Kawasaki has finally revealed the final specs as well as pricing for its first two electric motorcycles, the Kawasaki Ninja e-1 and Z e-1.
Both bikes are now launching in North American markets (US and Canada) as well as in the UK.
In the US, the Ninja e-1 will be priced at US $7,599, while the 2024 Z e-1 starts at a slightly lower US $7,299.
Both models have rock-bottom performance specs, leading our previous coverage to conclude that their only hope for success would be if the prices matched the low-hanging performance. And it looks like Kawasaki managed to pull it off with lower pricing than many had anticipated.
While not reaching parity with the brand’s 125cc combustion engine-powered models, the prices still put the new models square in the center of the commuter electric motorcycle market.
The Kawasaki Ninja e-1 (faired sport bike) and the Z e-1 (naked bike) will both share the same 5 kW electric motor. That chain-driving motor is rated for 9 kW of peak power, but only in bursts.
There are two riding modes, Eco and Road mode. The bikes have a boost button that increases the burst power and top speed temporarily. Eco mode will use lower power and is limited to 40 mph (64 km/h) but can hit 47 mph (76 km/h) in boost mode. Road mode offers a higher constant speed of 55 mph (88 km/h) but can be boosted up to 65 mph (105 km/h). The E-Boost feature will only last for 15 seconds, so riders would be advised to use it wisely in an overtaking situation.
The bikes use a pair of removable 1.5 kWh battery packs, offering a combined 3 kWh of capacity. That’s even smaller than the troubled SONDORS Metacycle’s 4 kWh battery pack, which has led to criticisms of the bike’s low range.
With 3 kWh of battery capacity on board, Kawasaki says the bikes can achieve 41 miles (66 km) of range in Road mode without using the electric boost feature. There’s no word from the company on what speed that range is measured at, but that figure works out to an efficiency of 73 Wh/mile and thus is likely around 35 mph (56 km/h) of average speed.
The batteries, which weigh 25 lb. (11.4 kg), can each be recharged from a typical wall outlet in under four hours, or from 20-80% in under two hours.
While these prices come in at around half of a typical Zero or LiveWire electric motorcycle, they also have much lower than half of the performance.
That means that these Kawasakis are purely urban-oriented motorcycles. A range of less than 40 miles (64 km) in real-world usage and a top speed of 55 mph (88 km/h) prevents their use on most highways, again limiting them to local urban riding.
But for many city dwellers, that could be all that is necessary. And with removable batteries, apartment residents can enjoy street parking and at-home charging, provided they can muscle 50 pounds (23 kg) of battery into their building.
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Learn more about the costs associated with electric motorcycles and how they compare to their gas-powered counterparts.
Electric vehicles have been making inroads with traditional consumers for years, but they haven’t been as popular with motorcycle enthusiasts – until now. Many manufacturers have created their own line of electric motorcycles to appeal to more environmentally conscious consumers.
Considering these vehicles have only been on the market for a few years, they tend to be much more expensive than their gas-powered counterparts. Beginner electric bikes and motorcycles can go for just a few thousand dollars, while electric motorcycles from Harley Davidson and Zero usually start at around $20,000 or a few thousand more. Davidson recently lowered the price of its flagship Livewire electric motorcycle from just under $30,000 to $22,000.
Compare with the average price of a gas-powered motorcycle. Beginner bikes usually go for around $5,000 to $10,000, while more experienced riders usually go for bikes in the $10,000 to $15,000 range. However, high-end gas-powered bikes can go for as much as $30,000 or more.
Going electric may be about the same or more than buying a gas-powered motorcycle depending on your budget and preferences. You can also easily find a used gas-powered motorcycle, which can help you save more upfront. Finding a used electric motorcycle is rare, as they are usually just a few years old. Prices for electric motorcycles will likely come down in the years to come as this technology becomes more popular.
So, why are electric motorcycles so much more expensive than gas motorcycles?
While electric motorcycles don’t have a clutch, gearbox, drivetrain, oil, spark plugs and other components needed for combustion, they need other components to hold a charge, some of which can be quite expensive. Electric motorcycles need a battery, battery charger, motor, motor controller and other various components to store electricity.
Because they are powered with electricity, these bikes also have to be waterproofed to prevent electrocution and battery failure.
The gear is generally the same for both types of motorcycles. You can use the same type of gloves, boots, and helmet as you would on a gas motorcycle. Use a motorcycle Bluetooth helmet to access your phone hands-free while riding.
Use a Motorcycle Bluetooth Headset on Your Electric Motorcycle
The good news is that electric motorcycles cost much less to repair than gas-powered bikes. They do not have to combust air and fuel to generate power, which reduces the chances of mechanical failure. Just like your phone or some other appliance, all you have to do is charge the battery and turn the bike on. It’s just that simple.
Gas-powered motorcycles usually cost around $1,000 to repair per year. All that oil and fuel will wear away at the internal parts over time. There’s also the chance the combustion chamber could overheat, which could lead to parts fusing together. This increases the risk of accidents. Wear a Bluetooth motorcycle helmet to give yourself more peace of mind.
You won’t have to pay nearly that much to repair your electric motorcycle. They generally cost less than $100 to repair each year, which is about as much as you would pay to repair a traditional push bike.
Find a Bluetooth Motorcycle Communication Device for Your First Ride
The price of gasoline will continue to change on a dime, making your fuel costs hard to predict. Gas-powered motorcycles usually cost around $20 to $30 to refuel, depending on the size of the tank.
Electric motorcycles just need access to electricity, usually the same electricity that powers your home. Even if it takes eight or more hours to charge the battery, it will usually cost less than a dollar. Most people charge the battery on their electric bike overnight during off-peak hours. This is the cheapest time to use electricity.
If you generate your own source of electricity using solar or wind energy, you won’t have to pay anything to recharge the battery on your electric motorcycle. The utility company may even pay you to pump excess electricity into the grid.
While electric motorcycles cost more upfront compared to gas-powered motorcycles, they will help you save money overtime. Regardless of which type you choose, use Bluetooth motorcycle speakers to keep in touch with your loved ones.