Kawasaki W800 vs Enfield Interceptor
Kawasaki’s latest W800 meets the best-selling Royal Enfield Interceptor. Which gives the most old-school charm?
Two of our favourite retros go head to head
LAUNCHED IN 2019, Royal Enfield’s 645cc twin-cylinder Interceptor has good looks, brand heritage and an attractive price. We immediately fell for its jump-on-and-ride simplicity — that year, it was the UK’S best-selling naked, and at points in 2020, it out-sold the BMW R1250GS to be the UK’S most popular big bike. Nothing’s done this for yonks.
But if you’re after genuine classic-bike appeal, is the affordable Enfield the best option? In 2020, Kawasaki introduced a classical-styled W800 alongside the head-down Cafe and semi-custom Street versions. With high-quality finishes, lashings of chrome and even bevel camshaft drive for its 773cc engine, the W800 costs £3000 more than Enfield’s 650 but promises a more authentic and richer experience.
Performance
Neither of these bikes is fast. They’re engaging, usable and easily live with modern traffic, but no roads will be burned.
Most parallel twins use 270˚ cranks, the firing interval giving the sound and feel of a 90˚ V-twin. But like the old British twins it’s modelled on, the W800 has a 360˚ crank, its pistons rising and falling together. With long stroke dimensions it resonates, thumps and sounds like something from the West Midlands in the 1960s. With 47bhp from 773cc, it’s a lazy tune and the Kawasaki is a breezy cruiser, happiest rolling up and down the revs on wandering roads. Straight sections and steady pace highlight mildly intrusive vibrations at 3500rpm — inconveniently, this is 60mph or so in top gear.
Enfield’s twin is more willing. 80% of peak torque is available all the way from 2500rpm, meaning flexibility but, with modern oversquare geometry, it’s free-revving and delivers peak power 1250rpm higher up the revs than the W800. You ride faster without realising, and the 650 is the happier blasting to 80mph on a dual carriageway too. It also does a tad more to the gallon (60mpg next to the Kawasaki’s 59mpg).
However, with 22% more torque, the W800 feels more muscular and luxurious when sauntering around.
And with bikes like these, it’s their performance in ‘normal’ riding that we’re interested in. Better noise, too: the Kwak’s deep, surprisingly loud rumble makes the Enfield sound choked.
Verdict The 650 is great but the 800 has more character.
Distance
These are very naked and sit you upright, so require a strong lower back. Especially the Kawasaki — hips and knees are at 90˚, so everything goes through the base of your spine. If you’re mis-shaped from
‘The W800 feels muscular and luxurious’