Author Topic: Kawasaki W800 Coming to the States  (Read 17305 times)

Offline aschem

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Kawasaki W800 Coming to the States
« on: November 06, 2018, 03:14:23 PM »
Appears that Kawasaki is bring the W800 to the states next year. 
https://www.kawasaki.com/Products/2019-W800-Cafe?cm_sp=VehicleDetails-_-W800CAFE-_-HomePageBucket#
« Last Edit: November 06, 2018, 03:15:10 PM by aschem »

Offline TimmyTheHog

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Re: Kawasaki W800 Coming to the States
« Reply #1 on: November 06, 2018, 03:33:19 PM »
This excites my wife a lot for some reason...who doesn't ride...LOL...

Think she is hinting me something...

I like it a lot too as W800 is such a memory for me in Asia...that and W650
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Re: Kawasaki W800 Coming to the States
« Reply #2 on: November 06, 2018, 03:35:35 PM »
Black engine leaves me out. I find the color of the rest similarly unattractive.
Charlie

Offline LowRyter

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Re: Kawasaki W800 Coming to the States
« Reply #3 on: November 06, 2018, 03:51:35 PM »
my eyes,  my eyes.

I'd say five years too late and few thousand dollars short. 
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Re: Kawasaki W800 Coming to the States
« Reply #3 on: November 06, 2018, 03:51:35 PM »

Online grebmrof

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Re: Kawasaki W800 Coming to the States
« Reply #4 on: November 06, 2018, 05:07:21 PM »
poop brown?  satin black fenders?  $9,800?  well, that doesn't appeal to me.  I liked what they did with the W650, but not this one.  I give them credit for coming back to the market, but don't think this will set the market on fire.

P.S.  Yes, I would buy a new RE twin before this Kaw W800...hmm, what have I just said?  Like Ohiorider says a  few posts below, I sure hope RE does well with their new twin - QA will tell the tale and what dealer's charge for the bike OTD.
« Last Edit: November 07, 2018, 05:43:19 AM by grebmrof »
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Offline JohninVT

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Re: Kawasaki W800 Coming to the States
« Reply #5 on: November 06, 2018, 05:38:25 PM »
People who actually bought the W650 seemed to love them.  I nearly bought one but a ZRX1100 was sitting on the dealer floor next to the W650 for the same price.  I rode home on the ZRX and I still think that was a smart choice. 

I like the lines of the W800 but I'm struggling to find a reason they chose monkey poo brown.  Why?  If they're trying to give a nod to the Z1, that was rootbeer, with flake.  It was not dull, gibbon poo colored.  I am beyond sick of the matte paint thing and that includes the V7 line.   

Offline Daleroso

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Re: Kawasaki W800 Coming to the States
« Reply #6 on: November 06, 2018, 06:46:43 PM »
The Japanese do flatter their predacessors well. Looks like a VII Bonneville with the 1st gen V7 tank stripe. Sure, it will work well but I question this color shown. Hopefully there'll be a couple options. Aah, but will it have "character?"

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Re: Kawasaki W800 Coming to the States
« Reply #7 on: November 06, 2018, 08:58:55 PM »
I wanted a green and gold one bad when I saw it on the Euro sites.  I was hoping they would bring it to the states, but like others have said "Too Late Kawasaki!"  For the price I am glad i bought my V7III.  No regrets.
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Offline not-fishing

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Re: Kawasaki W800 Coming to the States
« Reply #8 on: November 06, 2018, 09:32:59 PM »
A little late Kawi and double the price of:

Griso 1100
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Offline DaSwami

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Re: Kawasaki W800 Coming to the States
« Reply #9 on: November 06, 2018, 09:39:08 PM »
OK, I was really excited until I saw it was a cafe style bike.  If that is the only option, it will be another 20 years before they bring another bike like that over.  At least give us a standard setup!

PS - Agree the color is kinda gross

Offline ohiorider

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Re: Kawasaki W800 Coming to the States
« Reply #10 on: November 06, 2018, 10:35:33 PM »
A little late Kawi and double the price of:


I truly hope RE does well with their new twins.  They're definitely priced right, good looking, and if they prove reliable, then what's not to like?  I'd do one.

I really liked my 2000 W650.  Rode from Aug 2000 to the end of 2006.  But keep in mind, I only paid $4995 plus a few dealer fees and tax in Aug of 2000. Rode it 50,000 miles before selling.  Great little machine, but there's a lot of other nice retro iron out there today, especially from Moto Guzzi and Triumph.  And now that I'm getting used to my CB1100 with much more compliant aftermarket suspension, I see it as a bike that could hurt W800 sales.  There's leftover/new 2014 CBs being sold for $5995.  Not bad for a DOHC, 1140cc, 88hp bike, with torque available nearly anywhere in the rpm range.  I plan on keeping mine for a good while, and making additional improvements along the way.

