Kawasaki has expanded its Modern Classic line-up at the bottom with an air-cooled two-and-a-half single-cylinder, which is available in two versions: the W230 and Meguro S1. While the roots of the W go back to the W1 650 from 1966, Meguro has an even longer history as one of Japan’s most prestigious brand names, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.
What Mutt Motorcycles can do, we can do too, is undoubtedly what Kawasaki thought when the idea came up to develop a new line of light retro-classic models. Light, straightforward, no-nonsense models with simple technology, which are therefore extremely reliable. A suitable name to underline the heritage and success is guaranteed.
The beating heart of both models is an air-cooled 233cc single-cylinder, which Kawasaki describes as robust and full of character. The engine was designed with a focus on torque, which should have resulted in a flat torque curve. Although of course you have to keep that in perspective.
Kawasaki claims a top power of 18 hp at 7,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 18.6 Nm at 5,800 rpm and those are not exactly very impressive figures. On the other hand, this is not much different from the air-cooled 250cc single-cylinder Mutt Motorcycles models, which we know can still be used for a nice ride indoors. And that will be no different with these two new Kawasakis.
Not least because of its very low curb weight of 143 kilos with a full 12 liter petrol tank. Kawasaki claims that this makes them among the lightest in their category and that may well be the case. And about the engine, according to Kawasaki, building a beautiful engine has been a key concept in the design, which has been achieved by adding some styling accents.
Then the bicycle part. The air-cooled single-cylinder is mounted in a steel double wheel frame, with a 37 mm telescope at the front and double rear shocks with 5-position spring preload adjustment at the rear. The wheelbase is nice and short at 1,415 mm, while the head angle of 27° and the trail of 99 mm are completely in line with the concept of the bicycle. There is probably no shortage of comfort, given the suspension travel of 117 mm at the front and 95 mm at the rear.
The W230 and Meguro S1 are distinguished by slightly different styling and a slightly different seat height. On the W230 it is 745 mm, while the seat height of the Meguro S1 is only 740 mm. What makes that difference, I have no idea, but we suspect that the saddle of the Meguro S1 is slightly flatter. Although that difference is of course very small, we wonder if anyone will notice this.
According to Kawasaki, the design of the W230 is derived from the original W, while that of the Meguro S1 comes directly from the Kawasaki 250 Meguro SG from 1964. For example, the Meguro has a chromed fuel tank with painted panels and a Meguro badge. Even the appearance of the instrumentation and the finish of the saddle have changed compared to the W230.
The new W230 is available in Metallic Ocean Blue/Ebony and the Meguro S1 in Ebony with chrome accents. Price and delivery time will be announced soon.
– Thanks for information from Motorfreaks.