The Kawasaki W230 Would Be The Perfect Japanese Alternative To The Royal Enfield Bullet 350

Quick Highlights

• The W230 has the same engine as the KLX 230

• It has a proper old-school retro styling as we have seen with Kawasaki’s W range of bikes

• Its Japan launch will happen some time between September & November 2024

The Kawasaki W230 is a retro-styled bike that made its debut last year at the Japan Mobility Show. It vehemently sticks to the retro-styling ethos with everything it's equipped with. While its India launch is unlikely, it will be a fresh alternative to the Royal Enfield Bullet 350 and the TVS Ronin. 

If Kawasaki plans to launch it in India, they will have to localise it to be able to price it competitively. It could also be a good replacement for the W175 which hasn’t sold as well as Kawasaki India would have hoped. The W230 is slated to be launched in Japan between September and November 2024. Even if Kawasaki India plans to bring it down to India, it could only happen some time in 2025. 

While Kawasaki hasn’t yet disclosed any specifications, the retro bike is expected with the same 223cc air-cooled single-cylinder engine as we have seen on the KLX 230. In the dirt bike, the engine makes 20PS and 20.6Nm, and is mated to a six-speed gearbox. Kawasaki might tune the engine differently to suit the retro-appeal of the bike, but that shouldn’t drastically change the output figures. 

The Kawasaki W230 looks properly retro, just like the other bikes in the W range. It’s quintessential retro styling elements include a circular LED headlight, indicators with orange covers, circular mirrors, a raised, upright handlebar, a teardrop fuel tank, a long single-piece seat with a loop for the pillion to grab on, and like a cherry on top, a fully chromed-out exhaust setup with a pea-shooter exhaust. 

The W230 is equipped with a telescopic fork with gaiters & twin shocks, wire-spoke wheels - 18-inch and 17-inch rear, with disc brakes. There’s a twin-pod analogue instrument cluster with a digital inset in the speedometer which should presumably have an odometer, and trip meters. The right-side cluster indications include low fuel, low battery, engine malfunction, and ABS.

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