2024 Kawasaki W175 alloy wheels review - Affordable, colourful, & more attractive

The Kawasaki W175 has been on the market for a few years, but its initial price seemed high for a motorcycle featuring a 177cc engine, spoke wheels, and plain vanilla paint schemes. However, the Japanese bike maker recently unveiled an updated W175 at the 2023 India Bike Week (IBW) in Goa, India. This update has brought several significant changes, giving it the much-awaited fresh look it needed. Interestingly, these changes don't extend to its chassis, engine, or gearbox. Nevertheless, the W175 still exudes the desirable old-school motorcycle charm, reminiscent of Kawasaki's bigger retro-style offerings.

Design

The most significant update for the refreshed W175 comes in the form of alloy wheels with tubeless tyres and two new colours: Candy Emerald Green and Metallic Moondust Grey. Despite these improvements, it still retains the halogen bulb setup. Additionally, the brand has added a somewhat heat-protective cover above the right foot peg and an additional cover for the exhaust.

That being said, the motorcycle otherwise maintains the same classic design with a large round headlamp, a chrome frame, teardrop-shaped fuel tank, circular indicators and mirrors, square-shaped taillamp, and a single-piece seat.

Engine, Ride, Handling, and Ergonomics

Powering the W175 is the same 177cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled engine that produces 13PS at 7,500rpm and 13.2Nm at 6,000rpm. This motor remains paired with a five-speed gearbox. Kawasaki's decision not to update the engine is commendable, as the saying goes, if it isn't broke, why fix it. Undoubtedly, it is still an incredibly refined engine, reflecting Kawasaki's inherent touch. Moreover, vibrations or buzz are hardly noticeable.

This motor generates ample power for commuting or riding in the city, where it feels at home and, more importantly, is a fun-to-ride motorcycle – thanks to the torque, which is available in the low- and mid-section of the rev band. It delivers excellent torque output from as low as 25-30kmph up to 80kmph. However, the W175 takes its time to reach triple-digit speeds. Around 90kmph and above, slight vibrations become noticeable, but they are manageable.

The W175 with alloy wheels excels in ride and handling. Its lightweight and slim-cum-compact body make the motorcycle nimble while riding in the city, allowing you to effortlessly navigate through crawling traffic. In simpler terms, the W175 feels at home in urban areas.

What complements its peppy engine and lightweight structure is the excellent suspension setup. It features telescopic front forks and dual shock absorbers at the back, offering a well-balanced ride. Moreover, the motorcycle handles potholes, poor streets, and edgy speed humps very well, instilling confidence even while cornering. You can lean reasonably and will not be disappointed – a plus point considering its tyre size. Meanwhile, the seat height of 790mm is accessible for short riders and suitable for tall ones too. Additionally, the riding posture is relaxed and quite upright, allowing you to ride for hours without complaints.

Having said that, what detracts from its fun factor are the brakes. It features a 270mm single disc with single-channel ABS at the front and a drum setup at the rear. Unfortunately, the front brake feels spongy. It needs to be progressive and provide adequate bite, especially when you love spirited riding.

Real-World Mileage

In terms of real-world fuel economy, the W175 with alloy wheels returned a mileage of 39.28kmpl in the city and 45.39kmpl on the highway, which is quite reasonable.

Verdict

With new alloy wheels, flashy colours, and a considerably lower price tag of Rs 1.35 lakh (ex-showroom), the W175 is an impressive motorcycle that leaves barely any room for complaints. Notably, Kawasaki has addressed its biggest drawback – the price. However, specific areas for improvement include the brakes, low-intensity headlight, and a simple analogue cluster without Bluetooth connectivity. The addition of alloy wheels, new colours, and the adjustment in pricing make the W175 an even more attractive option for riders seeking a retro-style and affordable motorcycle.