Just the right size for city riding. Kawasaki W Series introduces 232cc model | W230

Kawasaki W230…643,500 yen (including 10% consumption tax)

Body color: BJ230A

The W brand, which began with the 650-W1 in 1965, will celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2025. The W230 is a new retro sports model in the 250cc class born under the W brand. While inheriting the traditional styling reminiscent of the good old days and the pulsating, refined riding feel that is unique to W, the W230 combines an easy-to-handle lightweight body with a low seat height, providing a casual and enjoyable motorcycle experience for a wide range of riders. The planned release date is November 20, 2024.

Kawasaki W230 Overview and Features

The W230 features a meticulously crafted, standard motorcycle form. Bearing the “W” designation, a designation Kawasaki used when it introduced its four-stroke big motorcycles, this model is the latest 250cc class motorcycle, built with simplicity yet utilizing the latest technology. With its familiar design, the W230 blends seamlessly into everyday life, making it easy to ride and a fun companion, adding color to your life. The 232cc

air-cooled, four-stroke, SOHC, single-cylinder engine is a simple and reliable power unit. Its settings emphasize a comfortable feel in the low and mid-range RPM ranges, providing a pleasant, pulsating ride. It also features a compact, single-axis balancer to cancel out the vibrations typical of single-cylinder

engines. Its styling will resonate with anyone who loves the laid-back, nostalgic image of a bygone era. The W230, which combines the traditional and elegant appearance of the W Series with modern technology, offers all riders the joy of riding and the pleasure of owning it.

Fuel-injected 232cc air-cooled 4-stroke single-cylinder engine

The W230 engine emphasizes the unique flavor of an air-cooled single-cylinder engine. It conveys a pleasant pulsating feeling to the rider during acceleration, enhancing the enjoyment of riding. The settings emphasize the feeling in the low and mid-range of rotation, resulting in easy-to-handle characteristics. The compact and simple structure contributes to the reduction of vehicle weight and a balanced center of gravity, realizing handling that combines lightness and stability.

• The four-stroke, air-cooled, single-cylinder engine is both reliable and easy to handle, and also contributes to the compact packaging.
• The bore and stroke are 67.0 x 66.0 mm, and the displacement is 232 cm³. Tuning prioritizes torque, resulting in a flat torque curve. This makes for easy handling and powerful riding.
• It uses a simple SOHC 2-valve structure, which contributes to an easy-to-handle character that provides comfortable cruising.
• Fuel injection provides stable fuel supply regardless of outside temperature or atmospheric pressure, providing precise response. It also ensures excellent starting regardless of engine temperature and contributes to cleaner exhaust gases.
• The cam shape provides sufficient torque at low RPMs, contributing to smooth cruising performance.
• The optimized intake duct length, smaller diameter intake port and intake valve increase intake flow rate, resulting in smooth response during acceleration.
• Iridium spark plugs improve combustion efficiency.
• The ECU settings are designed to stabilize engine speed even at low RPMs, resulting in smooth throttle response when accelerating from a standstill or making a U-turn.

• A heavy flywheel with a high moment of inertia is used, contributing to smooth performance at low and mid-range engine speeds. The heavy flywheel also helps maintain a consistent engine speed at low speeds, reducing throttle sensitivity and enabling smooth, stable cruising.
• The gear-driven balancer reduces engine vibrations and provides smooth power delivery across the entire rev range, while also contributing to excellent comfort and ride quality.
• The fuel pump canister and tubing are located under the fuel tank for a clean appearance.
• The exhaust port is positioned to guide the exhaust pipe significantly to the right, emphasizing the beautiful shape of the header pipe and the beautiful curves leading to the silencer end.
• The exhaust pipe is made of buffed stainless steel.
• A secondary air chamber with a large reed valve and two O2 sensors located on the inside of the right step and under the swing arm improve exhaust gas performance at idle without compromising the simple appearance.
• The area around the catalytic converter is shaped to not suppress engine noise too much, producing the pulsating sound that is characteristic of a single-cylinder engine.
• The silencer’s internal structure emphasizes rich bass, providing the rider with a pleasant throbbing sensation when opening the throttle. When cruising with the throttle partially open, exhaust noise is suppressed, providing a comfortable ride.
• The six-speed transmission has a good gear ratio, allowing for comfortable driving from city streets to highways.
• A long secondary reduction ratio allows each gear to cover a wide speed range, enabling smooth cruising.
• The friction material for the clutch was selected with an emphasis on smooth response when the clutch is partially engaged.

Lightweight semi-double cradle frame

The lightweight W230 frame has ideal dimensions for smooth handling. It combines excellent straight-line stability with nimble, easy-to-handle handling.

The conventional telescopic fork and twin rear shocks also provide smooth, easy-to-handle handling.

• The rigidity of the semi-double cradle frame has been optimized, contributing to a lighter vehicle weight.
• By keeping the torsional and lateral rigidity of the frame and swingarm low, the bike is lighter and has a smoother, more natural cornering performance.While maintaining the joy of maneuvering that is a W’s hallmark, it also ensures easy-to-handle handling that is not too quick.
• The lightweight frame allows the vehicle weight to be just 143 kg.
• Four engine mounts reduce unnecessary vibrations, providing a comfortable, pulsating ride.

Calm suspension

The conventional telescopic fork and dual rear shocks provide straightforward and easy-to-handle handling, allowing you to enjoy riding with peace of mind.

