Essay – Kawasaki Ninja e-1 / Z e-1 – the first of “Kawa”

On several occasions, Kawasaki has shown to be a pioneer in various solutions, while at other times simply presenting premium models because that has always been the brand’s intention: to launch cutting-edge models with high performance. This time, performance is not the main objective, but we must always highlight the brand’s first electric models from Akashi.

Kawasaki has speed and competition in its DNA, which does not mean that it is not aware of how everything is rapidly changing in this world. Therefore, it has shown at recent motorcycle shows some hybrid and hydrogen models that are in advanced stages of development. In terms of electric motorcycles, the Japanese brand preferred to start from the bottom, launching models limited to 11 Kw that will make purchasing and using them easier. The biggest curiosity here is that, instead of introducing new scooters as other manufacturers would do, the brand launched its new zero-emission proposals in a familiar “package,” none other than the Ninja and Z formats of its low-displacement models. Whether this is an excellent idea or not, only the future will tell!

OBJECTIVE

With the obligation to launch zero CO2 emission vehicles in Europe within a few years (both two and four-wheelers), Kawasaki is ahead of the game and aims to reach a type of customer who wants to use two-wheel vehicles in the most congested areas of cities, especially in urban exclusion zones for vehicles – ZER or free parking areas for zero emission vehicles. They are launching two models with a power of 11 Kw, the limit for holders of driving licenses B or A1, knowing in advance that there are many more affordable brands on the market but without the quality and experience of Kawasaki in motorcycle manufacturing. We will also see what kind of support will continue to be available for the purchase of these types of vehicles in the future.

FEATURES

With these two motorcycles, Kawasaki intends to launch models of quality, reliable and safe (and with numerous brand dealers spread throughout the country) but that still offer some excitement, contributing to this the curious e-boost function, which we will explain later. Except for the colors, the style is then copied from the Ninja and Z models, and while externally there are very few differences, it is noticeable in the handling that these new models are a bit simpler, as they do not have to deal with as much power. The ease of driving is an advantage, with no clutch or gearbox, and at low speeds there is even a “walk mode” to assist in maneuvers, both forward and in reverse. With about 12 hp of power, we are talking about a maximum speed of around 99 km/h (only for a few seconds with the e-boost), for a maximum range of 72 km and a consumption that, according to the brand, could mean costs of around 0.64€ /100 km. There are two driving modes, Eco and Road, and the e-boost, which is activated by a button, has a maximum duration of 15 seconds, so after that we will have to wait for the system to recover the energy. In terms of maximum speed, subtract about 10 km/h if you do not use the e-boost and another 10 km/h if you are in eco mode, a driving mode that we only briefly experienced and is not particularly fast…

The instrumentation is complete and pleasant, and gives us a lot of information that we don’t normally find in a combustion model…

Connectivity is a reality and makes perfect sense in very avant-garde models like these.

The controls have slight differences from combustion models. In this case, on the left we have the walk mode button, to use at a very low speed for maneuvers, forward or backward.

In the lower section we can find the major differences from the traditional Ninja 400 and Z 400 models. The build quality is at a good level, as one would expect from Kawasaki models.

The suspension operation is relatively smooth and the braking is sufficient, with the chassis well adjusted to the performance of these models.

The seats could be from any Ninja or Z model from Kawasaki, being somewhat hard for the passenger.

Under the false tank are the batteries that we can remove if we want to charge them outside the bike

If we want to charge the batteries directly on the bike then this is where we have to connect the charger.

If we want to remove the batteries to charge them in another location, this is where we fit them.

Regarding the power supply, it is composed of a pack of two batteries (each weighing 11.5 kg) connected in parallel that can be removed to be charged (one at a time) at a proper location, whether at home, in the office, etc., or kept in place (under the false tank) for those who have the possibility to charge through a respective plug in a garage. According to the brand, charging both batteries from 0% to 100% is done in 7.4 hours (or in 3.2 hours from 20% to 85%), something that we naturally could not verify in this presentation. Note also that these models have connectivity, so through the smartphone and respective app, we can obtain a lot of information about our trips, the vehicle’s status, and the batteries. These models have a weight of 135 kg in the naked version and 140 kg in the sporty version, and there is already a list of optional extras that can add something in terms of comfort and aesthetics to these machines. ON THE ROAD… AND TRACK The national presentation of these models took place in Montijo, and we were expected to cover some kilometers on the road but also on the local karting track, with the curiosity of it having a large part of the track indoors. From the beginning, we noticed that these are well-built motorcycles, made by a brand with a lot of experience in the two-wheeled combustion sector. Everything is simple but works well, and in addition to the very smooth acceleration (as expected), the chassis keeps up with comfortable suspensions and good braking. The driving position is comfortable (only slightly strains the wrists on the Ninja), and in curves they behave well, not noticing the weight in a harmful way, so in this aspect we could be at the controls of any gasoline vehicle. But the power is not huge, so only when we use the e-boost do we have performance equivalent to a common 125 cc four-stroke. And since the e-boost runs out, we have to save it for some overtaking and so that the autonomy does not run out quickly. Driving ends up being fun and it seems like we are in a computer game, just like when we have low autonomy and a turtle drawing appears on the instrumentation!

In general, we are entitled to very easy, pleasant and smooth driving, but always quite calm. Then, at the kart track, we did not want to overdo it because our equipment was not the most appropriate and the IRC tires did not seem to like very tight corners, but it is always fun to drive indoors without any polluting emissions.

Personally, I didn’t like the noise when decelerating, a strange “rustling” that comes from the battery regeneration, nor the fact that there is no parking brake, so attention is always needed when parking because it is not possible to leave the bike “engaged”. The most complicated, however, will be the range, which should always be around 60-70 km; but right away the selling price. It is understood the brand’s entry with these models in the electric segment but perhaps they could have achieved greater success if they had chosen a scooter configuration… or not! 

Regardless, they are interesting and well-built models, but due to performance, range, and price, they are still in a very small market niche. In any case, as with any electric vehicle, it is a matter of doing the math, understanding if our usage can meet a bike that has its pros but also its limitations.

KAWASAKI Ninja e-1 / Z e-1

INTERNAL permanent magnet synchronous motor, air-cooled

MAXIMUM POWER 12 hp (9 kw) @2.600-4.000 rpm

NOMINAL POWER 6.8 hp (5.0 Kw)@2.800 rpm

TORQUE 40.5 Nm @0-1.600 rpm

Automatic ATM

Tubular steel lattice frame

Maximum autonomy 72 km

Front suspension telescopic fork, 120 mm travel

Rear suspension mono-shock absorber, 133 mm travel

Front brake disc

Rear brake disc

Front tire 100/80-17

Rear tire 130/70-17

Wheelbase 1,370 mm

Seat height 785 mm

Weight Ninja e-1: 140 kg / Z e-1: 135 kg

Price (from) Ninja e-1: €9,390 / Z e-1: €8,790