Is Kawasaki W175 Street better than Keeway SR 250
What's the story
Kawasaki has introduced its most affordable offering, the all-new W175 Street in India, with a price tag of Rs. 1.35 lakh (ex-showroom).
The retro-inspired bike was showcased at the ongoing India Bike Week 2023 event.
At that price point, the bike rivals the Keeway SR 250 in the retro-roadster segment on our shores.
Between the Japanese fighter and the Hungarian brawler, which is better?
Context
Why does this story matter?
Keeway entered the retro-inspired roadster category in India with the SR 125 and SR 250. Both motorcycles caught the attention of buyers looking for a relatively affordable option with an old-school charm.
After witnessing the positive response to the SR duos, Kawasaki entered the segment with the capable W175 model.
Now, the bikemaker has added a new W175 Street to attract young buyers.
Design
Kawasaki W175 Street looks more appealing
Kawasaki W175 Street features a teardrop-shaped fuel tank, a circular headlamp unit with chrome surround, a semi-digital instrument cluster, a single-piece seat with a pillion grab rail, a raised handlebar, and 17-inch alloy wheels.
Keeway SR 250 sports a sculpted fuel tank, a blacked-out round headlamp, an upswept exhaust, a circular taillamp unit, a single-pod instrument cluster, and 17-inch wire-spoked wheels.
Safety
Keeway SR 250 is equipped with dual-channel ABS
The W175 Street is equipped with a disc brake at the front and a drum brake at the rear, with single-channel ABS.
Meanwhile, the SR 250 gets disc brakes on both the front and rear wheels, along with dual-channel ABS for better braking capabilities.
Suspension duties on both bikes are taken care of by telescopic front forks and dual rear shock absorbers.
Performance
The SR 250 packs a more powerful engine
The Kawasaki W175 Street is fueled by a 177cc, single-cylinder, fuel-injected engine that generates 12.82hp of maximum power and 13.3Nm of peak torque.
Powering the Keeway SR 250 is a 223cc, 2-valve, air-cooled, single-cylinder engine that puts out a maximum power of 16hp and a peak torque of 16Nm.
Transmission duties on both roadsters are handled by a five-speed manual gearbox.
Verdict
Which one should you choose?
In India, the Kawasaki W175 Street can be yours with a price tag of Rs. 1.35 lakh.
On the other hand, the Keeway SR 250 will set you back by Rs. 1.49 lakh (all prices, ex-showroom).
In our opinion, the old-school SR 250 makes more sense on our shores with its better safety hardware and powerful engine, justifying its higher price tag.