Motorcycle specifications KawasakiW 800 Final Edition 2016 The end of a constellation

It's the end of a story, the farewell of an icon. Kawasaki's symbol of vintage is bowing out. For the W800, Euro4 standards have sounded the death knell. After a long career that began in 1966 with the first W1, this roadster with its old-English profile could have taken offence at being pushed towards the exit and slipped away. Not so. The Kawasaki W800 will go out in style at the end of 2016 in this "Final Edition" livery.

With its retro look, chromed metal mudguards, bevel gear distribution on a not-very-powerful but endearing twin, spoked rims, and laid-back full look, the W 800 takes history with it and distinguishes itself from previous editions with this "Candy Brown and Candy Sunset Orange" color scheme. A little short for a true tribute; a small selection of special parts would have been welcome. A pair of tapered exhausts to flatter the 773 cm3 twin or a saddle embroidered with a "Final Edition" logo would have delicately sublimated the Adieu.

Above all, people will remember a long line of charming machines. The W 650 gave the W1 a renaissance back in 1999. For a time eclipsed, the apogee arrived with the W 800 in 2011, just as the retro wave began to invade our microcosm. The discovery of this machine had, in fact, garnered a fine array of effects. It was rounded off in fine style with atest of its Café Style version.
Goodbye, Miss W 800. Like so many others, Euro4 has condemned you. But let's trust that the Akashi-based manufacturer will one day offer you an offspring, just as Triumph did with its Bonneville T120 or Honda with its CB 1100 EX.

M.B - Manufacturer's photos