Kawasaki W800 Cafe 2021 — Specifications

The W 800 will make a return more subtle than noticeable, but all enthusiasts will applaud Kawasaki’s gesture. Euro4 had kept it at bay for a while, just enough time to grumble. A slight overhaul, preserving the essential while changing 90% of the parts, and once the necessary compatibility was secured, the most classic of Kawas undertakes its little challenge with this Café version.

Previously named Café Style, this "sport" variant of the W 800 allows the vintage roadster to dress up as a pseudo café racer. The recipe still works just as well, blending the machine with an old-fashioned fork head, a two-tone single-seat saddle, and specific Clubman handlebars. Narrower and lowered, it gives the illusion of holding bracelets and tilting the torso. A café racer is conceived with the attitude to appreciate its riding... and find yourself in a driving position that is not necessarily comfortable. Also, you have to play it a bit. With white backgrounds for the instruments, a little more chrome than on the Street, machined cooling fins at the cylinder head, black rims, a pair of knee grips, and highlighting of the bevel gear distribution.

Last representative of the spirit of the W1 of 1966, the W 800 has succeeded in a bold bet: to bring up to today an air-cooled twin that is nice to look at. The power has committed to remain below 35 kW, in order to interest A2 license holders. Nothing exceptional, it did not spit out more horsepower before. 48 horses rhythmically pulsed with a round, assumed nostalgia. Sufficient power to cruise, at the pace of the 1970s. We can count on a little more technology than at that time, with an LED headlight, ABS, two disc brakes, injection, and a digital window in the tachometer.

Kawasaki offers a new chance to the W 800, more than ever in its place in the current vintage movement. It leaves the good offices of power and neo-retro to its cousin Z 900 RS. Its niche is destined to more closely compete with the Bonneville Street Cup, Guzzi V7 Racer, and Mash TT40. Alas, as with the other versions, its high price reserves it for a love at first sight.

M.B - Photos constructeur