I ran a W650 for a while. It was a terrific bike, one of those bikes where you can concentrate on riding instead of managing the bike. With skinny tyres, you don't have to lean over so far, and you need less input to make it go where you want. The result is a bike that seems to read your mind. The other thing with a bike like this is, when you're getting on in years (as I am), you want something that demands less, physically, of the rider, while still looking cool and performing well. The W650 and W800 fills this rôle handsomely.

I've got about 13,000 miles on my W800 (also a 2020 model). It isn't the "wheel size" that causes it to sort of follow rain grooves or other pavement imperfections, it is the stock tires. They have a classic look but the tread pattern causes the problem you mention. Switched to Michelin Road Classics and the problem went away. Also, on the clutch lever position adjustment, 5 is actually closest to the handlebar and 1the furthest.

@davidbrayshaw3529

4 ай бұрын

I'm on Bridgestone. No problems at all.

Probably one of the best looking retro bikes 😮

A real retro bike, my choice before a Bonnerville every time, its a stunner.

I have a blue 2021 that I bought in 2021. I use it for commuting in town and it works great. I like the slipper clutch when downshifting.

I remember your original video when you had just purchased your W800. At the time I was researching reviews, and your review helped me to buy my W800, 2011 model. I love it. Thanks for your input 👌🏽

@davidbrayshaw3529

2 ай бұрын

I'd been looking for a bike for quite a while. I was considering all sorts of "middleweight" bikes and had a wide list of options. Basically, I set myself the goal of finding a good value bike with low k's or even a recently restored bike in good condition for the money. I really wasn't that fussy. The only things not on the list were sports bikes and cruisers. Eventually, a 2015 W800 came up in immaculate condition with just 900 miles on it! Not only that, but the vendor was motivated to sell. It was almost too good to be true. Everything checked out and I took the bike for its maiden voyage. I was pretty impressed. A few more rides and I started to think, "this is a really well thought out, good bike". 8 months later and I realise now that I should have bought a W650 when they first came out, all those years ago. I've stumbled upon a bike that for me and my use case, is better than any other bike that I've ridden, and I've ridden quite a few. How could I not have known, all these years.

Just saw this exact bike on cycle trader and your right, I can't believe it's still for sale. Price is decent, actually the cheapest example in 2024 so far. Hope your video helps it find a new home.

If I would have a final bike, this would be it. I drive as slow as hell, besides, we always have traffic jam here in PH.

Love the bike but the levers are really ugly….

These are wonderful machines that sound like a Brit classic twin should. The crank timing is such that it sounds and feels like an older BSA. Surprised that you did not talk about the most important aspect of these W bikes. The engine is the only one currently in production with the shaft and bevel gear drive for the overhead cams. I have read other reviews that, after changing tires to a more "modern" tread design, the handling improves significantly. The reason that these don't sell well? Probably a number of things, but for those of us from a certain era, these really scratch an itch that more technically advanced bikes won't even come close to satisfying.

@RabidHedgehog

4 ай бұрын

Yeah, I did forget to mention that in this cut. I was having issues with the GoPro just being awful that day and dropping batteries like flies every 30 seconds. When that battery rolled and kept going I went Sonic the Hedgehog in Gotta go fast!

@VeritasEtAequitas

4 ай бұрын

Triumphs are cheap enough, but if you don't want the maintenance and costs ...

@davidbrayshaw3529

4 ай бұрын

Yes, upgrading tyres solves any handling problems. They weren't a great seller in the West for a number of reasons. They were expensive. US customers didn't take to the original 650 format as it was seen to be "too small". Then, not long after these things came out, the Triumph retros hit the market. Not long after that, the RE range hit the market at bargain basement prices. It's pretty much exactly what happened to the original W1, which is somewhat ironic. By the way, the Japanese love these things, so somebody knows about them.

@Bob-xc2us

Ай бұрын

@@davidbrayshaw3529 North Americans aren't happy with sub 100 horse power machines. That's why pickup trucks are are getting bigger and faster. All based on consumer demand whether actual or perceived. People aren't happy paying the premium price for the fantastic quality of this bike given that it is sub 50 horse power. I find torque more usable than all out horse power so it is plenty fast for me.

I just bought my 2nd W800. One for Florida, one for up north. Both low mileage ‘20s (red & blue). Both from senior owners, both bought as new 2 year old leftovers. Riding 135 miles on I-75 when I bought the 2nd one, I discovered the engine buzz smooths out around 4000 rpms. It reminds me of my old CB 350, buzzing until 7000 rpms then smoothing out. I’m looking into changing the fork springs to reduce nose diving when braking. And maybe the front tire. They are lookers.

