Demand for retro styled motorcycles is reaching a peak in Malaysia, and it appears that Kawasaki Motors Malaysia (KMM) is looking to cash in on the trend, with the impending release of the 2018 Kawasaki Z900RS. Drawing on the heritage of its famed four-cylinder naked sports bikes, the Z900RS takes the best of Kawasaki’s engine technology, and marries it to period correct bodywork.
But, is there more up KMM’s sleeve? Speaking to a source inside KMM who prefers to remain anonymous, there are a few surprises in store for Malaysian riders this year, especially for those who like the retro naked sports look.
There is talk that KMM may be considering bringing in the Kawasaki W175 naked commuter bike into the market. Having previously concentrated on the big bike market over the past decade, this represents a foray into a specialised niche for KMM, should the plan go through.
Currently on sale in Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand, the W175 is an air-cooled, single-cylinder machine displacing 177 cc, and putting out 13 PS at 7,500 rpm and 13.2 Nm of torque at 6,000 rpm. Fed by carburettor, the W175 is a basic retro-styled commuter bike and retails in Indonesia for 30.8 million rupiah (RM8,426).
Not resting on its laurels, KMM is also seeing good things happening with the launch of the Z900RS, which paultan.org had a look at during the EICMA show in Milan last year. We were told that of the initial import batch of 40 units, 36 have been spoken for by dealers, with the remaining four RS’ allocated for the Kawasaki fleet and will be priced above the RM49,000 KMM is asking for the base Z900.
Additionally, the rather sportier styled Z900RS Cafe, which comes in a very fetching shade of Kawasaki Racing Green, will be forthcoming, possibly by the middle of the year, with something of a price premium above the Z900RS. This bodes well for Malaysian riders, who can expect a choice of three different naked four-cylinder sports bikes from Kawasaki in the local market.
In other news, fans of the Kawasaki Z650 middleweight naked sports can expect something really exciting from Kawasaki Ninja shops in the coming months. This could take the form of a very different Z650 from what Malaysian riders are used to, with a restyling that will raise more than a few eyebrows.
The author was given a look at what is coming up, and it is certainly different. Let’s just say if you thought the Z650 was a little, shall we say, understated in the physical looks department, Kawasaki Malaysia’s new Z650 project will change that perception.
GALLERY: 2018 Kawasaki W175
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- Autodesk VRED Professional 2017.2 Update Date: 2017/10/03 21:23:08 Simulation time: 1.3429 System time: 10.2737 Frame: 3
GALLERY: 2018 Kawasaki Z900RS
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If Kawasaki bring this W175 baby to Malaysia and price it correctly below RM12k, then it will sell like hotcake. Nice retro looking simple bike.
Totally agree… Kawasaki has been a no-show on the lightweight models… been looking for news on W175 or even W250 (fromerly Estrella model) to reach M’sian shores… W800 has been a sales letdown because of its price tag. Dunno whether if Kawasaki has restrictions to bring in liightweight models here. Hopefully not.
Come on Malaysia Kawasaki bring w250 in.
It would be nice if Kawasaki Malaysia were to bring in the W175. And it would be nice too if they were to add in a kickstarter and also a fuel gauge. just my dua puluh sen. hehe.
A kickstarter with an electric starter for emergencies… coz my knees not the same as it used to be. :P
Carburetor? Why?
What will happen to Z650? anyone knows?
Bring in W250. Price it correctly. Huge market for B2 holders. Full stop.
What happen to Malaysia Kawasaki
The 900 RS is now available in Australia and the US is it available here in Malaysia>
Or when will it arrive here and what cost it is a magic machine and will sell like hot cakes
Greg
Hope so much that Kawasaki Estrella or w250 will enter Malaysia market.
Come on Kawasaki Malaysia….bring w250/ estrella250 in.
Com ‘on Kawasaki Malaysia, Bring in Estrella (W250)
So far the only affordable retro styled bikes available here are the cheap and cheerful Chinese built bikes. Please bring in the W250, Kawasaki! Do the right thing!
come on kawasaki malaysia. it’s already 2019. bring in the w175. bring back motorcycling like it used to be in the good old days.
come on kawasaki malaysia. it’s already 2019. bring in the w175. bring back motorcycling like it used to be in the good old days.
Kawasaki Malaysia, is not listening to the voices from the ground. I am sure there is a niche market that can be tapped here. Bring in the W175 before it becomes a vintage. P.S. please provide the option for chrome rims :)
Suzuki TU250X is another bike in this market segment.
I used to own a Royal Enfield 500 chrome. Loved that bike, but not nimble for city use. If RE made a bike which was between 150 – 250 cc I will definitely buy it.
Have it in the style of the RE Interceptor.