I have this bike and I love it. It's just a really fun bike that is easy to maintain. I customized mine to fit the centerstand, easy chain cleaning.

I agree 100% with your review. I am really happy you talk about the feel of the bike, and not bore us with the specs etc. I ride my bike daily, and absolutely love it.

My local Kawasaki shop has three of these, one they have fitted the W800 Street handlebar and seat which makes it feel a lot more comfortable

Thank you for an excellent review of the bike from an owner's stand point. Ride safe.

Thank you for the review. Being an owner myself I agree with your coments and yes the only down side I have found is the tyres. But absolutely love my bike.

Really enjoyed riding pillion on your ride out. Many thanks for an all around great experience. Im really sold on this motorcycle and I like your authoritative review which is so effective in its influence.

@TAYM

2 жыл бұрын

😂😂😂 I like this observation 😂😂👍

Just bought one discounted as it has sat in the showroom - not picked it up yet hoping it will be later this week, I can see me putting straight bars on it and maybe a centre stand - time will tell can not wait !

@TAYM

Жыл бұрын

They are great value for money and I don’t understand why they never sold😊 it’s a mystery 😂😂 but at least us that know get a bargain 😊

Nice review, I want this bike as my one an only retro bike!!

@TAYM

Жыл бұрын

It is a very nice bike that goes exceptionally well😊 thank you 😊

I have the earlier W650 , great bike to ride also . It sounds good, looks-good and never misses a beat . Triumph owners should love these-bikes , together with RE they started the modern-classics two years before Triumph and are arguably the reason triumph started-making old-look Bonnevilles again . Kawasaki originally-intended them Only for their Domestic-Market , catering to the huge Classic-Bike scene in Japan that is Mad-on 60's Triumphs . They only agreed to exports after a lot of pressure from Dealerships around the World (and they Aren't made in Thailand ! ). Dave nz

@TAYM

6 ай бұрын

Yes, I think Kawasaki put an awful lot of work into the W800 and only wish that they made a few more variants 😁 thanks KD 😁

I own one and I agree, best bike I have owned as I have owned BMW r1150rt , Yamaha Vstar, and currently own the concours and w800 and they are for different types of riding.

@TAYM

2 жыл бұрын

Interestingly I had a GT1000 which I think was the forerunner to the GTR1400, I think 🤔 Again very well built and in fact I think my brother still has that very bike in a barn somewhere.

same thoughts, ever since I saw the bike last year, i also fell in love. I hope you upload more about this bike, because i cannot find any other reviews in english and newer reviews. here are few questions: 1. does the 5-speed cover up to its cc? 2. is it good for long term bikes and longer rides? 3. what are the negatives about the bike? THANK YOU!! just subscribed to you! keep it up!!

@TAYM

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Joshua, I will certainly be doing more on this bike. Until I do I can say the 5 speed gearbox is ample for it and I often do 80 mile rides on it with no discomfort other than the ache in my face from smiling so much. I will have to think a little more about the negatives but not having a centre stand is always a pain. Will post more soon.

Try the local distributor for Zard exhausts. Made in Italy and sounds wicked on a Speed Twin.

@TAYM

8 ай бұрын

Thanks NK 😁

Gorgeous bike! With three Kawasakis’ in the garage and two Harleys I really want to add a W800 to the list but I’d have to leta couple bikes go to make it happen. If Kaw continues to make some version available, it might happen.

@TAYM

Жыл бұрын

It is a wonderful bike😊 I am sure they will continue it somewhere 😊

Nice review, I have the 2020 standard, just curious but you said you had an interceptor, why the w800 cafe and an interceptor. Did you just like the looks of Both? Again nice review I subscribed.

@TAYM

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks. Sorry if I confused people. I test rode the interceptor but it just didn’t do anything for me. I thought it was a nice bike and nothing wrong with it, just didn’t seem to fit me. I do like the look and maybe I will try again. I do think the Kawasaki is a good couple of notches up though.

