Kawasaki UK is excited to announce that James Hillier will be returning to Team Green for the 2024 Isle of Man TT, reuniting with long-time partner Bournemouth Kawasaki Racing to compete in the Supersport class aboard a 40th anniversary-liveried Ninja ZX-6R! 

The pairing have enjoyed a rich history at the iconic event, securing multiple podium finishes together across multiple classes. However, it’s been the Supersport class where they have enjoyed the most success, scoring five podiums with the Ninja ZX-6R. 

After several years away, the Bournemouth Kawasaki team is returning to the Isle of Man TT and will be partnering with Hillier once again. With 2024 marking the 40th anniversary of the iconic Kawasaki Ninja brand, the team will be running the latest ZX-6R in the highly popular green, white and blue anniversary colours. 

James Hillier:
“I’m excited to be back with Pete and the team at Bournemouth Kawasaki once again for the Supersport races. We collectively have a lot of knowledge and data after many years racing together and at the TT that’s a crucial element to being competitive.” 

Pete Extance, Bournemouth Kawasaki Team Owner:
“We are really looking forward to our return to the Isle of Man TT as Bournemouth Kawasaki Racing, which we are proud to say is an in-house dealer effort. The TT is, without doubt, the best road race in the world, and we are over the moon to be back involved in 2024. It’s a great honour to be running James again, and even more so with the 40th Anniversary liveried Ninja machine. Big thanks to Kawasaki UK for the support.” 

Ross Burridge, Head of Marketing & Racing Department:
“We are really happy to welcome James back into the Kawasaki fold for the Supersport races this year. Together with Pete and the Bournemouth Kawasaki team we have collectively enjoyed a great deal of success over the years, so we are really hopeful of more trophies in 2024! We’d like to thank both Pete and James for pulling this together, and we can’t wait to see him head off down Bray Hill on what will be a stunning retro-themed Ninja ZX-6R!”

Siddhartha Lal, Managing Director & CEO of Eicher Motors Ltd., says “The Shotgun 650 is inspired by the work of our custom community and our years of work with them. It is a retro-futuristic interpretation of what a factory custom motorcycle with thoroughbred Royal Enfield DNA would look like. A shape-shifting machine that defies categorization, both in form and in spirit, the Shotgun 650 is something absolutely new and different. It is super fun to ride with confidence inspiring ride ergonomics and handles well in downtown city streets, through twisties and powers through straight highways. The Shotgun 650 is our attempt to bring niche and newer categories of motorcycles to growing enthusiasts of self-expression”.

Speaking about the design and development journey of the Shotgun 650, Mark Wells, Chief of Design, said, “The story of Royal Enfield is one of customization. Our customers have been taking our motorcycles and personalising them for decades. Looking to that rich creative culture for inspiration, we unleashed our designers to ideate in that same spirit of unfettered imagination. The resulting design is both fresh and respectful of our heritage and a future vision of what a custom Royal Enfield could look like years down the road.”

With the globally award-winning 650 Twin platform at its core, the Shotgun 650 is loaded with a double barrel of fun. It is ergonomically optimised, with mid-set foot position, a low 795mm seat height and an intuitive handlebar position that give the rider a commanding sense of presence and control, while the floating single seat is both retro and modern at the same time. The Shotgun’s specially tuned suspension with 43mm dia. separate function big piston Showa forks on the front, twin tube 5-step preload adjust RSU at the back, 1465mm wheelbase and a low centre of gravity come together to make riding in traffic, on highways and down twisty back roads equally fun, without compromising on comfort. Wide 18” front and 17” rear tubeless tyres, combined with 320mm and 300mm disc brakes, ensure a steady grip, keeping you engaged and in control at all speeds.

The Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 blends retro-futuristic design with modern features. An LED headlamp fitted in a gorgeous custom, neo-modern nacelle stays true to the neo-retro fusion aesthetic while offering improved visibility. The motorcycle has a digi-analogue instrument cluster, which comes equipped with the Tripper navigation system and is designed to deliver all the information you need as you head out. It also features a USB charging port to keep your devices charged on the go.

