In a world obsessed with tech-heavy, feature-packed motorcycles, the name Meguro might barely register on anyone’s radar. But if you dig into history, you’ll find this Japanese brand laid down the roots of motorcycling back in 1924, influencing the machines we see today. Now, a century later, Kawasaki, which absorbed Meguro in the ’60s, tips its hat to this legacy with the Meguro S1.
Kawasaki’s Nod to History, the Meguro S1
This neo-retro beauty, exclusive to Thailand, borrows from Kawasaki’s W230—a similarly styled throwback that IS available in the USA.
It’s a small-displacement, single-cylinder roadster that’s not trying to win any speed awards but rather captures the essence of what motorcycles once were. With its air-cooled, fuel-injected engine, the S1 isn’t about tech or performance—it’s about a pure, simple ride.
Kawasaki didn’t cut corners either. The S1 echoes the 1950s and ’60s with a round headlight, teardrop tank, and spoked wheels. It’s as classic as they come, save for a tiny LCD nestled into the analog gauges to remind you this is still the 21st century. Fork gaiters and carefully crafted bodywork mimic the 1964 Kawasaki Meguro SG, bringing back a time when motorcycling was raw and real.
In a sea of tech-forward bikes, the S1 and W230 are relics in the best sense—reminding us of the simplicity and charm of motorcycling’s past. Would I ride one of these retro gems for my daily commute? Absolutely.
Check out the Kawasaki W230 on the company’s website.
