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Kawasaki has released its first electric motorcycles to the US market. The 2024 Ninja e-1 ABS seen here.
Kawasaki has released its first electric motorcycles to the US market. The 2024 Ninja e-1 ABS seen here. (Kawasaki/)

Kawasaki wowed everyone when it debuted its first electric motorcycles at EICMA 2022 last November (read the Kawasaki’s Electric Motorcycle Concept At EICMA article), and now production versions of those sportbike and naked bike options—the Ninja e-1 and Z e-1—are here in the States. Sure, the Japanese Big Four have been surprisingly slow in their embrace of green tech compared with other legacy manufacturers, but the roll out of its EVs for the US market shows that Team Green means business. The two all-new battery-powered models share the same underpinnings, with a lightweight trellis-style frame and design language very similar to their ICE-equipped Ninja and Z cousins, along with the kind of basic suspension and user-friendly features you’d expect to see on bikes firmly aimed at commuters. The bigger news, of course, is their 5.0kW (nominal) electric motors and dual batteries.

The Ninja e-1’s chin spoilers at the bottom of the front cowl continue the strong Ninja family connection. Since there is no exhaust system, the bottom of the cowl is higher and slimmer.
The Ninja e-1’s chin spoilers at the bottom of the front cowl continue the strong Ninja family connection. Since there is no exhaust system, the bottom of the cowl is higher and slimmer. (Kawasaki/)

Officially, Kawasaki will be offering the Ninja e-1 ABS and Z e-1 ABS models for sale in the US, with both running the same powertrain anchored by a brushless 5.0kW (nominal) electric motor and powered by two removable lithium-ion batteries. Power is transferred from the motor through a primary reduction gear to the chain (secondary reduction) final drive.

According to Kawasaki, the motor is tuned to deliver strong low-end punch and a quick throttle response, with two power modes—Road and Eco—available. Top speed in Road mode is approximately 52 mph for the Ninja e-1 and approximately 49 mph for the Z e-1, while top speed in Eco mode is limited to approximately 37 mph for the Ninja e-1 and 35 mph for the Z e-1. If that doesn’t sound exactly eye-popping, you’ll be glad to hear Kawasaki also added an e-boost function which gives a bit more power for better acceleration and a higher top speed—but only for 15 seconds (Kawasaki says that’s to maximize range and battery temperature).

With e-boost on the Ninja e-1, top speed is 65 mph in Road mode and 45 mph in Eco. On the Z e-1, top speed is 65 mph in Road mode with e-boost enabled, and approximately 42 mph in Eco mode. Not great, but it’s still better than 52 mph; once the batteries show less than a 35 percent state of charge, the bike will switch to limited-power operation and the e-boost function will be unavailable. Both bikes also feature a Walk mode with reverse, making it less cumbersome to push your machine around in a parking lot.

Both Kawasaki EV’s feature a removable dual battery arrangement that allows for convenient charging either on or off the bike.
Both Kawasaki EV’s feature a removable dual battery arrangement that allows for convenient charging either on or off the bike. (Kawasaki/)

As for the dual battery setup, we like the flexibility of charging scenarios that it offers; you can charge them either installed on the bike, or remove to charge inside, either individually or on an optional charging dock. The batteries have a nominal voltage of 504 volts and weigh 25.3 pounds each, and if things go south, Kawasaki says you can even run the bike on one battery (in Eco mode) if needed. And you just might need to; the claimed range for either bike, in Eco mode, is a paltry 41 miles. Even for commuter models—which Kawasaki is clearly positioning these as—that is nothing to write home about, and in fact there’s very little mention of it in the press release. Helping matters somewhat is the Ninja e-1 and Z e-1′s regenerative system, which allows the energy of deceleration to be recycled back to the battery when the rider rolls off the throttle. Total time to fully charge both batteries takes approximately 7.4 hours from 0 percent (3.7 hours per

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By: Andrew Cherney
Title: 2024 Kawasaki Ninja e-1 ABS and Z e-1 ABS First Look Preview
Sourced From: www.motorcyclistonline.com/news/kawasaki-ninja-e-1-and-z-e-1-abs-first-look/
Published Date: Fri, 06 Oct 2023 10:00:02 +0000

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BEYOND THE STRIP: Discover the Cultural Gems of Las Vegas

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BEYOND THE STRIP: Discover the Cultural Gems of Las Vegas

Written by Barbara Toombs

Fremont Street in the heart of downtown Las Vegas.

