Over the last 40 years, Ninja motorcycles have captured the hearts of Sportsbike enthusiasts around the world. Never straying from what made Ninja famous from the start, the development of the iconic brand has always been at the forefront of technology, making Ninja not just a recognisable name but, for many riders, a way of life.

Now – for the 2024 model year – Kawasaki is releasing a “family group” of Ninja 40th Anniversary models as part of a celebration of four decades of performance and innovation. Set to be seen “in the flesh” for the first time at the prestigious EICMA show in Milan and now unveiled online, the trio of machines comprises the Ninja ZX-10R, base machine for multiple WorldSBK titles, the highly regarded mid-weight 636cc Supersport Ninja ZX-6R and the already highly praised and equally high revving Ninja ZX-4RR.

Each machine will be available in a version of the evocative early 1990’s Kawasaki World Endurance livery of green, blue and white with the bold, unapologetic Kawasaki logo dominating the lower cowl; just like the three-time championship winning machines of the period. Adopted for the 1989 ZXR series of machines, the distinctive livery dials into the fashion for all things retro while also looking fresh and contemporary. Like the Ninja itself – it’s a win/win combination.

Boasting a 40th Anniversary logo on their fuel tanks, each machine has had its livery carefully adjusted to suit the bodywork while the bold Kawasaki logo was taken from original drawings and even the displacement figures on the rear bodywork are evocative of the period. Adding lime green wheels and silver painted parts (including frame parts) illustrates the attention to detail lavished on these machines by stylists at the Kawasaki factory in Japan.

Available alongside the already announced colourways for the 2024 season, the 40th Anniversary models will play a significant role in a global digital celebration of a Sportsbike brand that is universally recognised and respected. 

The bikes will begin to arrive in dealers from January 2024. The Ninja ZX-4RR will cost £8,899, the Ninja ZX-6R £10,849, and the Ninja ZX-10R £17,749.

The 2023 Bennetts British Superbike Championship came to a close over the weekend, and it was a great year for our Team Green family! 

Fresh from announcing its 2024 line-up of Jason O’Halloran and Max Cook, the FS-3 Racing team is excited to confirm that Completely Motorbikes is joining the team as its title sponsor for the 2024 season and beyond. The motorcycle dealership has Kawasaki branches in Worcester, Gloucester and Yeovil and is no stranger to the Bennetts British Superbike paddock, already sponsoring teams throughout the series.

The new partnership was announced today on the Completely Motorbikes stand at Brands Hatch ahead of the final round of the 2023 BSB season, with the FS-3 Racing’s superbikes carrying the Completely Motorbike logo on the side of the Ninja ZX-10RR’s and in the team’s pitlane garage.

Nigel Snook, FS-3 Racing Team Owner:
‘’We are delighted to welcome Rob and James Ayland to the team. The Completely Motorbikes logo is already a familiar sight in the British Superbikes paddock and on the track. Their ambitions are a perfect match with ours and we are excited that they have chosen to team up with FS-3 Racing and Kawasaki as they move up to support a front running two-rider superbike entry. Working with Rob and James will provide a wide range of opportunities for their customers to get closer to the action and for the team to be directly involved in helping promote bike sales across the country’’.

Rob Ayland, Completely Motoring Group Managing Director:

“We have been proud to sponsor the Bennetts British Superbike series since 2020, moving onto 2024 when we also become official sponsors of the “Completely Motorbikes Kawasaki’’ team. To hopefully see Jason and Max fighting for the championship in 2024 on the official FS-3 Racing Kawasaki is a culmination of four years of successful involvement with many riders, and at all levels of BSB. The “Team Green” headline sponsorship has all of the Completely Motorbikes group very excited and we cannot wait for 2024 season to commence!”

Ross Burridge, Head of Marketing & Racing Department at Kawasaki UK:
“It is fantastic that FS-3 Racing now has a completed line up with Jason O'Halloran and Max Cook and a new title partner confirmed for 2024 so they are all set to operate to the level required within the Bennetts British Superbikes Championship. We are incredibly pleased that Rob and his team at the Completely Motorbikes group have come on board to support our official team. It’s a perfect match to be honest, and I sincerely hope that this new relationship is fruitful for all parties, both on and off track in 2024 and beyond.”

