Kawasaki W175 specifications
Kawasaki · Retro classic
The W175 is a modest, friendly retro. Gear Patrol lists a 177cc air-cooled SOHC two-valve single making 13 hp at 7,500 rpm and 9.6 lb-ft at 6,000 rpm, a telescopic fork and twin rear shocks on matching 17-inch wheels, and a single two-piston caliper on a 245mm front disc with ABS and a 110mm mechanical drum at the rear.
With a curb weight below 300 lb and a seat just under 31 in, it says the bike is pretty approachable.
Kawasaki W175
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Model year | 2026 |
| Engine | 4-stroke, single-cylinder, SOHC, 2 valves, air-cooled |
| Displacement | 177cc |
| Bore x stroke | 65.5x52.4mm |
| Compression ratio | 9.1:1 |
| Transmission | 5-speed, return shift |
| Front suspension | 30mm telescopic fork |
| Front suspension travel | 4.3 in |
| Rear suspension travel | 2.5 in |
| Front brake | Single 245mm disc with 2-piston calipers, ABS |
| Rear brake | 110mm mechanical drum |
| Front tire | 80/100-17 |
| Rear tire | 100/90-17 |
| Seat height | 30.9 in |
| Wet weight (curb) | 297.7 lb |
| Wheelbase | 52.0 in |
| Rake (caster angle) | 26.0° |
| Trail | 3.1 in |
| Fuel capacity | 3.2 gal |
| Ground clearance | 5.9 in |
| Maximum horsepower | 13 hp |
| Maximum horsepower (at rpm) | 7,500 rpm |
| Maximum torque | 9.6 lb-ft |
| Maximum torque (at rpm) | 6,000 rpm |
| Frame | Semi-double cradle, steel |
| Length x width x height | 78.9x31.7x44.5 in |
| Estimated dry weight (dry) | 275.6 lb |
| Starting MSRP | $2,999 |
| Destination charge | $435 |
| Class | Retro classic |
| Final drive | Sealed chain |
| Rear suspension | Twin shocks with spring preload adjustability |
| Ignition | TCBI with Digital Advance |
| Electronic rider aids | Anti-lock Brake System |
What the W175 is like
BikeWale tested the sister W175 Street and found most of its power in the low and mid-range, which suits its character, a top speed of about 100 to 110 km/h that felt like a stretch, and fuel economy of around 40 km/l.
Shortcomings reviewers found
BikeWale notes the rear brake cuts speed effectively but can lock if stomped on too hard, that the fuel tank shakes left and right and feels loosely mounted, and that the seat foam is adequate for about an hour of riding without much discomfort. Car and Bike says the price is a bit steep for a 177cc motorcycle.
But the W175 looks nice, has a very refined engine and has the potential to be a good beginner motorcycle.
Out the door, the W175 comes to about $3,434 before tax and fees, from a $2,999 sticker and $435 of destination, the cheapest road bike in Kawasaki's range. It weighs 297.7 lb curb, has a 30.9 in seat and a 3.2 gal tank, and its 177cc engine suits city use, not highways.
The W230 costs $2,700 more and adds a bigger engine and a six-speed gearbox, so a buyer who rides any fast road should look at it.
Budget for a helmet and gear, and check whether your license class allows a 177cc bike.
W175 against the W230, Trail125 and Grom
Kawasaki's W230 is the bigger, more powerful retro at $5,699 with a 233cc engine and 29.3 in seat. Honda's Grom costs $3,599 with a 124cc engine, and the Trail125 costs $4,199. At $2,999, the W175 is the cheapest of the four.
Kawasaki W175 — specification reference2026 Kawasaki W175 questions
How much power does the Kawasaki W175 make?
Gear Patrol lists 13 hp at 7,500 rpm and 9.6 lb-ft at 6,000 rpm from the 177cc single. That is enough for city and back-road riding, and a stretch for the highway.
Does the Kawasaki W175 have ABS?
The front brake is a 245mm disc with ABS. The rear is a 110mm mechanical drum, according to Gear Patrol.
The 2026 Kawasaki W175 is Kawasaki's smallest retro-styled single, a 177cc air-cooled engine rated at 13 hp with a five-speed return-shift gearbox and a sealed chain. Reviewers call it approachable, with decent performance and a commuter's ethos, and one calls the price a bit steep for a 177cc bike while allowing it could be a good beginner motorcycle. It suits a new rider who wants classic looks and a low price.
A small retro for the roads it will actually use
The W175's 177cc engine and five-speed gearbox should be considered against the traffic on the intended roads. A light-looking retro motorcycle is not automatically suitable for every highway transfer. Work out the actual journey, including faster sections and gradients, before treating an around-town fitting as the whole purchase decision.
Its 30.9-inch seat is higher than the W230's listed 29.3-inch figure despite the smaller engine. That is a useful reminder to sit on the actual alternatives rather than assuming displacement predicts fit. Check the reach to the bars and foot controls in riding boots. For a used example, identify any seat or suspension changes that could explain a different feel from the published dimensions.
Other models in this reference: Kawasaki Vulcan S, Kawasaki W800.