Ninja 7 hybrid or Z7 Hybrid sales charts pe top toh nahi kar rahe, but Kawasaki ke ye innovative hybrids ne industry ki attention pakka kheench liya hai. Yamaha jaise rivals bhi similar designs pe work kar rahe hai, or ek new patent show karta hai ki Kawasaki is technology ko or multiple methods se implement karne ke options explore kar raha hai.
Motorcycle ke tight chassis ke under 2 full powertrains fit karna kisi bhi designer ke liye kaafi tough work hota hai. whether combustion engine slightly small kar do, electric motor se uske gap ko fill kar lo, or better mileage ki wajah se fuel tank bhi small ho, phir bhi electric motor or bigger battery ko normal petrol engine ke saath adjust karna it's not an easy task.
Morover, cooling systems or control units ki tension alag hoti hai. Phir both the power units output kaise combine karein or smoothly electric se petrol (ya vice-versa) switch kaise ho, ye bhi manage karna padta hai, jo Kawasaki ne automated clutch or transmission ke through achieve kiya hai.
Image Courtesy: Cycle world
Itni saari cheezein mind mein rakho, then company ke current hybrid bikes ka thoda long wheelbase or extra bulk hona easily understand hota hai or forgive kiya ja sakta hai.
Par jo packaging solution Z7 or Ninja 7 Hybrid models pe work karta hai, wo har type ki bike ke liye suitable nahi hota. Un bikes mein fuel tank normal jagah pe hota hai, or all electronics (motor, battery or control unit) gearbox ke above or rider ke seat ke below fit ki jaati hai.
Kawasaki pehle hi sochna start kar chuki hai ki different type ki bikes ke liye in parts ko kaise re-arrange kiya ja sakta hai. Last year patents mile the jisme future Eliminator Hybrid or Versys hybrid dikhaye gaye the, jahan battery ko engine ke above shift kar diya gaya tha, same wahan jahan normally fuel tank hota hai. Or fuel tank ko aise shape kiya gaya tha ki engine ke around unoccupied space fill ho sake. Versys mein to fuel tank extend hoke below the front handlebar or front nose cowl ke saath merge hota dikhaya gaya tha.
Ab Kawasaki ne ek or new patent file kiya hai, jisme battery cooling ko or better banane ka idea show kiya gaya hai. Ye setup ek large scooter-style bike ke liye suited lagta hai, jiska size or proportions Honda Integra ya X-ADV jaise ho sakte hai.
Patent mein show kiya gaya hai ki trellis style frame ka front section further extend kiya gaya hai, jisse steering head thoda forward shift ho gaya. Saath hi, jo 451cc parallel twin engine (jo existing hybrid bikes mein use hota hai) ka radiator hai, usse downward move kiya gaya hai.
Isse seat ke underneath space empty ho jaati hai, or battery pack ko wahan se remove kar cylinder head ke front mein ek massive space mein shift kiya gaya hai. Yahan battery radiator ke support structure ke saath share karti hai or uske finned casing ke around airflow bhi kaafi better ho jaata hai, matlab cooling kaafi improve ho jaati hai.
Is extra cooling ka benefit ye hai ki Z7 or Ninja 7 Hybrid ka E-Boost feature, jisme handlebar pe button press karte hi engine ke saath full battery power kuch seconds ke liye milti hai so that quick overtaking ho sake, ab zyada time tak work kar sakta hai, bina battery overheat hue.
Battery ko under seat jagah se remove kar engine ke new position mein shift kar diya gaya hai. Isse under seat space free ho gaya, or Kawasaki ne wahan fuel tank rakhne ka plan banaya hai.
This means, chahe patent mein bodywork show nahi kiya gaya ho, final bike ka overall shape scooter jaisa ho sakta hai. Footboards bhi clearly mention hai, ek image (Fig.5) mein dikhte hai, jahan unhe '54' number diya gaya hai. Ye footboards engine ke both sides ke saath-saath full length mein chalenge, front radiator ko hold karne wale same bracket se supported honge, or rear swingarm pivot ke below frame tak extend karenge.
Images mein dikh raha hai ki fuel tank ka rear section thoda curved hai, so that rear under seat storage ban sake. Ye storage specially helmet fit hone ke shape mein design kiya gaya hai. So yes, hybrid mein conventional maxi scooter jitni luggage space nahi hogi, but phir bhi daily use ke liye kaafi practical rahega.
Image Courtesy: Cycle world
Ek large scooter kaafi ways hybrid powertrain ke liye perfect fit hota hai. Nowdays world ki kaafi cities clean air zones laga rahe hai, so future mein aisa ho sakta hai ki city center tak sirf zero emission vehicles hi ja paayen. Aise mein ek hybrid scooter jo petrol or electric dono mode mein switch kar sake, wo pure electric se zyada range or performance de sakta hai, especially long daily commute ke liye.
Anyways maxi scooters se buyers ab bikes jaisi hardcore performance ya handling expect nahi karte, or is segment mein already expensive scooters ka market exist karta hai. Europe mein example ke liye 560CC Yamaha TMax ki price MT-10 ya Tracer 9 GT se bhi zyada hai.
So agar Kawasaki apni hybrid tech scooter mein introduce karti hai, the maybe unke liye ye zyada easy or profitable move ho, instead of Ninja 7 or Z7 Hybrids jo slow sell ho rahe hai because unko cheaper, faster or lighter normal bikes se compete karna padta hai.