If this was actually imported to the US, Triumph could have some serious competition in the modern classics market. Although I have my doubts given what Honda did with the CB1100. http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/New-bikes/2010/august/aug2710-kawasaki-w800-is-real/
-and a comfortable seat and dual disks. I guess the tank is better than the stock W650- but still... Good start, I guess- but I didn't really see anything wrong with the 650. I'm tired of bigger is better. (After a certain point, I don't think it is)
well in my opinion all streetbikes should have abs as an option these days but most (at least in the US) do not. My point is that it seems like an odd thing to nitpick on this particular model
Cool bike, but it doesn't need ABS or dual disks What it needs is a kick-starter, then it'd be a bitchin' adventure bike!
overkill for a 60bhp 800. Plus they will need to stay within a price point to compete with bonnevilles I don't think kawi thought there was much wrong with it either, but it didn't sell.
Warning, tired ol coot rant. ABS????????? Give me a break! Like your going to speed race THAT bike???? I grow tired of the trend to want MORE and more. ABS, duel disks, detachable bags that have homing devices, cup holders, refrigerators, air compressors, AIR BAGS??????????????? When did the simple motor, 2 wheels, a seat and handle bars, oh yeah a gas tank get out of vogue???? I will keep my sporty and love it.
I had a Kawasaki W650 it was a fun bike that turned a lot of heads.. I really like the look of the W800
The only thing the W800 needs is to be sold in the U.S. I would buy one and I'll bet a whole lot of middle age riders would also. Are you hearing me, Kawasaki?
Not too crazy about that paint scheme, but I guess that's easy enough to change. And where are the Triumph, I mean Kawasaki, badges? My W650 has a kick starter, nicer looks IMHO, and a certain relaxed feeling about it. I bought into the bigger is better thing when I sold my naked SV650 and bought a naked SV1000. I like the power of the 1000, but I loved the handling of the 650, and that got lost in the transition. Bigger is not always better. Think I'll keep what I got. EDIT: OK, I now see that's a British magazine. Kaw sold them there until '06, so they obviously were popular there. I think the chances of getting it here are pretty slim based on it's previous record.
I feel on a bike like this that you are unlikely to actually activate the ABS very often. Of course, I am not usually in the ABS category except in the case of very large bikes with powerful brakes or perhaps sport bikes (also with powerful brakes). I suppose folks like you who want the ABS want it for that odd time you need it You know what I mean...
Could care less about ABS on this bike. My modest little W650 is such a perfect package as it is. Don't need no dual disks either as you would simply be left wanting more power, and then better shocks, and then even better brakes, and then even more power and then usd forks, and then a SSSA w/ a 6" rear rim, and then....fuck this bike! I want something else, and so on, and so forth It is what it is (like so many Harley's) and if you can come to terms with that then it is oh so sweet.
It's just like a helmet. You don't know when, or even if you might need it. If you need it and you don't have it. That's the point.
I like it ( and I have a Bonneville). Doesn't need another disk. ABS - would price it out of the reasonable range for me. Whole point is a fairly simple bike with retro looks but not retro maintenance/crappy reliability.
No, because it costs an arm and a leg, an experienced rider can do just as well knowing his/her bike and how to break and its more complexity then needed on a bike ridden SANELY on the city streets.
Why would Kawasaki bring this bike to the US? They brought the W650 for two or so years and sold 60 of them (+ or -). I loved the W650 when it came out, I thought "way to go" (and the equal or better to a Bonneville) but I didn't spring for one. This 800 seems to be the same idea, only not as good looking. And that Kawasaki green, and any version thereof, is and will always be ugly. Bad start. The Bonnevilles are good looking, much better looking with different pipes, but I sense the newer versions with the cast wheels Triumph is losing "that look". My first ride was on a Triumph in 1965 and it will forever encapsulate "motorcycle" to me.
I just said 2 disks because I had them on my R65 and I kind of liked them. Overkill on a 2 hp bike, but still- it was nice. The 650 didn't sell because Kawasaki didn't sell it. No advertising. Zip. And this besides the fact that all the magaziines liked it better than the Bonneville. I found out about the W after it was gone off the sales floors. Dang it- had to buy a low-miles used one and go and save a lot of money. Anyway- I like it the way ut us. I sure don't ever wish I had more power / speed.