OLD BIKE AUSTRALASIA: 75KAWASAKI W800 CAFÉ
that matter. Ace Bars we used to call
them (probably originating from the
Ace Café culture), and they were on
every big road burner as well as quite
a few middlers and tiddlers. The set
on the W800 is wide and quite
comfortable, matching the seating
position very well, however I found
the tank knee rubbers were too far
back to actually contact my knees.
Maybe they’re just for effect...
Otherwise, the package that made
the original W800 is still there, and
still a treat to ride. Just the exhaust
note is enough to transport you back
to the days of the Ponderosa Café at
Caringbah (or its equivalent in any
town or city), for this is still a 360
degree crank, firing the way the old
British twins always did, whereas
virtually every other twin on the road
today uses a 270 degree layout.
Thanks to the inbuilt balance shaft,
the ride is virtually tingle-free exceptmore rounded profile and modern
rubber mix work in perfect harmony.
Flicking the W800 about in corners is
easy and predictable, but you’ll still
scrape the footrests (or at least, the
warning knobs) fairly easily.
When we tested the then-new
W800 in 2011, it came with a drum
rear brake, but today’s compliance
rules dictate ABS all-round so there’s
now a disc at both ends. Despite their
minimal appearance, the brakes work
in total symmetry with the rest of the
bike; no more than you need, and no
less. The front fork and rear end have
both had an increase in travel and are
firmer. The biggest change, obviously,
is the styling. The café culture is hot
right now and the W800 makes an
ideal platform, however, the mods are
actually quite minimal. Up front is the
bikini cowling which looks the part but
actually does very little in terms of
rider comfort, with the air stream over
the top aimed directly at chest level.
But that’s really only an issue at high
speeds, so not very often. Compared
to the old dual seat, the Café’s perch is
narrow and firm. Handlebars? I haven’t
seen a pair like this since the days of
Brylcreem and sideburns. And hair for
Kawasaki W800 Café
At a glance
ENGINE Parallel twin SOHC,
2 valves per cylinder,
bevel drive. Air cooled.
CAPACITY 773cc
BORE X STROKE 77 x 83mm
COMP. RATIO 8.4:1
FUELLING Direct fuel injection,
2 x 34mm throttle bodies.
POWER 35 kW (48hp) at
6,000 rpm
TORQUE 62.9 Nm at 4,800 rpm.
TRANSMISSION 5 speed, chain final drive.
CHASSIS Tubular steel double
cradle frame
SUSPENSION Front: 41mm front fork,
130mm travel.
Rear: Twin shocks with
5 way preload, 130mm
travel
TYRES Front: 100/90R18
Rear: 130/80 R18
BRAKES Front: Single 320mm disc
2 piston caliper ABS
Rear: Single 270mm disc,
2 piston caliper ABS
WEIGHT 223kg dry
SEAT HEIGHT 790mm
WHEELBASE 1465mm
FUEL CAPACITY 15 litres
WARRANTY 2 Year U/l km.
PRICE $13,999 + ORCABOVE Smooth, torquey engine.
LEFT Rear disc with ABS replaces the
old drum. TOP RIGHT Ace Bars, no less.
RIGHT Seat is narrow and firm.
at high revs, but there’s ample power
where it’s needed, especially around
town, and power delivery is silky
smooth and linear thanks to the EFI.
Instrumentation appears not to have
changed much, and compared to other
2019 models, is a welcome exercise in
simplicity; no engine maps or modes,
no switch settings, no fuel gauge, just
an LED odometer/trip meter/clock, a
pair of easily read dials, and a few
little lights. I like that. Naturally there
is a range of genuine accessories
available, including heated grips.
The overall finish of the W800 Café
is very impressive, the metallic bronze
paint deep and lustrous. Far from
disappearing, the W800 is back with a
bang, and Kawasaki Australia say they
are confident the Café model will be
joined in 2020 by the standard trim
Street model which is currently
exclusive to North America. That
simply means a dual seat, higher bars,
and no cowling. Watch this space.