Today's motorcycle market is very different from what it was a decade or so ago. If size and performance were where it was at, these days, folks seem to prefer machines that are simpler, more modest, and more sensible. Bikes in the sub-400cc segment have seen quite a lot of popularity, both among beginners and seasoned riders alike, and that's definitely a good thing.
But if you take a beginner-friendly, entry-level platform, and throw in stuff like a super simple engine and classic styling, well, you have yourself an instant modern classic. This is especially true if you just so happen to be one of the biggest Japanese motorcycle manufacturers on the face of the Earth.
I am, of course, talking about Kawasaki, and its entry-level offering in the retro segment, the W230—a bike that's finally made its way to the US market. Now, the W230 is really as simple as it gets—it's a bike that's more about style and heritage than it is about performance and technology, and it follows a recipe that's as barebones as it gets.
Resting within its steel cradle frame is an engine that looks like it traveled through time. And that's because it kinda did. It's a 233cc air-cooled thumper with nothing more than electronic fuel injection to bring it up to speed to the modern era. It rolls on spoked wheels and the most basic suspension setup imaginable, but gets ABS as standard to keep beginner riders' best interest at heart. Over on the cockpit, you're treated to a period-correct dual-gauge analog cluster—no fancy TFT displays and no smartphone connectivity.
The Kawasaki W230 is clearly a breath of fresh air in the small-displacement segment, a segment that's becoming more and more dominated by fancy techie features that were once found on performance-focused premium machines.
So, does the W230 have what it takes to make it big in the US market? And more importantly, who is the W230 for? Well, personally, I think that this bike has the potential to attract a much wider range of riders. Priced at $5,599, it certainly commands a premium, being pricier than Kawasaki's entry-level Z400 by a couple hundred bucks. It's a bike that's designed for someone who knows exactly what they want—a simple, laid-back machine with all the perks of a truly classic machine, all without the headaches that accompany the upkeep of a bike from the 60s.
It's a simple yet effective formula, really, and one that classic bike enthusiasts who want to really rack up the miles have come to appreciate over the years. And it's awesome that the W230's finally made its way stateside. What do you think? Would you rock the W230 as your classy daily rider?
