When Kawasaki first introduced the retro W230 in overseas markets, we got hopeful, really hopeful. And when Kawi confirmed it for the U.S. market but not Canada, we wondered if it was just a matter of time. Turns out, that’s exactly what happened. The W230 has been confirmed for our country, and it looks like a very fun little bike indeed.
The W230 engine is basically the same powerplant that we saw in Kawasaki’s KLX230. It’s an air-cooled single-cylinder with EFI; it’s got just enough power to haul you along the slow lane on the highway. Kawi doesn’t give us a horsepower rating, but says max torque is 14 lb-ft. It’s not a muscle bike. It is, however, an excellent motor for back roads and urban riding, and very easy for a new rider. Kawi’s PR says it is the “epitome of the beginner motorcycle: only 143 kg (315 lb), low seat height of 740 mm (29.1 in), predictable handling and power delivery, relaxed riding position.”
Although the W230 has chrome trim and old-school analog gauges, even with vintage-style W badging that emulates Kawi’s old-school four-strokes, it has ABS to go with that EFI. It’s not a dinosaur. And for a beginner bike, it does have a lot of nice little touches such as wire-spoked wheels and styling straight from the mid-20th century, without the hassles of owning a vintage bike. For the past couple of decades, it’s mainly been expensive retros with looks like this. Kawasaki is bringing it down to a very affordable $6,100 MSRP for 2025; see more details here.
