Kawasaki are now seriously considering to launch the globally available W800 to the Indian market. The W800 is a retro-classic motorcycle that will fill the bike maker’s void in India. Launch is expected to happen around the next couple of months.
The launch of recently debuted Kawasaki W800 Cafe isn’t clear whether Kawasaki India will also launch the cafe racer in the country.
Kawasaki did consider launching the W800 for India for 2016. But, it had to be discontinued globally because it failed to beat the Euro-IV emission norms. As a result, Kawasaki’s plans of launching the W800 in India were shelved.
But, Kawasaki did showcase the heavily updated W800 at EICMA 2018. This model will be coming to the Indian market soon. The W800 succeeds the bike maker’s ‘W’ series of models, which were quite popular during its time.
It uses old school bits like a bevel gear cam drive. This system was initially seen on past out Ducati models and are known to generate a fair amount of heat. The system will give the W800 an unique sound and ‘a strong low-mid range torque character’ claimed by Kawasaki.
The Kawasaki W800 will compete with the likes of Royal Enfield Interceptor 650, Harley Davidson Street 750 and the Triumph Street Twin.
Engine-wise, the W800 is powered by a 773cc, air-cooled, fuel-injected SOHC motor. It produces 47.5 bhp of power and 62.9 Nm of torque paired to a 5-speed gearbox.
Internationally, the W800 is sold in two variants – Street and Café. It remains to be seen whether Kawasaki will be hesitant to bring the latter to India. The W800 will come to India via the CKD route, thus manufactured in Thailand.
Prices are expected to be around Rs. 5-7 lakh, when launched. The W800 will rival the likes of the Triumph Street Twin and Royal Enfield Continental 650. With the W800, Kawasaki will look to try their luck in the fairly untapped retro-classic motorcycle segment here.
To read more on Kawasaki India, Click here
Also see: Kawasaki W800 displayed in Pune to gauge customer response
