Kawasaki Z7 Hybrid Revealed

[advrider]

A few weeks back, we told you about Kawasaki’s new hybrid Ninja sportbike, and guess what? Kawi has done the logical thing and introduced a stripped-down version that machine. The new Kawasaki Z7 Hybrid debuted at EICMA today, and it is roughly the same idea—but with perhaps a more brutish edge.

Like the rest of Kawasaki’s nakeds, this bike comes with what the company calls “Sugomi” styling, supposed to look mean, fast and intimidating. Errrr, maybe it works, maybe it doesn’t. Given this bike’s unique powertrain and all the parts stuffed into the tail section, it looks to me like a big-bootied Transformer, but that’s just my opinion and YMMV.

Whatever the case, we know what to expect from the powerplant. It’s based around a 450 liquid-cooled parallel twin, the same engine that powers the Eliminator cruiser and the 500 Ninja and Z500 that were released today. That engine works in tandem with an electric motor that serves several functions. It can solely power the bike for short distances (battery range seems to be extremely limited) and it also adds its power to the gas engine when you want a boost in muscle. Like the Ninja 7 Hybrid, you should expect acceleration on the same level as a 65-class machine when you’re tapped into both the gas engine and electric motor. Net output of both those power sources adds up to just under 70 hp, and 44.5 lb-ft of torque. Here’s how Troy Siahaan described his riding experience when he was in E-Boost mode:

Pressing the button and twisting the throttle back was an eye-opening experience! All that electric torque hits right from the start and moved me back in my seat so much that the front tire came off the ground a little bit! For as practical and economical as Kawasaki designed the Ninja 7 to be, E-Boost is proof Team Green hasn’t forgotten that motorcycling is also about having fun.

If you have more questions about the powerplant, you should head to Motorcycle.com for his review, as he is one of very, very few journos in the world to actually ride the machine and be able to tell you what it’s all about.

This Z7 Hybrid should be basically the same thing; choice of twist-and-go or push-button shifting, capability to run 100 percent off gasoline or battery. It might be a bit lighter than the Ninja 7 Hybrid’s 500 lb curb weight (although Kawasaki hasn’t told us). It probably has a slightly lower top speed, due to lack of bodywork. And at this point, it’s hard to know if it’s coming to the US, but we would not be surprised if American buyers have to wait for second-gen hybrid tech before getting a chance to ride it.

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