The Kawasaki Z 7 Hybrid brings genuinely new technology to Kawasaki’s naked Z range, pairing a combustion engine with a compact electric traction motor for a riding experience unlike anything else on two wheels. It sits within the naked Z family but rewrites how that power reaches the road, all housed in a lean 2,145mm overall length.
A 451cc liquid-cooled parallel twin, DOHC 8-valve, with a 70 x 58.6mm bore and stroke and an 11.7:1 compression ratio, is paired with an integrated electric motor and starter generator for a combined 69.4PS at 10,500rpm and 60.4Nm of torque at just 2,800rpm, that low-rev torque figure a direct result of the electric assistance filling in beneath the petrol engine’s own delivery. An e-boost function sharpens standing start acceleration towards 1,000cc supersport territory, while fuel economy stays in line with a much smaller machine, forced lubrication and a wet sump keeping the combined powertrain running cool. Button shift sport riding removes the clutch lever entirely, the automated wet multi-disc clutch and six-speed gearbox handling changes without rider input.
A trellis, high-tensile steel frame carries a 41mm telescopic fork and a New Uni-Trak gas-charged rear shock with adjustable preload, the linkage building resistance progressively through its stroke so small bumps stay soft while bigger hits are controlled firmly, straightforward and easy to live with rather than track focused. It offers 120mm of front and 114mm of rear wheel travel and a 104mm trail. Dual 300mm front discs with dual-piston calipers and a single 250mm rear disc provide the stopping power, gripping 120/70 front and 160/60 rear tyres. A 795mm seat height, a 1,535mm wheelbase and 130mm of ground clearance keep the riding position accessible and the handling light around town.
Three distinct drive modes let riders choose between efficiency, comfort or outright performance, and a 14-litre tank keeps everyday use straightforward despite the added hybrid hardware. It suits riders who want the latest Kawasaki thinking in an approachable, naked middleweight package, whether commuting daily through Plymouth or exploring further afield. See it at GT Motorcycles, your Kawasaki dealer in Plymouth, with finance available and test rides welcome across Devon and Cornwall.
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