2024 Kawasaki Ninja e-1 ABS

Kawasaki’s Ninja e-1 is a zero emissions plug-in EV motorcycle powered by a brushless electric motor. The Ninja e-1 features two removable lithium-ion battery packs with regenerative braking that can be charged on or off the bike. Styling is inspired by the Ninja lineage and gives the EV sportbike looks and dimensions.

The 2024 Kawasaki Ninja e-1 ABS features an air-cooled interior permanent magnet synchronous motor and two removable 50.4V 30Ah lithium-ion batteries with a claimed 41-mile battery range and 3.7-hour charge time per battery. Maximum power output is 9.0kW and maximum torque is 29.7 lb.-ft., according to Kawasaki. The Ninja e-1 has two power modes, Road and Eco, as well as E-Boost and Walk mode. Road mode offers full power and top speed. Eco mode reduces power and top speed to conserve battery life. And if only one battery pack is being used, the Kawasaki Ninja e-1 defaults to Eco mode.

E-Boost can be activated in both modes and delivers a surge of increased power for 15 seconds, providing stronger acceleration and a higher top speed. In Road mode, the Ninja e-1 tops out at 65 mph with E-Boost and 55 mph without. In Eco mode, the bike tops out at 47 mph with E-Boost and 40 mph without. Walk mode allows riders to maneuver the bike at “walking speeds.” When Walk mode is active, opening the throttle will walk the bike forward; twisting the throttle forward past the “zero” point, the bike will crawl in reverse.

The Ninja e-1 chassis is similar in design to other Ninja models in Kawasaki’s lineup and is developed to create light, sporty handling. Suspension components are also similar to other Ninja models with a 41mm telescopic fork offering 4.7 inches of travel and a single shock with preload adjustment providing 5.2 inches of travel. Standard braking equipment includes a single 290mm rotor with a dual-piston caliper up front and a single 220mm disc and dual-piston caliper at the rear. Wheels and tires measure at 100/80-17 front and 130/70-17 rear.

When we tested the 2024 Kawasaki Ninja e-1, Bradley Adams noted, “Throttle application and power delivery are refined in a way that makes the bike suitable to newer riders, but there’s enough performance to easily navigate open roads. You’d be hard-pressed to find any downtown area where traffic travels (or accelerates) faster than you or the e-1 can. That’s even more true when you consider the e-boost function, which helps the bikes accelerate so hard that you can’t help but laugh inside your helmet the first few times you use it.”

The 2024 Kawasaki Ninja e-1 ABS is available in Metallic Bright Silver/Matte Lime Green/Ebony for $7,899.