Kawasaki has announced that 2017 will be the last model year for the Kawasaki W800, a retro classic bike inspired from the original Kawasaki W1, which debuted in 1966. Kawasaki's decision to discontinue the W800 seems to be largely out of compulsion of Euro 4 emission norms.
In a release, Kawasaki says this is "the end of the iconic W series of four-stroke vertical twin motorcycles" and that the "W800 Final Edition marks the end of an era". The W800 Final Edition will be available in limited numbers across Europe, before stringent Euro 4 emission norms kick in, which the W800 will not be able to pass without significant mechanical upgrades.
(Kawasaki W800 Final Edition)
The W800 has certainly got classic lines, and is a handsome bike with understated, retro looks. It's a modern-classic from Kawasaki, and going by the global popularity of neo-retro bikes like the Triumph Bonneville and Ducati Scrambler, this one seemed to have a lot of potential for Kawasaki as well. But the Japanese manufacturer doesn't seem to have any interest in developing retro bikes, bidding good bye to the W800.
(Kawasaki W800 Final Edition)
The W800 is powered by a 773cc parallel-twin engine, which makes around 70bhp and 60Nm, mated to a five-speed transmission. The engine is mounted on a double-cradle, tubular steel frame, and a telescopic front fork and twin rear shocks taking on suspension duties. The bike tips the scales at 216kg and is built well,
The Kawasaki W800 Final Edition will be available in Candy Brown and Candy Sunset Orange paint schemes, a tribute of sorts to the W-series bikes of earlier decades. The Kawasaki W800 is not available on sale in India, and even the Final Edition isn't likely to be introduced here.