Bob
« Last Edit: November 06, 2018, 10:37:27 PM by ohiorider »
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Offline Muzz

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Re: Kawasaki W800 Coming to the States
« Reply #11 on: November 07, 2018, 12:12:17 AM »
We have had the W800 out here for a number of years.  Nice looking bike.

I remember the tester that rode it saying it was a much better bike than the W650, yet the price of a second hand 650 is usually quite a bit more than an 800, :rolleyes:  Go figure.
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Online twowheeladdict

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Re: Kawasaki W800 Coming to the States
« Reply #12 on: November 07, 2018, 05:15:37 AM »
I truly hope RE does well with their new twins.  They're definitely priced right, good looking, and if they prove reliable, then what's not to like?  I'd do one.

I really liked my 2000 W650.  Rode from Aug 2000 to the end of 2006.  But keep in mind, I only paid $4995 plus a few dealer fees and tax in Aug of 2000. Rode it 50,000 miles before selling.  Great little machine, but there's a lot of other nice retro iron out there today, especially from Moto Guzzi and Triumph.  And now that I'm getting used to my CB1100 with much more compliant aftermarket suspension, I see it as a bike that could hurt W800 sales.  There's leftover/new 2014 CBs being sold for $5995.  Not bad for a DOHC, 1140cc, 88hp bike, with torque available nearly anywhere in the rpm range.  I plan on keeping mine for a good while, and making additional improvements along the way.

Bob

Twin versus I-4?  I'd chose twin every time.  If I were an I-4 person I would choose the Kawasaki rootbeer Z900 retro bike over the Honda.
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Offline Toecutter

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Re: Kawasaki W800 Coming to the States
« Reply #13 on: November 07, 2018, 08:13:50 AM »
" a little late"?

Do any of you pay attention to what people under the age of 50 are riding?

That bike will sell. It won't be a "top seller", it won't become bike of the year, but it will sell well.

It has Japanese reliability behind it, which makes it far more attractive to the average rider than Indian wrenchability.

For me, it's the "Cafe" pretentions that don't sit right with me. But I do love the colour.

Old enough to say I've done it, young enough to do it again.

Online twowheeladdict

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Re: Kawasaki W800 Coming to the States
« Reply #14 on: November 07, 2018, 08:48:11 AM »
" a little late"?

Do any of you pay attention to what people under the age of 50 are riding?

That bike will sell. It won't be a "top seller", it won't become bike of the year, but it will sell well.

It has Japanese reliability behind it, which makes it far more attractive to the average rider than Indian wrenchability.

For me, it's the "Cafe" pretentions that don't sit right with me. But I do love the colour.

Late for me.   I was all Kawasaki a decade ago.  Had a bike of every genre in my stable except the W650 / W800.  The used W650s were selling for more than I was willing to pay for what it was.  I was following the W800 hoping it would come to the states.

In 2015 I moved to other manufacturers and am not looking back.  Now Kawasaki has to prove to me that they are the better bike and better value if they want me back.
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Offline oilhed

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Re: Kawasaki W800 Coming to the States
« Reply #15 on: November 07, 2018, 08:54:31 AM »
Black engine leaves me out. I find the color of the rest similarly unattractive.

Yup, a beautiful bike with blacked out drive train and crappy colors.  STUPID!!!!

The blacked out drive train is like popcorn ceilings, covers up bad workmanship!

For me, it's the "Cafe" pretentions that don't sit right with me. But I do love the colour.

I like the cafe fairing and hump seat, but I need polished aluminum and bright colors!
« Last Edit: November 07, 2018, 09:03:49 AM by oilhed »
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Re: Kawasaki W800 Coming to the States
« Reply #16 on: November 07, 2018, 09:02:11 AM »
Yup, a beautiful bike with blacked out drive train and crappy colors.  STUPID!!!!

The blacked out drive train is like popcorn ceilings, covers up back workmanship!

I like the cafe fairing and hump seat, but I need polished aluminum and bright colors!

Never liked non blacked out engines myself.  Black with silver diamond cut fins, and a few chrome bolt on parts is the way to go.
« Last Edit: November 07, 2018, 03:46:33 PM by twowheeladdict »
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Offline CTPAINTER

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Re: Kawasaki W800 Coming to the States
« Reply #17 on: November 07, 2018, 09:58:09 AM »
Must be the only one, but I think it looks pretty cool..

