Kawasaki W800 Final Edition: an era is over

Kawasaki W800 Final Edition – Fifty years after its launch, Kawasaki announces the end of the iconic W series, characterized by air-cooled twin-cylinder four-stroke engines.

Kawasaki fans and enthusiasts across Europe, who manage to secure one of the limited series models scheduled for 2017, will therefore have the last chance to own and ride the contemporary heir to the famous W series, which saw the light in the factory Kawasaki in Akashi in the mid-60s. Aptly dubbed “Final Edition”, the latest model to represent the lineage, will be available in the Candy Brown and Candy Sunset Orange color combination. The clean and simple lines of the 773 cm3 twin-cylinder four-stroke, air-cooled engine are completed with the bevel gear distribution, combining an engineering approach considered a company heritage with a pleasant aesthetic appearance. Attention to detail abounds and offers a perception of high quality, as well as a nostalgic beauty that is best expressed through the distinctive fuel tank, very similar to that of the original W series, thus highlighting the longevity of the Kawasaki W800 Final Edition's heritage.

The family tree of the Kawasaki W800 Final Edition can be traced back to 1966, when Kawasaki introduced its forebear: the W1. Equipped with a robust and reliable 650cc engine and 50 HP, the W1 was the first large, high-performance four-stroke engine, flying the Kawasaki flag, and proved to be a true production milestone – particularly in the American market, where it helped set the brand's foundations in a huge and hungry motorcycle market. Echoing the lines and engineering essence of the original W1, Kawasaki introduced the W1998 in 650, a model enthusiastically welcomed by a new legion of fans young and old, proving that true style never truly goes out of fashion. Thanks to strong interest from the public, always attentive to the charm of retro style, the Japanese manufacturer then presented the W2011 in 800, further expanding the lineage of the W series. All generations of this series possess authentic quality and classic beauty. Kawasaki has concentrated on creating a blend of high technology, combined with an attractive package of lines, throughout the modern W series. Now, unfortunately, the time has come to say goodbye to the production of these models, due to future regulations European countries regarding polluting emissions.