This is a bike you simply ignore all the stats and reviews by the professional riders. You just smile and enjoy the ride. That’s what riding a motorcycle is about

@davegeisler7802

3 жыл бұрын

That what I like about it too , basic old school motorcycle and it looks so cool , I dig it !

@moustachio334

2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely

@wrknclass1

2 ай бұрын

I just bought mine in az for 5400! Gonna ride her up to wa state

I really appreciate your reviews! Since sustaining a traumatic brain injury 6 years ago I haven't been able to ride and I enjoy riding with you. I'm hoping to be able to ride again and I really like the Moto Guzzi V7 III Special, V9 Roamer, and this bike too.

@RabidHedgehog

4 жыл бұрын

I hope you can rejoin the wind as well. I am happy to help you ride right now.

Thanks for your reviews! This is one of those bikes where you either get it or you don't, and clearly you get it. I've got a 2019 W800 Cafe and I love it. It's definitely not perfect from the factory...the suspension is too soft (for my fat ass anyway), the tires follow every groove in the pavement, and for me at least, the bars are on the low side. So I've replaced the suspension, put on better tires, and put higher bars on it, and it's turned out perfect for what I want. Some might ask why I didn't just get the regular W800 since I replaced the bars, but I love the paint colors, the black engine, and the black wheels of the cafe. Bars are easier and cheaper to replace than paint. It's a great sporting bike...not a sports bike, but a sporting bike.

@dougfielding8215

3 жыл бұрын

You are right about some people get it and some don't. Those who get it, love it.

@dougfielding8215

3 жыл бұрын

The factory suspension on my 2019 W800 Street is just right for my 155lbs.

@mebeasensei

2 жыл бұрын

How do you feel about no kick start? I have a w650 and I hate the idea of no kick start.

I have this same year and cafe model. I absolutely adore my bike. No matter how many times I have seen Reddit or KZread comments trying to convince people this bike “sucks” because it isn’t modern enough, isn’t fast enough, is too undertuned etc…I can’t help but love it and smile every time I see it, start it, listen to the engine, and every single moment I ride it. It is a perfect bike. I cringe when I see people try to convince someone considering it to buy a Bonnie T100…I spent weeks test riding Bonnies. I was convinced it *must* be the better bike because of stats and Reddit/KZread comments. They Bonnie’s I test wrote, several model years, felt fine. Competent rides. But a bit pig like. Especially at slow speeds. Finally, I decided to find a w800 to try. The difference was incredible. This bike has perfect balance. Nice torque all the way through the range most riders spend most of their time, and still cruises comfortably for 100s of miles at freeway speeds. The fact that it is “undertuned” means it should run 100,000 miles. The only downside is that the owner community and aftermarket community is small. This is a sleeper bike that will become highly sought after and collectible one day as well. Like the Honda GB500s that nobody wanted in 1989-1991 that had $4200 MSRP and dealers were marking down to $3000 to get rid of, and now sell for $10k-15k used and climbing.

I bought the Street model and love it. The steering feels much lighter than the Cafe version because of the wider more upright position of the handlebar. I got off my dresser and lightened my load! Super fun, back to motorcycling basics type of bike.

@RabidHedgehog

4 жыл бұрын

When one comes available to ride here in OKC I will be taking one out.

@davegeisler7802

3 жыл бұрын

Im thinking about doing the same with my dresser and lighten up some and get back to basics . Cool bike for sure. I dig it !

Great review as always Rabid !! At first I was put off by the looks with that mixture of silver fairing and side covers and brown tank , but nows its grown on me . I really dig it now 😍

Great review, thanks man!

Great review on a great motorcycle! Wishing there was a comparison on lean angles for twisty country roads. Thanks for the review! Bevel drive is truly amazing like an old Ducati!

@RabidHedgehog

5 жыл бұрын

I have to get out over 2 hours to get to them. I need to work on a group that would allow me to maybe trailer a bike into position to ride some good twists.

Thanks for the review. I am a huge fan of retro bikes. I have been looking at this bike and noticed recently how the price is dropping. Some dealerships are running them just under 6k.

@jeffreygoldberg3089

4 жыл бұрын

In AZ I saw one for $5800 or so

I have a W800 and a V9 bobber, the w800 is a more comfortable ride than the V9, the V9 has more power for sure.

It's a good looking bike imo. Nice styling, unique sound like u said, still needs an exhaust to amplify it a little bit though.

@RabidHedgehog

5 жыл бұрын

I'll bet there is something coming soon

I love that it is bevel drive for the cams.

I have a Moto Guzzi V9 Roamer. I love it. That Kaw seems Triumphish. A Japanese Triumph. Nice 👍

@ericweber1969

5 жыл бұрын

Cärolus Rex the first version of this bike, the W650, predates the new Bonneville's introduction by three years. Unfortunately, the Kawasaki didn't sell well in the US, so we haven't seen them here since 2001. Happy to see them back, and I hope they succeed this time!

