Moto Future
Kawasaki has been among the most vocal of Japan ' s bike makers in terms of its plans to launch multiple batteryelectric , hybrid and hydrogen-powered motorcycles in the near future , and it surprised crowds at the Suzuka 8-Hour race by demonstrating two nearproduction ready machines on track ahead of the race . Kawasaki previously revealed an electric prototype in 2019 and showed an early version of its hybrid bike last year , but these new machines differ significantly from those development models . The HEV ( Hybrid Electric Vehicle ) is the higher-performance and more sophisticated machine . Based around a parallel twin engine - it appears to be from the Z400 - with a large electric motor mounted above its transmission and a relatively small battery pack under the seat . In town , it ' s able to run on pure electric power , although with a relatively short range thanks to the small , light battery . On longer , constant-speed runs , it uses the twin-cylinder petrol engine , operating at an efficient speed to drive the bike and simultaneously recharge the battery pack . When you need all the performance at once , both powertrains run simultaneously , offering more performance than either could achieve alone . The result should be economy and emissions equivalent to a small
Hybrid prototype
bike , maybe a 250 cc machine , and performance similar to a Ninja 650 , with none of the range or recharging problems associated with pure
Electric prototype electric bikes . It uses a conventional combustion engine and transmission , but with the foot-operated gear shift replaced by an electrically operated version , controlled by switches on the left-hand bar , with an automatically controlled clutch . The move to semi-auto shifting means the transition between electric and petrol power can be achieved relatively seamlessly . The frame is purpose-made for the bike , but isn ' t unnecessarily exotic - it ' s a tubular steel design , with a box-section swingarm at the rear and off-the-shelf suspension and modest brakes . The second bike shown at Suzuka , the pure electric , was completely different to the prototype revealed in 2019 . Where that was a sports-style bike with a permanent battery and a conventional manual transmission , the bike seen at Suzuka was a smaller , 125 cc-equivalent offering with a direct drive , single-speed transmission and no clutch . It also appears to have swappable batteries in a case that ' s accessed by removing the top of the ' fuel tank ' section in front of the rider . Power is expected to be limited to 11 kW to ensure it fits into learner bike legislation , but the final machine ' s styling is likely to be substantially different to the bodywork seen here , which is largely borrowed from the existing Z125 model . Both models are likely to get an official debut later in 2022 and to reach showrooms at some stage in the next 12 months .
Electrified adventures with Cypher III + features
Just three months after Italian electric motorcycle trailblazers Energica unveiled what is thought to be the world ' s first fully electric touring motorcycle comes the DSR / X from Zero Motorcycles of Scotts Valley , California - billed as the world ' s first fully electric Adventure Sport model . " Purpose-built to handle everything from the twists and turns of mountain roads to taming terrain beyond where the road ends , Zero says the DSR / X is
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" informed by nearly two decades of industry leadership and over 15 million miles of owner rides around the planet . " The DSR / X delivers an entirely new experience of effortless adventure through precision on / off road performance and its patented electric powertrain technology . Equipped with our largest capacity battery , the Z- Force 17.3 kWh , DSR / X riders can extend range even more to a massive 21 kWh of charging capacity with the optional Power Tank upgrade . " The DSR / X inspires confidence with an upright riding position and high ground clearance , coupled with instant and smooth acceleration powered by Zero ' s newest direct drive motor , the Z-Force 75-10X . " This new motor configuration produces the highest output of power ever from a Zero - a massive 225 Nm of torque . Rear shock preload settings are hand-adjustable to dial in a smooth ride with light or heavy loads . DSR / X will be the first electric motorcycle with Bosch ' s off-road Motorcycle Stability Control ( MSC ) for improved on / off-road safety and control in variable traction conditions ."
Zero says that the DSR / X comes in stock with every available Cypher III + feature such as faster charging , increased battery capacity , turn-byturn navigation and Parking Mode - which adds the ability to ease forward and backward into a parking spot or to aid in clearing tough obstacles .
INTERNATIONAL DEALER NEWS - OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2022 17