• The fork tube pitch, caster, and trail values ​​have been optimized to achieve relaxed and stable lean characteristics.

Traditional style wheels, tires and brakes

• The swingarm has an oval cross section, and its diameter has been reduced to optimize torsional and lateral rigidity.
• The tires feature a retro-style profile.

Ergonomic design for ease of use

The lightweight chassis, slim seat design, and low seat height make it easy to reach the ground, while the relaxed, upright riding position provides both a comfortable ride and good control.

• The rear brake uses a ø220mm disc and a single-piston caliper.
• The slim seat design provides a wide seating position and is suitable for riders of various builds.
• The fuel tank is shaped to provide an easy knee grip, contributing to a comfortable ride and a riding position that is easy to control.
• The rubber under the seat, rubber pads and vibration-absorbing weights on the footpegs, and bar-end weights on the handlebars reduce unnecessary vibrations, allowing the rider to enjoy a comfortable pulsating feeling.

Gentle double family styling inspired by the good old days

The W230 follows the proud tradition and style of the long-standing W Series, and possesses a simple, timeless beauty that will satisfy riders who love traditional motorcycles.

• The large, rounded fins on the cylinder head accentuate the engine’s beautiful form and emphasize the air-cooled engine that is the identity of the W.
• The cylinder is finished in a heat-resistant black paint, reminiscent of the cast iron cylinder previously used on the 650-W1.
• The left and right crankcase covers are made up of curved surfaces, giving them a luxurious and sophisticated impression.
• The right crankcase cover has a curved, one-piece style that accentuates the engine’s presence. Additionally, lines have been added around the case to create undulating, rounded shapes that add an accent.
• The left crankcase cover is made up of an inverted triangular generator cover and starter motor cover, which are reminiscent of the W800, and express a mechanical design.
• The throttle body cover has a chrome-plated finish that creates a retro atmosphere.
• A three-tiered oil filter cover is used to complement the engine’s elegant curves.

• The all-stainless steel silencer has the same unique shape as the 650W1 Special. The surface has been carefully buffed for a beautiful finish.
• The overall form is based on horizontal tones, but elegant curves are added to each part, creating a beautiful silhouette.
• The fuel tank features a three-dimensional “W” emblem, which flows from front to rear, expressing a sense of speed and riding fun.
• The colors and graphics combine the image of the W series with modern design, making it attractive to a wide range of riders.
• The handlebars are chrome plated for a stylish and high-quality look.
• The side covers, made up of gentle curves, create a traditional motorcycle design.
• Equipped with a swingarm pivot cover to protect the rear brake master cylinder.
• The front fenders feature sophisticated curves, with special attention paid to how the edges are folded inward, creating a high-quality, refined appearance from both the front and the side.

Simple and easy-to-read instruments

• The headlight housings have a sense of volume befitting a W, and the paint gives them a high-quality feel.
• Steel and chrome are used throughout to create a luxurious feel similar to that of a large-displacement vehicle.

• The iconic “W” brand logo is added to the dial, and the combination of a black background and retro yellow font creates an elegant impression.
• The compact switches are simply arranged for intuitive operation, combining a classic design with ease of use.

Wide range of accessories

• Accessories available include a chrome engine guard, knee pads, USB Type-C power socket, rear carrier, and ETC2.0 onboard unit kit.

Main specifications/BJ230ASFAN

●DIMENSIONS

Overall length: 2,125mm
Overall

width: 800mm
Overall height: 1,090mm Wheelbase: 1,415mm
Ground clearance: 150mm
Seat height: 745mm
Vehicle weight: 143kg
Fuel tank capacity: 11L
●PERFORMANCE
Maximum power: 13kW (18PS)/7,000rpm
Maximum torque: 18N·m (1.8kgƒ·m)/5,800rpm

●ENGINEEngine

type: Air-cooled 4-stroke single-cylinder

, SOHC, 2-valve system

, Bore x stroke: 67.0 x 66.0 mm

, Displacement: 232 cm³,

Compression ratio: 9.0:1

, Fuel supply system: Fuel injection (ø32 mm x 1)

, Lubrication system: Wet sump,

Starting system: Electric starter,

Ignition system: Battery & coil (full transistor ignition) ,

●DRIVETRAINDrive

system: Chain,

Transmission type: Constant mesh, 6-speed return

gear ratios:

　1st gear 3.000 (39/13),

　2nd gear 2.066

　(31/15),

　3rd gear 1.555 (28/18), 4th gear 1.260 (29/23

　), 5th gear 1.040 (26/25),

　6th gear 0.851 (23/27),

Primary reduction ratio: 2.870 (89/31)

, Secondary reduction ratio: 2.714 (38/14)

Clutch type: Wet multi-plate / manual

FRAME

Frame type: Steel pipe semi-double

Suspension:

　Front telescopic (inner tube diameter 37mm),　

　rear telescopic (inner tube diameter 37mm)

Wheel travel: Front 117mm, rear 95mm

Caster angle: 27.0°

Trail: 99mm

Steering angle (left/right): 40°/40°

Tires: Front 90/90-18M/C 51S Rear 110/90-17M/C 60S

Brakes:

　Front type: Single disc,　

　outer diameter/effective diameter 265mm/237mm　

　, caliper, dual piston

　Rear type: Single disc,

　outer diameter/effective diameter 220mm/186mm,

　caliper, single piston