Is Kawasaki’s Under-the-Radar, Bang-on Retro Street Bike Actually the Perfect Entry-Level Moto?

Spinning off a stalwart of the Indian marketplace, this small-bore beauty can’t roll stateside soon enough.

Black Kawasaki W175 LTD motorcycle with chrome accents against a red background.

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By Steve Mazzucchi

Published December 2, 2025

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Updated December 3, 2025

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Regular readers of GP’s motorcycling coverage are likely well aware that we are pretty big advocates of small-displacement motorcycles.

There’s nothing wrong with bigger bikes, but when it comes to attracting new riders and delivering for the urban marketplace, there’s a lot to be said for little engines that can.

Black Kawasaki W175 LTD motorcycle parked on a brick pavement against a brick wall. — The new W175 LTD ABS boasts pitch-perfect retro street bike styling from tip to tail.

While our pleas to the likes of Indian and Harley seem to largely fall on deaf ears — though that may be changing — brands like Honda and Kawasaki are a different story.

The latter’s classically styled W230 is a great example of beginner-friendly banger, and it appears an even smaller, utterly irresistible follow-up is on the way in the form of the new W175 LTD.

Secret’s out

All credit to motorcycle.com on this hot scoop. Writer Dennis Chung connected the dots — from a South Pasadena street sign to an EPA filing to a speedometer prioritizing miles — to deduce that a bike announced for Mexico is headed north of the border too.

While it’s new to North America, the W175 LTD ABS should look familiar to India-based riders, as it’s a variant of bikes long available on the subcontinent, the W175 and W175 Street (sans the saree guard you’ll find on the left side of most Indian motos).

Black Kawasaki W175 LTD motorcycle parked on a street with chrome and matte black details. — The raised bars, rare for a factory bike, add retro flair while encouraging a comfortable upright riding position.

Like the W230 (and larger W800), the W175 LTD derives its sweet retro styling from the W bikes Kawi made in the 1960s — inspired by BSA clones made by Meguro, a Japanese brand it snapped up in 1963.

Notwithstanding that rather convoluted provenance, these bikes boast loads of retro trappings we love, including a big round headlight, instrument cluster and mirrors, teardrop tank, dual rear suspension and peashooter pipes.

Person wearing a black hoodie and helmet sitting on a black Kawasaki motorcycle on a street. — The sub-300-pound weight and 30.9-inch seat height reduce the intimidation factor for newer and smaller riders.

From an aesthetic standpoint, the W175 might be even more compelling than the W230, thanks to the Ebony and Candy Emerald Green paint schemes, a classic-looking one-piece stepped seat with passenger grab handle and raised handlebars.

If I have one beef with the looks, it’s that I prefer the W230s wire-spoked wheels to these cast ones — not exactly a dealbreaker.

Black Kawasaki W175 LTD motorcycle parked on asphalt near a concrete curb. — Outside of maybe Royal Enfield, you rarely see this much curb appeal on bikes in the $5,000 price range.

As you might guess from the name, this bike is about as small-bore as you can get this side of a Grom.

Shifted via a five-speed gearbox, the 177cc air-cooled SOHC two-valve single makes 13 horsepower at 7,500 rpm and peak torque of 9.6 lb-ft. at 6,000 rpm.

I would not take it anywhere near the highway, but for city streets and even two-lane twisties, it should provide enough pep and punch.

Person wearing a black outfit and helmet riding a black motorcycle on a city street at sunset. — The big round headlight and mirrors are easy retro signifiers that never go out of style.

That little engine is part of what makes the bike at least as approachable as the W230, along with a couple of key dimensions.

While the seat rides higher (30.9 inches versus 29.3), the curb weight is lower (297.7 pounds versus 315).

That’s about as light as you can get and not get blown off the road by a stiff breeze.

Person wearing black riding gear and helmet riding a black Kawasaki motorcycle on a city street at sunset. — While the highway would be a dicey affair, the W175 LTD ABS sets up perfectly for urban commutes and side quests.

With a telescopic fork and twin rear shocks, the suspension offers just enough to ride out the bumps on matching 17-inch wheels.

For brakes, you get a single two-piston caliber squeezing a 245mm up front — complete with slide-preventing ABS — while the rear features a real retro rarity: a 110mm mechanical drum brake.

Availability and pricing

The 2026 Kawasaki W175 LTD ABS will be available in Ebony or Candy Emerald Green in Mexico, and by all indications, a US rollout of these colorways will follow.

No pricing has been announced, but considering the larger W230 ABS starts at $5,699, I would not be shocked to see this bike tantalizingly tuck under $5,000.

Black Kawasaki W175 LTD motorcycle with a retro design and black alloy wheels on a white background.

2026 Kawasaki W175 LTD ABS

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About the Author:

Now managing editor, Steve has served in a variety of roles with GP since 2019. Having previously written and edited for such publications as Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Esquire and ESPN, he enjoys covering a range of topics — but mostly those pertaining to cycling, snow sports, pocket knives and motos — and dreams of a utopian world in which everyone’s bike seat is at the proper height.

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