Kawasaki Motorcycles To Be All Electric by 2035

SCC
Posts
386
Joined
10/16/2019
Location
Los Angeles, CA, USA
10/10/2021 10:58am
So ill have to run my gas generator for 6hrs at the track to charge my battery instead of burning gas in the bike for 2hr.?Makes total sense. Bring it on.
Kawasaki should focus on switching their china mcf plants over to electric first. Excellent air quality over there lol.


19
2
budlong802
Posts
70
Joined
4/5/2010
Location
Vacaville, CA, USA
10/10/2021 11:07am
Zoom wrote:
I'm old school but love technology and love riding dirt bikes. I was also a Regional Manager at Alta and now work for Kawasaki. I'm willing...
I'm old school but love technology and love riding dirt bikes. I was also a Regional Manager at Alta and now work for Kawasaki.

I'm willing to bet that every person that has a negative opinion about an electric motocross bike has never ridden one. The only way you are going to know if you like an electric motocross bike is the ride one.

I started on a QA-50 to Z50 to racing an XR75 in 1973. Turned pro in 1980 and have had almost 100 bikes. The Alta was absolutely the most fun bike I have ridden.

My reasons why my Alta was the most fun bike to ride...

-Cornering was amazing. Although heavier than a 450, it felt more like a 250 weight wise. Alta did a study about rotating mass and found that the rotating mass of a 450 motor is equal to 90lbs. When corning an Alta it stays planted and did not what to stand up when accelerating.
-Always in the right gear. Never over revved, never bogging.
-Not a riding benefit, but I LOVED not having to ever clean an air filter or change oil.

My only complaint was the battery range. I raced my 3 times. 6 holeshots with 4 moto wins and 2 close 2nd's. I actually changed bikes between motos. These were Texas Summer motocross races with temps in the 90's. The battery didn't have enough time to cool off between motos and charging the battery puts heat in the battery. So I would use one of my demo's for one moto, and another one for the second moto.

I've done hundreds of test rides while at Alta and every one of them came off the bike with a huge smile on their face. Isn't that the reason we ride?

I'm in. You convinced me as long as I can get 2 of them for the price of 1
1
TeamGreen
Posts
37042
Joined
11/25/2008
Location
Thru-out, CA, USA
10/10/2021 2:22pm
SCC wrote:
So ill have to run my gas generator for 6hrs at the track to charge my battery instead of burning gas in the bike for 2hr.?Makes...
So ill have to run my gas generator for 6hrs at the track to charge my battery instead of burning gas in the bike for 2hr.?Makes total sense. Bring it on.
Kawasaki should focus on switching their china mcf plants over to electric first. Excellent air quality over there lol.


That looks like a “clear day” in Bejieng…
3
1
10/10/2021 2:43pm
M1000 wrote:
If the machine is better than the current machines. Then no problem. It seems to me that manufactures are putting kart before the horse. Where is...
If the machine is better than the current machines. Then no problem. It seems to me that manufactures are putting kart before the horse. Where is this consistent energy (power),coming from? Hydro, Coal, Wind, Sun, petrol, nuclear? Batteries store power. Battery Efficiency is becoming better by the week. Where is this energy coming from to power countries, cities, transportation, recreation, agriculture, etc? 10-14 years. It has Taken 100+ years to get where we are today. The politicians want to change energy source in 15 years?
Yep, no question in my mind that the performance of the electric will be great but its charging them that will be the problem. People will really cry when they have used their allotted amount of electricity for the month and are not able to get anymore or they will be metered down when you have reached a set amount for the month. The power grid cant even come close to handling now and it will take 20 or more years to build up the power grids and wont matter if its nuclear or steam or coal or solar. Its gonna be just like when we all switched to the metric system by a set date, it never happened. Laughing Most of you younger guys wont get the metric system line so google it. Wink
5