Continuing the concept of customization and personalisation, a diverse range of 31 Genuine Motorcycle Accessories for the Shotgun 650, have been designed to further highlight the custom aesthetic, bar end mirrors, a sculpted solo seat and contrast-cut billet rims are available.Test ride bookings and retail begins across Europe from the 1st February, with four unique colourways available; Stencil White, Plasma Blue, Green Drill and Sheet Metal Grey, starting from £6,699.

Pricing for the Shotgun 650: 

Sheet Metal Grey – £6,699 

Plasma Blue / Green Drill – £6,799 

Stencil White – £6,899

#Shotgun650 #ByCustomsForCustom

Royal Enfield, global leader in the mid-weight motorcycle segment (250cc – 750cc),today unveiled the all-new Himalayan at the EICMA Motor Show 2023, here at Milan, Italy. Based on Royal Enfield’s latest, lightest, and most technologically advanced vehicle integrated power train, the new Himalayan will be powered by the new Sherpa 450 liquid-cooled engine, and will have a host of new integrated tech-features that enhance and improve the adventure touring experience on the new motorcycle. Showcased today for global audiences, the new Royal Enfield Himalayan will be launched in India before the end of this year, and will subsequently be available across other regions.

Royal Enfield has a long association with the Himalayas, which has been the brand’s spiritual home and creative inspiration. The original Himalayan was inspired by the 60-year old tradition of exploring the Himalayas on a motorcycle, and was born in the Himalayas. Purpose-built, confidence inspiring and a capable, go-anywhere motorcycle, the Himalayan has proven itself time and again as the ideal motorcycle for adventure riding in these incredible mountains. It has been the motorcycle of choice for thousands of explorers across the world who have ridden it to traverse a multitude of locations and terrains, thereby creating a niche subcategory of adventure touring that is real, sensorial, and accessible. The new Himalayan evolves from this, builds on this proposition, and takes it several notches higher. 

Speaking about the brand’s connection with the mountains, and the inspiration for the all-new Himalayan, Siddhartha Lal, Managing Director, Eicher Motors Ltd., said “At Royal Enfield, we have a deep connection with the Himalayas for over 60 years, and that led us to make the first Himalayan in 2016. We had great feedback for a purpose-built adventure tourer, and that gave us a lot of courage to go in for an absolutely new Himalayan. This motorcycle is ground-up with the all-new Sherpa 450, water-cooled engine, a 6-speed gearbox, and is absolutely purpose-made for the Himalayas. It has a single purpose; to do superbly well in unpredictable terrain and weather conditions that the Himalayas throw at it. We’ve designed this motorcycle to be the absolute best in the world to do that job. We’ve developed the chassis and the ergonomics to make it great for adventure touring. It is ‘the one’ motorcycle that you will need for any purpose, anywhere in the world; because if it can traverse the Himalayas, it can traverse anything in the world”.

Click on this link to hear Siddhartha Lal’s video message. 

The Himalayas are an ever-changing, ever shifting landscape and exploring in this region requires you to embrace change of plan at every step; from varying weather and unpredictable terrain to rivers that can be a trickle in the morning and mudguard-deep that same evening. The all-new Himalayan is designed to adapt to all such conditions;from its water-busting high air intake to its tough frame and luggage bars ready to take a beating when things don’t go as planned. The improvements over the original model have been driven by time spent in the saddle, from epic trips exploring the wildest mountains to riding in everyday situations. What’s more, the motorcycle has been tested and developed by explorers, globetrotters, experts and riders of all abilities across a huge range of conditions, both in adventure trips around wild landscapes and in controlled testing centres in the UK, Spain and in India. This testing program has resulted in a truly versatile motorcycle that is ready for anything and puts a smile on the face of every rider, whatever their ability level.

