Kawasaki W800, Versys 1000 prices revised – New price list

These price revisions which are effective immediately. It covers the road-legal Versys 1000 adventure tourer and W800 retro-classic roadster in addition to track specific KX and KLX series. The liter-class Kawasaki Versys 1000 is now priced at INR 10.99 lakh while the W800 would set you back by INR 6.88 lakh. Prices of the KX family range between INR 4.88 lakh to INR 7.79 lakh while those of KLX range between INR 2.99 lakh to INR 8.49 lakh. All prices are ex-showroom.

With alloy wheels, long-travel suspension and comfortable seats, the Versys 1000 is equipped for effortless highway munching. The tourer’s in-line four-cylinder 1,043 cc engine is mated to a 6-speed gearbox, and is good enough for 120 hp and 102 Nm torque. The Versys 1000 benefits from an array of electronic systems cornering management, traction system and riding modes.

The affordable W800 which has the Triumph Bonneville family in its cross-hairs is equipped with a air-cooled 773 cc twin-cylinder motor which has modest 52 hp and 63 Nm of torque. Transmission is a 5-speed unit. Salient features include circular LED headlamp and slipper clutch.

The middle-weight Kawasaki Ninja 650 which is priced at INR 6.24 lakh (ex-showroom) is very important in terms of sales volumes, and so will be soon-to-be-launched Z650 street fighter. Pre-bookings for the 650 twins are already open at select dealerships across the country.

Visually, the Z650 looks pretty similar the Ninja but eschews the full fairing in favour of naked LED headlamp cluster. Both motorcycles employ the same 649 cc parallel-twin, liquid-cooled engine which is tuned to develop 68 hp and 64 Nm of torque. The motor is paired to a 6-speed gearbox.

Other mechanical components are also common. Underpinning the duo is a steel trellis chassis which is suspended by 41 mm front telescopic fork and rear monoshock. Braking system is constituted by twin front 300 semi-floating discs with two-piston calipers and a 220 mm rear disc with single-piston caliper. The 17 alloy wheels come shod with 120/70 front and 160/60 rear radial tyres.

The fully faired Kawasaki Ninja 650 tips the scales at 196 kg while its naked sibling weighs 187 kg. The 650 twins lock horns with the likes of Benelli TNT 600i, Honda CBR 650 R.

The middle-weight sportsbike market in India has been growing at a decent rate, and with two well-priced offerings, Kawasaki is positioned comfortably in this space. However, like in any other segment, growth is going to be very hard to come by this year.