Kawasaki W230… 643,500 yen (released November 20, 2024)
W230
Meguro S1
The only difference between the derived model Meguro S1 is the color and graphics. As a result of changing the seat upholstery for each, the seat height of the W230 is 5mm higher than the Meguro S1, but Kawasaki believes that there is no significant difference in foot reach. The price difference between the two models is about 12%, with the Meguro S1 being priced 77,000 yen higher.
Metallic Ocean Blue x Ebony
Pearl Ivory x Ebony
The body colors are Metallic Ocean Blue x Ebony (left) and Pearl Ivory x Ebony (right). The official pronunciation of the name is “Daburyu Nihyakusanjuu.” The reason for naming it “W” instead of “Estrella” is that Kawasaki wants to cherish the tradition of “W” in line with its emphasis on “tradition and innovation.”
Lighter and more nimble than the previous Estrella
The Estrella was released in 1992 with the tagline, “A new yet nostalgic bike that warms the heart.” Although it wasn’t a huge sales hit, it was Kawasaki’s longest-selling model, and was sold in Southeast Asia under the name “W250” until the 2019 model.
The Estrella was released in 1992, inheriting the styling of the Kawasaki 250 Meguro SG. This image shows the final edition, which I test rode in March 2018. The 249cc air-cooled single-cylinder engine is equipped with a single-axis balancer and a five-speed transmission. Retaining the appeal that was praised in the previous W series, Kawasaki positions it as a “blood brother of the W.” After sales ceased in Japan, it was released in Southeast Asia in November 2017 under the name “W250.”
The W230 is positioned as the successor to the Estrella. Although the engine is based on the KLX230, so it’s a different car, the Estrella’s dimensions and engine feel were used as reference during the development stage, so it’s fair to say that its DNA has been carried over. Furthermore, compared to the Estrella’s 161kg, the W230 is approximately 12% lighter at 143kg. The fact that this weight was achieved despite the use of steel-rimmed wire-spoke wheels and steel fenders front and rear is largely due to the light weight of the base engine.
Let’s start with the handling. The previous Estrella, due in part to its weight, had a calm and stable feel for a 250cc class bike, and the ride was also comfortable. The 18-inch front wheel provided a gentle steering angle, making it a good choice for a bike that was left to its own devices.
On the other hand, the W230, while inheriting that image, gives the impression that the lightness of the body gives the rider more control. The front and rear suspensions are set softly, just like the Estrella, and the way the rear sinks down is particularly reminiscent of an old-school car. And yet, it doesn’t break down on mountain roads, and it’s clearly more brisk to drive than the Estrella. This lightness of handling is surely what the development team was aiming for.
The frame on the left is from the Estrella, and the one on the right is from the W230/Meguro S1. Although the seat rails are different, the cradle part has a very similar layout.
Whether it’s the 650-W1, the ancestor of the W brand, or the 250 Meguro SG, which inspired the styling, both were sports models that pursued high performance when they were released, and I personally feel that even though they were neo-classical, they lacked the elements to make them vigorous to ride. Therefore, I very much welcome the fact that the W230 has taken a slightly sportier route than the Estrella.
The cradle of the frame looks large compared to the compact engine because it was modeled after the size of the Estrella, but it also gives rise to the speculation that in the future it may be fitted with a larger displacement power unit. The rear suspension is a twin shock absorber with five adjustable preload levels.
The W230’s brakes are discs both front and rear, and I was particularly impressed with the controllability. The Estrella also had lever adjustment mechanisms for both the brakes and clutch, so to be honest, I wish the W230 had the same.
The key point is that the 6-speed transmission keeps the rotation speed low during cruising.
Next is the engine. The Estrella is equipped with a 249cc air-cooled single-cylinder engine with almost the same bore and stroke as the 250 Meguro SG, but with the 2014 model, its maximum output was reduced from 20ps to 18ps. On the other hand, the W230’s engine is a 232cc air-cooled single-cylinder engine based on the KLX230, which also produces a maximum output of 18ps.
The Estrella has a tenacity in the low and mid-range that evokes a heavy crank mass, and the accompanying pulsating feeling, or “plodding feeling,” is clear, giving it a rich flavor that naturally makes you want to use it frequently below 5000 rpm. In addition, when the 2007 model was changed from a vacuum carburetor to fuel injection, this flavor was considerably diluted, but the 2014 model change changed the settings to emphasize the low and mid-range, bringing back the pulsating feeling that is characteristic of a single-cylinder engine from the vacuum carburetor era.
Compared to the Estrella, the W230’s engine tends to run a little smoother, but it still manages to create an idyllic feeling at low and mid-range speeds, making it hard to believe it’s based on the dual-purpose KLX230. And what’s even more impressive than the Estrella is how well it revs up at high speeds. When trying to get ahead of traffic or drive energetically on mountain roads, pushing the engine into the redline, the Estrella’s gentle rev increase makes it hard to feel like doing so, whereas the W230 makes you feel like using it aggressively. In other words, the greatest advantage of using the KLX230’s engine as its base is its ability to combine a pulsating feeling at low and mid-range speeds with performance at high speeds. Additionally, it produces a high-quality sound while complying with the latest noise regulations.
The engine is basically the same as the Meguro S1, but the fins on the W230’s cylinder head are not machined.
When cruising at 100km/h, the Estrella’s top gear revs at about 6,500 rpm in fifth gear, while the W230’s is about 5,500 rpm in sixth gear, meaning the latter is about 1,000 rpm lower. While the Estrella is capable of cruising at high speeds of 100km/h, you’ll naturally want to slow it down to around 5,000 rpm, or about 80km/h, to enjoy the pulsating feel of a single-cylinder engine. In contrast, the W230 gives the impression of having some power to spare even at 100km/h, and although we weren’t able to test it this time, the meter reading suggests it should be possible to reach 120km/h.
I’ve test-ridden the Estrella many times, from the earliest model released in 1992 to the final edition, and five years ago I also tested the W175, which wasn’t released in Japan. The W230 is the successor to the Estrella, and in overseas markets it is also a mid-range model for the W brand, filling the gap between the W800 and W175, and it’s safe to say it fulfills that role well. The metallic finish of the blue test bike shone brightly in the sunlight, and I felt it had a very high quality feel for a 250cc class bike. The appeal of the W230 is its easy-going riding style, making it an excellent bike that can be recommended to a wide range of riders, from young entry-level riders to returning riders.
Riding position and foot reach (175cm/68kg)
The advantage of the W230 is that the entire body is low, making you want to straddle it right away. The riding position is quite compact, and with my build, bending my knees feels cramped. On the other hand, the handlebars are impressive in terms of height, width, and angle, and the turning angle is ample at 40 degrees on each side, the same as the Estrella.
The seat height is 745mm. It seems that high-quality urethane is used to achieve both foot reach and ride comfort, and even though I was sitting down, my buttocks didn’t hurt. Therefore, if I could put up with the cramped knees, it seemed like I could handle long tours.
