Kawasaki developing hybrid-power motorcycles

Just as Kawasaki is the only major manufacturer to explore forced induction with any kind of seriousness, a video released by the firm reveals it is working on hybrid technology.

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Kawasaki seems well advanced on development, too, according to the film. The short clip shows a motorcycle rear-wheel spinning on a dyno which, judging by the lack of engine noise, is spinning under the power of the electric motor before the conventional petrol engine audibly joins in and increases the speed.

“Hybrid brings a new powerful feeling of acceleration,” the film’s subtitles read.

Combining a conventional internal combustion engine with an electric motor, the bike apparently has the ability to use each power source independently of each other or concurrently.

Interestingly, the imagery depicts a journey heading towards a large city where the motorcycle is using the petrol engine, once it arrives within the city’s boundary it switches to the electric motor, before switching to a hybrid mode as it leaves along a winding road.

With the number of European cities announcing future bans on internal combustion engines on the rise, Kawasaki is offering a clean and workable solution to being able to travel to and move through such places.

Another video from the Japanese firm shows AI technology, which allows verbal communication between rider and machine. Riders can ask the bike to deliver updates on things like fuel range and weather conditions.

While the unique tech has been touted in the past, the new video claims that Kawasaki is now testing the system with customers on Japanese roads. This means we could see it on production models in the very near future.