Kawasaki could be planning to introduce a new hybrid motorcycle in its portfolio. According to sources, the new motorcycle could be the Kawasaki Versys with a strong hybrid powertrain. Design patents of the hybrid motorcycle have emerged on the internet which reveal the battery positioning for the hybrid powertrain, however, it appears that the motorcycle is still in the rudimentary developmental stages as of now.
Kawasaki Versys Hybrid – Design Patent
The design patent reveals that Kawasaki could place the battery pack of the hybrid system in the fuel tank area. The fuel tank of the motorcycle could be smaller than conventional to make space for the battery pack. However, this is not likely to reduce the range of the motorcycle as the powertrain is likely to be more efficient than the conventional. The fuel tank is also likely to be lower than usual to better package the area. Apart from this, the design patents do not reveal much details.
Kawasaki Versys Hybrid – Powertrain
But, sources reveal that the Kawasaki Versys Hybrid could use the power unit from Kawasaki’s Z7 hybrid motorcycle. The Kawasaki Z7 uses a 451cc 4-stroke, parallel-twin, DOHC engine. The liquid cooled engine is coupled to an interior permanent magnet synchronous motor with liquid cooling and comes with a 48 V lithium-ion battery. Together the power unit produces 69 Hp of power and close to 60 Nm of torque @ just 2200 rpm.
The hybrid engine is coupled to a 6-speed automated manual transmission. The engine also comes with e-boost which temporarily increases overall output to that of a 650cc-class motorcycle, hence the “7” in its nomenclature. However, under certain conditions the Z7s’ powertrain is capable enough to even out-accelerate a 1,000cc-class bike in initial. The electronically controlled Automated Manual Transmission can also be operated in fully automatic or manual mode using button shift.
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*Kawasaki Z7 Hybrid Images for Visual Representation Only