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.”
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.”