The Hybrid Leap: Kawasaki Ninja 7 HEV Opens A New Chapter For Motorcycles

With the unveiling of the Kawasaki Ninja 7 HEV, a new chapter has opened for motorcycling. The Ninja 7 HEV combines an ICE with an electric motor for a truly green motorcycling experience. And the best part is that it doesn’t stray away from the Ninja’s renowned styling.

The Ninja 7 HEV is powered by a 451cc parallel twin motor paired with a 12.1bhp electric motor and a 48V battery. The total output of this powertrain is 59bhp, but with e-boost, the peak power will be about 69bhp (nice!) for 15 seconds. The powertrain also has an ‘idling stop’ which will turn off the ICE when stopped. Additionally, there’s also a bi-directional walk mode which can aid in parking and tight maneuverability. The ‘Automatic Launch Position Finder’ will select the first gear at a standstill. Talking of gears, the Ninja 7 HEV doesn’t have a clutch lever. Kawasaki has done a neat job of packaging all of the extra tech within a trellis frame, without adding a visual bulk to the styling. 

The 48V li-ion battery pack is positioned under the seat, and cooled via an air cooling channel that routes air from the front, around the battery, and then out via undertail ducts.

Kawasaki claims that the e-boost will give this Ninja an “instant acceleration to rival that of a 1000cc-class supersport model from a standing start” while returning a fuel economy comparable to a 250cc motorcycle. The Ninja 7 HEV will also have riding modes – sport-hybrid, eco-hybrid, and EV only. There’s a familiar-looking 5-inch TFT display with smartphone connectivity, which has been tweaked for the Ninja 7 HEV.

Kawasaki hasn’t yet unveiled all the details of the Ninja 7 HEV. It is slated to be launched in April 2024, in the UK, when we should get the complete specs. No word yet on whether it will come to India, but looking at how Kawasaki India is trying new strategies, like launching the howling ZX-4R, we can only cross our fingers and hope for the best.