2026 Kawasaki W175 LTD Officially Announced for US
Lightweight retro bike priced at $2,999
Last November, we reported that a new 177cc retro bike from Kawasaki had received approval from the California Air Resources Board and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Today, the bike is officially confirmed, with Kawasaki announcing the W175 LTD for the U.S. market.
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Like the W230 and W800, the W175 LTD is styled after Kawasaki’s W models from the ’60s, which in turn were BSA clones licensed by the Japanese brand Meguro before it got folded into Kawasaki in 1963. And while it nails the look, the question remains: do we need an air-cooled 177cc bike with a rear drum brake in this market, especially when the W230 exists?
Perhaps it would be better to put it this way: is there a market for a Kawasaki motorcycle priced below 3 grand? At $2,999, the W175 LTD is almost half the price of the W230, and lower than all of Honda’s Minimoto models except for the even smaller Navi, which comes in at $2,199. And even there you’re looking at front and rear drum brakes, and funky styling that isn’t everyone’s cuppa tea.
If you want an inexpensive motorcycle from a major manufacturer with full-sized wheels and retro British flair, you’d have to go up to at least $4,299 for one of Royal Enfield’s 350 models. With the W175 LTD, Kawasaki has found a pricing sweet spot not occupied by brands that can boast the same level of dealer support.
The W175 LTD is powered by a fuel-injected air-cooled 177cc SOHC Single, with Kawasaki claiming a peak output of 13 hp at 7,500 rpm and 9.6 lb-ft. at 6,000 rpm. Modest figures for sure, but again: $2,999. The engine is paired with a five-speed gearbox designed to maximize the limited torque.
The engine is mounted to a rigid semi-double cradle frame Kawasaki says “strikes a balance between functional performance and relaxed, enjoyable control – perfect for navigating urban environments or meandering back roads.”
Up front, the W175 employs a 30mm telescopic fork with 4.3 inches of travel. For the rear, Kawasaki opted for dual preload-adjustable rear shocks mounted at about a 70° angle to balance comfort and control and contribute to the vintage-inspired silhouette.
The front wheel employs a single two-piston caliper and 270mm disc, with an anti-lock braking system, but for the rear, you get a 110mm drum brake. The cast wheels are each 17-inches in diameter, with a 80/100 tire up front and a 100/90 for the rear.
The W175 LTD offers a fairly upright riding position, with pullback handlebars, neutral footpegs and a thick cushioned seat. The 30.7-inch seat height should allow for a comfortable reach to the ground for most riders.
The 2026 Kawasaki W175 LTD should be available in dealerships now, with a choice of two colors: Ebony or Candy Emerald Green.
2026 Kawasaki W175 LTD Specifications | |
|---|---|
MSRP | Starting at $2,999 |
Engine Type | 4-stroke, single-cylinder, SOHC, 2 valves, air-cooled |
Displacement | 177cc |
Bore x Stroke | 65.5mm x 52.4mm |
Compression Ratio | 9.1:1 |
Maximum Horsepower | 13 hp at 7,500 rpm (claimed) |
Maximum Torque | 9.6 lb-ft. at 6,000 rpm (claimed) |
Fuel System | DFI with 28mm throttle body |
Ignition | TCBI with Digital Advance |
Transmission | 5-speed, return shift |
Final Drive | Sealed chain |
Electronic Rider Aids | Front wheel Anti-lock Brake System |
Front Suspension | 30mm telescopic fork, 4.3 inches of travel |
Rear Suspension | Twin shocks with spring preload adjustability, 2.5 inches of travel |
Front Tire | 80/100-17 |
Rear Tire | 100/90-17 |
Front Brakes | Single 245mm disc with 2-piston calipers, ABS |
Rear Brakes | 110mm mechanical drum |
Frame Type | Semi-double cradle, steel |
Rake/Trail | 26.0°/3.1 inches |
Overall Length | 78.9 inches |
Overall Width | 31.7 inches |
Overall Height | 44.5 inches |
Ground Clearance | 5.9 inches |
Seat Height | 30.9 inches |
Curb Weight | 297.7 pounds (claimed) |
Fuel Capacity | 3.2 gallons |
Wheelbase | 52.0 inches |
Color Choices | Ebony, Candy Emerald Green |
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Dennis has been a part of the Motorcycle.com team since 2008, and through his tenure, has developed a firm grasp of industry trends, and a solid sense of what's to come. A bloodhound when it comes to tracking information on new motorcycles, if there's a new model on the horizon, you'll probably hear about it from him first.
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It makes a lot more sense to me than a Grom. Always felt the Grom was down on power about 4-5 hp, due to the fact they barely top out at 55 mph on a good day. This is a more natural sized machine, light, and carries the additional power to run highway speed.
My local Kawasaki dealer in Huntsville, Al is asking $4532 + Tax, Title, & License Fee for a new W175 LTD.
MSRP: $2999
Freight: $435
Prep: $498
Doc Fee: $600
At $5000-or-so OTD, this bike is dead in the water.