Ninja 7 Hybrid

author: FutureCar Staff    

Alan Dowds recently attended the Kawasaki Ninja 7 Hybrid launch in Barcelona and has come away quite impressed. The bike boasts new technology and offers practical real-world performance. With a 59bhp 451cc petrol parallel twin engine and a 9.5bhp electric motor integrated into the transmission, the Ninja 7 Hybrid can function as a pure EV bike with a top speed of 60kph and a limited but usable range for city riding. In Eco mode, the bike features an automatic gearbox with electric assistance when starting and the engine stops when idle, similar to a hybrid car setup.

In addition to Eco mode, the Ninja 7 Hybrid also offers a sport mode which allows for manual gearchanges with the petrol motor running continuously and the electric side providing assistance. There is even an 'E-boost' button in sport mode that activates the full power of the electric motor, providing a significant acceleration boost. Kawasaki claims that the fuel consumption of the Ninja 7 Hybrid is lower than that of a Ninja 250, and with a 14-litre tank, the bike has a range of well over 200 miles.

Aside from its powertrain, the new Ninja 7 Hybrid shares similarities with the Ninja 400 or 650 models, featuring a slightly softer road sports bike design and standard chassis components. Despite its wet weight of 227kg, the bike still performs well and the weight is not overly noticeable.

For more information on the new Kawasaki Ninja 7 Hybrid, look out for Alan Dowds' coverage in the upcoming issue of Motorcycle Sport & Leisure Magazine.

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FutureCar Staff