Kawasaki Motors Australia has confirmed the new W800 Café and Z400 (above) will be added to their 2019 line-up along with updated models such as the new Versys 1000 SE.
Spokesman Murray Sayle says they don’t have pricing or full specifications yet for the retro W800 Café yet as production is not until mid-2019.
“Our company policy is we don’t release the retail pricing until the new model is released as it may change due to circumstance outside our control in the days before release,” he says.
“Kawasaki new models for 2019 will start arriving in late 2018 and the first quarter of next year with the W800 Café being late second quarter.
“Production schedules are subject to change. We only know arrivals after a product has been produced and is showing on boat on our systems. Other factors include stock control of how we manage 2018 stock with 2019 stock arriving.”
Kawasaki is currently running a “$1500 bonus” campaign on all 2018 Ninja ZX-10R models.
W800
W800 CafeThe W800 continues as an SE model and the company adds the W800 cafe with a bubble fairing, a hump-backed seat and clip-on bars next year.
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.
And for the first time it gets a disc brake on the rear and modern LED lighting, yet it manages to retain its beautiful heritage looks.
It will be available in a range of colours.
Z400
The Z400 replaces the Z300 ($5999) just as the Ninja 400 replaced the Ninja 300.
Its 399cc parallel-twin engine has 35kW of power compared with 29.4kW in the Z300 while torque remains the same at 38Nm.
Despite the capacity and power bump, it actually weighs 1kg less at 167kg.
The Z400 features an assist-and-slipper clutch, bigger 41mm forks, a 310mm front brake disc and a 767mm seat which is 25mm lower than the Z300.
It has the same analog tachometer/LCD display as the Ninja 650 with a gear indicator.
Versys 1000
Versys 1000 and Versys 1000 SEFor 2019, the Versys 1000 gets Ninja-inspired headlights and integrated daytime running lights and indicators.
The Z1000-powered bike comes with up/down quickshifter and Bluetooth integration.
In top-spec SE form, it comes with semi-active suspension as in the Ninja ZX-10R, coloured TFT instruments, cornering lights, heated grips and self-healing paint from the H2.
In Australia, the SE does not come with the panniers and other accessories offered overseas.