Unleashing the Future of Motorcycle Technology : 2024 Kawasaki Ninja 7 Hybrid

The heels of the announcement of its first electric street bikes, Kawasaki has taken another big step towards a carbon neutral future by revealing details about its first hybrid motorcycle. Unlike the Ninja e-1 and Z e-1, however, the 2024 Kawasaki Ninja 7 Hybrid aims to be more than an urban commuter or entry-level motorcycle. At the heart of the Ninja 7 Hybrid is the innovative combination of a brand new 451cc parallel twin, water-cooled four stroke engine – complete with manual or automatically selected gears – and a traction motor plus battery; a futuristic combination that offers a number of new riding experiences plus an engine power of 43.5 kw rising to an impressive hybrid net power of 51.1kw thanks to “e-boost”. In terms of torque, the figures are equally impressive, with a maximum system power with ICE and EV combined of 60.4 N·m {6.2 kgƒ·m} at just 2,800rpm. The Ninja 7 Hybrid comes with a six-speed transmission, but unlike Kawasaki’s gas-powered models, the clutch is automatic. There is no clutch lever or gear shifter on the left footpeg. Instead, the left switchgear includes a toggle for switching between automatic and manual transmissions, along with an upshift “+” on the front and a downshift “-” button facing the rider. The Ninja 7 Hybrid weighs in at 227kg and is a mid-size package offering 650cc to 700cc class overall performance with the instant acceleration to rival that of a 1,000cc-class supersport model from a standing start (with Kawasaki’s e-boost...