutch and possibly a four speed transmission. It’s a chunky machine (so far) with a weight of 219kgs but the bulge around the middle is a battery but the way technology is advancing the size of the battery could be smaller by the time the bike hits the showroom floor.
The range, as it stands now, is about 60 miles which puts it in a similar ballpark of other electric bikes. It all could be moot point as Kawasaki emphasized that the company are just tinkering with the possibilities and there is no plan to bring an electric bike to market in the near future.
But just in case electric proves to be inevitable, Kawasaki will have something in the backroom.