Norton Dominator 650 vs Kawasaki W650
Side-by-side comparison for used motorcycle buyers
Norton Dominator 650 vs Kawasaki W650. Norton Dominator 650: 49 hp @ 6,800 rpm hp, 195 kg (wet/curb weight) weight, top speed 175 km/h, Motoryk rating 7.5/10. Kawasaki W650: 50 hp @ 7,500 rpm hp, 202 kg (wet/curb weight) weight, top speed 175 km/h, Motoryk rating 8.0/10.
Performance at a Glance
Green = winner per metric · Bars are relative to the higher value
Norton Dominator 650
Kawasaki W650
Horsepower (hp)
49 hp
50 hp
Torque (Nm)
52 Nm
56 Nm
Top Speed (km/h)
175 km/h
175 km/h
Weight (kg) — lower is better
195 kg
202 kg
Type
Classic
Classic
Horsepower
49 hp @ 6,800 rpm
50 hp @ 7,500 rpm
Torque
52 Nm @ 5,000 rpm (estimated)
56 Nm @ 6,000 rpm
Top Speed
175 km/h
175 km/h
Weight
195 kg (wet/curb weight)
202 kg (wet/curb weight)
Fuel
5.5 L/100km or approx 18 km/L (estimated typical real-world average)
3.8 L/100km (approx. 26 km/L typical real-world average)
Fairing
No
No
Individual Reviews
Norton Dominator 650
7.5/10
"A rewarding buy, but only if you choose very carefully."
Pros
+Genuinely characterful parallel twin
+Excellent handling and chassis
+Stunning, timeless British styling
Cons
−Electrical gremlins on early bikes
−Parts lead times frustratingly long
−Inconsistent factory build quality
Kawasaki W650
8.0/10
"The most honest classic twin money can currently buy used."
Pros
+Bulletproof engine reliability
+Stunning bevel-gear soundtrack
+Timeless classic styling
Cons
−Carb diaphragms crack regularly
−Fork seals fail prematurely
−Parts availability patchy
Top 10 Accessories
Picks that work on either bike.









