Kawasaki W800

[Speedo66]

Originally Posted by folmonty

If you go back to 1966 the W1 Kawasaki was competing against the Bonneville with their own twin for a few years. You'll notice bit of resemblance to the W650 even today.

Yes, but my '56 Triumph looked like an even earlier Triumph, so I think that distinctive Triumph tank still had them by a decade or two.

Funny that Triumph has been resurrected, same for Norton (a couple of times), and Royal Enfield is still plodding along in India, but I don't recall anybody doing anything with BSA.

[Lopoetve]

Originally Posted by mrbreeze

Yeah! Only Harley should be able to build bikes like that! What we need are fewer choices! Less competition! Long live the herd!

Here, have some more Kool-Aid.

I like the Vaquero. And I like the Stratoliner Deluxe too. And the Victory Cross Country. And I like the fact that some people find it disconcerting.

Now back to discussing everyone's favorite BSA knock of...

See, nothing wrong with competition. A standard cruiser is a standard cruiser. But, if you're going to make a touring bike fairing, go unique - I may think the Victory Vision is one of the most godawful looking bikes ever made, but it IS unique, and not a copy of any other brand's big twin touring bike.

That, or just copy it straight like Yamaha did, with the Royal Stars/Stratoliner. At least they added a bit of the art-deco flair.

[mrbreeze]

Originally Posted by Lopoetve

See, nothing wrong with competition. A standard cruiser is a standard cruiser. But, if you're going to make a touring bike fairing, go unique - I may think the Victory Vision is one of the most godawful looking bikes ever made, but it IS unique, and not a copy of any other brand's big twin touring bike.

That, or just copy it straight like Yamaha did, with the Royal Stars/Stratoliner. At least they added a bit of the art-deco flair.

so the Vaquero's fairing falls in the dreaded no man's land of being too much like the HD fairing, but not enough like it? I guess it's understandable that Kawasaki might mess up when the rules are so vague.

As for me, I find the Vaquero's fairing to be unique to Kawasaki, and like I said in the Vaquero thread, Electra Glides are a dime a dozen where I live. I get tired of seeing that batwing fairing.

[rhys]

I may hafta apologize for saying this, but upon opening this thread and viewing that image.... I almost threw up.

[rider33]

Originally Posted by Speedo66

I love my W650, but wasn't it, and now the W800, pretty much a shameless cloning of a Bonneville?

No. It's more similar to the classic twins of the late 50's and early 60's
than say the Hinkley Bonnie is, even in T100 trim, but it's not really a copy.
The bevel drive alone gets it WTF honors. What really distinguishes it tho,
which they seem to be pushing in the materials for the updated launch, is the level of finish. Flat out, it's a very nicely put together bike with a lot of little touches that you just don't see anymore (hinged seat that opens with a key with document storage below, a tool kit, stock center stand, a clock, real helmet locks etc). It's just a very well sorted out design and the update seems to have improved on it. I've owned a lot of bikes but that ones stuck with me longer than most, even tho I sold it better than 6 years ago. That was why I was really looking forward to buying the updated version. I've tried the Modern Classics line, for me they don't scratch the same itch.

[Lopoetve]

Originally Posted by mrbreeze

so the Vaquero's fairing falls in the dreaded no man's land of being too much like the HD fairing, but not enough like it? I guess it's understandable that Kawasaki might mess up when the rules are so vague.

As for me, I find the Vaquero's fairing to be unique to Kawasaki, and like I said in the Vaquero thread, Electra Glides are a dime a dozen where I live. I get tired of seeing that batwing fairing.

No, it falls in the "omg that thing is freaking ugly, and a lousy knock off." Just take it off and go naked.



Yamaha shamelessly copied directly, pretty much. Fair enough. Victory did something totally unique. Also fair enough. Kawi... well, I don't know what that was, but I'm pretty sure peyote and meth were involved.

Plus hookers.

[Duck_Pilot]

I finally took a gander at the specs list, and am pleasantly surprised to see fuel injection and 4-valve heads. This may well be a much more fun ride than I first thought.... if it ever comes Stateside, that is.

[burgerking]

Originally Posted by alcorrr

http://www.kawasaki.eu/w800

I like it, engine looks real nice, not that I will rush out and buy one just yet. But who knows in the future when the StripleR is to fast for me, I might get this one instead.

[tremor38]

Originally Posted by Speedo66

I love my W650, but wasn't it, and now the W800, pretty much a shameless cloning of a Bonneville?

Nooo! Rider33 posted a link to the Vulcan Vaquero which looks like a clone of a Harley Utra Classic right down to the fairing and gauge arrangement. It makes me ill to look at that.

I love the W650 and and believe it to be very unique in many ways. The W800 looks like the same basic design with EFI and 4 valves per cylinder....bonus!!! Although the secondary throttle body butterflies might subtract from some of the 'character.'

[Speedo66]

Originally Posted by tremor38

Nooo! Rider33 posted a link to the Vulcan Vaquero which looks like a clone of a Harley Utra Classic right down to the fairing and gauge arrangement. It makes me ill to look at that.

I love the W650 and and believe it to be very unique in many ways. The W800 looks like the same basic design with EFI and 4 valves per cylinder....bonus!!! Although the secondary throttle body butterflies might subtract from some of the 'character.'

You're the second person to mention the 4 valves/cylinder as if it were something new.

The W650 came with 4 valves. The FI is new though, and with the crap fuel we get now, a very welcome addition to save carb cleaning.

I'd be very surprised if the original Bonneville styling wasn't the target they were aiming for.

[gelandestrasse]

Originally Posted by tremor38

Nooo! Rider33 posted a link to the Vulcan Vaquero which looks like a clone of a Harley Utra Classic right down to the fairing and gauge arrangement. It makes me ill to look at that.

I love the W650 and and believe it to be very unique in many ways. The W800 looks like the same basic design with EFI and 4 valves per cylinder....bonus!!! Although the secondary throttle body butterflies might subtract from some of the 'character.'

How is it that the Vulcan Vaquero makes you ill but the W bikes don't? Kawasaki bought Meguro motorcycles who were producing licensed copies of BSA vertical twin motorcycles. That's the genesis of the Kawasaki "W" bikes.

Why is it ok to have a bike that came out of a direct licensed copy of a British bike, but completely unacceptable for the same manufacturer to copy an American bike's styling? Do you have something against Harley Davidson?

[Lopoetve]

Originally Posted by gelandestrasse

How is it that the Vulcan Vaquero makes you ill but the W bikes don't? Kawasaki bought Meguro motorcycles who were producing licensed copies of BSA vertical twin motorcycles. That's the genesis of the Kawasaki "W" bikes.

Why is it ok to have a bike that came out of a direct licensed copy of a British bike, but completely unacceptable for the same manufacturer to copy an American bike's styling? Do you have something against Harley Davidson?

Because they copied the bonnieville ~well~. They totally horked the Road Glide copy. That thing is ugly as ~sin~.

[gelandestrasse]

Originally Posted by Lopoetve

Because they copied the bonnieville ~well~. They totally horked the Road Glide copy. That thing is ugly as ~sin~.

So it's not about the bike, it's about looking cool. Gotcha.

[mitchxout]

Originally Posted by gelandestrasse

How is it that the Vulcan Vaquero makes you ill but the W bikes don't?

Thanks, this made me laugh.

[Lopoetve]

Originally Posted by gelandestrasse

So it's not about the bike, it's about looking cool. Gotcha.

When isn't it?

Would you ride something that had pink spinners, blue tassels, and neon green wheels, and looked like a clown had designed the body?