Kawasaki W800

The Kawasaki W800 is a retro-styled parallel-twin motorcycle that Kawasaki made from 2011 to 2016 and has sold again since 2019. It emulates the Kawasaki W series, three models built from 1967 to 1975 that were themselves based on the British BSA A7, and it replaced the W650 of 1999 to 2007, which was dropped because its carbureted engine could not meet emissions rules. Its air-cooled 773 cc engine is a four-stroke twin with a shaft and bevel gear driven overhead cam. Unlike the W650 it is fuel injected and has no kickstart. The styling includes a polished, pinstriped fuel tank, a ribbed saddle, wire wheels and a W logo on the tank that refers to the W1. A Special Edition and a Cafe Style version with a front cowl were offered, and Kevin Ash wrote that the engine pulls well enough not to feel breathless.