Speaking about the insights that went behind the conception of the new Himalayan and the development process of the motorcycle, CEO, B Govindarajan said, “Before we started working on the new Himalayan, we rode with our consumers, and spoke to globetrotters, explorers, and athletes. With the help of these insights and our own experience, we decided- critical DNA we needed to retain and a few we had to evolve on the new Himalayan. The all new Himalayan 450 is mated with the Sherpa 450, liquid-cooled engine,a first of its kind from Royal Enfield. It is also the first time we have ride-by-wire feature on our motorcycle that offers optimum delivery of power and torque for challenging terrains. Also, for the first time in collaboration with Google Maps, we have Tripper-Dash with full map navigation. We have extensively tested this motorcycle for more than 5500 kms, from 22 feet at Chennai to 19,024 feet at Um Ling La. The new Himalayan is therefore a combination of expert insights, new technology, and true Royal Enfield DNA”.

Click on this link to hear B Govindarajan’s video message. 

The mountain G.O.A.T. 

Nyoma, Ladakh. 4180m above sea level. Go there, grab a cup of chai from one of the cafes and watch the traffic passing. That should tell you all you need to know about the Royal Enfield Himalayan. A motorcycle born in the mountains, in less than a decade since its inception, that is synonymous with exploring this legendary region. The new Himalayan is an extension of that – it is shaped and built by the Himalayas, taking everything that was great about the original and adding more capability when the terrain demands it. Everything you need, and nothing you don’t; that was the overriding brief to the team. So, there are no features included that do not have a purpose. The new Himalayan is about simplicity, efficiency, just like the original.

Equilibrium between man, machine and terrain. 

Just like the original, the all new Himalayan is not about dominating the landscape and smashing through the terrain with aggressive tyres and a glut of horsepower. It is built to harness the power of the Himalayas and state of flow;to explore, be in harmony with the landscape and enjoy it while being capable of getting to the most remote areas.The new effortlessly adapts to the terrain, to the rider and to the elements. 

Built for all roads. Built for no roads. 

Capable but not intimidating; is the ethos of the Himalayan. From the improvements to power, performance and handling, the all new Himalayan is an easy, forgiving motorcycle to ride. Superb balance at low speed, combined with the new light-action clutch and smooth throttle response from the ride by wire system make easy work of tight trails and tight traffic alike. The adjustable rider seat lets you tune the fit of the motorcycle and the clear, easy-to-use TripperDash gives you all the information you need when you’re riding. 

On a twisty mountain road the new chassis offers improved cornering performance to match the extra power of the engine. Off road, the extra ground clearance, improved suspension travel and wide spread of torque from the engine make every trail easier. The new, more powerful Sherpa 450 motor gives useful improvement to highway riding as well as maintaining better performance at high altitude. The new motorcycle has more ground clearance to avoid getting beached off-road and a clear, simple navigation system to remove the need for a separate GPS unit on the handlebars. 

Power to the Peaks with the Sherpa 450. 

The new Himalayan has more power and torque and gives excellent low-rpm performance and stays true to the Royal Enfield character. With maximum power of 40.02PS at 8000rpm, and a maximum torque of 40Nm at 5500rpm the new 452cc Sherpa engine makes 90% of its torque from 3,000rpm upwards giving a tractable power delivery without needing to be revved to the moon to go anywhere. This characteristic is most helpful when climbing slippery slopes, allowing the Himalayan to find traction where others will spin. The performance combined with the torque delivery also allows comfortable two-up riding along with luggage. The new engine features a semi-dry sump design to maximise ground clearance and allow compact packaging. As Royal Enfield’s first liquid-cooled engine, it uses an integrated water pump and twin-pass radiator setup for optimum cooling, crucial when riding technical terrain at high altitude, something this motorcycle is fully intended for. A new six-speed gearbox means greater flexibility of ratios and better highway cruising. This drives through a new, cable actuated slip and assist clutch giving a lighter clutch action and longer clutch life. 

Fits like an adventure glove. 