The Shop

10/10/2021 4:35pm
M1000 wrote:
If the machine is better than the current machines. Then no problem. It seems to me that manufactures are putting kart before the horse. Where is...
If the machine is better than the current machines. Then no problem. It seems to me that manufactures are putting kart before the horse. Where is this consistent energy (power),coming from? Hydro, Coal, Wind, Sun, petrol, nuclear? Batteries store power. Battery Efficiency is becoming better by the week. Where is this energy coming from to power countries, cities, transportation, recreation, agriculture, etc? 10-14 years. It has Taken 100+ years to get where we are today. The politicians want to change energy source in 15 years?
lostboy819 wrote:
Yep, no question in my mind that the performance of the electric will be great but its charging them that will be the problem. People will...
Yep, no question in my mind that the performance of the electric will be great but its charging them that will be the problem. People will really cry when they have used their allotted amount of electricity for the month and are not able to get anymore or they will be metered down when you have reached a set amount for the month. The power grid cant even come close to handling now and it will take 20 or more years to build up the power grids and wont matter if its nuclear or steam or coal or solar. Its gonna be just like when we all switched to the metric system by a set date, it never happened. Laughing Most of you younger guys wont get the metric system line so google it. Wink
Seems like the majority of the people in my area make more power than they consume.
resetjet
Posts
2546
Joined
3/16/2012
Location
Tampa, FL, USA
10/10/2021 4:42pm
Whats interesting is this:

“The goal is to completely switch over to electric motorcycles by 2035 in Japan, Europe, the U.S., Canada and Australia. The company plans to launch hybrid and all electric versions. It also plans develop engines that run on hydrogen.“

A hydrogen powered hybrid is the answer that is not talked about.
2
Yeti831
Posts
1348
Joined
1/30/2020
Location
USA
10/10/2021 5:08pm
A little reminder to those who think electric will “save our sport” due to emissions and noise: this will just simply add another another nail in the coffin.

The asshat Karens who try to shut down tracks, trails and locations won’t stop because the power plant changed. You simply accepting that change is just one more step towards complacency of elimination.

Think I’m crazy or full of shit?

Go talk to any mountain biker about how access is constantly being threatened where there is no motor involved at all.

Don’t give them an inch.

You want electric? Cool, and it very should be an option.

But for total replacement? No, fuck no. All day long.
12
1
10/10/2021 5:21pm
resetjet wrote:
Whats interesting is this: “The goal is to completely switch over to electric motorcycles by 2035 in Japan, Europe, the U.S., Canada and Australia. The company...
Whats interesting is this:

“The goal is to completely switch over to electric motorcycles by 2035 in Japan, Europe, the U.S., Canada and Australia. The company plans to launch hybrid and all electric versions. It also plans develop engines that run on hydrogen.“

A hydrogen powered hybrid is the answer that is not talked about.
Hydrogen is interesting, really high energy for its weight but not that great per volume. Cryogenics are a pain to deal with also, but it works well for really big rockets!
1
Titan1
Posts
9417
Joined
2/3/2010
Location
Lehi, UT, USA
10/10/2021 5:56pm
If e bikes replace ice bikes…I want it to be because it’s a superior technology, and because they are better motorcycles and thus consumer demand is driving the change…I hate that the change is largely being driven by government regulations…that’s the tail wagging the dog. (Even though they might actually be better…the consumer hasn’t decided that yet.)
2
10/10/2021 7:54pm
What do you think these will go for? We are currently at MSRP of over $9k on all 450’s minus Suzuki. Special editions over $12k. Alta was $12k, and that wasn’t even one of the main players. I don’t see e-bikes being sold for what we are currently paying. Especially because they will try pushing the, “well it’s more upfront, but less maintenance overall.”

