Kawasaki W800

[A Knight Who Says Ni]

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/Ne...-w800-is-real/

[gelandestrasse]

Needs ABS.

[Uncle Ernie]

-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)

[A Knight Who Says Ni]

Originally Posted by gelandestrasse

Needs ABS.

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

[El Guero]

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!

[A Knight Who Says Ni]

Originally Posted by Uncle Ernie

dual disks.

overkill for a 60bhp 800. Plus they will need to stay within a price point to compete with bonnevilles

Originally Posted by Uncle Ernie

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)

I don't think kawi thought there was much wrong with it either, but it didn't sell.

[gelandestrasse]

Originally Posted by A Knight Who Says Ni

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

No ABS == no sale.

End of discussion.

[professir]

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.

[Oilhed]

Is that for real? I'd buy one with metal fenders.

[iridemotorbikes]

I had a Kawasaki W650 it was a fun bike that turned a lot of heads.. I really like the look of the W800

[soboy]

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?

[gelandestrasse]

Originally Posted by professir

Warning, tired ol coot rant. ABS????????? Give me a break! Like your going to speed race THAT bike????

Because ABS only works on really fast bikes.

[Speedo66]

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.

[El Guero]

Originally Posted by gelandestrasse

Because ABS only works on really fast bikes.

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...

[GuinnesS]

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.