Kawasaki is gearing up to introduce its inaugural electric motorcycle models to the European market in the upcoming month. This transition from concept to reality has been an exhilarating journey, with the electric machines initially showcased during demo rides at the Suzuka 8 Hours last year.

Fast forward nearly a year, and the highly anticipated Kawasaki Ninja E-1 and Kawasaki Z E-1 are now poised to make their European debut. Both these electrifying marvels fall under the 125cc category and share the same powertrain, differing mainly in their distinctive designs. The Ninja E-1 boasts a classic sportbike style with sleek fairings, while the Z E-1 embraces a minimalist approach aimed at the naked bike market.

At the core of these electric wonders resides a brushless motor rated at 5kW (equivalent to 6.7bhp) in nominal power, capable of delivering up to 9kW (12.1bhp) at its peak, accompanied by a robust 40.5Nm of torque.

One noteworthy feature is the presence of dual removable batteries, wired in parallel, a design choice Kawasaki claims enhances charge efficiency compared to a series connection. Each of these batteries possesses a nominal capacity of 30Ah, effectively providing a combined capacity of 60Ah for the motorcycles. With a nominal voltage of 50.4V, this configuration allows for a maximum energy storage capacity of 3.024kWh.

While it's unusual for electric motorcycles to come with quoted energy consumption figures, Kawasaki boldly states 49Wh/km, hinting at a potential range of 61.7km. However, under WMTC Class 1 conditions, Kawasaki asserts an even more impressive 72km. Charging each battery takes approximately three hours and 42 minutes, with each battery weighing 11.5kg.

For riders, there are two selectable riding modes: Eco and Road. In Eco mode, the Ninja E-1 attains a top speed of 64km/h, while the Z E-1 achieves 62km/h. Both bikes can be pushed to higher speeds with the 'E-Boost' mode, accessible via a user-friendly TFT display. In Road mode, the Ninja can reach 88km/h (99km/h with E-Boost), and the Z can hit 85km/h (99km/h with E-Boost).

Regarding the chassis, both the Ninja and Z rely on a robust steel trellis frame. Braking and suspension components remain identical on both models, featuring a single 290mm front brake disc with a dual-piston caliper, a single 220mm rear brake disc with a dual-piston caliper, 41mm telescopic front forks, and a bottom-link Uni-Trak gas-charged rear shock with spring preload adjustability.

In terms of specifications, the Ninja tips the scales at 140kg, slightly heavier than the Z's 135kg. Both bikes share a comfortable seat height of 785mm and an identical wheelbase of 1,370mm. While the Z boasts 10mm more ground clearance than the Ninja (170mm vs. 160mm), both bikes have the same wheel travel, with 133mm in the rear and 120mm in the front. They also sport identical 100/80-17M/C 52S (front) and 130/70-17M/C 62S (rear) tires.

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