Millions of visitors are understandably attracted to the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas’ renowned Strip each year, where world-class resorts, casinos, shows and incredible dining options are the name of the game.

What many don’t realize is that there’s another fascinating side to the Entertainment Capital of the World, headlined by two cultural districts known simply as Downtown and Chinatown.

Downtown Las Vegas (also known as DTLV) is really where this unique desert city got its start. In 1931, construction began on what is now known as the Hoover Dam, attracting thousands of workers to a site just east of the city. To capitalize on this growing workforce, savvy businessmen began building casinos and showgirl venues along Las Vegas’ only paved road at the time: Fremont Street.

Today, DTLV is comprised of three distinct districts. Many visitors to the city are already familiar with one of them: the Fremont Street Casino District, which contains museums, restaurants and bars, as well as the original Las Vegas casinos, including El Cortez, Golden Nugget and Golden Gate. Here you’ll also find the renowned Fremont Street Experience, which debuted in 1995. This pedestrian-only thoroughfare is covered by a canopy of more than two million LED lights and a state-of-the-art sound system that comes to life every night for a spectacular sound and light show called “Viva Vision.”

The Arts District

A popular attraction in this district is The Mob Museum (the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement), which showcases intriguing tales and the age-old dichotomy of good guys versus bad guys. Explore at your own pace, go on a guided tour or uncover museum surprises as part of a group scavenger hunt. Want a literal “taste” of old-school Las Vegas? Plan to dine at Top of Binion’s Steakhouse, perched on the 24th floor of Binion’s Gambling Hall. The restaurant dates back to 1965 when it was known as Top of the Mint, the signature dining spot at The Mint hotel tower. The interior design (and menu – think steak, prime rib, lobster and even Baked Alaska) is a throwback to an earlier era when the mob ran much of Las Vegas, but the real draw is the spectacular view through dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows.

Built in 2002, the Fremont East Entertainment District (FEED) is a six-block area that stretches from Las Vegas Boulevard East to 8th Street and from Ogden Street South to Carson. FEED is pedestrian-friendly, offering diverse street life and many eateries, cafes, bars and lounges, as well as ample shopping opportunities and lively entertainment. A must-see attraction in this district is the Downtown Container Park – a dining, shopping and live music venue made of 45 colorful repurposed shipping containers, all fronted by a two-story, fire-breathing praying mantis who made its original debut at Burning Man. Nearby is the popular Bin 702 – one of many great dining choices in the area – featuring a great selection of beer and wine, as well as a tantalizing choice of charcuterie and cheese, sandwiches and small plates for sharing.

18b sign in The Arts District.

In recent years, The Arts District – or the 18b as it’s also known (a reference to it occupying 18 blocks of Downtown Las Vegas, loosely outlined by Commerce Street, Colorado Ave, Fourth Street and Hoover Avenue) – has been growing in popularity. Its monthly “First Friday” block party and art walk features food trucks and live music, serving as a backdrop for artists showing their works off at a variety of open-air and indoor galleries. These include The Arts Factory, home to over 30 artists and art galleries, and ArtSquare, a hip establishment that houses design stores, designer’s studios, wellness spots, and food and drink outlets. Behind The Arts Factory sits one of many great dining choices in The Arts District: Taverna Costera, serving up delicious Coastal Mediterranean fusion that draws inspiration from coastal Spanish, French, Italian and Greek cuisines and beyond.

