Kawasaki W800 Maintenance Schedule and Service Intervals

This is the maintenance schedule with associated service intervals for the Kawasaki W800, both the Street and Café variants.

The Kawasaki W800 is the successor to the Kawasaki W650. It’s a huge update — a bigger engine, more modern chassis, and fuel injection.

But at its core, the W800 is still a very simple and easy-to-ride motorcycle.

The Kawasaki W800 (in every variant) is powered by a 783cc air-cooled parallel twin engine with bevel-driven cams. They could have used water cooling and tuned it for higher power, but have instead kept it traditional.

Maintenance for the W800 is pretty straightforward. There are no fairings! Nonetheless the air cooling means valve service is a bit more frequent than otherwise.

This site has links for things like oil and spark plugs from which we earn a commission (which unfortunately nobody can save, not even us). If you appreciate this work, then please use those links. Thanks!

What you need to service the Kawasaki W800

The Kawasaki W800 is a delightfully simple motorcycle to service. It’s air-cooled, a parallel twin (just one cylinder head!), and a naked — it’s all there for you to work on.

Aside from standard motorcycle maintenance tools, you do need specific replaceables though. Here they are.

Part	Kawasaki W800 Spec
Oil	You need 3.2 L (3.4 US qt)of SAE 10W-40 engine oil “with API SG, SH, SJ, SL or SM with JASO MA, MA1 or MA2 rating”, preferably Kawasaki 10W-40 Engine Oil. Most motorcycle oils will suit, e.g. Motul 5100 10W-40. Don’t over-torque the drain bolt (spec is 20 Nm/15 lb-ft per the manual) — use a torque wrench if you don’t have experience with how much torque is enough.
Oil filter	Oil filter is part 16097-0008, or you can use Hiflofiltro HF303. Torque for oil filter is 18 Nm (13 ft-lb) (use a torque wrench, and it’s easier on the K&N one)
Front brake pads	Genuine part number for front brake pads is 43082-0187 for the Kawasaki W800. Get double-sintered EBC brake pads for better bite and wear — code FA231HH.
Rear brake pads	Genuine part number for rear brake pads is 43082-0128. Get double-sintered EBC brake pads for better bite and wear — code FA197HH.
Spark plugs	NGK CR8E, with a spark plug gap of 0.7-0.8mm (use a spark plug gapping tool), torqued to 13 Nm or 9 ft-lb (use a torque wrench)
Air filter	There are two air filters on the W800, the left hand and the right hand. They have separate part numbers — 11010-0959 for the left, and 11010-0953 for the right.
Cable lubricant	Remember to lubricate your clutch cable (and brake cables if you have them) with a cable lubricant. Protect All Cable Life is a good general-purpose lubricant.
Chain lubricant	The chain needs to be lubricated every 600 km/400 miles (or more, if it gets wet/dirty). Motul chain paste is cheap and well-loved.
Brake fluid	Spec is to use DOT-4 brake fluid e.g. Castrol DOT 4.
Grease	Use a lithium soap-based grease for all the important greasing points.

Consumables for servicing the Kawasaki W800

Maintenance Schedule for Kawasaki W800

Below is the maintenance schedule for the Kawasaki W800. It’s adapted from the manual but made simpler to read.

The W800 has an air-cooled engine, which means valve inspection intervals are a little more often than if it had a liquid-cooled engine. Still, for an air-cooled engine, inspections aren’t that close, with 12000 km (7500 mi) intervals, similar to that of an air-cooled Ducati — but a much easier job (no desmo, and just one cylinder head).

Notes:

I = Inspect
R = Replace
L = Lubricate
(C) Service more frequently in severe conditions: dusty, wet, muddy, high speed, or frequent starting/stopping
(D) California model only

