Quietly making its debut in Thailand is the 2025 Kawasaki W230 retro bike. Before Malaysian riders start asking why Kawasaki does not bring the W230 in, that will be a question best directed to Malaysian distributor Modenas Kawasaki.
The W230 is listed at a price of 139,900 Thai baht (RM17,843) on the Kawasaki Thailand website. There is also the Meguro S1 (Kawasaki Japan owns the Meguro brand), from which the W230 takes its styling, priced at 157,900 Thai baht (RM20,140).
Like its stablemate the W800, the W230 features classic styling, down to its single-cylinder, SOHC, two-valve, air-cooled mill. Displacing 233 cc, the W230 does not have any horsepower numbers published but gets 18.9 Nm of torque at 5,800 rpm, making a 20 hp power output likely.
Power gets to the rear wheel via a six-speed gearbox and chain final drive. Wheel sizing is somewhat in the classic style, with an 18-inch spoked front wheel wearing 90/90 rubber and the spoked rear wheel measures 17-inches with 110/90 tyre.
Single hydraulic disc brakes perform stopping duties and two-channel ABS is standard equipment. Suspension is similarly conventional with telescopic forks in front, non-adjustable, and preload-adjustable twin shock absorbers in the rear.
A multifunction LCD screen fills the left gauge pod – the right pod holds the speedometer – which displays a trip meter, odometer, and clock.
Seat height is set at 745 mm while weight is listed at 143 kg wet with 11.7 litres of fuel in the tank. In Malaysia, close competition would be the Honda CB350RS, priced at RM20,500, and the Royal Enfield Bullet 350, retailing at RM23,500.
Shut up and take my money.
What a beauty. The Land of Smiles indeed, lucky Thais!
If really want to go classic retro, bring back the KH 250 with 3 cylinders.
Z650rs