Will these put MSRP close to or over $15k? Bikes are already expensive enough right now. If we get to $15k, I’m out. I’ll ride what I have until it’s banned or I can’t get parts anymore.
7
KurtJ99
Posts
2439
Joined
2/6/2017
Location
USA
10/10/2021 8:44pm
I don’t think Ebikes will allow anyone to ride anywhere new. Karen’s of the world will report it.
I had a neighbor complain about the dust in my backyard when riding an XR75 in the 70s. Todays bikes are, well, faster and make more dust. I just hope we hold what we have as housing communities encroach on previously remote riding areas.
2
10/10/2021 11:09pm
jjavaman wrote:
It’s going to happen weather you like it or not…
Really? Ever watch the Jetsons….
10/11/2021 12:07am
MXGP becomes 2 lap events, starting 2035!!
10/11/2021 12:32am Edited Date/Time 10/11/2021 12:33am
Curious....what will the average life span be of one of these motorcycle batteries and once the battery has reached the end if its life, how and where do they dispose of the nasty bits n pieces?

All these dead batteries will need recycling / waste management plants....which I assume will generate pollution.

Geezuz, how I wish we could turn back time to the 1980's....life was much better.
8
Alan Dove
Posts
371
Joined
12/29/2020
Location
GB
10/11/2021 1:01am
Yeti831 wrote:
A little reminder to those who think electric will “save our sport” due to emissions and noise: this will just simply add another another nail in...
A little reminder to those who think electric will “save our sport” due to emissions and noise: this will just simply add another another nail in the coffin.

The asshat Karens who try to shut down tracks, trails and locations won’t stop because the power plant changed. You simply accepting that change is just one more step towards complacency of elimination.

Think I’m crazy or full of shit?

Go talk to any mountain biker about how access is constantly being threatened where there is no motor involved at all.

Don’t give them an inch.

You want electric? Cool, and it very should be an option.

But for total replacement? No, fuck no. All day long.
Agreed. I think the problem is, once a sport start to cede position on something like noise etc... the local nimbys don't go "oh that's fantastic" they just move their anger to another aspect and they gain strength from their victory. You have to remember the local track/trail, if it faces 'issues', needs to realise these 'issues' are what keeps the community together. I am not sure many appreciate you never win. They fight and fight until the ultimate objective is reached - absolute closure.

The notion you'll be able to go more places with your environment tearing machine that make walking/running nigh-on impossible due to fear of getting run over is very very wishful thinking in my view.

5
MudPup545
Posts
1700
Joined
11/14/2014
Location
Imlay City, MI, USA
10/11/2021 2:59am

1
philG
Posts
10991
Joined
5/12/2012
Location
GB
10/11/2021 4:34am
Kawasaki just killed themselves overnight IMO .

And Newsome is a fucking prick.

9
5
10/11/2021 4:49am
resetjet wrote:
Whats interesting is this: “The goal is to completely switch over to electric motorcycles by 2035 in Japan, Europe, the U.S., Canada and Australia. The company...
Whats interesting is this:

“The goal is to completely switch over to electric motorcycles by 2035 in Japan, Europe, the U.S., Canada and Australia. The company plans to launch hybrid and all electric versions. It also plans develop engines that run on hydrogen.“

A hydrogen powered hybrid is the answer that is not talked about.
Hydrogen is interesting, really high energy for its weight but not that great per volume. Cryogenics are a pain to deal with also, but it works...
Hydrogen is interesting, really high energy for its weight but not that great per volume. Cryogenics are a pain to deal with also, but it works well for really big rockets!
How about hydrogen as a fuel for power plants? I know nothing about hydrogen as a fuel. Is that a possibility?
sandhills
Posts
320
Joined
5/4/2021
Location
Scotts Valley, CA, USA
10/11/2021 5:27am
How about hydrogen as a fuel for power plants? I know nothing about hydrogen as a fuel. Is that a possibility?
No good source of hydrogen for power plants. It's either made from natural gas in which case you might as well just burn that or it's made from water with electricity.
1
Mr. Afterbar
Posts
2413
Joined
5/13/2019
Location
Green Bay, WI, USA
10/11/2021 5:38am
CPR wrote:
Hey don’t doubt Kawi being at the leading edge of development!
Remember how awesome those first KX250f’s were?……oh never mind……
As a Suzuki fan, I hate to say it, but that engine was their design. No issues with the Kawi designed chassis. It handled well.
2
Pirate421
Posts
1826
Joined
7/26/2015
Location
USA
10/11/2021 5:50am
mattyhamz2 wrote:
What do you think these will go for? We are currently at MSRP of over $9k on all 450’s minus Suzuki. Special editions over $12k. Alta...
What do you think these will go for? We are currently at MSRP of over $9k on all 450’s minus Suzuki. Special editions over $12k. Alta was $12k, and that wasn’t even one of the main players. I don’t see e-bikes being sold for what we are currently paying. Especially because they will try pushing the, “well it’s more upfront, but less maintenance overall.”

