Kawasaki Motors Australia has listed the neo-classic W800 Cafe online at almost $3000 more than the currently discounted W800 SE.
The Kawasaki website lists the 2018 W800 SE at about $12,400 ride away in Brisbane which is a discounted price to clear stock and the 2019 Cafe model is listed at $15,246. Prices may vary depending on your location.
So what makes the W800 Cafe so special and worth almost an extra $3000 over the discounted W800 SE?
W800 Cafe extras
W800 CafeMost obviously, it adds a bubble fairing, a hump-backed two-toned seat, restyled dual instrument pods, LED lighting, clip-on bars and much improved brakes.
For the first time it gets a disc brake on the rear while the front discs go from 300mm single semi floating disc with twin piston calliper to a 320mm disc now with ABS.
Despite speculation the W800 would be scrapped because of tougher Euro4 emissions laws, the engineers have managed to lean down the air-cooled 773cc engine without resorting to liquid cooling.
Kawasaki says the engine is 90% new, yet it retains the bevel-drive camshaft.
It should be a little more frugal and with an extra litre in the 15-litre tank, it should have slightly greater range.
The engine also has ever-so-slightly more grunt.
Power is the same at a moderate 35kW but at 6000rpm, down 500 revs, while torque is up marginally from 60N at 2500 revs to 62.9Nm at 4800 revs.
So you don’t lock up the rear wheel on aggressive downshifts, there is now an assistant function/slipper clutch.
Steering and handling should also be more stable with the 37mm telescopic forks replaced by thicker 41mm forks.
Somehow the ground clearance is lifted from 125mm to 130mm but the seat height remains at 790mm.
The extras add just 6kg more.
It will only be available in “Metallic Magnesium Grey with Galaxy Silver” with a two-year warranty.
Kawasaki W800 Cafe tech specs
