Hybrid motorcycle<\/strong><\/a>, but a recently published patent suggests it can be combined with another Kawasaki technology called a compressor. More specifically, the patent describes an electrically powered compressor with a motor capable of driving both the motorcycle and the compressor impeller.<\/p>\nWhile the concepts in a patent are noteworthy in their own right, they don’t always manifest themselves in an actual product, but a Kawasaki trademark application filed earlier this year suggests that a hybrid motorcycle with an electric compressor may have already passed the concept stage. On March 29, Kawasaki registered the “E-BOOST” trademark in Japan for a range of applications, including hybrid and electric motorcycles. While we initially assumed that the “boost” was referring to an electrically assisted hybrid mode, we now believe that it could actually refer to the electric compressor.<\/p>\n
Kawasaki’s has had compressor motorcycles in its range for several years, with the H2<\/strong>, H2R<\/strong>, H2 SX<\/strong> and Z H2<\/strong>, but all use a compressor that is chain-driven from the engine’s crankshaft. Instead of using a mechanical connection to the motor, an electric compressor uses an electric motor to turn the impeller. In theory, an electric compressor would work instantly, avoiding any delay in waiting for the engine to start up.<\/p>\nThe downside is that an electric compressor requires more parts, with a motor and battery large enough to provide a charged boost when needed. For a gasoline powered motorcycle, that’s a lot of extra weight for a marginal gain. However, on a hybrid motorcycle, these parts are already present. If a hybrid is supposed to be heavier, says Kawasaki, he can give these additional parts a secondary use as well.<\/p>\n
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