URAGON RIDER

 When Kawasaki introduced the Ninja e-1 and Z e-1 last month, the electric naysayers honed in on four figures: 7 rated horsepower (12 maximum horsepower), a 51-mph top speed (59 mph with e-boost), a 41-mile range, and a 7.5-hour recharge time. OK, maybe that’s more like six figures, but the collective reaction may not have been so critical had one figure been lower — price. Then there's the pricing: the all-electric Ninja goes for $7,599 and the e-powered Z starts at $7,299. That's lower than street-legal electric motorcycles from the established competition in the United States, such as Zero, but of course more expensive than comparable or even more capable internal-combustion models. In parts of the world with tiered licensing, the electric Kawasakis may be an easier sale, but can the company succeed in the U.S. market with a motorcycle that's mainly limited to duty within city limits? Kawasaki is about to find out as it's now taking pre-orders and pitching its first-...

 Mention “technology” in motorcycling circles and electronic rider aids or variable valve timing in our machines are likely the first things to come to mind. While technological advancements in today's protective gear usually get less attention, they do just as much to increase our safety, comfort, and enjoyment as riders. That's why every year we kick-start our Common Tread Year in Review articles with a look at the most significant gear advancements we've seen, as selected by our full-time in-house gear experts. In recent years, including 2022, wearable air bag systems have gotten a lot of attention, ranging from electronically advanced, almost full-body suits like the Alpinestars Tech-Air 10 Race System to simpler systems like the Helite Turtle 2 airbag vest. We've also kept up with improvements such as thinner, more comfortable armor, improved ventilation solutions, better ways to attach Bluetooth communicators to our helmets, and more.