Photo: Kawasaki
The 2014 Kawasaki W800 Special Edition brings back really nice memories from an era when motorcycles were more about fun and actual riding skills and less about electronics and so many useless add-ons. A retro machine par excellence, the W800 is the exponent of a long family history, but it is the kind of heir which has remained faithful to its kin’s traditions.
While the standard W800 boasts rich chrome details and two-tone hot paint, the Special Edition is a much more sober beast. Kawasaki dressed the W800SE in a black livery with elegant orange accents: not too flamboyant, but definitely not a bike you’ll easily forget. Side covers with the same racey lines found on the sides of the tank are matched by the rim stripes and the orange piping of the retro, one-piece, two-up seat.
The tank got 3D metal badges which hark back to another era in motorcycling, while the black paint on the engine and matte trim on the headers and the dual peashooters exhausts adds even more pleasant grimness to the build. Anodized style rims, black fork gaiters and glossy black fenders are also part of the darkened picture, but add elegance instead of a menacing feeling. Rubber tank grips, taller bars for an upright position, and a tuck and roll rider seat account for a comfy ride, even if you’re heading out for the furthest border of your country.
On the tech side, the W800 Special Edition is powered by a 48 hp (@6,500 rpm) air-cooled 773cc vertical twin, which can deliver a peak torque of 60Nm (44 lb-ft) at 2,500 revs, making riding this retro-styled bike quite fun. The electronic injection makes starting a breeze, while the electric start adds to the overall convenience. A 5-speed gearbox is actuated by a manual wet multi-disc clutch, while stopping power comes from a single 300mm rotor in the front, and a 160mm drum in the rear.
Stability should never be a problem with the 2014 Kawasaki W800: the bike comes with a 27-degree rake and 108mm trail (4.25”), and the 790mm (31.1”) seat height should make every rider feel confident. The tank can hold 14 liters (3.7 US gal) of fuel, which is not exceptionally touring-worthy, but can definitely provide a decent range.
2014 Kawasaki W800 Special Edition can be yours for £7,099, which is €8,980 or $12,145, in case this bike can make it on the North American shore of the Atlantic.
The tank got 3D metal badges which hark back to another era in motorcycling, while the black paint on the engine and matte trim on the headers and the dual peashooters exhausts adds even more pleasant grimness to the build. Anodized style rims, black fork gaiters and glossy black fenders are also part of the darkened picture, but add elegance instead of a menacing feeling. Rubber tank grips, taller bars for an upright position, and a tuck and roll rider seat account for a comfy ride, even if you’re heading out for the furthest border of your country.
On the tech side, the W800 Special Edition is powered by a 48 hp (@6,500 rpm) air-cooled 773cc vertical twin, which can deliver a peak torque of 60Nm (44 lb-ft) at 2,500 revs, making riding this retro-styled bike quite fun. The electronic injection makes starting a breeze, while the electric start adds to the overall convenience. A 5-speed gearbox is actuated by a manual wet multi-disc clutch, while stopping power comes from a single 300mm rotor in the front, and a 160mm drum in the rear.
Stability should never be a problem with the 2014 Kawasaki W800: the bike comes with a 27-degree rake and 108mm trail (4.25”), and the 790mm (31.1”) seat height should make every rider feel confident. The tank can hold 14 liters (3.7 US gal) of fuel, which is not exceptionally touring-worthy, but can definitely provide a decent range.
2014 Kawasaki W800 Special Edition can be yours for £7,099, which is €8,980 or $12,145, in case this bike can make it on the North American shore of the Atlantic.
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