Kawasaki W800 Limited Edition

Kawasaki W800 Limited Edition
Manufacturer	Kawasaki
Production	2015
Engine	Four stroke, parallel twin cylinder, SOHC, 4 valve per cylinder,
Compression ratio	8.4:1
Ignition	Digital
Transmission	5 Speed
Frame	Wet multi-disc, manual
Suspension	Front: 39 mm telescopic fork Rear: Twin shocks with 5-way spring preload adjustment
Brakes	Front: Single 300mm disc 2 piston caliper Rear: 160mm drum
Front Tire	100/90-19
Rear Tire	130/80-18
Wheelbase	1465 mm / 57.6 in
Seat Height	790 mm / 31.1 in
Weight	216 kg / 476.2 lbs (wet)
Recommended Oil	K-tech 10W-40
Fuel Capacity	14 Liters / 3.6 gal
Manuals	Service Manual

Engine

The engine was a Air cooled, cooled Four stroke, parallel twin cylinder, SOHC, 4 valve per cylinder,. The engine featured a 8.4:1 compression ratio.

Chassis

It came with a 100/90-19 front tire and a 130/80-18 rear tire. Stopping was achieved via Single 300mm disc 2 piston caliper in the front and a 160mm drum in the rear. The front suspension was a 39 mm telescopic fork while the rear was equipped with a Twin shocks with 5-way spring preload adjustment. The W800 Limited Edition was fitted with a 14 Liters / 3.6 gal fuel tank. The wheelbase was 1465 mm / 57.6 in long.

Photos

Overview

Kawasaki W 800 Limited Edition

This Kawasaki W 800 is Japan-only limited edition version. Only 300 units will be produced. The engine casing and forks will be black, the wheels will be gold instead of chrome and metallic beige paint. It will have a beige seat to match the body color.

Kawasaki W800 Review Kawasaki were the first of the Japanese brands to go seriously retro with their W650 more than a decade ago. Despite this, Triumph’s modern day Bonneville (also largely manufactured in Asia) had more cred’ with the buying public, thanks to that British brand name on the tank. The Triumph was also the more appealing ride, having improved and changed over the years, while the W650 remained the same. In 2011, thanks to a 5mm larger bore, Kawasaki have reinvented their machine and the W650 has grown to become the W800 and this time around Triumph should definitely sit up and take notice. Retro-chic is all about the look and the W800 is a truly stunning machine. The attention to detail on this bike is really a class above the competition. The chrome rims with their beefy spokes, the authentic lighting, saddle and streamlined tank, all ooze class. The W650 did a reasonable job in this regard but the W800 has stepped it up another few notches. It is only upon close inspection of details like the switchgear and small LCD gauge inside the instruments, that you actually realise that this is not the real deal from the 1960s. And you certainly don’t have to be of that vintage to appreciate this classic styling – I certainly am not! You get the style without the kick-starting or oil leaks. The vertical side-by-side twin certainly looks the part with the bevel-drive cam a particular masterstroke of the stylists. Despite a 360-degree crankshaft and heavy flywheel the rider is largely isolated from what’s going on beneath them, which is a little disappointing. Nothing a set of rorty pipes wouldn’t fix though.

Developing maximum torque from as low as 2000rpm, there is no real benefit in revving the fuel-injected mill too hard. It revs cleanly to 7000rpm but the best grunt is available between 3000 and 5000rpm. Acceleration off the line is a little sluggish but once up and running the W800 responds okay. There is no real feeling of significant thrust as the engine is just so incredibly smooth. Expect to be surprised, however, when you look at the speedo. Top gear roll on from 60km/h or 100km/h is actually quite respectable and a downshift is rarely needed to accomplish a swift overtaking manoeuvre. Its pull is deceptive. The fuel tank holds a modest 14 liters, but the W800 easily betters 20km per litre which gives the Kawasaki a 280km range. The spring rates in the twin shock rear end are quite soft but the damping does a reasonable job of keeping it from bouncing too much over bumps. One up it is passable, but if carrying a pillion I really think some stiffer springs will be in order. Again, that’s quite an easy fix and if you really enjoy pushing through corners then throw in a set of stiffer springs in the 39mm forks while you are at it. Sporting prowess in the hills is not really the design brief for the W800. Although it is much better in the hills than virtually any cruiser style motorcycle you care to name. The skinny rubber helps make the W800 feel very athletic when sweeping smoothly from bend to bend and as long as you attune to its limitations it still offers a fun ride in the hills. There’s no pressure riding a bike like this, you just pick your pace and rock your socks off along your favourite riding route. It’s not quite as competent in the hills as the Triumph iterations on this theme, but it’s still good fun and you don’t really care. The single disc front end has no ABS, nor any need for ABS, as there isn’t enough stopping power to lock the front. The forks couldn’t cope with serious stopping power anyway and again it’s a horses-for-courses scenario. I think some female riders would appreciate less effort being required at the lever though and a little more braking power would be welcome. This style of bike is perfect for a Sunday cruise out for lunch and would additionally make a fantastic commuter. The W800s easy going nature, smooth engine and low seat height makes for a ripper bike around town. It is certainly worth serious consideration amongst buyers that are after something with plenty of style but endowed with handling dynamics far superior to the vast majority of cruiser style motorcycles. And for a fraction of the price. At $11,999 plus on roads is a little dearer than the base model Bonneville from Triumph but it is $1500 cheaper than the Bonneville SE. The clincher is that the Kawasaki is a more authentic retro experience than the Triumph, but for some it won’t matter how good it is if it doesn’t have that Triumph badge on the tank. Unfortunately for Kawasaki, that’s just how it is. Source

Make Model	Kawasaki W 800 Limited Edition
Year	2015
Engine Type	Four stroke, parallel twin cylinder, SOHC, 4 valve per cylinder,
Displacement	773 cc / 47.1 cu-in
Bore X Stroke	77.0 x 83.0 mm
Cooling System	Air cooled,
Compression	8.4:1
Lubrication	Wet sump
Induction	Fuel injection:cp34 mm x 2 with sub-throttles
Ignition	Digital
Starting	Electric
Max Power	35 kW / 48 hp @ 6500 rpm
Max Toque	60 Nm / 6.1 kg-fm @ 2500 rpm
Transmission	5 Speed
Final Drive	Chain
Gear Ratio	2.353 (40/17) 2nd 1.590 (35/22) 3rd 1.240 (31/25) 4th 1.000 (28/28) 5th 0.851 (23/27)
Frame	Wet multi-disc, manual
Front Suspension	39 mm telescopic fork
Front Wheel Travel	130 mm / 5.1 in
Rear Suspension	Twin shocks with 5-way spring preload adjustment
Rear Wheel Travel	105 mm / 4.1 in
Front Brakes	Single 300mm disc 2 piston caliper
Rear Brakes	160mm drum
Front Tire	100/90-19
Rear Tire	130/80-18
Rake	27°
Trail	108 mm / 4.2 in
Dimensions	Length 2180 mm / 85.8 in Width 790 mm / 31.1 in Height 1075 mm / 42.3 in
Wheelbase	1465 mm / 57.6 in
Seat Height	790 mm / 31.1 in
Wet Weight	216 kg / 476.2 lbs
Ground Clearance	126 mm / 4.9 in
Fuel Capacity	14 Liters / 3.6 gal

External Links

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