Kawasaki W800 Within Our Reach?

Three years ago we averred that the Indian retro motorcycle market deserved its fair share from the Japanese. Now it is possible for the enthusiastic Indian rider to make that a reality. Kawasaki now have the W800 on display at select showrooms across the country. The Kawasaki dealership at Koregaon Park in Pune has a fine specimen on display.

Let’s hasten to add that the motorcycle is currently there only for display. Kawasaki propose to garner feedback from the Indian riders and then decide the fate of this motorcycle for the Indian market. So we are looking forward to a tentative release with enough positive feedback.

The current line-up for 2017 has already replaced some of our favourites with better and meaner machines, so the W800’s entry looks like a very promising prospect.

At 217 kilograms, it is not exactly the ballerina of motorcycles but it does not compromise on grace. In any case, when considered in conjunction with a 773-cc parallel-twin motor that makes 48 PS at 6,500 rpm and 60 Nm at a lowly 2,500 rpm, weight will be the last thing to weigh on your mind. It is mated to a five-speed transmission; a match made in heaven.

We expect Kawasaki to price the bike about Rs 6–8 lakh (ex-showroom) when they finally launch it in India.