@RabidHedgehog

5 жыл бұрын

Agreed! It is such a fun motorcycle and it exudes what motorcycling is supposed to be about, rider, machine, endless roads. With just a touch of modern (brakes, suspension).

@jurgentreue1200

5 жыл бұрын

@@ericweber1969,, the international emissions regulations killed the W650..

@ericweber1969

5 жыл бұрын

Jurgen Treue Kawasaki revised the W650 shortly afterward into the first generation W800, presumably to address these emission requirements. They haven't brought the W800 to the US before, so I don't recall exactly when this happened. Happy to see the second generation W800 here now.

@dougfielding8215

4 жыл бұрын

@@jurgentreue1200 It wasn't lack of sales. It sold well in other markets the W650 and later, the W800 were pulled to get emissions right. Some W650s have got very high mileage (160,000 miles).

Today, 5 June '20, my 2011 W800 kicked over to 80 k. Well, okay, km, so 50 k mi. To celebrate, I went over a pass near here with sweeping, regular hairpins, le-e-e-eaning in so's I could feel the little "tickler" under the foot pegs scratch all 'round the turn. It's been a wonderful bike, gives me what I need. Only criticism: the early models rusted faster than I'd have liked -- but then, I rode it through the winters. Buy one; you won't be sorry.

@RabidHedgehog

4 жыл бұрын

I am really thinking about the standard variant that just came on sale here in the US.

Nice bike from Kawasaki

@RabidHedgehog

5 жыл бұрын

Indeed it is

I'm enjoying watching your videos and have subscribed to your channel, as I'm getting back into motorcycles after a break of 20 years could you make some suggestions as to which bikes that I could consider for mainly daily trips to the countryside, I'm thinking of something up to 1000cc but not too heavy, I do prefer the classic style, my previous bike was a Yamaha 400 XS.

@RabidHedgehog

3 жыл бұрын

Wish they would bring back the XS series of machines on Yamaha's side. With Honda coming up with the Rebel 1100, Kawasaki and their W800 standard, Triumph and their wonderful Street Cup 900s and such there's so many to choose from to do what you are looking to do. I would say even take a look at the XSR series from Yamaha as the XSR 700 and 900 are both fantastic rides with classic looks but very modern performance. What I love about the W series Kawasaki motorcycles is they look, sound, and feel old school with just enough modern tech (abs, fuel injection), to sweeten the deal. Triumph and Yamaha add the goodies like power modes, abs, traction control units, etc. So if you're looking for truly old school Kawi is the way to go.

Nice bike, maybe one day 😀

z900rs cafe or w800 cafe? what would you pick between those two? i really like the looks of the 800 but if you add a lil more you can get the z900 already

@RabidHedgehog

4 жыл бұрын

So. This becomes a ride your ride answer. if you want to ride and enjoy the scenery in a not so quick fashion and in a more laid back more comfy ride and an old school more connected with the machine kind of feel yes for sure the W800. If you plan to ride hard and fast and carve out the canyons at breakneck speeds and loads of grip and more precision handling the Z900rs.

This and the Honda CB1100 are my favorite bikes. I got to see a lot of W800’s in Thailand. I much prefer it to a Triumph. Wish Kawasaki would bring back an air cooled three cylnder screamer though

Suzuki has one like that too the SV650 cafe

@RabidHedgehog

4 жыл бұрын

Which I will say is a superior machine. I am digging the standard W800 released this year.

Hey rabid hedgehog have you thought about doing any reviews on CSC motorcycles out of California? CSC stands for California scooter company and they import 3 different bikes from Chinese manufacturer zongshen They have two bikes that they’ll ship brand new to your front door for $2400 and a third for around $5000

@RabidHedgehog

5 жыл бұрын

I have but when I reached out there was no response and we have no dealers here in Oklahoma either.

What would really be sweet is if you could do your test rides out on the Talimena Scenic Drive. Just saying....=^>

@RabidHedgehog

5 жыл бұрын

This I can totally agree with.

From what you said about the Z900RS in your review, I think this bike fits your style of riding (And mine) quite a bit better. If I didn't have three bikes in the garage, and two of them being Kawasaki, I'd grab one of these in a heartbeat. Kawasaki's lineup is on spot, with the exception of 86'ing the KLR 650, hopefully they will rectify that error in the 2020 line up.

@RabidHedgehog

5 жыл бұрын

Well they would need to bring it to the Euro standards and carburetor did not work. Maybe a FI variant is coming.

Great Video. I ve one question: Can you compare the W800 to your CB 1100 ex? - Which bike is more comfy, which feels more powerfull? The CB has 90 horses, the W only 48. But the W is much lighter. Thank you.