Be honest, if it wasn’t for your historical link to Triumph with your Dad I’m sure the W800 would be your best bike ! They are so well built with proper heritage unlike Triumph and RE The RE 650 interceptor is not in the same class as w800 in so many ways !!! Keep up the good work, ride Wendy! PS have you put any mods on yours ? I fitted handlebar raisers on my cafe which make it very comfortable!

@TAYM

2 жыл бұрын

Not done any mods at all (other than the bag), as yet😊

Great review. I own the Street version of the W800 which has more of a swept back cruiser handlebar and i do not like it. I am considering getting the Cafe handle bar from Kawasaki after watching your video. What are your thoughts on that considering I would not have the fairing you have on yours? Besides the bars I love the bike! Also, if you are considering new pipes, check out Omega Racer in Thailand, they make a lot of aftermarket Triumph Bonny parts but also make W650/W800 aftermarket parts and have several options for aftermarket pipes. The owner, Markus, is great to deal with and I currently have a new bench style comfort seat on order with them but am considering the pipes as well.

@TAYM

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you. I know a few people have done the handlebars the other way around, put straight bars on the cafe but not seen any where they have put ace bars on the street. It might be a case of trail and error. In the old days that’s all we did and it was fine. It is in reality a much more retro thing to do. I will definitely check out the exhaust pipes, thanks for letting me know.

@Aris116

2 жыл бұрын

@@TAYM I ordered a Dart flyscreen so I think I will definitely be trying the Kawasaki clubman bars like you have on your Cafe edition. I’ll let you know how it plays out.

Lovely bike nice bags as well do they just clip on any other colours

@TAYM

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the kind comments. I have done a little video on the bags, which only come in brown and black. Having only just started this Vlogging malarkey I am still learning and as a result the video isn’t very good but I think I will put it up anyway. Hopefully it will show the bag enough for people to judge it for themselves.

Cracking bike looks the nuts👍🏻

Kawasaki spent more money on this engine than any other engine in its history. I would prefer pushrods and a single carb. I think Kawasaki was showing off with the bevel drive overhead cam system. Love my 01 650. Ive been using Metzger Lasertech tires which has never let me down.

@TAYM

8 ай бұрын

Very interesting 😁 thanks A 😁

I didn't much like the tires on mine, but that's something you will be changing anyway. The fueling is the part I least liked. Not much you can do about that! I always got around 35 MPG. Opening the throttle too much?

@TAYM

2 жыл бұрын

It’s not your fault, the bike makes you😂😂

They look great

@TAYM

Жыл бұрын

They do indeed 😊

😉Had to watch this one TAYM 👌

@TAYM

6 ай бұрын

Yes, miss my W800 😞 a moment of madness 😞 never mind 😁 so many other bikes to have 😁 thanks Crumb 😁

How is the suspension and tires in wet roads?

@TAYM

2 жыл бұрын

The tyres take some getting heat into and ‘white line’ a bit but are better than a lot of other tyres in the wet. I think large grooves help get rid of water giving more traction than some other sporty tyres. The suspension is pretty good for stock suspension and I have no problems with it. I really think Kawasaki have put a lot of effort into the w800 range and I can’t figure out why as I don’t believe they sell in large numbers. It mus be one of the best built bikes they make, but that’s just my opinion.

Great bike , I’m thinking,it’s your favourite ?

@TAYM

Жыл бұрын

Thanks TH 😊 I do like it a lot. It’s a bike that gets more and more enjoyable the longer you are riding it 😊

how is the cornering? is it bouncy?

@TAYM

2 жыл бұрын

It can get out of shape on rough/poor roads

@keesketsers5866

Жыл бұрын

I have the 2013 special. You can throw it around corners on even bad roads at crazy speeds. It flexes and wobbles like bikes used to do back in the day but it never loses traction. It very much tells you whats happening and when you are about to cross the line. Out of the 40+ bikes I have owned, the w800 makes me feel the most secure because of that. Modern bikes with stiff frames tend to reach the roadholding limit without warning, I hate that.