[FourWheelDrift]

Originally Posted by pedrolourenco

That's really sad. I wish other manufacturers launch something to compete with the RE Interceptor and Triumph Bonnieville. Perfect time for Yamaha to resurrect the iconic RD350 in 4 stroke format with classic styling and a 750-1000 cc twin cylinder engine.

Or maybe something like this https://global.yamaha-motor.com/show....php?id=227319

...

1980 Yamaha XS650 sold in Europe.

Cheers,

FourWheelDrift

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Kawasaki W800 back in a refreshed avatar at EICMA 2018, tagged as a Retro Classic as against the Retro Sport Z900RS.

W800 Cafe is priced at 9,799$. as against 11,699$ for Z900RS cafe.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Coming to India?

This teaser is up on India Kawasaki homepage, where 'The Original Icon' is a direct tagline of the new W800 CAFE.

The background image and the tagline is as clearly shown in the product video below -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMoT9NMQFQ0

[//M]

ACI mentions an expected launch price of INR 6.5-7 Lakhs.

Source : ACI

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Teaser is up on their Instagram page also today -

Detailed product video released (by Kawasaki Global) today -

https://youtu.be/zbv40jXDYRo

[dinu2506]

Seems to be having the essentials - Slipper clutch, ABS, LED etc. 47 BHP in line with the RE Twins. Pricing will be key. More trouble for the Triumph Retros

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by //M

ACI mentions an expected launch price of INR 6.5-7 Lakhs.

I doubt that will happen. This bike is priced midway between the Z900 and Ninja 1000 in the USA.

I'm guessing a more realistic 8.5 to 9L ex-showroom. And yes, at that price - it won't be selling much like the RE twins, except giving competition to the Triumph lineup.

[schitre05]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

I doubt that will happen. This bike is priced midway between the Z900 and Ninja 1000 in the USA.

I'm guessing a more realistic 8.5 to 9L ex-showroom. And yes, at that price - it won't be selling much like the RE twins, except giving competition to the Triumph lineup.

kawasaki will have to play the price card well to see any significant numbers on these bikes. In comparison Triumph modern classics are quite advanced in the way they are setup, power as well as tech wise.

The RE Twins will make any manufacturer scratch their head regarding pricing before they launch any new product.

[timuseravan]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

I'm guessing a more realistic 8.5 to 9L ex-showroom. And yes, at that price - it won't be selling much like the RE twins, except giving competition to the Triumph lineup.

With 9 lakh exShowroom it will be DoA. For a bit more money, you can easily get far superior T120.

[ACM]

Originally Posted by dinu2506

Seems to be having the essentials - Slipper clutch, ABS, LED etc. 47 BHP in line with the RE Twins. Pricing will be key. More trouble for the Triumph Retros

Originally Posted by //M

ACI mentions an expected launch price of INR 6.5-7 Lakhs.

Source : ACI

Originally Posted by schitre05

kawasaki will have to play the price card well to see any significant numbers on these bikes. In comparison Triumph modern classics are quite advanced
The RE Twins will make any manufacturer scratch their head regarding pricing before they launch any new product.

Originally Posted by timuseravan

With 9 lakh exShowroom it will be DoA. For a bit more money, you can easily get far superior T120.

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

I'm guessing a more realistic 8.5 to 9L ex-showroom. And yes, at that price - it won't be selling much like the RE twins, except giving competition to the Triumph lineup.

CD, exactly what I mentioned in the Superbike numbers thread.

Anybike in the 650 -900 cc range will have to consider the RE twins pricing.

The better way out for imports is to go beyond 1000cc like the T120 etc. and atleast provide 1000cc plus bragging rights. Yep refinement, dual discs, cruise control, TC, heated grips, led lights, better instrumentation and brand matter but only gain x value points, come too close to 650cc most will be DOA.

Just my gut feel. Time will tell.

The W800 is a lovely bike, but for the price, and the feature set too is bang on. Plus will be more refined and reliable and cost effective to maintain vs the Triumphs, but, but the initial cost of purchase??

They need to try for 6.5L ex showroom just to take on the HD street range for numbers in some ways. Without numbers there is no point in launching mid segment modern classics today.

[dinu2506]

Originally Posted by ACM

The W800 is a lovely bike, but for the price, and the feature set too is bang on. Plus will be more refined and reliable and cost effective to maintain vs the Triumphs, but, but the initial cost of purchase??

Surprised at your observation about the Triumph on reliability and refinement. The Retros from Triumph I feel are extremely refined and reliable. Never had a single niggle in my Bonnie in the 3 years I have had her, except for the positive battery terminal coming loose once.

[ACM]

Originally Posted by dinu2506

Surprised at your observation about the Triumph on reliability and refinement. The Retros from Triumph I feel are extremely refined and reliable. Never had a single niggle in my Bonnie in the 3 years I have had her, except for the positive battery terminal coming loose once.

Hey to clarify.

The triumphs are indeed very very reliable and refined compared to past REs and very reliable and refined compared to HDs

But those who went on to Kawasaki or Honda post triumph have always (in general) stated a higher level of reliability and refinement compared to triumphs. They even felt the Kawasaki were more stable at higher speeds, but that may be due to inherent difference in modern classics vs say ADVs.

I could share links post a Google search of TBHP and other forums, but that will get us nowhere so avoiding. Let's just consider it my perception.
Cheers.

[dinu2506]

Originally Posted by ACM

Hey to clarify.

The triumphs are indeed very very reliable and refined compared to past REs and very reliable and refined compared to HDs

But those who went on to Kawasaki or Honda post triumph have always (in general) stated a higher level of reliability and refinement compared to triumphs. They even felt the Kawasaki were more stable at higher speeds, but that may be due to inherent difference in modern classics vs say ADVs.

I could share links post a Google search of TBHP and other forums, but that will get us nowhere so avoiding. Let's just consider it my perception.
Cheers.

Hey, no worries, never took offence. Just that my experience with Triumphs especially wrt reliability was just flawless. I frankly expected some niggles from English Engineering but was pleasantly surprised with the bulletproof reliability. With service once a year, I've found the service costs also to be reasonable. Refinement, of course, the Japs are at a different level but I also feel the over-refinement (if I may call it that) sort of took the soul away from motorcycling.
And, I'm a pretty sedate rider, in the tickling 50s, so the high revs and footpeg scrapes do little to excite me. Need a bike that soothes the soul, the Bonnie fits the bill perfectly, but I guess the W800 has the potential for that. Seems to have all the right stuff. Pricing should undercut the Street Twin, else it will tough sailing.

[timuseravan]

Another rumor about launch in 2019 from Motoroids

The Kawasaki W800 Is Coming Our Way to Deliver Some Nostalgia

Confirmed by a source working very close to this Japanese brand, Kawasaki has begun the testing and certification process of this retro styled bike and looks forward to launching the motorcycle very soon. The bike would be Kawasaki’s answer to the likes of the Triumph Boneville and Harley’s range.

In post-RE Twin world, pricing will be key. If Kawa is serious about moving numbers, they should stick bellow 7 lakh ex-showroom. Anything more and they might as well not bother.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by timuseravan

Another rumor about launch in 2019 from Motoroids

Defenitely not a rumour anymore - weekly nostalgic notes about the W800 are being posted on their website as well as their social media channels - ever since I posted the first one in December above.

Considering the unusual marketing hype this time (whereas they usually just launch all of sudden at great prices), I doubt if the pricing will be competitive, specially in the post Int650 world as you mentioned.