Kawasaki W800 - Fresh From The Box

wow, I love what they did with the front brake disk. It's very tastefully integrated into the hub.

The sculpting of the engine case is beautiful, too.

It really puts the thaiumphs to shame.

This thread needs more photos.

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/qDM5HiLi5bFNiTNjW9X07dMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-f7ZQ4R4OePw/T9SBeCWrwpI/AAAAAAAAACs/YxxvnYVuMz8/s800/IMG_1048.jpg" height="600" width="800" /></a>
Doing a garbage run to the dump. Robbinsville,NC

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/K2kTNv99ifRPZOWykDuPrdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-qGuaPfQqoCo/T9SCOgLx8yI/AAAAAAAAAFc/T2h4PWf7kIM/s800/IMG_0932.jpg" height="600" width="800" /></a>
Fall is here in the mountains of Western North Carolina

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2mKdeXaR3L5Cwfnbb_O4CdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_YPGjWB7rw8/UGYupBHSYrI/AAAAAAAABr8/p4ldG5nWio8/s800/IMG_1149.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>
Old guys appreciate their W650s. Tellico Plains, TN

I like the looks of those. The new Triumph Bonnevilles look bloated in comparison.

Thanks for all the advice on changing things and possible problems, I'll bear it mind for the future. At the moment it's running brilliantly, no problems at all getting on average around 60mpg. It's had it's first service so now I can rev the thing and it's great fun to do so. Or you can thud along at low revs just ambling around no problem, such a flexible engine. Never heard of anyone over here in the UK with fuel injection problems. I'm not likely to listen to any of those things when I buy a bike anyway. I've had several supposedly "bulletproof" bikes that have all been a complete nightmare to own, a GS500E, DRZ-400S and a Honda Hornet 600 so I no longer listen to any of that nonsense, it's pot luck whatever bike you buy if you ask me and buying new you're likely to get things repaired under warranty or get things recalled or whatever, so no need to worry.

As far as altering anything goes, I'm not going to bother. It's fine for me as standard, as soon as I started off on the test-ride model I knew it was the bike for me and I don't feel the need to change anything. I can hear it perfectly when I'm riding it and I always wear earplugs so I don't feel the need to change the exhaust noise. I was told it was whisper quiet before I actually rode one, but that's just not true, it's no quieter than most new bikes these days. It sounds quiet on all the youtube videos you can find of it, and even when I took a video myself it sounds a lot quieter than it really is, I don't think the microphones built into these non-professional cameras pick it up very well. The suspension is fine for me, I always ride back roads as much as possible and no problems for me even with a pillion. Bumps and potholes and all.

Again I urge anyone to try one if you're interested in these types of bikes as the proof of the pudding in the eating, not looking at the recipe list or listening to food critics. Try the Triumphs too, as they are different.

I'm surprised these types of bikes don't sell so well in the US. I thought you loved that sort of thing on your side of the pond. I know plenty of you buy the Triumph retro style bikes. I think Kawasaki are missing out.

Kawasaki never really marketed the W650 over here. Even at the big shows, they just sort of stuck it in a corner.

When Triumph came out with the new Bonneville in 2001, Kaw caved and stopped bringing it here after a run of only 2 years. The Bonnie introduction would probably have primed the market for the bike, but then it was no longer available.

Now, I can't go anywhere where there are bikes without several people coming over and either not recognizing it and telling me how great it looks, or people who do know what it is lamenting they can't find one to buy.

KAWASAKI, bring the new ones over!

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.

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/QF8tsc_klDeINM3776QgB9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fsP-IYvlHTY/T9SCK3XXqCI/AAAAAAAAAFI/1JpF2VU3fVk/s800/IMG_0979.jpg" height="600" width="800" /></a>

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?

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)

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.

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.

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

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

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.

That is a real beauty,congrats!

Thats a proper bike ..

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

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.

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.

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?

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: