Kawasaki eMotorcycles

[Smaug]

Kawasaki has released a Z-e1 and a Ninja variant. They’re city bikes, due to their range, but I’m sure they will be well-sorted; proper suspension, lighting, fit and finish, etc.

Kawasaki Z e-1 ABS | EV Motorcycle | Electric Powered

The Kawasaki Z e-1 ABS motorcycle produces a clean and powerful ride through the city with low environmental impact and zero emissions.

www.kawasaki.com

$7300 seems expensive for its performance level, but right now, it only has competition from Zero and Harley.

 

[biknut]

I don't think it will sell very well. Who really wants one?

 

[Smaug]

I don't think it will sell very well. Who really wants one?

*I* want one!

Look at the specs under the POWER heading:

Motor Type	Air-cooled, interior permanent magnet synchronous motor
Power Modes	2 Modes (ROAD/ECO) plus e-boost
Max Speed by Mode	ROAD = 53 mph (63 mph with e-boost), ECO = 40 mph (45 mph with e-boost)
Rated Power	5.0 kW (6.8 PS) / 2,800 min-1
Maximum Power	9.0 kW (12 PS) / 2,600-4,000 min-1
Maximum Torque	29.7 lb-ft @ 500 rpm
Battery Type	Lithium-ion battery pack (x2)
Battery Voltage/Capacity	50.4 V 30 Ah (x2)
Battery Range	41 mi (approximate in ROAD Mode w/o e-boost)
Battery Charge Time	3.7 hours (x2)
Transmission Type	Single reduction gear
Shifter Mechanism	Push button
Primary Reduction Ratio	3.211 (61/19)
Final Reduction Ratio	3.867 (58/15)
Final Drive Type	Chain
Electronic Rider Aids	WALK Mode (with Reverse), Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)

• The 53 mph normal top speed is useful in the city or suburbs. Put it in ECO (40 mph) for the inner city.
• 41 mile range at 53 mph is reasonable, esp. for stop & go commutes.
• 5 kW normal rating is 6.7 hp.
• Chain final drive was a BAD decision, though. That holds us to the worst part of old-time motorcycle maintenance. Belt drive was a no-brainer here, but someone decided a little "parts bin engineering" was in order.
• Note that the batteries can be charged multiple ways, in as few as 3.7 hours.
• Splitting the battery capacity between two packs was smart; if one doesn't need the full range, one can just battery swap each day.
• Moving the motor to a central location will improve handling via better weight distribution and ride quality; less unsprung weight in the wheel compared to a big hub motor.
• Note that they were smart enough to give it bigger power, but market it as e-boost mode, so that people wouldn't think it's sustainable, and the firmware enforces it.

I was about to complain about the $7300 price, but it's the cheapest practical eMoto out there right now; everything else that's not just a hub motor bike starts closer to $12k. Only problem is that a gBike will outperform it for $2k less and not have any worries about battery replacement a few years down the road.

 

[HumanPerson]

I'd like to put some pedals on that

 

[biknut]

My Stealth is 6Kw, has the same top speed, and weighs 200 lbs less. Plus I have pedals, and a smaller physical size that gets lost in the loop hole. What advantage does the Ze1 have over bikes like mine?

 

[Smaug]

My Stealth is 6Kw, has the same top speed, and weighs 200 lbs less. Plus I have pedals, and a smaller physical size that gets lost in the loop hole. What advantage does the Ze1 have over bikes like mine?View attachment 12244

Not putting down your bike, but since you asked:

• Better lighting
• Better range
• Better (more polished) looks
• Better brakes, probably

On the minus side, one can’t “ride the loophole” with these Kawasakis, which means a higher cost of ownership through taxes.

 

[biknut]

Not putting down your bike, but since you asked:

• Better lighting
• Better range
• Better (more polished) looks
• Better brakes, probably

On the minus side, one can’t “ride the loophole” with these Kawasakis, which means a higher cost of ownership through taxes.

This is the kind of conversation I've been thinking about for a long time. I don't think the major motorcycle factory's realize this yet. For a minute lets assume you're a salesman at the Kawasaki shop trying to convince me I need a Ze1, and you just gave me this pitch. My reply would be something like this.

Better lighting? Maybe, maybe not, but I can have any lighting I want for cheap, and I like what I have pretty well. No sale.

Better range? Ze1=41 mi. I get that riding hard, and a lot more most of the time. Still no sale.

Better looks? Looks are subjective, but I'll give you this one, but not by very much, and even that's questionable. I have been known to buy a bike for looks alone, but I've never been a fan of Japanese sport bike looks. Still no sale.

Better brakes? Ze1 has 4 piston F/R with 270/220 rotors, but has to stop close to 300 lbs plus rider. I have 4 piston F, 2 piston R, with 220 rotors F/R, stopping 120 lbs plus rider. I'm pretty sure I can out stop a Ze1.

Other items of note, Ze1 has 41mm forks that have to deal with 300lbs plus rider, while I have Fox 40s holding up 1/3 the weight. Ze1 has a strong, but heavy steel trellis frame. My bike has a strong, but lightweight chromoly, monocoque frame.

Right now the only real advantage I see is price. $7200 vs $10,000, but it's not really a fair comparison, because we're comparing a mega factory to a very small regional one in Australia. If a factory the size of Kawasaki built my bike I think it would probably cost less than this Ze1. Even so, when you factor in the additional freedom the loop hole allows, which means I can ride anywhere, park anywhere, no license, no registration, inspection, or insurance, I think the extra cost is worth it.

Bottom line is the Ze1 weighs 300 lbs, but only has the same power as my 120 lb bike, arguably less overall performance, and less freedom. I don't think the Ze1 would be as much fun as my bike.

 

[HumanPerson]

Well, I think these are pretty nice too

TheOtherBike-TOB Electric bike

Electric bikes that perform like a motorcycle. Trellis frames hand built coupled with 72V 44ah batteries assembled n the USA. You won't believe what you will see on a TOB!

www.tobebike.com

 

[JerryB]

This is the kind of conversation I've been thinking about for a long time. I don't think the major motorcycle factory's realize this yet. For a minute lets assume you're a salesman at the Kawasaki shop trying to convince me I need a Ze1, and you just gave me this pitch. My reply would be something like this.

Better lighting? Maybe, maybe not, but I can have any lighting I want for cheap, and I like what I have pretty well. No sale.

Better range? Ze1=41 mi. I get that riding hard, and a lot more most of the time. Still no sale.

Better looks? Looks are subjective, but I'll give you this one, but not by very much, and even that's questionable. I have been known to buy a bike for looks alone, but I've never been a fan of Japanese sport bike looks. Still no sale.

Better brakes? Ze1 has 4 piston F/R with 270/220 rotors, but has to stop close to 300 lbs plus rider. I have 4 piston F, 2 piston R, with 220 rotors F/R, stopping 120 lbs plus rider. I'm pretty sure I can out stop a Ze1.

Other items of note, Ze1 has 41mm forks that have to deal with 300lbs plus rider, while I have Fox 40s holding up 1/3 the weight. Ze1 has a strong, but heavy steel trellis frame. My bike has a strong, but lightweight chromoly, monocoque frame.

Right now the only real advantage I see is price. $7200 vs $10,000, but it's not really a fair comparison, because we're comparing a mega factory to a very small regional one in Australia. If a factory the size of Kawasaki built my bike I think it would probably cost less than this Ze1. Even so, when you factor in the additional freedom the loop hole allows, which means I can ride anywhere, park anywhere, no license, no registration, inspection, or insurance, I think the extra cost is worth it.

Bottom line is the Ze1 weighs 300 lbs, but only has the same power as my 120 lb bike, arguably less overall performance, and less freedom. I don't think the Ze1 would be as much fun as my bike.

OK....what if I throw in a year subscription to our "Jelly of the Month" program........yer gonna love the marionberry!

 

[biknut]

OK....what if I throw in a year subscription to our "Jelly of the Month" program........yer gonna love the marionberry!

Well I might change my mind for CBD of the month lol.

 

[Hania]

Who really wants one?

Yeah, you are absolutely right that these bikes are very expensive but there are a lot of riders who are willing to shift towards eco-friendly bikes.

 

[munirider]

I think it looks great, the range wouldn't work for anything I would need it to do and I'm sure the 41 miles range is not at 53mph either. It does look like it would be a great commuter city bike though. I can see where it would be better than an e-bike for some depending on your commute. Where you have to get in there and mix it up with traffic, need to be a street legal vehicle, and need the tires , handling, braking of a motorcycle.

I'm really surprised that they are able to keep it at only $7,300, I saw a trek full suspension e-mountain bike for almost that much. I guess since the batteries are easily changed out you could extend your range with more batteries.

I know some people go 50 miles an hour on an e-bike but not me, If I'm going to over thirty mph I want a motorcycle not a bicycle.

I guess the weight and scale of ev cars just works better than motorcycles do, it's just hard to carry enough batteries to come close to the range and performance of a gas bike.