Our Hybrids Will Be FUN to RIDE too. It’s What Makes Them a Kawasaki

I’m sure everyone has noticed the increased prevalence of hybrid and electric cars. Like automobiles, the demand for environmentally friendly motorcycles with reduced carbon emissions is increasing. While many motorcycle manufacturers are focusing on the development of electric vehicles (EV) that are propelled by electricity, we are creating hybrid motorcycles (HEV) that use both gasoline and electric power. Why? Because we believe that FUN is an essential factor of what makes a motorcycle. We want to keep the sound and vibration of an engine while creating an environmentally friendly machine. Add to that the strong acceleration that motors can offer, and new kinds of fun can be experienced. That is the kind of thinking we are bringing to our HEV development. 

HEV structure is completely different than what we have seen in machines up until now. To realise a powertrain with HEV Mode—where the motorcycle runs using both the engine and motor—and EV Mode—where only the motor is used, there are many issues that cannot be solved by relying solely on past experience. And then, of course, we need to add the FUN factor. Achieving everything on our wish list is a huge challenge. During development, when we first started testing the machine, things didn’t always go well. Some of the harshest comments from our test riders included, “totally unrideable.” But that became our motivation. Seeing development progress and the product grow brings a kind of joy in and of itself. When we get positive feedback from the test group, or when the test results suggest that something we didn’t know and had to study looks like it’s heading in the right direction, it gives me the feeling that what we are creating—something the world hasn’t seen—almost lets us reach out and touch the future.

In the 2030s, emissions regulations will be even stricter than they are now. To meet these regulations, we are exploring several new paths, like EV and hydrogen engine development, and using biofuels, etc. Adapting to the demands and challenges of the world means that we need to be continually changing. All the while, never forgetting the FUN that riding a motorcycle brings. Enjoying the challenge of ensuring our machines are FUN to RIDE—that’s something I hope will always be a part of Kawasaki Motors.