Just a couple of miles east of the Strip, along Spring Mountain Road (roughly between Rainbow Boulevard and Interstate 15), lies the city’s amazing Chinatown, which has grown in leaps and bounds over the past two decades. Here you’ll find the largest collection of Asian businesses in Southern Nevada, including a multitude of authentic Asian restaurants, gift shops, a hair stylist, a reflexologist, home decor, an Asian supermarket and the only Chinese bookstore in Nevada.

At Chinatown’s heart is the enormous and ornate Chinatown Plaza, featuring a colorful, dragon-adorned, Tang Dynasty-inspired gate and gleaming

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By: Barrett-Jackson
Title: BEYOND THE STRIP: Discover the Cultural Gems of Las Vegas
Sourced From: www.barrett-jackson.com/Media/Home/Reader/beyond-the-strip-discover-the-cultural-gems-of-las-vegas-2023/
Published Date: Fri, 19 May 2023 18:07:14 +0000

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2024 SCOTTSDALE AUCTION: 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Custom Coupe – No Reserve

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2024 SCOTTSDALE AUCTION: 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Custom Coupe – No Reserve

This red 1967 Corvette custom coupe received a complete custom restoration at Springfield Motorsports in Peachland BC, Canada. The build consists of a completely new jig-mounted tube chassis with C4 corvette front upper and lower control arms riding on coilover shocks and power rack & pinion steering. The rear differential is a custom narrowed 9-inch Ford with aluminum Dale Gerry center section with Wilwood disc brakes on all 4 corners. Filling out the wheel wells are custom offset Fikse wheels.

K&S machine in Kelowna, British Columbia took the 454ci engine and machined it to 496ci it is equipped with Comp Thumper camshaft and 800cfm carburetor and it creates a true hot rod sound through the ceramic-coated exhaust. Lee Baxter upholstery created the one-off hand-stitched red leather interior with a rear storage area. It features Vintage Air, Digital gauges, power windows and a leather-wrapped vintage-style steering wheel.

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By: Barrett-Jackson
Title: 2024 SCOTTSDALE AUCTION: 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Custom Coupe – No Reserve
Sourced From: www.barrett-jackson.com/Media/Home/Reader/2024-scottsdale-auction-1967-chevrolet-corvette-custom-coupe-no-reserve/
Published Date: Fri, 27 Oct 2023 15:52:01 +0000

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From Hamamatsu to Lisbon: A Honda CBX 1000 restomod by Unik Edition

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Honda CBX 1000 restomod by Unik Edition
The Honda CBX 1000 was only in production for four years, but that was enough time for it to leave a lasting impression on the motorcycle industry. First released it in 1978 as a screaming six-cylinder naked superbike, it later faced stiff competition from its stablemate—the equally iconic CB900F. So the Japanese marque redesigned it as a sport tourer, halfway through its tenure.

The updated ‘CBX-B’ had a touring fairing, optional panniers, and Honda’s new-at-the-time Pro-Link mono-shock setup. It was a hair less powerful than before, but that didn’t stop it from becoming a legend in its own right. If you park a CBX and CBX-B next to each other, you could argue that the latter has more presence.

Honda CBX 1000 restomod by Unik Edition

It’s that mystique that prompted the owner of this 1982 Honda CBX 1000 Pro-Link to buy it. Enamored with the fusion of modern technology and ancient traditions found in Japanese cities like Tokyo and Kyoto, he was on the hunt for a classic motorcycle that embodied that philosophy. When he found the CBX, the sheer brutalism of its six-cylinder engine was impossible to ignore.

“In the eyes of this enthusiast, the engine wasn’t just a mechanical marvel; it was the soul of the motorcycle, much like the heart in a human body,” says Tiago Gonçalves, founder of the Portuguese custom shop, Unik Edition. “This revelation laid the foundation for a transformative project, one that would honor the motorcycle’s origins while infusing it with a new identity.”

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By: Wesley Reyneke
Title: From Hamamatsu to Lisbon: A Honda CBX 1000 restomod by Unik Edition
Sourced From: www.bikeexif.com/honda-cbx-1000-restomod
Published Date: Sat, 28 Oct 2023 16:34:54 +0000

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