Carl Cox Tests Kawasaki Ninja 7 Hybrid

Carl Cox has been out and about in Brighton recently testing out the first commercially available hybrid motorcycle, the Kawasaki Ninja 7.

Carl is one of the busiest DJs on the circuit, even admitting in the video you can see below that he’s been on tour for the last couple of years. The Ninja 7 though was an opportunity to sample a petrol and electric combination at a time when the Brighton native is about to embark on a series of ‘Hybrid’ live shows.

Like the Kawasaki that he tested (which blends a traditional petrol engine with an electric power system), the Hybrid Live Sets (the next of which in the UK is at the Roundhouse, London, 8 September) sees Cox utilising ‘traditional’ CDJs alongside music editing software like Ableton, and also drum machines and synths. Those of a certain age may remember Richie Hawtin did a similar thing in 1999 with his Decks, EFX & 909 sets - but now I'm really starting to show my age.

The Kawasaki Ninja 7 being ridden in the video is a mid-sized sports bike which is claimed, thanks to its electric and petrol drivetrain, to provide the rider with the acceleration of a 1,000cc motorcycle. It produces a claimed 58bhp and 44.5lb ft of torque. The petrol element of the bike is a Liquid-cooled, four-stroke, 451cc parallel-twin cylinder engine. It’s paired to a liquid-cooled, interior permanent magnet synchronous motor and a 27.2Ah Lithium-ion battery pack.

Carl is very much more than ‘just’ a DJ and motorcycle enthusiast, his racing exploits on two and four wheels are very well known. The Carl Cox Motor Sport umbrella encompasses road and circuit racing stars such as Michael Dunlop, Davey Todd and Conor Cummins, with sidecar racers, Australian touring cars, Extreme E (electric Dakar-style off-road buggies), and even Carl Himself is a keen and top performing drag racer.