• Bikes for Sale
  • News
  • Buyer’s guide
    • Buy a Motorcycle
    • First Rides & Reviews
    • Specs, Prices & Others
  • Lifestyle
    • Concepts & Custom
    • Electric Motorcycles
    • Events
    • Motorsport
    • Tips & Stories
    • Travel
  • Locals
imotorbike logo
  • Bikes for Sale
  • News
  • Buyer’s guide
    • Buy a Motorcycle
    • First Rides & Reviews
    • Specs, Prices & Others
  • Lifestyle
    • Concepts & Custom
    • Electric Motorcycles
    • Events
    • Motorsport
    • Tips & Stories
    • Travel
  • Locals
  • Facebook

  • Instagram

  • X (Twitter)

  • YouTube

  • LinkedIn

  • RSS

Motorsport

Kawasaki won’t return to MotoGP

Kawasaki won’t return to MotoGP
Bruno Gomes
April 23, 2019

The Akashi brand will continue to focus on the World Superbike championship because MotoGP costs ten times more and they don’t have the money.

why kawasaki not in motogp

Kawasaki in MotoGP

To run a competitive team in MotoGP and World Superbike at the same time isn’t easy. To do it, manufacturers need to invest a lot of money, and Kawasaki doesn’t want to do it. According to Kawasaki Racing Superbike manager Yoshimoto Matsuda, Dorna wants the Japanese team to return to MotoGP, but they don’t have the money to do it.

When Kawasaki decided to do an “all in” in the World Superbike championship, back in 2010, that decision meant that the Akashi based brand needed to remove their investments on other championships.

MotoGP requires a big investment, roughly ten times more than World Superbike, so it was an easy decision for Kawasaki to quit MotoGP.

Now that the Ninja ZX-10RR superbike has established as one of the most competitive bikes in WSBK, Dorna has been trying to persuade Kawasaki to return to MotoGP, but Yoshimoto Matsuda says that’s impossible.

According to the Japanese manager “MotoGP isn’t the way for us. You need to think about what you need to be racing in MotoGP. And what you get from it. In that perspective, MotoGP isn’t for us. It’s too expensive, so it’s a financial decision from us. MotoGP costs ten times more than SBK, at least. To race there, we need 60 or 70 million euros every season, and Honda spends 100 million euros. We can’t convince higher management to return to MotoGP to be fighting and finish 5th”.

This means that we won’t see the “Green machine” back in MotoGP in the near future. Kawasaki will continue to focus on World Superbike, and rumors say that a new machine is being developed. Kawasaki spends roughly 8 million euros on its Superbike project.

kawasaki moto GP

Kawasaki in MotoGP

Related Itemscostsfeaturedinvestmentkawasaki motogpmoneymotogpracingreturnworld superbikeYoshimoto Matsuda
To read the full story
login with google
login with facebook
or
Create an account for free
This won't cost you.
by clicking this button you agree to iMotorbike's visitor agreement
Already have an account? Sign in here
Click here to get notified on every new article
Motorsport
April 23, 2019
Bruno Gomes

With more than ten years as a motorcycle journalist, i enjoy everything that has to do with two-wheels. I'm a fan of sport bikes and i prefer riding them on a racetrack, but give me a road filled with corners and good asphalt and i'll be there to have some fun!

Related Itemscostsfeaturedinvestmentkawasaki motogpmoneymotogpracingreturnworld superbikeYoshimoto Matsuda

More in Motorsport

Bulega Tops Magny-Cours Friday, Bautista Ninth

Michelle LiewSeptember 6, 2025
Read More

Honda HRC Castrol Aim High at Catalan GP

Michelle LiewSeptember 3, 2025
Read More

Luca Marini Extends MotoGP Stay with Honda Until 2026

Hazique ZairillSeptember 3, 2025
Read More

Aprilia Racing Heads to Barcelona with Full Line-up and Exclusive Bike Reveal

Hazique ZairillSeptember 3, 2025
Read More

Herjun Atna Firdaus Seals Maiden SS600 Victory at Mandalika

Hazique ZairillSeptember 1, 2025
Read More

Azlan Shah Delivers Emotional National Day Victory at Mandalika

Hazique ZairillSeptember 1, 2025
Read More

Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman: Carrying Malaysia’s Flag with Pride

Hazique ZairillAugust 30, 2025
Read More

Yamaha to Debut All-New V4 MotoGP Engine at San Marino GP

Hazique ZairillAugust 27, 2025
Read More

Alvaro Bautista to Join Barni Spark Ducati for 2026 WorldSBK Season

Hazique ZairillAugust 27, 2025
Read More

Akrapovič: From Which Country? 

