Kawasaki entered the small-size neo-retro segment in India last month with the W175. The Japanese brand clearly wants a share of the market which is majorly dominated by Royal Enfield at present. And the RE model it will closely compete against, in particular, is the Hunter 350. Now, in case you’re potential a buyer of either of these bikes, read this comparison before making the buying decision.
Design
Both bikes look like quintessential neo-retro offerings but are put together in a small package. The Hunter looks more contemporary though with more blacked-out components and alloy wheels. Even the Retro trim of the bike, which gets spoke wheels, looks more modern due to black rims and funky colour options. The W175, meanwhile, looks properly old-school with a chrome bezel for its headlamp, teardrop-shaped fuel tank, a flat and chunky seat, and a peashooter-style exhaust. And unlike a host of colour options available for the Hunter, the W175 comes only in two paint schemes – red and black.
Features
Typical of modern-classic offerings, the Hunter and W175 are pretty basic on the feature front. However, the Metro variant of the former has an edge with dual-channel ABS and an LED tail lamp whereas the W175 gets a single-channel ABS and conventional tail lamp. Other elements like a conventional headlamp and turn indicators and a semi-digital console are a commonality in both bikes. But, by paying extra, you can get RE’s Tripper navigation installed on the Hunter.
Engine
The Hunter is leading the battle here by a significant margin with a larger displacement and higher performance numbers. It is powered by a 349cc, air-cooled motor that churns out 20.2bhp and 27Nm of peak torque. On the other hand, the Kawasaki runs on a puny 177cc mill that’s good for 12.8bhp and 13.2Nm. However, it’s worth noting that the W175, with a kerb weight of 135kg, is as much as 42kg lighter than the Hunter. What’s identical is the transmission setup which comprises a five-speed gearbox in both bikes.
Cycle parts
The common hardware bits include 17-inch wheels at both ends, telescopic front forks, and dual springs. What makes the Hunter slightly better is the option of alloy wheels which allows the incorporation of tubeless tyres, thereby making puncture repairs much easier. Also, the RE is underpinned by a double-cradle frame as opposed to the W175’s single downtube chassis.
Pricing
The Kawasaki W175 is substantially more affordable than the Hunter with its black and red trims priced at Rs 1.47 lakh and Rs 1.49 lakh, respectively. On the other hand, the Hunter 350 starts from Rs 1.50 lakh and goes up to Rs 1.69 lakh (all prices are ex-showroom).
