Kawasaki to unveil updated W175 retro cruiser on December 8

The W175 will continue to be powered by the 177cc single-cylinder air-cooled engine that produces 12.9 hp of maximum power and 13.2 Nm of peak torque.

This weekend is set to be an exciting one for the Indian biking community with a number of new motorcycles set to launch at the Indian Bike Week. Kawasaki has now teased ‘The Original Icon’ set for a reveal on December 8.

There was a previous teaser that showcased just the front wheel. Although some suggest that could be the Eliminator 450, it could also be Kawasaki’s most affordable bike in India -- the W175.

Now, of course, the W175 has been competing against Royal Enfield here for a while, but the bike is set to get some updates. These updates are restricted to cosmetics and we should see a new, brighter paint scheme along with some fatter tyres shod on new alloy rims. Everything else is expected to remain the same, so we should see the same old round halogen headlamp, teardrop-shaped tank, long single-piece seat, and some truly retro tail lamps.

The W175 will continue to be powered by the 177cc single-cylinder air-cooled engine that produces 12.9 hp of maximum power and 13.2 Nm of peak torque. The transmission comes from a 5-speed gearbox. Another notable update will be the inclusion of tubeless tyres. Cycle parts include a conventional telescopic front fork and dual rear shock absorbers. Braking comes from a 270 mm disc at the front and a drum at the rear complete with single-channel ABS.

As far as pricing goes, we don’t expect to see much of a hike from the current Rs 1.47-Rs 1.49 lakh price tag considering sales haven’t taken off very well. Aside from the Royal Enfield Classic 350, the Kawasaki W175 also goes up against other similar retro-styled bikes like the Yezdi, Benelli Imperiale 400, and the Honda CB350.