Kawasaki has certified the W175 LTD with the US Environmental Protection Agency and California Air Resources Board as a 2026 model, signalling the retro motorcycle’s imminent arrival in the American market. The W175 is manufactured by India Kawasaki Motors and will be the first locally developed and manufactured motorcycle from the Japanese brand to be exported to the US.
- Kawasaki W175 is manufactured in India
- Certified by US EPA and CARB for 2026
- 177cc air-cooled engine makes 13hp and 13Nm
India-made Kawasaki W175 headed to the US
The Kawasaki W175 LTD features ergonomic changes over the India-spec bike
The Kawasaki W175 made its global debut in September 2022 and is currently available in our market in two variants – the standard featuring spoke wheels and a Street variant with alloy wheels. The iteration that has been certified for sale in the US market is a different LTD variant, which is currently on sale in Mexico.
The W175 LTD is based on the W175 Street with alloy wheels. However, it features a new single-piece stepped seat instead of a flat seat, and a taller handlebar positioned closer to the rider. Comparing the W175 Street and W175 LTD side by side reveals some other minor differences – the LTD loses the saree guard and rubber gaiters on the front fork, and gains a heat shield on the exhaust mid-pipe and a small shield that covers the rear section of the crankcase.
The bike is listed on the Kawasaki Mexico website with similar mechanical specifications to the India-spec version. Powering the bike is a 177cc air-cooled, single-cylinder engine producing 13hp at 7,500rpm and 13Nm at 6,000rpm.
While there is no official confirmation from Kawasaki USA on the bike’s arrival, certification by the EPA and CARB confirms the motorcycle’s compliance with American emission norms, suggesting a US launch is on the cards.
Source: Motorcycle.com
