Kawasaki W800 was earlier discontinued because it was not updated with Euro-4 engines. However, the 2019 version meets the norms and will be launched soon.
Kawasaki unveiled the updated W800 at the EICMA 2018. The retro bike was discontinued in 2016, as it did not comply to the Euro-IV emission norms.
Autocar India reports that the Kawasaki W800 will soon make its way to the Indian markets. It comes in two variants – A Classic Roadster and a Cafe Racer.
Kawasaki W Series originally made retro motorcycles, copying their motorcycles from the British-made BSA motorcycles. W800 is inspired from the Meguro bikes that Yamaha made in the 1950s and 60s.
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Kawasaki W800 gets a brand-new vertical twin-cylinder engine with a 360 degree crankshaft. With this, both the pistons go up an down together, instead of the alternating one.
The retro bike is powered by a 773cc air-cooled SOHC fuel-injected twin-cylinder engine, that puts out 47.5 BHP and 52.9 Nm of peak torque. The engine comes mated to a 5-speed gearbox setup, just to maintain the retro touch.
Kawasaki W800 Cafe gets a cafe-racer cowl at the front, LED headlamps, Singe Step-up seat and low-set Clubman handlebars. Its single seat looks like a rear cowl, a typical trait of old-school cafe racers.
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On the other hand, the regular W800 is a Classic Roadster/ It gets circular halogen headlamps, a round fuel tank, a flat seat, twin-pod analogue instrument cluster and a small digital meter on the cluster.
Reports say that the Classic Roadster W800 might debut in India, instead of bringing it along the Cafe Racer. However, it isn’t clear at this moment of time.
In India, Kawasaki W800 will compete against the likes of Royal Enfield 650 Twins, Harley Davidson Street 750 and Triumph Street Twin. This particular comparison will be in terms of engine specs and not the prices.
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We expect the prices to be around Rs 6 Lakhs or so. It will be priced much higher than RE 650 Twins, but near to HD Street 750 and Triumph Street Twin.