Having only recently held the debut of its new A1 licence class EV motorcycles in Paris, Kawasaki is taking another giant step down the road towards its long term goal of carbon neutrality with the introduction of the world’s first* mass produced Strong Hybrid*, the Ninja 7 Hybrid.

Seeking to “Change the Game”, the all new Ninja 7 Hybrid offers a unique window into a world of future motorcycles but in a contemporary time frame with the first models expected to be on showroom floors in January 2024. 

At the heart of the Ninja 7 Hybrid is the innovative combination of a brand new 451cc parallel twin, water-cooled four stroke engine – complete with manual or automatically selected gears – and a traction motor plus battery; a futuristic combination that offers a number of new riding experiences plus an engine power of 43.5 kw rising to an impressive hybrid net power of 51.1kw thanks to “e-boost”. 

In terms of dimensions, the Ninja 7 Hybrid is a mid-size package offering 650cc to 700cc class overall performance with the instant acceleration to rival that of a 1,000cc-class supersport model from a standing start (with Kawasaki’s e-boost function already seen on their EV machines), fuel economy on par with the 250cc-class and button-shift sport riding. In addition, riders can switch between three riding modes (SPORT-HYBRID, ECO-HYBRID, EV**) that each offer a distinct riding character as they accommodate a wide range of riding situations. 

Other innovations include idling stop whereby the internal combustion engine stops at a halt to save fuel and reduce emissions plus Automatic Launch Position Finder (ALPF) which – when selected – automatically selects first gear at standstill plus a forward and reverse “walk mode” to aid low speed manoeuvring and parking. 

Utilising a specially designed version of Kawasaki’s familiar trellis type chassis, the “packaging” of the gasoline engine and 9kw max traction motor reveals a compact twinned power unit with the 48V lithium ion battery near the centre point of the chassis to idealise weight distribution. And in terms of styling, the Ninja 7 Hybrid is resplendent in a unique HEV treatment combining a matt lime green under cowl with silver and black bodywork destined – like its engineering innovations – to set this bike apart from the common herd. 

Ergonomically, the relaxed and sporty riding position eases the rider towards the high-grade cockpit and carefully considered layout of the switchgear; both designed to be intuitive and to inspire confidence.  For the meters, full-colour TFT instrumentation includes smartphone connectivity via a custom version of the RIDEOLOGY THE APP MOTORCYCLE contributing to an enhanced motorcycling experience.  

As the first of its kind, the Ninja 7 Hybrid sets the bar for HEV motorcycling.  Offering the best elements of ICE and EV models, and able to navigate both the urban jungle and countryside backroads, this revolutionary new model is greater than the sum of its parts.  With its exciting character and numerous innovative features for riders to explore, the Ninja 7 Hybrid truly ushers in a new era in riding experiences. 

The Ninja 7 Hybrid will be available in the UK from April 2024, with prices to be confirmed nearer the time. 

* Mass production models (excluding scooters) from a major power sports manufacturer as of October 6, 2023, per Kawasaki Motors, Ltd. research.    

Strong hybrid systems combine an internal combustion engine (ICE) with an electric motor for powerful riding, and because of their large battery capacity they are able to run on electricity alone. 

** The Ninja 7 Hybrid’s EV Mode may be helpful for certain situations where quiet riding is appropriate, such as in residential areas or in parking garages. Speed and range are limited.

The countdown to this year’s Motorcycle Live Show is on, with the annual two-wheel extravaganza returning to the NEC, Birmingham from the 18th – 26th November. Kawasaki is excited to confirm it will be returning once again with what is set to be our most exciting year yet!

Bassani (24) is one of the most exciting talents to rise from inside the WorldSBK paddock in recent years. He has amassed six podium finishes since he made the jump to WorldSBK racing in 2021, finishing ninth overall that year and scoring his first podium at KRT’s home round of Barcelona – Catalunya, on his MotoCorsa Ducati.

The ambitious and increasingly skilled Bassani would score three podiums the next season as he finished seventh overall. He was the top competitor in the Independent Riders’ standings in 2022, beating his closest opposition by over 100 points.

At time of writing he is fifth in the overall WorldSBK standings in 2023, and easily the best Independent Rider with two rounds to go.

His relative youth and obvious talent has made him an attractive proposition for many teams and with Jonathan Rea leaving the KRT set-up for 2024, Bassani was seen as the best prospect to be teamed up with Alex Lowes for a full campaign next year.

Bassani has scored six WorldSBK podiums already and is looking forward to having his first ride on the official KRT Ninja ZX-10RR machine once his contract with his current team expires. 

Axel Bassani, stated: “I'm really happy for the important opportunity that Kawasaki is offering me. I will give the best of myself on and off the track to achieve the best possible results, hoping to give all the Kawasaki fans great emotions and satisfaction! I want to thank my family for the sacrifices made and Lorenzo Mauri for the path we have taken together which has allowed me to stand out in recent years. See you soon on the track.”

Guim Roda, Team Manager of KRT, stated: “Our 2024 strategy was set months ago, but Rea's move made us rethink the organisational logic at KRT. We spoke internally with KMC and the decision was to take a younger rider with the potential to win races and who knew how to take advantage of all the KRT experience. His image is fresh, sincere, fun and has a lot of potential to represent Kawasaki's image in the world. Alex Lowes will now need to apply all of his experience, while Axel will have a bit of time to learn. We are very happy with the structure we have proposed for 2024 and we are very motivated to enjoy racing and take advantage of the best aspects of the Ninja ZX-10RR. I hope the fans enjoy next season with this latest project we are working on.”

Steve Guttridge, Kawasaki Motors Europe, Race Planning Manager, stated: “While we continue to compete for wins and podiums in the remaining races of the 2023 season with Jonathan and Alex, already the Kawasaki Racing Team is long-term planning for next season. It is almost impossible to express the impact that Jonathan has had within the Kawasaki racing family and as he leaves us at the end of the season there is a golden opportunity for a rider new to our racing project to make an impression. We are delighted to have signed Axel and our feeling is that his impressive track record so far is only a small indication of his future potential. We look forward to realizing that potential and seeing him blossom on the KRT Ninja ZX-10RR.”

Shigemi Tanaka, General Manager of Marketing and Sales Division, Kawasaki Motors Ltd., Japan, concluded: “Our WorldSBK racing project has achieved multiple manufacturer and rider World Championships in recent years; first with Tom Sykes and then thanks to Jonathan Rea. The news that Jonathan will move elsewhere in 2024 signifies the end of one incredible chapter and the beginning of another in Kawasaki’s illustrious racing history. The global Kawasaki family welcomes the news that Axel Bassani joins the KRT racing project for the coming season and we are confident that, in partnership with Alex Lowes, we will once again field two exciting and success hungry riders on our iconic Ninja machinery in the 2024 WorldSBK Championship.”

2024 will be the first time that Australian rider O’Halloran will ride for Kawasaki, but the 26-time British Superbike race winner has already got his first taste of the Ninja ZX-10RR at a positive shakedown test last month. Joining the experienced Aussie will be Cook, who remains with the team following an impressive debut Superbike season in 2023. 

The team welcome new title sponsor Completely Motorbikes for 2024, alongside AJN Steelstock, with both brands featuring prominently on the FS-3 Racing prepared Kawasaki. The team have continued with the popular retro-inspired livery for next year, mirroring the special Ninja 40th anniversary edition of the road-going Ninja ZX-10R, which will be available from Kawasaki dealers from January. 

“The retro scheme has always gone down incredibly well with race fans, so that, combined with the fact customers can now purchase a ZX-10R in similar colours, meant it made sense to continue with this theme for 2024. It’s a stunning look and one that stands out incredibly well on track, and we can’t wait for it to do so once again in 2024, hopefully at the front of the pack!”