Kawasaki’s super-retro W800
Latest Kawasaki W800 captures the essence of the traditional big British twin
Forget the bewildering array of Bonnevilles in Triumph’s line-up. Sure, they’re all cracking things, but they’re also modern motorcycles in period dress. For the real deal and authentic period feel you want Kawasaki’s new W800: which is maybe the most convincing ‘classic Brit’ on the market right now. Kawasaki kicked off the W-series of retros back in 1999 with the W650, reflecting how British bikes were in the sixties and powered by a 676cc parallel-twin engine. This carb-fed W650 was replaced by the injected 773cc W800 for 2011, only to be killed off by emission regulations in 2016. But with retros still booming, Kawasaki reworked the bike – changing 90% of its parts – to release a new W800 Street and W800 Café last year. And now they’re joined by a straight W800 variant.
Authentic feel
What makes the W800 so convincingly period is the crankshaft. Other parallel twins use a 270˚ firing interval to sound and feel similar to a 90˚ V-twin, but Kawasaki have stuck with a 360˚ crank where the pistons rise and fall together. This gives a distinct exhaust note, far more reminiscent of an old Bonneville or Commando (and also of a BMW boxer, as it happens), and a different feel. With just 47bhp (A2-legal) the W800’s power delivery is easy-going and relaxed, the twin thrumming politely and boasting a midrange flexibility. It’s not as punchy as a Triumph Street Twin or as eager as a Moto Guzzi V7, but then it’s not trying to be. The W800’s balance shaft does a decent job of eliminating tingles while still allowing you to feel the engine’s character. It’s a pity that most of the vibes arrive at 3500rpm, as this is 60mph in top (fifth) gear.
Like the Street and Café versions, this latest W800 has slim-tyre agility and is a breeze to ride. But it’s also got a 19in front wheel (the others are 18in) plus narrower and less pulled-back ’bars than the Street, giving a riding position and steering response that are more… well, convincing. With the extra chrome, longer mudguards and old-style indicators and mirrors, this bike’s character is ‘sunny Sunday’ where its siblings are ‘trendy urban’. Kawasaki have got the little bits right, too. I love the wire restraints around the stands, long rear brake pedal, reliefs in the cast alloy sprocket cover and old-fashioned switches. Finish is spot-on, but quality doesn’t come cheap, and at £8645 on the road it is pricier than the Royal Enfield Interceptor, and has less all-round ability than Triumph’s same-price Street Twin.