@RabidHedgehog

5 жыл бұрын

The CB1100 is a precision machine. It is smooth, potent, and can carve some curves. This bike is also more comfy since it is more standard than the clubman/cafe hybrid of the W. The W buzzes, it is a character driven bike. It is very much slower and you can feel the difference in thrust between the both immediately. So even with that weight advantage the W provides its bevel gear engine just does not spin up as fast or provide the thrust of then inline 4 Honda. Honda wins hands down. Character and charm the W wins as it is a machine that speaks to you as you ride. You feel it.

@Toni62R

5 жыл бұрын

@@RabidHedgehog Thanks very much!

@marcmaz21

3 жыл бұрын

I have the CB1100. No comparison. That in-line 4 is electric smooth and power any time you want it. Better comparison would be my previous bike. Triumph Street Twin. Great bike and the best factory exhaust ever.

I like everything about this bike except the handlebars. Seem a little too low and pushed forward. If it had less extreme bars I'd consider getting one. I like to sit fairly up right on a bike, like the seating position on the Triumph Bonneville or the new Royal Enfield Interceptor, which I just did a test ride on a couple days ago. (I was a little underwhelmed by the R.E. Great bike for the price I guess. It's a fun bike to ride, but I made the mistake of test riding a new Bonneville right after the Interceptor...and there's obviously no comparison. One cost nearly twice the price.

@RabidHedgehog

5 жыл бұрын

Wish I had access to the new Bonneville and Royal Enfields

@dermur68

5 жыл бұрын

The W800 comes as a street model too with a classic-style handlebar. I've got a 2015 W800 with similar bars and it's so comfortable - I could stay in the saddle all day long! Funny enough - I'm thinking of swapping in clubman bars to get a bit more racey...

I'd rock it to the beach

@RabidHedgehog

4 жыл бұрын

I'd rock it in town too. I am hoping to do the standard W800 soon.

When are you going to test the Vulcan ?

@RabidHedgehog

5 жыл бұрын

Which Vulcan?

@nantzstein3311

5 жыл бұрын

@@RabidHedgehog The Vulcan s 650

@RabidHedgehog

5 жыл бұрын

A bit older but here is the original video: kzread.info/dash/bejne/oqeZtaWlhZeymKg.html

@RabidHedgehog

5 жыл бұрын

and a 360 variant going back over the bike since we owned one for two years. kzread.info/dash/bejne/poGkr5Wug8WXgJc.html

Is this the cafe racer or street?

@RabidHedgehog

5 жыл бұрын

It is in the style of a café racer with more of a clubman riding position. If that makes sense. Bit more comfy.

@johnn6681

5 жыл бұрын

The one shown in the video is the Cafe.

@dougfielding8215

4 жыл бұрын

@@johnn6681 the Street has an upright riding position. Very comfortable. The Classic version has handlebars at mid height between the Cafe and the Street models.

W800 scrambler? Just a topic for conversation

@RabidHedgehog

4 жыл бұрын

With the standard version coming out YES!

Good test! Greetings from Australia. Bit of advice...youre gunna get hurt, riding on the wrong side of the road. Haha. Just joking.. Take care.

@RabidHedgehog

2 жыл бұрын

With Oklahoman drivers all things are possible!

Mine developed an oil leak in the first 500 miles

@RabidHedgehog

4 жыл бұрын

That's sad. Did they get a fix on it or figure out what it was? Sometimes you can do everything right in setting an oring or gasket and there's a tiny twist or a speck of dust on it that causes a premature failure or the case wasn't prepped right and still had a casting burr on it.

Lets stay in the seventies, it was much nicer then. I would wear my leather fringed biker jacket with a Rolling Stones T shirt lol ! A REAL BIKE

But it's underpowered. Power to money ratio is less😢

@RabidHedgehog

4 жыл бұрын

I mean it was not too bad. It will not light up the world with its power, but it will run well and I like the way it runs like its original predecessor.

@dougfielding8215

4 жыл бұрын

I find it's plenty fast, definately not underpowered. It's also quite a torquey bike at lower rpm, it pulls well enough to have fun.

@FroggyCrimes

4 жыл бұрын

You don't buy this bike to race lol

High beam on, don't ride like that it's annoying

@RabidHedgehog

5 жыл бұрын

High beam on in day is taught in MSF courses for better visibility. Riding at night with it on is crap I agree.

@bfarm44

5 жыл бұрын

@@RabidHedgehog annoys the shit out of everyone coming at you. I have been riding since 85. Bad practice. High beams in the daytime are still high beams. Just because someone thought it's a good idea doesn't make it one. Love this bike though. Perfect for what im looking for. Price is a but higher than I wanted but....

@soonerstan56

5 жыл бұрын

Hey if people are pissed off and don't turn left in front you, they'll get over it and you'll live to ride again! the fact that they saw you is what matters. Stan , @@bfarm44

@daevster6663

5 жыл бұрын

@@bfarm44 I'd rather annoy someone than get hit by someone and have them say "wool wool wool, I didn't see ya"

@patricktracy7940

5 жыл бұрын

@@soonerstan56 l