Will these put MSRP close to or over $15k? Bikes are already expensive enough right now. If we get to $15k, I’m out. I’ll ride what I have until it’s banned or I can’t get parts anymore.
I know it’s not the same but if you’re not into mountain biking check out some of the new e-mtb’s. For a decent spec they start around $8k and the S-works specialized bikes go for over $15k. If that’s any indication of where electric dirtbikes are going. Dirtbikes today are a steal compared to those bicycles.
7
1
yak651
Posts
8724
Joined
8/26/2006
Location
Appleton, WI, USA
Fantasy
10/11/2021 6:01am
mattyhamz2 wrote:
What do you think these will go for? We are currently at MSRP of over $9k on all 450’s minus Suzuki. Special editions over $12k. Alta...
What do you think these will go for? We are currently at MSRP of over $9k on all 450’s minus Suzuki. Special editions over $12k. Alta was $12k, and that wasn’t even one of the main players. I don’t see e-bikes being sold for what we are currently paying. Especially because they will try pushing the, “well it’s more upfront, but less maintenance overall.”

Will these put MSRP close to or over $15k? Bikes are already expensive enough right now. If we get to $15k, I’m out. I’ll ride what I have until it’s banned or I can’t get parts anymore.
I bet a couple years ago you also said "when bikes get to $10k I'm out"
4
1
yak651
Posts
8724
Joined
8/26/2006
Location
Appleton, WI, USA
Fantasy
10/11/2021 6:02am
SCC wrote:
So ill have to run my gas generator for 6hrs at the track to charge my battery instead of burning gas in the bike for 2hr.?Makes...
So ill have to run my gas generator for 6hrs at the track to charge my battery instead of burning gas in the bike for 2hr.?Makes total sense. Bring it on.
Kawasaki should focus on switching their china mcf plants over to electric first. Excellent air quality over there lol.


Well according to post above if you're in Cali you won't be able to have a gas powered generator so guess you'll have to bring a couple batteries already charged...
4
soggy
Posts
8754
Joined
12/3/2018
Location
USA
10/11/2021 6:18am
A simple google search shows the median age of a motorcycle owner is 47. And who is buying the motorcycles for those under 18?
mxtech1 wrote:
Pretty sure the stat you are looking at is the median age of owner for all motorcycles, which would include street bikes. This absolutely skews the...
Pretty sure the stat you are looking at is the median age of owner for all motorcycles, which would include street bikes. This absolutely skews the data and isn’t relevant to the off-road discussion. Just an FYI, sometimes when you are Google searching, you have to go beyond the first link that pops up in the search queue 🙄

Your stat also doesn’t pass the smell test.

In 2020, Honda sold CRF50s at a nearly 4:1 ratio when compared to 450/250Fs. Similar trend for other OEMs.

When looking at the data for the the Top 10 Off-road models sold from all OEMs in North America, the 1st thru 5th best selling models are mini bikes and 6 of the top 10 on the list are minis. I did the math from this list and mini bike sales accounted for 73% of the new model off-road sales.
I didn’t know 6 year olds were buying their bikes. Who buys the bikes for the kids? Their 35-40 year old parents. That age group purchases...
I didn’t know 6 year olds were buying their bikes. Who buys the bikes for the kids? Their 35-40 year old parents.

That age group purchases the majority of motorcycles sold. You can try to spin it or strawman it but that is a fact.
Obviously a 6 year old isn’t buying his own bike but plenty of parents are buying there 6 year old an electric model. I’m sure ktm has a 65 equivalent on the way and so on.

