Kawasaki Concept SC 01 Spirit Charger and Other Future Supercharged Models
Following the reception of its supercharged Ninja H2 and H2R, Kawasaki is developing a full lineup of forced induction motorcycles. For its presentation at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show, Kawasaki discussed the evolution of its supercharger technology and revealed a sketch of a motorcycle it calls the Concept SC 01, or Spirit Charger.
The Spirit Charger is just one possible direction Kawasaki is considering, but the fact the sketch was shown at all suggests the design is an early front-runner to enter production.
“Firstly the need for machines to possess power and grace, secondly Kawasaki motorcycles should continue to be fun and rewarding to ride and, thirdly, the ongoing reliance on the skills within the entire Kawasaki Group harnessing cutting edge technology to enrich the lives of people worldwide,” says Kenji Tomida, president of Kawasaki’s motorcycle and engineering company.
Kawasaki is also further developing its supercharger technology, presenting what it calls its Balanced Supercharged Engine which is illustrated in the SC 01. The new engine uses an electronically-controlled gate that will manage the volume of air moving through the supercharger. Kawasaki says the new engine retains the sensation of a forced induction engine while improving fuel economy.
As for the H2 and H2R, Kawasaki is bringing both models back for a limited production run for 2016. Both models receive a new Mirror Coated Spark Black color while the Ninja H2 also receives an assist and slipper clutch.
2016 Kawasaki Ninja H2
2016 Kawasaki Ninja H2R
Kawasaki Balanced Supercharged Engine
Dennis has been a part of the Motorcycle.com team since 2008, and through his tenure, has developed a firm grasp of industry trends, and a solid sense of what's to come. A bloodhound when it comes to tracking information on new motorcycles, if there's a new model on the horizon, you'll probably hear about it from him first.
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