Kawasaki Motorcycles To Be All Electric by 2035

bayodome
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bayodome
Edited Date/Time 10/15/2021 6:36am
KHI (Kawasaki Heavy Industries) and Kawasaki Motors are now two separate entities as of October 2. Now the motorcycle/powersports company has committed to 10 new electric models by 2025 and their ENTIRE range will be electric by 2035.

Ready to rumble? Kawasaki motorcycles to go all electric by 2035

Braaap...er Zaaap!
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ML512
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ML512 10/9/2021 8:32am
10/9/2021 8:32am
Well…crap…
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gt80rider
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gt80rider 10/9/2021 8:40am
10/9/2021 8:40am
Never happen

We went to 4 strokes how long ago because smokers were gonna be banned???
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jjavaman
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jjavaman 10/9/2021 8:41am
10/9/2021 8:41am
gt80rider wrote:
Never happen

We went to 4 strokes how long ago because smokers were gonna be banned???
It’s going to happen weather you like it or not…
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McG194
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McG194 10/9/2021 8:43am
10/9/2021 8:43am
The conspiracy theorist in me thinks that we got crappy sounding 4 strokes shoved down our throats just so we wouldn't be as mad losing that beautiful 2 stroke sound.

The reality is a 4 stroke is a better powerplant for dirt bikes than a 2 stroke and an electric motor will be better than a 4 stroke. Doesn't mean we have to like it. The guy in me that wants to go as fast as he can never wants to shift again and wants all torque off idle can't wait for an electric dirt bike. The guy in me that is a gearhead and loves the machine-ness and visceral thill of an internal combustion engine wants electric bikes to die.
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stillwelding
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stillwelding 10/9/2021 9:00am
10/9/2021 9:00am
bayodome wrote:
KHI (Kawasaki Heavy Industries) and Kawasaki Motors are now two separate entities as of October 2. Now the motorcycle/powersports company has committed to 10 new electric...
KHI (Kawasaki Heavy Industries) and Kawasaki Motors are now two separate entities as of October 2. Now the motorcycle/powersports company has committed to 10 new electric models by 2025 and their ENTIRE range will be electric by 2035.

Ready to rumble? Kawasaki motorcycles to go all electric by 2035

Braaap...er Zaaap!
To me, When a company spins off a unit to be an independent entity, it is to allow it to wind down slowly, without financially injuring the parent companies bottom line.
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Zesiger 112
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Zesiger 112 10/9/2021 9:01am
10/9/2021 9:01am
And the truth finally comes out, Davi was let go because they found a bottle of 927 in his locker. Wasn’t good for the “green” image
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FerCzD
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FerCzD 10/9/2021 9:05am
10/9/2021 9:05am
Tomac knew this before they disclosed it, that's why he signed with Yamaha.
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TeamGreen
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TeamGreen 10/9/2021 9:07am
10/9/2021 9:07am
McG194 wrote:
The conspiracy theorist in me thinks that we got crappy sounding 4 strokes shoved down our throats just so we wouldn't be as mad losing that...
The conspiracy theorist in me thinks that we got crappy sounding 4 strokes shoved down our throats just so we wouldn't be as mad losing that beautiful 2 stroke sound.

The reality is a 4 stroke is a better powerplant for dirt bikes than a 2 stroke and an electric motor will be better than a 4 stroke. Doesn't mean we have to like it. The guy in me that wants to go as fast as he can never wants to shift again and wants all torque off idle can't wait for an electric dirt bike. The guy in me that is a gearhead and loves the machine-ness and visceral thill of an internal combustion engine wants electric bikes to die.
Good Points

I'm still wondering if Kawi can be successful by turning themselves(theirselves?) into 'The Tesla of Motorcycling' in 13 model years from now? (2022 is already a done deal). That means probably only 3 new gen's of KXs (or 2...or less... if they decide to ramp down the use of ICEs progressively).

Does 'going electric' help the brand?
Sell more bikes?
Get new people?

One things for sure, those "Loud Pipes Save Lives" dudes are gonna be PISSED! Laughing

Still, how long 'til we see "Electric" at SX...and then MX...?
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JamesReed
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JamesReed 10/9/2021 9:11am
10/9/2021 9:11am
FerCzD wrote:
Tomac knew this before they disclosed it, that's why he signed with Yamaha.
I can't tell if you're being sarcastic or not, but every company will be forced to do this. Europe is banning all new gas engine sales way before 2035. California has legislation to ban new gas engines by 2035.
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bayodome
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bayodome 10/9/2021 9:13am
10/9/2021 9:13am
gt80rider wrote:
Never happen

We went to 4 strokes how long ago because smokers were gonna be banned???
Manufacturers preemptively made the switch because of an EPA regulation change. The rule basically said that if 2-strokes were found to be operating on public lands illegally, the US Gov't had the right to revoke that OEMs ability to sell said motorcycle in the country.

ex. If Joe Schmoe was caught riding a YZ250 at Hollister Hills without the proper stickers, the US authorities could say that Yamaha was no longer allow to sell the YZ250 in the United States anymore. Period.

