This bet by Akashi’s builder is part of a much more ambitious plan for transitioning to alternative fuels, as we have seen in recent days, when President Hiroshi Ito showed the development phase of the Ninja H2 HySE, which in 2030 will be the first hydrogen-powered production supersport motorcycle.
As we rode the first meters on the seat of the Ninja 7 Hybrid, we couldn’t help but consider how well this technology could be applied in a crossover that makes versatility its motto. In fact, the beauty of the hybrid motorcycle is being able to start with the electric motor or use only electric propulsion when in the city, and then combine the thrust of the internal combustion propulsion when we need to accelerate. It allows for a smaller combustion engine (451 cc) and, consequently, lower gasoline consumption and higher performance with a very smooth driving experience.
The limitations, if any, lie in the higher weight and greater construction complexity. Kawasaki’s system also uses a semi-automatic gearbox without a clutch lever. This type of solution seems to be in line with the target audience of a Versys, so the question arises: will we see a hybrid? What could have been mere speculation seems to be becoming a reality in the near future.
A patent application filed in Japan clearly shows hybrid technology with twin-cylinder engines incorporated into the silhouette of a Versys. Compared to the Ninja 7 Hybrid, we can see a suspension with greater travel, more ground clearance, a more upright riding position… but the shapes are also clearly those of a crossover. The patent refers to elements of the cooling system, as used in the Ninja 7 Hybrid and Z7 Hybrid, so there would be no need to illustrate the bike as a Versys. However, among the various designs registered for the patents, this seems to be the only one that shows a profile similar to that of the Versys, as mentioned by colleagues at Cycle World. They could very well have presented much more generic designs without showing us the crossover shape so clearly, so we understand this as a clear message from Kawasaki that is anything but casual.
Furthermore, the elements presented in the patent, from the frame to the two-cylinder engine, seem to be the same as those of the Ninja 7 Hybrid and Z7 Hybrid. The only absence is that of the battery, but this may have been excluded, as it is not a key element in this patent application.
