Kawasaki is taking its hybrid motorcycle tech seriously and after the Z7 and the Ninja 7, Kawasaki wants to extend the hybrid tech to the Versys and Eliminator, as the recently surfaced patent images show.
The earlier models, the Ninja and Z7 had their batteries under the seat, since it’s difficult to package a hybrid system on motorcycles owing to space constraints. With the Versys and Eliminator, Kawasaki has moved the battery above the engine, freeing up space under the seat.
Now, this is crucial for a cruiser because it needs a low seat height, while for the Versys, Kawasaki can benefit from having better ground clearance and longer suspension travel. The patent filings also show that the Eliminator will use twin fuel tanks on either side of the battery pack, giving the cruiser a lower centre of gravity.
While the above details look technical and in detail, Kawasaki has not revealed engine specifications. Also, given that the hybrid tech already exists in two motorcycles Kawasaki makes, it could most likely be the same powertrain, a 450cc ICE mated to hybrid tech to make 69bhp and 60Nm of torque.
