Kawasaki honors historic Meguro brand with K3 model

Kawasaki pays tribute to Meguro motorcycles with K3

Kawasaki pays tribute to one of the pioneers of Japanese motorcycles, with the Meguro K3. The K3 is a classically-styled motorcycle designed to pay tribute to the Meguro motorcycle marque that was founded in 1923, and led to the creation of Kawasaki motorcycles.

In its heyday, Meguro was Japan’s second-largest motorcycle manufacturer, second only to Honda. It was marketed as a premium brand. Unfortunately, its foray into smaller, more affordable models led to financial issues. Kawasaki Heavy Industries acquired the company in the 1960s leading to the creation of its own motorcycle brand.

Meguro K3

The Kawasaki Meguro K3 is powered by a 773cc twin cylinder, air-cooled, EFI engine mated to a 5-speed transmission. Though it may be classic in style, it is equipped with modern features like disc brakes with anti-lock braking systems (ABS), an LED headlight, combined digital and analog panel; and an assist and slipper clutch.

For now, the Kawasaki Meguro K3 will be available for the Japanese Domestic Market starting February of next year. Its top of the line model with a “mirror coat black” finish will retail at a suggested price of JPY1,276,000 or roughly PHP589,000.

If you think its design looks like the current W-series of Kawasaki, that's because Kawasaki's first W, the W650 was actually inspired by the Meguro W2. Now, the Meguro brand is finally receiving the recognition it deserves with this dedicated model. In fact, it even sports the original logo before Kawasaki fully acquired it.

Meguro Motorcycles

The Meguro Manufacturing Co. is considered by many as one of the pioneers of the Japanese motorcycle industry. Originally founded in 1924 as Murato Iron Works, the company invested in Harley-Davidson after the Wall Street Crash and developed their own parallel twin cylinder based on designs and patents of the iconic V-twin engine Harley-Davidson provided as part of the investment deal.

Thanks to its investment in American motorcycle technology, it was able to design and build early motorcycle transmissions for some of the early players of the Japanese motorcycle industry.

During the war, it became one of the largest motorcycle manufacturers in Japan by supplying the Japanese government with military and police motorcycles. The company was, at one time, racing alongside Honda and was at the cutting edge of motorcycle technology development.

The company merged with Kawasaki Heavy Industries in the 1960s, after having been badly hit financially due to poor sales and a year-long labor strike. It evolved into the Kawasaki motorcycles we know today.