What's it like riding the Kawasaki Ninja 7 Hybrid? Find out here...

Tested by Gareth Evans, Head of Digital

This year’s already been a tale of two Ninjas. I started on the Ninja 650, Kawasaki's sportsbike for the mainstream. It’s modestly powered, roomy, has about the right amount of kit, and ushered me back into sportsbike riding after a year on the Honda XL750 Transalp.

In my first update with the bike I considered its sporting ability before taking it for a long-distance chippy run in my second update.

But now I've swapped the 650 for the Ninja 7 Hybrid. With acceleration akin to a ZX-10, the potential for silent running, a vast swathe of kit and no clutch lever, it is an inviting prospect.

Instant torque with no range anxiety? I like the sound of that. Although will I like the sound of it, given the engine’s the 451cc lump from the Ninja/Z500? Let’s find out.

Kawasaki Ninja 7 Hybrid quick specs

• Price: £11,949
• Engine: 451cc liquid-cooled, 8v, parallel-twin/interior permanent-magnet synchronous motor
• Power: 68bhp
• Torque: 32lb.ft
• Seat height: 795mm
• Weight: 227kg (kerb)

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