Hazique ZairillAugust 26, 2025
Read More

Jonathan Rea to Retire from WorldSBK at End of 2025

Michelle LiewAugust 25, 2025
Read More

Iker Lecuona Joins Aruba.it Racing – Ducati for 2026 WorldSBK

Michelle LiewAugust 25, 2025
Read More
We want to buy your bike Join us on Telegram
Scroll for more
Tap

Join us on Facebook

  • Popular

  • Latest

  • Comments

  • YADEA RS20 Electric Scooter Launched in Malaysia at RM4,998
    Buyer's guideAugust 18, 2025
  • Buell Super Cruiser Breaks All the Cruiser Rules
    NewsAugust 23, 2025
  • Triumph Street Triple 765 RS Review: When Perfection Meets Performance
    Buyer's guideAugust 20, 2025
  • QJMotor SRK250R Officially Launched in Malaysia at RM9,988
    Buyer's guideAugust 18, 2025
  • Mforce Unveils Yadea Velax Electric Scooter
    Buyer's guideAugust 11, 2025
  • QJMotor Malaysia Launches SRK250S 
    Buyer's guideAugust 11, 2025
  • iMotorbike Celebrates Merdeka with Massive Discounts – 15 to 31 August 2025
    Buyer's guideAugust 15, 2025
  • Global Biker Community Backs Indian Rider After UK Theft
    NewsSeptember 6, 2025
  • Bulega Tops Magny-Cours Friday, Bautista Ninth
    MotorsportSeptember 6, 2025
  • Márquez Fourth, Bagnaia Struggles in Montmeló Practice
    NewsSeptember 6, 2025
  • Honda EV Fun Concept Nears Production
    NewsSeptember 6, 2025
  • Norton Ends Commando 961 and V4 Models
    NewsSeptember 3, 2025
  • Honda HRC Set for French WorldSBK Round
    NewsSeptember 3, 2025
  • GYTR GRT Yamaha Ready for Magny-Cours Battle
    NewsSeptember 3, 2025
  • MV Agusta Lucky Explorer Project 9.5: testing the Schiranna prototype - news.iNthacity: More Top Breaking News and Popular Stories To Stay Informed says:

    […] Michelle Liew […]

  • CFMOTO 450SR to enter Malaysia in March 2023 at RM29,300 - news.iNthacity: More Top Breaking News and Popular Stories To Stay Informed says:

    […] Michelle Liew […]

  • Suzuki V-Strom now available in Malaysia at RM81,900 - news.iNthacity: More Top Breaking News and Popular Stories To Stay Informed says:

    […] Michelle Liew […]

  • Colin says:

    I hope they make the Dax street legal. Love to…

  • Mohd Razi bin Rosli says:

    Adv 150cc

  • Nena Maxberry says:

    Just curious what they would retail for

  • Adam Kenny says:

    RM4159 for the front fork is it?

Categories

  • Buyer's guide
    • First Rides & Reviews
    • Specs, Prices & Others
  • cafe racer malaysia murah
  • Campaign
  • CSR Programme
  • Electric Motorcycles
  • Electric Motorcycles
  • Industry
  • Industry
  • Kedai Motor
  • Lifestyle
    • Concepts & Custom
    • Electric Motorcycles
    • Events
      • EICMa
    • Helmet
    • Motorsport
      • ARRC
      • CubPrix
      • Moto3
      • Motocross
      • MSBK
      • WSBK
    • Tips & Stories
    • Travel
  • Moto2
  • Motor Murah
  • News
    • Locals
    • MotoGP
    • Scoop
  • Review
  • Scoop
  • Scoop
  • SEO
  • Suzuka 8 Hours
  • Tips & Tricks

Corporate

About Us
Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Disclosure Policy
Contact Us
SUBSCRIBE NOW!

2024 iMotorbike World Sdn. Bhd.(1205246-M). All rights reserved.

MotoGP – KTM recognizes Zarco’s bike needs major makeover
Yamaha R1 serves up impressive results in 24 Hours of Le Mans
Nak Jual Beli Motor 😊 ?
WhatsApp
Hi iMotorbike 😊
Open chat