Kawasaki W800 - Fresh From The Box

[Barnone]

I bought my first W650 when they came out here in the USA in 2000. Then several years later I traded it for a Kawasaki Mule which I still have and use it constantly at our ranch in Florida. Then a few years later I bought a used 2001 W650 and kept it for several years and sold it to Uncle Ernie(famous on this site RIP) in Asheville,NC who Cafed it. Then last year I finally found another that was in excellent shape (2000 miles) and bought it. Hopefully I will keep it and not foolishly sell/trade it like I did with the other two.

I too always get questions and comments on my old Triumph/BSA so I put big decals on the tank.



One guy asked who put Kawasaki decals on that old BSA?

BTW, my first real bike back in 1966 was a BSA 650 so I guess I have come full circle. The W650 is just the perfect bike to ride here in the mountains of Western North Carolina.

Would the W800 sell in sufficient numbers in the USA to justify Kawasaki bring it in?

[Jim K.]

Originally Posted by Speedo66

When Triumph came out with the new Bonneville in 2001, Kaw caved and stopped bringing it here after a run of only 2 years.
KAWASAKI, bring the new ones over!

Agreed, I was searching for one in 2000, but the impending Bonneville intro sucked all the oxygen from the retro room. Someone needs to tell Kawi that they should put on their big boy pants, bring it here, show it around & keep it long enough for folks to start to see it on the street. This isn't a bike that will sell on performance, it will sell on aesthetics. the bike buying public needs to see it. In a showroom or on the street, if it's seen, it will be desired. (& bought)

[Tripletreat]

I couldn't agree more. Beautiful bike, and with the current retro-everything craze, the time is right for bringing it to the U.S. market.

[Pigford]

I think the W650 will be the classic - modern old bike ... rather than the W800. This is gonna be the case because the "first of the breed" is always top-dog

Not to say the 800 is inferior - it's just that the W650 is nearer the mark - it's got a KICKSTARTER and real CARBS

Heres mine (as we all like photo's)........





....swapped the hi-bars for several types of low-bar, and finally settled on some I like & changed the rear light for summink more fitting plus got a Bagster & tank bag & rack & screen with it.

[marshrat]

That bike in post #1 could make me pull out my checkbook.

[livo]

Dad is picking up his on the 20th!! Can't wait to give it a spin

Originally Posted by marshrat

That bike in post #1 could make me pull out my checkbook.

[Ginger Beard]

Originally Posted by Loop

Well I recently traded in my tired old Bandit for a lovely new Kawasaki W800 and what a fantastic bike it is. Picked it up Friday but was working over the weekend so no chance to use it other than for commuting but I now have a week off so I took it out today and yesterday to play a little. Took it down my favourite back-water roads and along some light trails and had a whale of a time. Here are some pictures:

Through the woods:

Such a gorgeous bike!! Congratulations.
















Dear Kawasaki,

I live in the USA and.........

[saltspray]

Originally Posted by Mambo Dave

I'm pretty willing to bet that if I had a W800 shipped over and just threw the plates of a similar sized / color Kawasaki on one, I'd never be questioned for riding it here in Florida. Really, how often do police check the VIN of a bike and compare it to the plates at a traffic stop, anyway? Police, at least in this state, have far more crime to worry about than a bike that was never reported stolen in the first place.

This is known as "Attaching Tag Not Assigned" and is an arrestable offense in Florida.


I wish we got this bike in the US. I'd strongly consider one. If I find a clean W650 I'll probably buy it.

[skippy1969]

That is a real beauty,congrats!

[flying_finn]

Thats a proper bike ..

[Cage Dodger]

Originally Posted by ZZ-R Rider

My God that is one gorgeous motorcycle!! Wonder if we could get Kawasaki to introduce it to North America if we started an email campaign?

My understanding is the W800 was offered in the US but due to slow sales it was discontinued. I didn't know they were still making them for overseas sales.

Edit: offered as the W650

Cage

[Speedo66]

The W650 was offered in some markets until 2009 from what I've read. I believe they also had a 450cc version in certain markets.

[CBRider]

Very nice bike! I hope one day Kawasaki will import them to the US. I've had my 2000 W650 since it was new and it now has well over 30,000 miles. It's the only bike I've ever had that I will never sell.

[Clint Taurus]

I had a w650, great bike. visually near identical to the w800. Wonder why us Americans don't like that style of pure naked motorcycle enough to support Kawasaki bringing it here?

[hillbillypolack]

I recall a friend of mine riding one through Deals Gap a few years ago. Fantastic looking bike and it rode well for him on the trip too!

I'd almost forgotten about the W650 until this thread, which got me searching and found this: