Le Mans demonstration of Kawasaki HySE hydrogen motorcycle
The 60th running of the famousLe Mans 24 hour Endurance motorcycle race on the weekend of 19 and 20 April notonly witnessed a Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR on the podium – and leading the racefor several hours – but also a demonstration of Kawasaki cutting edge hydrogenvehicle technology.
At the invitation of the race organisers ASO (who also oversee the world famous Tour de France cycle race), Kawasaki sent their research prototype HySE motorcycle to Le Mans along with test rider, Matthias Hoeppner.
As one of the motorcycle manufacturer members of HySE (the Hydrogen Small mobility & Engine technology Association), Kawasaki has developed a machine based on its Ninja supercharged motorcycle platform powered exclusively by hydrogen stored in special tanks at either side of the rear of the machine. With virtually no emissions to speak of (including some harmless water vapour), the HySE machine is a physical sign that the “future fuel” hydrogen can be applied to two wheeled vehicles as well as four.
Witnessed by the huge Le Mans crowd plus Gilles Huttepain, Vice president of ASO and Mathieu Kassovitz, the official starter of the 2025 race, test pilot, Matthias Hoeppner, left the pit lane just 15 minutes before the race itself began and completed a demonstration lap of the 4.13Km track in damp conditions.
For ASO this invitation forms part of a longer H24 strategy focussing on an eventual 24 hour endurance race for electric and hydrogen powered cars. Equally significant for Kawasaki – who now have a retail range that includes gasoline, electric and even hybrid motorcycles – Kawasaki Motors France created a display in the public area of the race track that encouraged visitors across the four days of the event to see a product display and ask staff questions about current and new technologies.
With other hydrogen focused displays including a kids “railroad” and a hydrogen powered generator, the green focus of the event matched perfectly with the HySE group mission to explore the obvious environmental benefits of hydrogen vehicles.
Speaking about his demonstration lap, Matthias Hoeppner said:
“Our research into hydrogen power illustrates well the Kawasaki principles of not only embracing new technologies but also applying practical applications to them. Being one of the test riders I am well used to the HySE machine by now but it still gives me a thrill each time I ride it knowing it is powered exclusively by hydrogen. The demonstration lap was shown live on worldwide television and the huge crowd really appreciated the chance to see an actual working example of hydrogen motive power applied to a motorcycle.”
New colours available on Hayabusa and Katana
Suzuki has unveiled a trio of new colour options for its famed Hayabusa, and two new versions of its retro Katana
Available in dealerships now, the legendary hyperbike comes in a new Metallic Matt Steel Green with black trim and a fresh silver option with standout blue details. For those seeking a more understated look, a revised black paint scheme is complemented with silver trim.
The third generation of Hayabusa provides more cumulative torque than any generation previously, with its silky smooth 1340cc, inline four-cylinder engine providing relentless torque from the bottom of its rev range.
Lean angle-sensitive electronics comprise selectable power and traction control modes, varying levels of anti-wheelie and engine braking settings, plus cruise and launch control and a bi-directional quickshifter.
All rider information is displayed via a neat colour TFT screen, nestled between two large, sweeping dials paying homage to the original, genre-defining machine from 1999.
For 2025 the Katana comes in a revised version of its iconic silver paint scheme, with a contrasting dark blue seat unit, offset with gold wheels. It is joined by a new Pearl Vigor Blue with bronze wheels.
Both models are available on Suzuki’s current 0% finance offer.
For more information on Suzuki’s 2025 model range, click here.
Terms and Conditions
PCP Finance offer applies to the purchase of a new GSX-S1000, Hayabusa, Hayabusa 25th Anniversary, Katana, GSX-S1000GT, GSX-S1000GT+, GSX-S1000GX or GSX-S1000GX+ only from a participating Suzuki Dealership. The motorcycle must be purchased and registered between 01/04/2025 and 30/06/2025 to qualify for the offer. £500 minimum deposit required. Credit is subject to status and is only available to UK residents aged 18 and over. Suzuki Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) is only available through Suzuki Finance, a trading style of Suzuki Financial Services Limited, St William House, Tresillian Terrace, Cardiff, CF10 5BH. This Representative Example is based on an annual mileage of 4,000. Finance figures are correct at time of print – March 2025 but may be subject to change. With Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) you have the option after you have paid all of the regular monthly repayments to: (1) Return the vehicle and not pay the Optional Final Repayment. In this example if the vehicle has exceeded 12,333 miles, a charge of 7.2p (including VAT at 20%) will apply per excess mile. If the vehicle is in good condition (fair wear and tear accepted) and has not exceeded 12,333 miles you will have nothing further to pay. (2) Pay the Optional Final Repayment to own the vehicle or (3) Part exchange the vehicle subject to settlement of your existing finance agreement; new finance agreements are subject to status.
£1,000 Dealer Contribution applies to the purchase of a new 2025 GSX-S1000 only from a participating Suzuki Dealership. The purchase and registration of the motorcycle must take place between 01/04/2025 and 30/06/2025. This offer includes a £1,000 saving off the OTR price. Offer is valid in the UK only and may be extended or withdrawn at any time. There is no cash offer, credit or other alternative offered. Promoter: Suzuki GB Plc, Steinbeck Crescent, Snelshall West, Milton Keynes, MK4 4AE.
Specifications, appearance, colours (including body colour), equipment, materials and other aspects of the “SUZUKI” products shown on this advert differ by market and are subject to change by Suzuki at any time without notice. Image shown may include optional accessories.
Bournemouth Kawasaki and James Hillier Reunite for Isle of Man TT!
After a last-minute change of plans, Kawasaki UK is delighted to announce that James Hillier will once again be lining up in green for the two Isle of Man TT Supersport races. Partnering once more with Bournemouth Kawasaki, a team he has had lots of success with throughout his career, he’ll be riding the Ninja ZX-6R he took to fourth and sixth last year.
Despite planning to sit 2025 out, the Bournemouth Kawasaki team will be making a surprise return to the Isle of Man TT next month, running James Hillier in both Supersport races. Campaigning on the proven Ninja ZX-6R, James and the team will be looking to build on their results last year and are setting their sights firmly on a podium finish.
The Bournemouth Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R will be backed by Kawasaki Insurance, which offers specialist and bespoke insurance policies to all riders of any Kawasaki machinery in the UK.
Ross Burridge, Head of Marketing & Racing Department at Kawasaki Motors UK:
“It was a shame to see what happened to James earlier this month; however, it has presented us with a great opportunity to have another go at getting on that Supersport podium at the Isle of Man TT. James and the team have a huge amount of experience with the bike and attacking the event in general, so we are confident it will be a great two weeks. I would like to thank Kawasaki Insurance for getting on board at this late stage and helping put the team in a position to go full throttle into the two races at the end of this month.”
Pete Extance, Team Owner, Bournemouth Kawasaki:
“2025 started with the idea of having a year out of the TT, but when that changed, we were only too happy to speak with James and put a deal together for him to ride the Bournemouth Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R. It didn’t take long for us to agree on a deal with James to return, and we set to work preparing the bike for the TT starting in the last week of May. We firmly believe James and the team have podium potential, and hopefully, that second TT career win that James richly deserves.”
James Hillier:
“After a difficult few days, it was great to secure a ride back with Pete and Bournemouth Kawasaki, especially as it was back with my Kawasaki ZX-6R from last year. We both know what we need to do, and I am sure we will hit the ‘25 TT running. Massive thanks to the team and everyone who has helped get this sorted at such short notice.”
Suzuki launches GSX-8R Kiiro Limited Edition
Suzuki has launched a GSX-8R Kiiro limited edition, with just 60 available from UK dealerships. With an OTR price of £9,599, the Kiiro edition GSX-8R comes with bright yellow bodywork with black logos, grey wheels and grey aluminium subframe, and a smattering of extras from the Suzuki accessories catalogue.
In addition to the yellow bodywork – from which the Kiiro edition derives its name – the limited GSX-8Rs will come with a single seat cowl, smoked screen, Gilles billet aluminium brake and clutch levers, a tank pad, and a two-tone seat adorned with a GSX logo.
The award-winning GSX-8R has received widespread recognition for its punchy, torque-laden 776cc motor, following its launch last year. It’s housed in a chassis that features a steel mainframe and separate aluminium subframe, with suspension front and rear from Showa.
An electronics package includes a bi-directional quickshifter as standard and selectable power and traction control modes, with all information displayed via a colour TFT screen.
Ninja ZX-4RR and Ninja ZX-6R now available with 0% HP and 3.9% PCP
Ninja ZX-4RR and Ninja ZX-6R now available with 0% HP and 3.9% PCP
The sun is shining, the roads are dry and both the Ninja ZX-4RR and Ninja ZX-6R now come with either 0% APR on HP or 3.9% APR Representative on PCP! What more could you ask for?
To add to the raft of impressive finance rates now available at Kawasaki dealers this Spring, both of these Ninja Supersport machines have now been placed with 0% APR on HP with Kawasaki Finance. Also available is a highly competitive 3.9% APR Representative on PCP. Both of these offers will be up for grabs on both 2024 and 2025 iterations and there are stock of both available now.
Don’t delay as we can’t promise this offer will be available for long, so head to your local dealer and make the only difficult decision – do you go for the ZX-4RR or the ZX-6R?
REPRESENATIVE EXAMPLE BASED ON 2025 Ninja ZX-4RR
Based on 4,000 miles per annum on K.Options PCP
|
Cash Price |
Deposit |
Total Amount of Credit |
Agreement Duration |
Purchase Fee * |
36 Monthly Repayments of |
Optional Final Repayment |
Total Amount Payable |
Interest Rate (Fixed) |
Representative APR |
|
£8,812.00 |
£2,000.00 |
£6,812.00 |
37 Months |
£10.00 |
£70.63 |
£5,011.00 |
£9,493.05 |
3.83% |
3.9% APR |
*Credit is subject to status and is only available to UK residents aged 18 and over. Only available through Kawasaki Finance, a trading style of Black Horse Ltd, St William House, Tresillian Terrace, Cardiff, CF10 5BH. Finance figures are applicable at time of print and are subject to change. Representative example based on 4,000 miles per annum. With K.Options Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) you have the option after you have paid all of the regular monthly repayments to: (1)Return the motorcycle and not pay the Optional Final Repayment. In this example if the motorcycle has exceeded 12,333 miles, a charge of 7.2p (including VAT at 20%) will apply per excess mile. If the motorcycle is in good condition (fair wear and tear accepted) and has not exceeded 12,333 miles you will have nothing further to pay. (2)Pay the Optional Final Repayment to own the motorcycle or (3)Part exchange the motorcycle subject to settlement of your existing finance agreement; new finance agreements are subject to status.
