Video Review: 2019 Kawasaki W800 Cafe
The W800 has been heavily revised for the Cafe version, with retro styling, more torque, power and upgrades galore. Here is our video review...
For 2019 Kawasaki have unleashed a heavily updated W800 Cafe version, boasting a revised engine, new styling and ergonomics, lashings of chrome, an 18in front wheel and wider lightweight aluminium rims, revised and reinforced frame, slip and assist clutch, LED headlamp, clubman ‘bars, larger diameter forks and stiffer shocks, larger front disc brake and new rear disc brake, ABS, and two-tone cafe racer seat. You can read our full written W800 Cafe review here. Here is our full video review…
The heart of the W800 Cafe is the air-cooled vertical-twin displacing 773cc with a bore and stroke of 77 x 83mm, with the 2019 model returned for peak torque at 4800rpm, where the previous model saw this figure at 2500rpm.
34mm throttle-bodies are joined by sub-throttles, with the long-stroke 360-degree crankshaft creating the iconic engine characteristic, along with a heavy flywheel. A balancer shaft reduces vibes, which is noticeable through the ‘bars, with a five-speed gearbox and slipper and assist clutch fitted.
Kawasaki also focused on the aesthetics of the engine, with the silver bevel-gear cover and blacked out engine offering contrast, while EFI components were hidden away for a traditional look.
Chrome peashooter mufflers look the business and offer a great note
The traditional design mufflers are also now chrome, and being touted as ‘tuned’ exhausts, offering both a tailored note and optimised performance, which help highlight the engine’s character. The peashooter style mufflers include revised muffler chambers and help meet (and easily exceed according to Kawasaki) Euro4 regulations.
Offering sportier handling is the change from a 19in front wheel to an 18in, with wider aluminium rims also aimed at providing a composed highway ride, alongside a reinforced frame for better rigidity, despite looking the same as the outgoing model. This was done by varying the pipe thickness but not diameter where needed. I did notice a shimmy on certain highway surfaces, but these seem more tyre related.
Wheels are both now 18in units, while the clubman style ‘bars are a nice touch behind the headlight cowl
The ‘clubman’ style ‘bars also drastically change the ergonomics of the W800 Cafe from the W800 SE, with a more forward leaning and sporty bias, with slight changes to the seat, alongside it being two-tone.
Also aimed at beefing up chassis performance is the new 41mm larger diameter forks with stiffer springs and a more rigid triple-clamp, while the shocks are likewise stiffer.
In order to meet ABS requirements the W800 Cafe boasts both front and rear disc brakes (previously front only), with the rear no longer a drum and instead featuring a 270mm rotor, with a dual piston caliper.
Instrumentation is dual traditional clocks, with a multi-function digital display in the left, and the idiot lights on the right, with a specific Cafe dial face.
2019 Kawasaki W800 Cafe
2019 Kawasaki W800 Cafe Specifications
Colours: Metallic Magnesium Grey & Galaxy Silver
Price: $13,999 + ORC
Warranty: Two-year, unlimited kilometre
Claimed Power: 35kW[48hp]@6000rpm
Claimed Torque: 62.9Nm[46.4lb-ft]@4800rpm
Wet Weight: 223kg
Fuel capacity: 15L
Engine: Air-cooled, four-stroke vertical-twin, SOHC, eight-valve, 773cc, 77 x 83mm bore x stroke, 8.4:1 compression ratio, dual 34mm DFI throttle-bodies, 360° crankshaft
Gearbox: Five-speed
Clutch: Wet, multi-disc, slipper & assist
Chassis: Reinforced tubular double-cradle high tensile steel frame,
Rake: 26°; Trail: 94mm
Suspension: 41mm Telescopic fork, 130mm travel, Twin shocks with spring preload adjustability, 107mm travel
Brakes: ABS, single 320mm front rotor, two-piston Tokico caliper, single 270mm rear rotor, two-piston caliper
Wheels & Tyres: 18in cross-spoke wheels, 100/90-18in M/C 56H, 130/80-18in M/C 66H
DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 1465mm
Seat height: 790mm
Overall width: 825mm
Overall Length: 2135mm
Instruments: Dual analogue clocks, multi-function integrated LCD display
The Verdict | Video Review: 2019 Kawasaki W800 Cafe
Retro!
The Author
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September 20, 2019
How does it compare to the RE 650 twins? More expensive obviously, but in terms of performance, comfort and handling?
October 8, 2019
Hi Greg, I’ll put a comparo test feature together when I can. Performance – there is nothing much in it, the Interceptor I reckon is a bit faster accelerating but doesn’t have the torque or flywheel effect of the W800. The Interceptor is more lively and punchy with faster throttle response.
Handling wise the Royal Enfield GT (the cafe styled of the 650) has it all over the W800. The W800 is more the lazy, long cruising corners. The 650 twins can be punted very hard, really hard, and are a capable performance chassis. Comfort I prefer the W800 to the GT but the Interceptor above both.
Price – the W800 could be less but in saying that the RE are so cheap I’m sure it is to break the market then they will be up to a more realistic price, so I would not say the W800 is overpriced… a grand or less would be good though I feel.
Jeff.