Kawasaki showcases the W800 in India
Kawasaki India sells a wide variety of motorcycles in the country, and if recent developments are to be considered, the company may put the W800 on sale soon. The bike is currently on display across select showrooms in the country, as the company is in the process of garnering feedback and gauging response to the motorcycle. The decision to launch the bike will be taken on the basis of the interest shown in the bike. Kawasaki currently sells bikes ranging from the Ninja 300 to the ZX-14R, but does not have a retro styled bike in its portfolio. The W800 would fill that void.
The bike gets an air-cooled, 773cc, parallel-twin motor that produces 48PS at 6,500rpm and 60Nm at 2,500rpm. The motor is mated to a five-speed transmission. It weighs 217kg (kerb) which translates to a power to weight ratio of 221PS/tonne.
The Kawasaki W800 gets conventional, right-side-up forks and twin-shock absorbers at the rear, adjustable for preload. Braking duties are handled by a single, 300mm disc upfront and a 160mm drum at the rear. The spoke wheels, ribbed seat, dual-tone paint with tank pads and dollops of chrome shout classic when viewed from any angle.
Triumph Bonneville T100
Internationally, the W800 competes against the Triumph Bonneville T100 and the Moto Guzzi V9 Roamer and V9 Bobber. If Kawasaki decides to launch the W800 in India, it will go up against the entry level Triumph Bonnevilles (Street Twin and T100). The T100 was recently launched in India at Rs 7.78 lakh (ex-Delhi). It is powered by a 900cc, liquid-cooled, 8-valve, SOHC, parallel-twin engine that develops 55 PS at 5,900rpm and 80Nm at 3,230rpm. The Kawasaki W800 has been one of those motorcycles that has always been preferred as a base to make customs. It would make an interesting alternative to the Triumph Bonneville.
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