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– 2012 Kawasaki W800
2012 Kawasaki W800 Review
Back to the future, the new W800 delivers a classic blend of retro style with up the minute technology. Drawing fans of all ages, the quality and W heritage of the air-cooled parallel twin shine through.
Classic Beauty + Vintage Ride Feel + Historic Roots
The W800 is the result of a thorough pursuit of the beauty and ride feel posessed by vintage notorcycles.
It offers a rare beauty care of components meticulously crafted down to the smallest detail, as well as a feeling of authentic quality that can only come from using metal parts. The throb of the air-cooled Vertical Twin engine and the distinct handling character that comes with large-diameter wheels recalls the ride feel of machines from an older generation, gone but not forgotten.
The W800, in both looks and feel, pays homage to Kawasaki’s legendary W1, the model that started a brand that spans 45 years.
Classic Beauty
Beautiful Appearance Care of Meticulously Sculpted Forms-Visual impact from air-cooled Vertical Twin engine with iconic bevel-gear- driven-cam- Classic image from well-balanced chassis with large-diameter wheels- Meticulous attention to detail- Simple yet elegant muffler design
Metal Parts
Add Radiance and Authentic Quality- Metal parts used in favour of plastic throughout- Deep chrome and buffed engine covers add to high-quality finish- Even small parts are formed of blacked-out aluminium- Corrosion-resistant parts ensure lasting beauty.
Vintage Ride Feel
Vertical Twin Engine Rich in Character- Loads of feel-good pulse from an engine displacing 773 cm3 – Unique pulse care of a 360° crankshaft- Maximum torque at 2,500 rpm- Strong low-mid range torque enhances unhurried pleasure of a Vintage Ride- Heavy flywheel contributes to the strong torque feeling in the low-mid range- Now with fuel injection.
2012 Kawasaki W800 Features and Benefits
Vertical Twin Rich in Character
The W800 produces loads of feel-good pulse from the Vertical Twin engine displacing 773cm3. The strong low-mid range torgue enhances the unhurried pleasure of the vintage ride.
Electronic Fuel Injection
The W800 features a fuel injection system that does not take away from the vintage look of the motorcycle.
Historic Roots
The W800 is the latest model in a brand that spans 45 years with Kawasaki’s original W1 debuting in 1966. It was the largest displacement Japanese model of its time.
Metal…Not Plastic!
Metal parts are used in favour of plastic throughout the W800. Corrosion-resistant parts have also been used to ensure lasting beauty.
Large Diameter Wheels
The 19″ front and 18″ rear wheels add to the classic appearance of the W800. The 19″ front provides that classic handling feel with a fine balance of relaxed, light turning and straight line stability.
Seat
Long, comfortable seat with thick, ribbed padding has plenty of room for rider and passenger. Urethane at the front of the seat is shaped to facilitate the reach to the ground. Piping around the edge of the seat follows the line between the rider and passenger’s legs to ensure it does not cut into the rider’s thighs when at a halt.
Details
As much as possible, plastic was eschewed in favour of metal. The result is a feeling of authentic quality that can only be obtained from the solid feel of metal parts.
“W” styling
Voluptuous fuel tank finished in high-quality paint contributes to the W800’s aura of functional elegance.
Newly designed tank emblems, finished in chrome, contribute to the high quality appearance.
Adjustable levers
5-way adjustable clutch lever and 4-way adjustable brake lever enable riders to fine-tune lever span.
Front brake
Single 300 mm front disc brake offers sure stopping power.
Large headlamp
Large headlamp is offset wonderfully by the speedometer and tachometer and simple console.
Elegant muffler design
Simple, elegant muffler design comprises smooth curves and long, straight lines.
Peashooter-style silencers with slim chambers and long tailpipes add a vintage touch.
Instrumentation
Traditional instrumentation includes individual speedometer and tachometer with classic display. A multi-function LCD screen incorporates an odometer, tripmeter, and clock. A full range of indicator lamps includes an FI warning lamp, dual turn signal indicators, low fuel level indicator, high beam indicator, neutral indicator, and oil pressure warning lamp.
Classic-styled Engine
“Building a beautiful engine” was a key concept when designing the air-cooled Vertical Twin. The classic-styled engine is lightweight, simple and a joy to behold. Iconic bevel-gear-driven cam adds beauty to the cylinder head while contributing to the engine’s classical appearance.
Rear shock absorbers
Dual rear shock absorbers, adjustable for spring preload, offer a smooth ride and clean look.