I don't think that rule has ever been enforced but it lit a fire under the OEMs and the YZ400 was born. Then lo and behold, 4-strokes were suddenly better performing bikes anyway and easier to ride, so here we are in this modern era.

They cost more, cost more to fix and have more parts which all equals more revenue for the industry. Why wouldn't they go in that direction. Electric bikes will also cost even more, require even more specialty parts and training for mechanics and will (and already are) open entirely new markets for OEMs. Again, why wouldn't they make the switch?

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JamesReed
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JamesReed 10/9/2021 9:13am
10/9/2021 9:13am
LONDON, July 14 (Reuters) - "The European Union on Wednesday proposed an effective ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2035, aiming to speed up the switch to zero-emission electric vehicles (EVs) as part of a broad package of measures to combat global warming."
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tek14
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tek14 10/9/2021 9:13am
10/9/2021 9:13am
Great news! Finally we will get proper E-MX bikes. Would be not too long when Honda makes same PR.
If you are riding -89 2-stroke today you could do it after 2035 as well?
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Skerby
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Skerby 10/9/2021 9:14am
10/9/2021 9:14am
JamesReed wrote:
I can't tell if you're being sarcastic or not, but every company will be forced to do this. Europe is banning all new gas engine sales...
I can't tell if you're being sarcastic or not, but every company will be forced to do this. Europe is banning all new gas engine sales way before 2035. California has legislation to ban new gas engines by 2035.
This is the real reason they are doing this. It's pretty hard for a company to ignore that kind of pressure.
FerCzD
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FerCzD 10/9/2021 9:15am
10/9/2021 9:15am Edited Date/Time 10/9/2021 9:16am
JamesReed wrote:
I can't tell if you're being sarcastic or not, but every company will be forced to do this. Europe is banning all new gas engine sales...
I can't tell if you're being sarcastic or not, but every company will be forced to do this. Europe is banning all new gas engine sales way before 2035. California has legislation to ban new gas engines by 2035.
I'm nobody and don't know anything or any Insider. I was being sarcastic in a pathetic shot to be funny. Now back in all seriously, other OEM's might follow Kawasaki's footsteps, and I'm wondering if some moto-dads after reading this, are considering go all in in electric riding with their kids. Will be interesting to follow the development of talent in the next years.
JamesReed
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JamesReed 10/9/2021 9:16am
10/9/2021 9:16am
The Dutch and a few others are trying to ban gas vehicles by 2025 though.
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Jardo
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Jardo 10/9/2021 9:25am
10/9/2021 9:25am Edited Date/Time 10/9/2021 9:26am
Everything moving to electric dirt bikes does not scare me. The government / "Karens" of the world shutting down every track and riding spot is what scares me.

I just hope that there* is still off road bikes in the lineup in 2035.
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TeamGreen
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TeamGreen 10/9/2021 9:30am
10/9/2021 9:30am
Jardo wrote:
Everything moving to electric dirt bikes does not scare me. The government / "Karens" of the world shutting down every track and riding spot is what...
Everything moving to electric dirt bikes does not scare me. The government / "Karens" of the world shutting down every track and riding spot is what scares me.

I just hope that there* is still off road bikes in the lineup in 2035.
My KLR has a 6 gallon tank...stock. I can pull-off 250-300 miles quite easily. I'm gonna be interested in seeing "how" they fulfill the ADV & Touring segments. Battery tech is slowly improving and maybe, just maybe...the can make some decent "range" improvements; but, I don't see ANY of it being "affordable".

Time, and technology, will tell.
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mattyhamz2
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mattyhamz2 10/9/2021 9:55am
10/9/2021 9:55am
Nothing like switching to all electric bikes to be more green so we can use our gas generators to charge our battery at the track.
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byke
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byke 10/9/2021 10:30am
10/9/2021 10:30am
For the e-haters out there, the first electric car was built over a hundred years ago. Today, there are almost 300 million *registered* cars in the US and 6 million are electric. So....calm your "the world is closing in on me!" tits. You'll be long dead before you're ever inconvenienced.
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Zycki11
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Zycki11 10/9/2021 10:39am
10/9/2021 10:39am
McG194 wrote:
The conspiracy theorist in me thinks that we got crappy sounding 4 strokes shoved down our throats just so we wouldn't be as mad losing that...
The conspiracy theorist in me thinks that we got crappy sounding 4 strokes shoved down our throats just so we wouldn't be as mad losing that beautiful 2 stroke sound.

