#Electric

Kawasaki Europe officially announced full specifications and details about its first electric motorcycles, the Ninja e-1 sportbike and the naked Z e-1. Both models are classified as 125cc-class motorcycles and will be available soon in European markets, but we expect they will be offered in other markets, including Australia, Japan, and America.

Last month, we reported that Zero was revamping its lineup, updating the S, DS, and DSR models with the newer FST platform used by its higher performance models like the SR range and DSR/X adventure model. Our initial report was based on a document Zero submitted to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration showing updated gross vehicle weight ratings for the models that were using the older SDS platform.

Bombardier Recreational Products provided a brief update on its upcoming Can-Am electric motorcycles, the Pulse roadster and Origin dual-sport. Both models are still undergoing testing while construction is underway for a new plant in Querétaro, Mexico, which will produce the electric bikes. Can-Am is aiming to launch Origin and Pulse "before the end of 2024", with final specs and pre-orders expected next summer. Until then, here are some fresh new photos of the prototypes.

Zero Motorcycles is preparing updates to the S, SR, DS, and DSR models for 2024, with evidence suggesting an end to its SDS platform in favor of the FST steel trellis chassis used on its higher-end models.

At EICMA last November, Kawasaki promised it would debut its first electric streetbikes this year, and it now appears an official launch for the electric Ninja and Z is imminent. Thanks to new homologation data submitted in Australia, we can now confirm the models will be marketed as the Ninja e-1 and Z e-1.

Claimed output of 84 hp and 194 lb-ft.

In a livestream presentation, buried somewhere behind an unnecessary meta-verse introduction, awkward audio issues, and a skatepark-themed setting that made me expect Steve Buscemi to show up and ask “ How do you do, fellow kids?,” BMW introduced a new urban electric motorcycle that actually looks like a fun ride.

Since its inception, Zero has been powering its motorcycles with its proprietary Z-Force motor. The motor has evolved over the years, but at its core, it has remained an air-cooled interior permanent magnet brushless motor. That might soon change, as recently-published patent filings reveal Zero has been working on a liquid-cooled motor.

With no US publications invited to the press launch of the BMW CE 04 more than a year ago, we had to enlist the help of our friend Bertrand Gahel to send us his thoughts in the form of his First Ride Review. Thirteen months later, we finally got our hands on the BMW scoot.

Kawasaki USA and Canada are teasing the launch of two new motorcycles for Feb. 1, and though we don’t 100% know what they are, we can make some educated guesses.

It’s been a couple of months since Honda outlined its electric motorcycle plans, which included a mix of mopeds, scooters and three large-sized “Fun EVs” destined for North America by 2024 and 2025. The initial announcement included a teaser image of two motorcycles and a scooter.

Just because the candidates for Best Electric Bike this year are rather sparse doesn’t mean there isn’t a motorcycle worthy of an award. Energica’s new Experia certainly appears to be worthy of consideration, but as we mentioned in our opening page, a model needs to be available in dealers by the time of our posting. The Experia is not. This leaves one really excellent motorcycle left to choose. It would be hard not to recognize the Zero DSR/X in the Best Electric category after basically calling it the best motorcycle Zero has made so far. If you look at where Zero started – as essentially a glorified mountain bike – to where the company is now, and in a relatively short amount of time, the DSR/X is very impressive. In a way, you could say the DSR/X is the ultimate evolution of that original glorified mountain bike. Built to capitalize on the ADV craze sweeping the industry, it certainly is the most capable Zero so far.

While many riders think of MV Agusta as solely being focused on high performance motorcycles, a quick look through the internet time machine will reveal MV scooters in the 1950s. A closer inspection will reveal a family resemblance to the 2023 MV Agusta Ampelio unveiled today in Milan. Drawing on inspiration from the CGT and Ovunque scooters of the past, MV had Russian designer Maksim Ponomarev interpret the 70 year old models with a modern flair, and once viewed by MV Agusta CEO Timur Sardarov, the project was undertaken. 

After presenting an electric prototype last month at Intermot, Kawasaki revealed a range of electric, hybrid, and hydrogen-powered prototypes at EICMA.