Offline jas67

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Re: Kawasaki W800 Coming to the States
« Reply #18 on: November 07, 2018, 10:39:40 AM »
Must be the only one, but I think it looks pretty cool..

You're not the only one, BUT....
It needs gloss paint, and at least another color choice, I'm not a fan of the color choice shown.   Like many others here, I've never been a fan of matte/satin paint.    Go gloss, or go home.

Also, they should bring the standard version too, not just the cafe version.     I would think many of the people shopping in this category want more upright ergos.

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Offline Spuddy

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Re: Kawasaki W800 Coming to the States
« Reply #19 on: November 07, 2018, 10:46:05 AM »
Can't say I like the color combination and near full black-out of the engine.  I think I'll keep riding my '01 W650.

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Offline Seventy One

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Re: Kawasaki W800 Coming to the States
« Reply #20 on: November 07, 2018, 11:04:37 AM »
At least it doesn't have fake carbs on it. That black engine is just plain wrong though.

Offline stonelover

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Re: Kawasaki W800 Coming to the States
« Reply #21 on: November 07, 2018, 11:15:59 AM »
Loved the W650.  This is a good looking bike, BUT I prefer polished engines.  Waiting to pull the trigger on one of the new RE twins once they arrive.

Offline jas67

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Re: Kawasaki W800 Coming to the States
« Reply #22 on: November 07, 2018, 11:43:02 AM »
Can't say I like the color combination and near full black-out of the engine.  I think I'll keep riding my '01 W650.

Spud





Yes, I too would prefer the polished engine on a classic bike like this.
And, I too will keep riding my '00 W650.

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Offline willowstreetguzziguy

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Re: Kawasaki W800 Coming to the States
« Reply #23 on: November 07, 2018, 12:40:02 PM »
With the blacked out engine and other components, for me it’s just falls short on good looks. Triumph styling has it all. They nail it almost every time they bring a bike to market. Prefer the Royal Enfield over this.
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Offline jas67

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Re: Kawasaki W800 Coming to the States
« Reply #24 on: November 07, 2018, 12:45:59 PM »
With the blacked out engine and other components, for me it’s just falls short on good looks. Triumph styling has it all. They nail it almost every time they bring a bike to market. Prefer the Royal Enfield over this.

Agreed, at least on looks:


BUT, I'd rather own and ride the W800, as it is a known quantity from the reliability standpoint.   
Of course, the W800 is nearly twice the money.
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Re: Kawasaki W800 Coming to the States
« Reply #25 on: November 07, 2018, 04:24:03 PM »
no price advantage over the real thing that happens to be a great product. and at about 40 HP at the rear sorry, V7 any time before this.
in addition they raised the Versys 1000 from $12995 to 17995 by adding a few gizmos found on their other bikes. THEY ARE NUCKING FUTS!!!
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Offline jas67

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Re: Kawasaki W800 Coming to the States
« Reply #26 on: November 07, 2018, 04:34:12 PM »
no price advantage over the real thing that happens to be a great product. and at about 40 HP at the rear sorry, V7 any time before this.
in addition they raised the Versys 1000 from $12995 to 17995 by adding a few gizmos found on their other bikes. THEY ARE NUCKING FUTS!!!

They'll sell 10's, maybe 100's of them.    They'll be a cult bike in 10-20 years.
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Online twowheeladdict

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Re: Kawasaki W800 Coming to the States
« Reply #27 on: November 07, 2018, 04:49:43 PM »
in addition they raised the Versys 1000 from $12995 to 17995 by adding a few gizmos found on their other bikes. THEY ARE NUCKING FUTS!!!

Oh come on now.  Cornering ABS, electronic suspension,  cruise control,  LED lighting, luggage, etc.  Wouldnt call that a few gizmos.  Sure not everyone can afford that.  My Triumph Trophy SE MSRP was $20k, but I paid $15k plus Triumph threw in $1500 in accessories of my choice.  That bike spoiled me for all bikes that followed.
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Offline Bulldog9

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Re: Kawasaki W800 Coming to the States
« Reply #28 on: November 07, 2018, 07:54:08 PM »
Good effort by Kawasaki. Not a fan of the color scheme, but a nice bike overall.
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Re: Kawasaki W800 Coming to the States
« Reply #29 on: November 07, 2018, 08:13:14 PM »
Not at all interesting to me, looks like another copy job from Japan.  Meh.

 

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