The W800 has an air-cooled, 773 cc (47 cu in) 360° parallel-twin, four-stroke engine, with shaft and bevel gear driven overhead cam.

[5] The retro style includes a highly polished, gloss-painted and pinstriped fuel tank, as well as a ribbed saddle, wire wheels and a special W-logo on both sides of the tank, which refers to the W1-model.

[7] For both models, there is the Café Style option, with a front cowl, and a cafe racer-inspired seat.

[1] Kevin Ash wrote, "The performance feels distinctly retro too, but in a good way, as the W800 purrs along.

The sound is friendly and mellow and the engine pulls well enough not to feel breathless, as the W650 could".