Traditionally styled front fork
Traditionally styled front fork uses rubber gaitors to protect the fork tubes and ensure long fork seal life. Outer tubes have a buffed finish, which contributes to the light looking front end.
2012 Kawasaki W800 – USA Specifications/Technical Details
US MSRP Price: $NA
Model not available in the USA
2012 Kawasaki W800 – Canadian Specifications/Technical Details
Canada MSRP Price: See Canadian Kawasaki Dealer for pricing.
Model not available in Canada
The specifications mentioned here apply to and have been achieved by production models under standard operating conditions. We intend only to give a fair description of the vehicle and its performance capabilities but these specifications may not apply to every machine supplied for sale. Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. reserves the right to alter specifications without prior notice. Equipment illustrated and specifications may vary to meet individual markets. Available colours may vary by market.
2012 Kawasaki W800 – UK/European Specifications/Technical Details
UK/EU MSRP Price: See UK/EU Kawasaki Dealer for pricing.
Engine
Fuel system
Fuel injection:?34 mm x 2 with sub-throttles
Ignition
Digital
Starting
Electric
Lubrication
Forced lubrication, wet sump
Engine type
Air-cooled, 4-stroke Vertical Twin
Displacement
773 cm³
Bore x stroke
77.0 x 83.0 mm
Compression ratio
8.4:1
Valve/Induction system
SOHC, 8 valves
Transmission
Clutch
Wet multi-disc, manual
Primary reduction ratio
2.095 (88/42)
Gear ratios: 1st
2.353 (40/17)
Gear ratios: 2nd
1.590 (35/22)
Gear ratios: 3rd
1.240 (31/25)
Gear ratios: 4th
1.000 (28/28)
Gear ratios: 5th
0.851 (23/27)
Final reduction ratio
2.467 (37/15)
Transmission
5-speed, return
Final Drive
Chain
Frame
Frame type
Double-cradle, high-tensile steel
Rake/Trail
27° / 108 mm
Wheel travel, front
130 mm
Wheel travel, rear
105 mm
Tyre, front
100/90-19M/C 57H
Tyre, rear
130/80-18M/C 66H
Steering angle, left / right
37° / 37°
Suspension
Suspension, front
39 mm telescopic fork
Suspension, rear
Twin shocks
Type: Twin shocks
Spring preload: 5-way
Brakes
Brakes, front
Type: Single 300 mm disc
Caliper: Twin-piston
Brakes, rear
Type: Drum, 160 mm
Dimensions
Dimensions (L x W x H)
2,180 x 790 x 1,075 mm
Ground Clearance
125 mm
Wheelbase
1,465 mm
Seat height
790 mm
Fuel capacity
14 litres
Curb Mass
216 kg
2012 Kawasaki W800 – Australian Specifications/Technical Details
Australia MSRP Price: See Australian Kawasaki Dealer for pricing.
ENGINE
Type Air-cooled, 4-stroke Vertical Twin
Displacement 773 cm³
Bore and Stroke 77 x 83.0 mm
Compression ratio 8.4:1
Valve system SOHC, 8 valves
Fuel system Fuel injection: Ø 34 mm x 2 with sub-throttles
Ignition Digital
Starting Electric
Lubrication Forced lubrication, semi-dry sump
DRIVETRAIN
Transmission 5-speed, return
Final drive Chain
Primary reduction ratio 2.095 (88/42)
Gear ratios: 1st 2.353 (40/17)
2nd 1.590 (35/22)
3rd 1.240 (31/25)
4th 1.000 (28/28)
5th 0.851 (23/27)
Final reduction ratio 2.467 (37/15)
Clutch Wet multi-disc, manual
FRAME
Type Double-cradle, high-tensile steel
Wheel travel: front 130 mm
rear 105 mm
Tyre: front 100/90-19M/C (57H)
rear 130/80-18M/C (66H)
Caster (rake) 27°
Trail 108 mm
Steering angle (left/right) 37° / 37°
SUSPENSION
Front: Type 39 mm telescopic fork
Rear: Type Twin shocks with 5-way adjustable preload (Adjustable ride height)
BRAKES
Front: Type Single 300 mm disc
Caliper Dual piston
Rear: Type Drum, 160mm
DIMENSIONS
Overall length 2,180 mm
Overall width 790 mm
Overall height 1,075 mm
Wheelbase 1,465 mm
Ground clearance 125 mm
Seat height 790 mm
Curb mass 216 kg Includes full fuel tank
Fuel capacity 14 litres
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