Two Electric Kawasaki Streetbikes for 2023

[Richard230]

It looks like Kawasaki will enter the 14.8 hp electric motorcycle street-legal market next year, according to this report by Motorcycle.com: https://www.motorcycle.com/new-model-preview/two-electric-kawasaki-streetbikes-coming-for-2023.html

[EV promise]

Hi Richard, an interesting article and great to see a mainstream manufacturer entering the market. I believe the bike will have Zero S  levels of performance as the 11kW is a continuous power rating and like the Zero S will have a 85mph top speed and a 23kW net power (59hp). Journalists don't yet understand the way power output is measured for electric bikes. Heat has to be disapated so power depends on cooling systems and efficiency.
The 11kW headline allows learners to ride these bike here in UK and Europe. This could really boost the market.

[HadesOmega]

Not getting my hopes up with that article, it's all just speculation.  For some time now they have shown the Endeavor and it's just crickets.  I was hoping they would release a mini motocross bike but they built that balance bike.  KTM and even Honda have already release electrics and Kawasaki a kids bike...

[Richard230]

I really expected more from Kawasaki considering what a huge company they are and how much experience, knowledge and engineering they could bring to the EV market - if they wanted to. But I guess they are not seeing much of a future for freeway-legal electric motorcycles in the near future. 

[HadesOmega]

I think the big4 are waiting for the right time to go electric.  The battery tech just isn't there yet.  But I guess they are always saying they are going to go electric .

The way I see it is they should at least try to push the technology.  I think racing or motorsports is a great way to develop their tech.  It doesn't hurt that it gets their name out there as well.  If they can't produce a bike now they should be going out and testing EV tech against gas bikes.  The Japanese have been in the game so long they are afraid to take risks. 

[Richard230]

I think the big4 are waiting for the right time to go electric.  The battery tech just isn't there yet.  But I guess they are always saying they are going to go electric .

The way I see it is they should at least try to push the technology.  I think racing or motorsports is a great way to develop their tech.  It doesn't hurt that it gets their name out there as well.  If they can't produce a bike now they should be going out and testing EV tech against gas bikes.  The Japanese have been in the game so long they are afraid to take risks.

I agree 100%.

[HadesOmega]

https://www.cycleworld.com/story/motorcycle-news/kawasaki-electric-and-hybrid-prototypes-unveiled/

Looks like they took the hybrid and electric bikes on an exhibition ride. The EV is something totally different.  It's a 125cc like mini bike.  I guess it's nice there will be electric minibikes.  Only one right now is the city slicker.  My sur ron is probably faster