Kawasaki teased the introduction of hybrid technology to the brand in a video posted on YouTube. As with four-wheeled vehicles, the video suggests that the proposed two-wheeled vehicle’s power source could change mid-ride, depending on the riding situation. For example, gasoline-fueled engine power would be utilized on the highway, electric power could be used in the city and a combination of both could be used on normal roadways to maximize efficiency.
Visor Down shed some light on what seems to be a related recent patent application from Kawasaki. The design reveals a set-up that includes a fuel-powered engine in addition to an electric motor and battery pack. A four-way joystick on the throttle would allow the rider to select which mode to utilize at any given time. This is a feature that could come in very handy if a rider was perhaps running low on fuel but had the electric power to “limp” to the next gas station. It is also surmised that a “power boost” button on the throttle would enable the rider to summon a short surge of electrical energy.
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While Charley Boorman and Ewan McGregor recently completed their Long Way Up journey from the bottom of South America to Los Angeles on Harley Davidson’s Live Wire motorcycles, most overlanders remain wary of electric bikes. Given that few people travel with the kind of back-up and resources Boorman and McGregor do, this is understandable. “Slow going” often yields rewarding travel experiences, but having the time and patience to sit at a charging station might be difficult to come by on a long-haul overland adventure. Kawasaki’s hybrid may be the answer for the overlander who is interested in maximizing their range and minimizing their carbon footprint while traveling around the world.
Image header: Kawasaki.com