The new Himalayan has higher ground clearance and long travel suspension which let you tackle more technical terrain without catching the chassis on the floor. An all-new steel twin-spar frame has been designed to give these benefits in an off-road situation, without making the Himalayan too tall or intimidating. The new frame is stiffer and stronger improving cornering performance and stability. The chassis includes a new Show a, cartridge-type inverted fork, designed to work across a wide range of conditions from smooth roads to rocky river beds. Quality suspension is not just about performance; a well-controlled fork makes it easier on the rider when tackling loose, unpredictable terrain, letting them concentrate on where they want to go, rather than reacting to every bump. The Himalayan retains the proven 21” front / 17” rear wheel combination, with newly developed aluminium alloy rims and bespoke tyres for superior grip, confidence inspiring handling and stability in both on and off road conditions. Additionally,the wider 140/80 rear tyre offers better traction and more confidence on tarmac or off-road conditions.

Ergonomics designed for explorers. 

With the new chassis and compact engine came the opportunity to improve rider ergonomics, particularly when riding in a standing position. The new motorcycle is narrower between the legs, allowing better control standing up and making it easier to get feet firmly on the floor when sitting. The rear section of the new 17-litre fuel tank has been slimmed down to give a more comfortable knee-recess when riding. The split type rider and pillion seat allows the rider seat to be adjusted up by 20mm. In addition to the standard seat, there is a low-seat available as an option.Between the standard and the optional low seat, the rider gets a wide range between 805mm, all the way to 845mm seat height. This, combined with the narrower frame and tank equates to better ground access. Both the rider and the pillion seats, as well as the seating triangle have been designed to offer maximum comfort for long hours on the saddle, on or off the road. 

Introducing the TripperDash – your adventure ally. 

Taking from the brief of ‘everything you need, and nothing you don’t’, the technology that made the cut on the new Himalayan is all there for one purpose – to improve the experience for the rider. First and most prominent is the new TripperDash. The classic round shape has a number of innovative features for the rider, with options to switch from a traditional analogue style to a digital layout. The new TripperDash offers the world’s first full map navigation on around display built with Google Maps engine with audio guidance in more than 130 languages. The joy stick controller on the left-hand switch allows you to control the cluster as well as music, calls and messages as part of the mobile connectivity. Riders can choose between Performance and Eco ride modes, altering the throttle response through the new ride-by-wire setup. Rear ABS can be disabled for a more engaging off-road ride experience. 

The A to Z of ADV Accessories. 

With over 30 exciting new Genuine Motorcycle Accessories to choose from on the all new Himalayan, there is something for everyone. These products can be configured in a way to create two very distinctive, aspirational themes – Adventure and Rally. The Adventure accessories focus on the long-distance capabilities of this motorcycle,with bespoke Box Aluminium Luggage, Taller Adventure Screen, Adventure Seats and LED Fog Lights. The Rally accessories really accentuate the New Himalayan’s off-road capability when the Rally Rear Mudguard is paired with the slimmer one-piece Rally Seat to give the motorcycle a more aggressive look and stance. This set-up will also accommodate the Rackless Soft Bags and Tail pack, while the Rally Handguards, Sump Guard and Headlight Guard provide the ultimate in protection for more extreme terrain.

Voted for by fans, the three stunning machines were revealed live on the Kawasaki stand at Motorcycle Live today and are available to order from dealers now.

With 2024 marking the 40th anniversary of the Ninja brand, Kawasaki UK worked with Kar Lee Design to create a range of liveries for the ZX-10RR inspired by retro colourways from the last four decades. Kawasaki’s social media followers voted for their favourite, with UK specialist SprayBay then turning the three most popular ones into reality before their appearance on the Kawasaki UK Motorcycle Live stand. 

There are just 40 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RRs available, each with anniversary plates set into the top yokes bearing the special moniker of 1 of only 40 and the anniversary logo.  Customers will be able to choose their favourite from the three designs. 

In addition to the unique colourways, each bike will be a Performance Edition, featuring an Akrapovic muffler, pillion seat cover, smoked windshield and tank pad. Customers will also receive a paddock stand, a special bike cover, and a Ninja 40th anniversary keyring. 