What are you even trying to argue?

I know a couple guys that are in love with the electric ktm’s. The 50cc are headaches to keep running for a lot of people. Electric is way easier.

3
Zoom
Posts
1376
Joined
10/21/2012
Location
Cypress, TX, USA
10/11/2021 6:30am
Boomslang wrote:
Curious....what will the average life span be of one of these motorcycle batteries and once the battery has reached the end if its life, how and...
Curious....what will the average life span be of one of these motorcycle batteries and once the battery has reached the end if its life, how and where do they dispose of the nasty bits n pieces?

All these dead batteries will need recycling / waste management plants....which I assume will generate pollution.

Geezuz, how I wish we could turn back time to the 1980's....life was much better.
The average life span of the Alta battery pack was estimated to be 3000 hours.
3
1
10/11/2021 6:32am
mattyhamz2 wrote:
What do you think these will go for? We are currently at MSRP of over $9k on all 450’s minus Suzuki. Special editions over $12k. Alta...
What do you think these will go for? We are currently at MSRP of over $9k on all 450’s minus Suzuki. Special editions over $12k. Alta was $12k, and that wasn’t even one of the main players. I don’t see e-bikes being sold for what we are currently paying. Especially because they will try pushing the, “well it’s more upfront, but less maintenance overall.”

Will these put MSRP close to or over $15k? Bikes are already expensive enough right now. If we get to $15k, I’m out. I’ll ride what I have until it’s banned or I can’t get parts anymore.
yak651 wrote:
I bet a couple years ago you also said "when bikes get to $10k I'm out"
I didn’t. I laughed about the thought of getting there. Since we reached that point, I’ve bought one bike and don’t see a new one any time in the near future.
3
Jeff_Brines
Posts
95
Joined
6/3/2019
Location
Jackson, WY, USA
10/11/2021 6:46am Edited Date/Time 10/11/2021 6:50am
Just a few more thoughts...

1) Anything with a time horizon past a decade is more a PR stunt and less something you should plan around. I say this as a guy who works in news/finance for a living. Really what we care about, depending on the industry is the next 1-5 years. Past that, its so much a craps shoot, nobody really puts much stock into it (no pun intended). They didn't sign on some dotted line or somehow guarantee this is what they will do. They have good reason to believe by this point technology will be there, performance will be there and overall incentive will be there, but don't misread - this is 100% a PR stunt. They (like all other powersports cos) are already playing with electric (look at job postings if you don't believe me)

2) Think about what else will happen in FOURTEEN years. You'll likely see a company or two get acquired or die off. Maybe a new one comes along. Bla bla bla.

3) Think about how much your own perception will slowly change over this amount of time. Everyone here acting like they are coming for your ICE bikes tomorrow, they aren't, clearly. But I'd bet every dollar in my bank account a good number of those who are against an electric powerplant give a second look when they are faster, easier to ride and ultimately more fun. That hasn't happened yet, so of course we have some bellyaching to do!

4) By this point, (14 years from now) you'll have a more open minded group buying bikes (this is what I was originally implying). A number of you will own EVs, your lawnmower will be electric, the bike you bought for your kid when he was 7 was electric, etc. As a result you won't have this knee jerk reaction of "oh man I can't buy one of these cause they are different/unknown" will be absent

5) An electric bike will require less wrenching. This will bring people back into the sport, not the other way around. I'll be almost 50. If things are going REALLY well in my life, this won't impact me, as I can spend my days wrenching on bikes and playing with my kids. But The truth is, I probably will have a bazillion other commitments outside my hobbies, less wrenching is a great sell to the wife to let me keep this silly expensive dangerous thing in the garage...

My big point here is we should all take a deep breath and realize there will be a lot of changes over 14 years. Its cool to think there will be a material change in that time, which I'd suggest is needed to keep breathing some life into the sport. Technology isn't the only thing that drives a sport, but it certainly doesn't hurt.
26

Post a reply to: Kawasaki Motorcycles To Be All Electric by 2035

The Latest