The reality is a 4 stroke is a better powerplant for dirt bikes than a 2 stroke and an electric motor will be better than a 4 stroke. Doesn't mean we have to like it. The guy in me that wants to go as fast as he can never wants to shift again and wants all torque off idle can't wait for an electric dirt bike. The guy in me that is a gearhead and loves the machine-ness and visceral thill of an internal combustion engine wants electric bikes to die.
TeamGreen wrote:
Good Points I'm still wondering if Kawi can be successful by turning themselves(theirselves?) into 'The Tesla of Motorcycling' in 13 model years from now? (2022 is...
Good Points

I'm still wondering if Kawi can be successful by turning themselves(theirselves?) into 'The Tesla of Motorcycling' in 13 model years from now? (2022 is already a done deal). That means probably only 3 new gen's of KXs (or 2...or less... if they decide to ramp down the use of ICEs progressively).

Does 'going electric' help the brand?
Sell more bikes?
Get new people?

One things for sure, those "Loud Pipes Save Lives" dudes are gonna be PISSED! Laughing

Still, how long 'til we see "Electric" at SX...and then MX...?

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McG194
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McG194 10/9/2021 10:50am
10/9/2021 10:50am
How weird will it be to be in a packed stadium, watch the gate drop and hear the sound of 22 chains whirring around the sprockets?

The bigger question may be how long until we can audibly hear a top rider yelling "FUCKIN A-RAY!!!"
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lostboy819
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lostboy819 10/9/2021 11:02am
10/9/2021 11:02am
California has rolling black outs now because they cant handle all the ACs running in the summer then you throw in all the electric cars and then motorcycles and they will only let you drive two days a week and no unnecessary events that use electric motors, no way they will be allowed to expand the power grid to keep up with all the EPA requirements LaughingLaughing
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dang472
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dang472 10/9/2021 11:17am
10/9/2021 11:17am
As someone who works on upgrading and maintaining our current electrical grid and natural gas lines, I’d say that’s a wee bit optimistic. Our company just spent the last 10 years replacing natural gas lines in Chicago and suburbs. Still not completely done. Water mains and services are 70 years old in some neighborhoods. Even if we were to abandon these projects and go all in on electric, I’d say we’re looking at 15-20 years before every house on the block can have 2 electric cars and electric heat. The miles of high-line wires and towers alone will take years. Land battles, environmental concerns, etc will stall these aspirations. I’m working on pipelines right now that are 15 years in the making.
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JamesReed
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JamesReed 10/9/2021 11:31am
10/9/2021 11:31am
"I really think it's possible to make very, extremely safe nuclear."- Elon Musk July 2021

It will be interesting to see if Elon's comments spark new debate and legislation on this topic. He seems to have a rather large cult like following these days.
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JohnnyD13
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JohnnyD13 10/9/2021 11:41am
10/9/2021 11:41am
JamesReed wrote:
"I really think it's possible to make very, extremely safe nuclear."- Elon Musk July 2021 It will be interesting to see if Elon's comments spark new...
"I really think it's possible to make very, extremely safe nuclear."- Elon Musk July 2021

It will be interesting to see if Elon's comments spark new debate and legislation on this topic. He seems to have a rather large cult like following these days.
It is really interesting the reason a lot of people think we are going electric is for the environment. Plugging in your car every night and using a ton of electricity that comes from where? I just bought my son a KTM E 5 and I’m all for it. I think it will make things safer and more consistent. But it won’t do shit for the environment.
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Suicidal_Tendencies 10/9/2021 11:43am
10/9/2021 11:43am
bayodome wrote:
KHI (Kawasaki Heavy Industries) and Kawasaki Motors are now two separate entities as of October 2. Now the motorcycle/powersports company has committed to 10 new electric...
KHI (Kawasaki Heavy Industries) and Kawasaki Motors are now two separate entities as of October 2. Now the motorcycle/powersports company has committed to 10 new electric models by 2025 and their ENTIRE range will be electric by 2035.

Ready to rumble? Kawasaki motorcycles to go all electric by 2035

Braaap...er Zaaap!
I'm going to be one of those old farts who only talks about the "good old days". LOL.

I welcome new technology but my mind just can't quite wrap itself around bikes that are quiet and you can't smell the exhaust.
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