km x 1000	1	12	24	36	48
mi x 1000	0.6	7.5	15	22.5	30	Every
Air cleaner element (C) (11010-0959, 11010-0953*. )		I	I	I	I	2 years, R
Idle speed	I	I	I	I	I
Throttle control system (play, smooth return, no drag)	I	I	I	I	I	Year, I
Engine vacuum synchronization		I	I	I	I
Fuel system	I	I	I	I	I	Year, I
Fuel filter			R		R
Fuel hoses						5 years, R
Evaporative emission conrol system (*D)			I		I
Valve clearance		I	I	I	I
Air suction system		I	I	I	I
Clutch operation (play, engagement, disengagement)	I	I	I	I	I	Year, I
Engine oil(C) and oil filter (Kawasaki 10W-40 Engine Oil, HF303*)	R	R	R	R	R	Year, R
Tire air pressure		I	I	I	I	Year, I
Wheels and tires		I	I	I	I	Year, I
Wheel bearing damage		I	I	I	I	Year, I
Spoke tightness and rim runout	I					6000 km (3800 mi), I
Drive chain lubrication condition (C) (Motul chain care kit)*						600 km (400 mi), I
Drive chain slack (*C)						1000 km (600 mi), I
Drive chain wear (*C)		I	I	I	I
Drive chain guide wear		I	I	I	I
Brake system	I	I	I	I	I	Year, I
Brake operation (effectiveness, play, no drag)	I	I	I	I	I	Year, I
Brake fluid level	I	I	I	I	I	Year, I
Brake fluid (front and rear) (Castrol DOT 4)			R		R	2 years, R
Brake hose						4 years, R
Rubber parts of brake master cylinder and caliper					R	4 years, R
Brake pad wear (*C)		I	I	I	I	Year, I
Brake light switch operation	I	I	I	I	I	Year, I
Suspension system		I	I	I	I	Year, I
Lubrication of rear suspension (Lithium soap-based grease)			L		L
Steering play	I	I	I	I	I	Year, I
Steering stem bearings			L		L	2 years, L
Electrical system		I	I	I	I	Year, I
Spark plug (CR8E)		R	R	R	R
Chassis parts		L	L	L	L	Year, L
Condition of bolts, nuts, and fasteners	I	I	I	I	I

Maintenance schedule for the Kawasaki W800

Tyre size and tyre pressure for the Kawasaki W800

The Kawasaki W650 has the following tyres and tyre sizes standard (tube-type), and has the following recommended tyre pressure range.

Tyre	Size	Brand(s)	Tyre pressure (when cold)
Front	100/90-19 57H	DUNLOP, K300F GP	200 kPa/28psi
Rear	130/80-18 66H	DUNLOP, K300 GP	* Up to 108 kg (230 lb) load: 225 kPa/ 32 psi * 108 – 183 kg (230 – 403 lb) load: 250 kPa/ 36 psi

Tyres and tyre pressures for the Kawasaki W650

General information about the Kawasaki W800

The Kawasaki W800 is an evolution of a former W800, but also a replacement for the more recent (and very successful) Kawasaki W650.

It’s still a simple, approachable motorcycle. In fact in the UK, it complies with the A2 license scheme, meaning learners can use it. Not so much in most states in Australia however, where there’s a capacity limit.

The Kawasaki W800 comes in two versions — a standard, or classic, and the Café. The Café version is almost identical except that it has a lower clip-on style handlebar, and a sportier seat. If you get one and change your mind about what’s best for you, you can bolt on parts between the motorcycles.

Like classic motorcycles of the past, the W800’s twin overhead cams are driven by bevel gears rather than a chain (or belt). This gives the engine a unique whirr.

But what makes the W800 really special is that engine. A very modestly tuned 773cc parallel twin with a 360 degree crank makes just 46 lb-ft of torque — enough to get you anywhere quickly, but you won’t win at the stoplights against this motorcycle’s modern cousin, the Z900.

It makes torque from very down low — even enough to launch it from as low as 2000 rpm. Between there and the 7000 rpm rev limit power delivery is very near and predictable.

But don’t ever forget that this is a simple motorcycle. Its braking is gentle (only one front disc), and there’s no ABS as standard in every market. The suspension is non-adjustable. And the tyres are tubed, and not really suited to high speeds or rainy weather (in stock form). You don’t buy this bike to hammer it — it’s more of a styling statement.

The Café is really intriguing. It seems like a minor change, but the slightly lower and forward leaning handlebars give the otherwise sedate motorcycle a more aggressive feel. You’re not going to be slamming around tracks (well, not that quickly), but it gives every ride a little more punch. For some people, the forward canter is more comfortable, too. Plus, it looks great!

Manual for the Kawasaki W800

The above maintenance schedule comes directly from the user’s manual for the 2019 Kawasaki W800. You can access the manual for the W800 from Kawasaki’s website here.