The anniversary ZX-10RR will cost £26,599 and is available to order from dealers now.  

Having already unveiled several 40th anniversary Ninja models for the 2024 range in the racetrack influenced ZXR livery of blue, white and green, Kawasaki has now gone full throttle with the announcement of two further celebration models – but with a twist. 

Reimagining the famous 1985 Ninja 900 colours for a today’s riding generation, the new season line will now include 40th Anniversary Editions of the Ninja 1000SX and Ninja 650, resplendent in black, silver and red livery redolent of early USA market Ninja models retailed in Europe under the GPz brand name.

The unmistakable two-tone Firecracker Red and Ebony colours are inspired by the 1985 Kawasaki GPZ900R with the colour of the silver line separating the red and ebony panels carefully selected to match the brightness of the original.

Additionally, on top of the fuel tank, a 40th anniversary emblem sit proudly. Designed in a style similar to a championship sticker and reminiscent of the 1980s racing scene, the outline of the “Ninja” logo was reproduced using the original designs while the “Liquid-Cooled” logo used elsewhere symbolises the transition from air-cooled to liquid-cooled engines in the late 80s.Attention to detail abounds with the eye-catching addition of silver-coloured wheel rim tape representing the texture of the machined wheels of the 1980s.

Predicted to be a highly popular and collectable iteration of the Ninja family, all 40th Edition models will be available in showrooms alongside a vibrant range of standard colourways for the 2024 season.

Making the future a feature of today, Kawasaki hopes that a new generation of riders will enjoy and celebrate four decades of Ninja in the nest way possible; on the open road at the controls of an iconic sports machine. 

Hot on the heels of the Barcelona media launch of its globally unique Ninja 7 Hybrid, Kawasaki has now doubled its presence in this exclusive market with the announcement of the Z 7 Hybrid.

Harnessing the same innovative, unique* and groundbreaking technology as its fully faired sibling, the 2024 Z7 Hybrid is a naked style bike – or should that be bikes? as it is effectively three machines in one thanks to electric power allied to hybrid and internal combustion technologies.

With two power sources, a 43.5kw max power 451cc water-cooled four-stroke twin cylinder internal combustion engine and a 9kw maximum rated electric traction motor, the latest (and most technically advanced) – Z is ready for what the city, the suburbs and countryside can challenge it with … plus come back for more!

Calling out its strong hybrid** credentials, the Z7 Hybrid can operate in three ways. As a full EV with automatic transmission, the machine is suitable for zero emission zones and can operate for up to 12kms on electric only before the internal combustion engine seamlessly provides battery charge – remember this is a true Hybrid so the machine recharges itself.

In Eco-Hybrid mode, the electric motor works in harmony with the internal combustion engine providing a “best of both worlds” solution offering the choice of either six speed automatic transmission or manual gear selection via “up and down” paddles on the left handlebar – which, naturally, features no clutch lever. A “walk mode” is also a feature for ease of manoeuvring and parking plus selectable auto engine stop at standstill reflecting current automotive thinking. 

Finally, sports mode unleashes the full performance potential of both the electric and gasoline motors with the addition of an “E-Boost” function (via a paddle switch on the right handlebar) that effectively harnesses all the potential power available in a short five second burst for litre class acceleration from a standing start or truly impressive thrust while riding. Matched to a potential for fuel economy in the 250cc class category, the Z7 Hybrid truly represents the best of both worlds and looks set to change the game.

Relying on the same trellis type chassis layout and running gear as the Ninja 7 Hybrid, the ‘Sugomi’ styled Z7 Hybrid opens up a new world in the naked class sector while doubling the Strong Hybrid offer from Kawasaki in the market from one to two machines. Expected to be on sale during the Spring of 2024, the Z 7 Hybrid moves Kawasaki firmly to centre stage in the constantly evolving universe of powered-two-wheeler technology.

*1 Mass production models (excluding scooters) from a major power sports manufacturer as of October 6, 2023, per Kawasaki Motors, Ltd. research. **2 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.

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.