@Bob-xc2us

Ай бұрын

I had a 1972 CB350 and that thing would shake your feet right off the foot pegs. My W800 feels silky smooth by comparison. Only a little vibration noticeable at 3500rpm. I think Kawasaki designed that in to keep it more authentic.

My 2022 W800 is better on the cracks and rain grooves if you run the tires at the proper pressures. Most dealers over inflate the tires which makes the contact patch narrower thus making them follow the groves more. One rider= 28psi front and 32psi rear. With a passenger=28psi front and 36psi rear. dealers like to pump the rear right up to 36psi because they know most riders won't raise the pressure when carrying a passenger.

If it is still there it is priced to high for the local market. It is a quality machine, but doesn't have the features provided by comparable priced competitors.

I have the cafe version. Nice ride. Only issue is if you push it hard in corners it bounces. Not the type of bike to hit corners hard, but just a note.

@Bob-xc2us

Ай бұрын

It was never meant to be that kind of bike. It is, however, designed to be very easy to ride on public streets and highways.

Where did you get that windshield I’ve been looking everywhere can’t find a windshield that size

Would anyone know what windscreen is on this bike?

The W650 predates the revival of the Bonnevilles. For some reason it just didn’t catch on the same way. How do you get on without a fuel gauge?

@RabidHedgehog

4 ай бұрын

A fuel light will pop on to let you know to find a gas station quickly. Usually, the lights indicate fuel needed within 30 miles. Most of the time there is actually more.

@davidbrayshaw3529

4 ай бұрын

@@RabidHedgehog On my W800, there's a good 50 miles left in the tank when the light comes on.

@markpimlott2879

2 ай бұрын

22:17 I've ridden for almost 58 years without ever having a fuel gauge! We always had a RESERVE setting on the fuel petcock below the tank My more modern bikes have had TRIP settings on the odometer, which is what I generally go by. I haven't ever run out of gas since my first year riding at the age of 16! [Carry a gallon of extra fuel for your bike without a working fuel gauge. Fill your tank! Do a typical ride until it's beginning to be starved of fuel! Make a note of the distance from your TRIP odometer! Switch to RESERVE on your fuel shutoff petcock! Ride a typical route until it's beginning to be starved for fuel again. Record RESERVE fuel distance and OVERALL FUEL distance! If it's typically 350 miles or 350 kilometres, for instance, consider refueling at about 275 or so on your TRIP meter, knowing that you have some latitude in a pinch! I've only ever had to begin short shifting and riding fuel economy style, a few times over almost six decades, and I've mainly ridden in rural and wildland areas, with a few cross continental road It's the Ameri-Canadian Way! 🇨🇦 🍁 🇨🇦 🇺🇸 🌎 🏆 🌎 🇺🇲 🇨🇦 🍁 🇨🇦 PS 'One of my Enduro (Dual Sport) bikes in the mid 70s was actually a six speed CAN-AM built in Canada with an Austrian ROTAX reed valved high performance two stroke 'powerhouse'! 'Amazing bike that I motorcycle wilderness tour camped with it in the mountain ranges of British Columbia, and never ran out of fuel! 🏍 🛵 🏍 ⛽️ 🏍 🛵 🏍 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Can-Am_motorcycles

@markpimlott2879

2 ай бұрын

The KAWASAKI W1 through W3s were so-called 650cc bikes (624 cc), produced between 1965 and 1974! Based upon the BSA A7, they were first sold in the USA and Canada as 1966 models! The so-called retro versions were first reintroduced in 1999 as the W650 and later as the W800! I rode my Norton Commando 750 along with my buddies on BSA Lightnimgs and Spitfires, Triumph Bonneville 650s, and Trophy 500s, along with KAWASAKI W1s four stroke twins and KAWASAKI H1 two stroke triples, during the very early 70s! 'Those were the days my friend! 🇨🇦 🍁 🇨🇦 🇬🇧 💷 🇺🇸 💷 🇬🇧 🇨🇦 🍁 🇨🇦 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawasaki_W_series 22:17

@davidbrayshaw3529

2 ай бұрын

@@markpimlott2879 This will give you a good laugh. I ran out of fuel on my old Honda CB 250. Yes, I know, how do you run out of fuel on one of those, but I did. I switched to reserve, and nothing. I'd just psyched myself up for the kilometre or so push to the service station when a car pulled over, asked me of my troubles and offered me a ride. I put 5 litres in the tank, returned the fuel can to the service station and headed home. Once home, I drained the tank and removed the petcock. Can you imagine my surprise when I discovered that the riser on the petcock for the main tank had at some stage been removed or had some how broken off. How or why either of those things happened is beyond my comprehension, but it had. Needless to say, I keep a careful eye on the odometer, these days, and I fill up well an truly ahead of when I have to.