Norton Dominator 650 vs Kawasaki W800
Side-by-side comparison for used motorcycle buyers
Norton Dominator 650 vs Kawasaki W800. 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 W800: 47 hp @ 6,500 rpm hp, 221 kg (curb/wet weight) weight, top speed 180 km/h (estimated, manufacturer does not officially publish), Motoryk rating 8.0/10.
Performance at a Glance
Green = winner per metric · Bars are relative to the higher value
Norton Dominator 650
Kawasaki W800
Horsepower (hp)
49 hp
47 hp
Torque (Nm)
52 Nm
62.9 Nm
Top Speed (km/h)
175 km/h
180 km/h
Weight (kg) — lower is better
195 kg
221 kg
Type
Classic
Classic
Horsepower
49 hp @ 6,800 rpm
47 hp @ 6,500 rpm
Torque
52 Nm @ 5,000 rpm (estimated)
62.9 Nm @ 4,800 rpm
Top Speed
175 km/h
180 km/h (estimated, manufacturer does not officially publish)
Weight
195 kg (wet/curb weight)
221 kg (curb/wet weight)
Fuel
5.5 L/100km or approx 18 km/L (estimated typical real-world average)
4.5 L/100km (approx. 22 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 W800
8.0/10
"The most honest retro twin you can buy used today."
Pros
+Engine genuinely indestructible
+Exceptional real-world build quality
+Upright ergonomics suit everyone
Cons
−Chrome deteriorates without care
−Parts availability still patchy
−Lacks modern safety tech
Top 10 Accessories
Picks that work on either bike.
