Kawasaki Becomes First Major Motorcycle Manufacturer to Demonstrate Hydrogen Powerplant for Bikes

Kawasaki has been making inroads into alternate types of motorcycle propulsion with a hybrid powerplant and talk of a hydrogen motorcycle.

Well, the future for Team Green got a little closer with the first public demonstration run of its hydrogen-powered motorcycle engine at the Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka City, Japan, during the Suzuka 8 Hours FIM World Endurance race.

Based on the Ninja H2 engine

Research on the project started in March 2023 and test runs began earlier this year.

The hydrogen engine is based on the supercharged 998cc inline four which is used in the Ninja H2. The motor is modified for direct hydrogen injection into the cylinders and the chassis was designed to hold the hydrogen fuel canisters and fuel supply system.

Fuel canisters where saddlebags would be

The main emissions from hydrogen combustion are mostly water as well as a small amount of CO2.

Kawasaki has set itself a target date in the early 2030s for a functioning hydrogen internal combustion engine motorcycle as a carbon-neutral option for riders, with the caveat of hydrogen fuel supply and regulations in each country.

Take a look at the intro video below.