Recently, the modern-classic range of motorcycles has seen a call on to and various manufacturers such as Benelli, Honda and Jawa have introduced their retro-themed bikes to compete with the Royal Enfield range of modern-classics that nearly monopolize the segment. Now, another Japanese motorcycle manufacturer is planning to bring an entry-level motorcycle in the Indian market. Yes, Team Green is planning to bring the Kawasaki W175 in the Indian market.
In the recent past, it was rumoured that Kawasaki is planning to bring the W175 retro-classic motorcycle to establish itself in the entry-level motorcycle segment. But now the Kawasaki W175 has been spotted testing in India leading us to believe that the manufacturer could be evaluating the motorcycle for its launch in India.
Sources also suggest that the test mule was spotted in Pune which is home for the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) which tests, certifies and homologates all the motor vehicles and automotive components in India, leading us to believe that the W175 could even be in the final stages of validation.
According to sources, the test mule of the W175 was shod in CEAT brand tyres and features fuel injection as well as a single-channel ABS. The international version of the motorcycle features a carburettor and ABS as an option. But the latest rules in India mandate, fuel injection for BS6 compliance and ABS for safety. This is also an indication that the motorcycle is meant for the Indian market and is not a testbed.
The Kawasaki W175 is based on the same heritage styling of 1966 W1 and features retro-classic styling such as a halogen headlamp, retro-style fuel tank, with knee pads and pinstripes, a classic analogue style speedometer with the “W” emblem on the speedometer face, a straight bench seat, blacked-out engine with machine-finished cylinder head cooling fins and a peashooter exhaust finished in black.
Internationally, the Kawasaki W175 is powered by a 177cc single-cylinder, an air-cooled four-stroke counter-balanced engine with carburetted fuel delivery that makes 13.05 hp of power and 13.2 Nm of torque matched to a 5-speed manual gearbox. The India-spec W175 will come with fuel-injection technology and ABS as standard.
The Kawasaki W175 will be the second “W” motorcycle in the brand India portfolio, after the W800 which comes with similar design attributes and features a Bevel Gear Cam Drive on the engine. The Kawasaki W175 is expected to be launched around the INR 1.50 lakh mark in the Indian market. It will compete with the likes of the Royal Enfield Classic, Honda H’ness CB350, Jawa Classic & Forty-Two and the Benelli Imperiale. The Kawasaki W175 is expected to arrive in India early next year.
