Author Topic: W650 Love (SGC)  (Read 27404 times)

Online Kev m

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W650 Love (SGC)
« on: July 13, 2014, 09:40:22 AM »
While I've been homeless and squatting at my bud's place (with my entire refugee family), I've been giving some attention to his fleet of bikes (a pair of Sportsters and a W650 that he bought on the cheap to "play" with).

My V7 rear tire was down to the cords and I had a week or so between removing the rear wheel and getting a new tire ordered/mounted and finally reinstalled yesterday.

So in that time I was pretty much riding the W650 every day and got to put a couple hundred miles on it.

I must say that I've always liked the looks of the W650 and very much appreciate the beauty of the bevel drive.

The kick start is a nice backup if you've got an old battery (like he does).

Still, I wasn't expecting to be so completely smitten with it as I am.

Overall size and power levels are more in line with say my V7 than with my Buell.

The tires are odd sized and maybe even a tad thin with lousy profiles.

But none of that matters.

I find it an absolute joy to ride.

It starts instantly with a kick or touch of the button and idles perfectly within seconds.

It hums along nicely with a pleasant little growl.

It holds a turn wonderfully with no drama despite the 22k miles and 10+ years of unkind time/wear.

Its single disc brake, though not overwhelmingly strong, is more than adequate and has decent enough feel.

The bars are the big surprise. I never gave much thought to bars (as I so often just plain "fit" stock bikes so well), but I'm seeing first hand now just how much bars can effect the feel of a bike.

For instance, a few weeks ago I rode Jay's V7 Racer back-to-back with his /5 Airhead with relatively wide bars. I realized how much more stable something with narrow clip-ons can feel in a curve when you hit a bump just because it takes so much more effort at the bars to change the angle of the front end.

I mean it's not a lot of effort in the big picture so much as it is just less likely to be disturbed by smaller pressure from your wrists in reaction to the bump.

I realized then that the wider bars of the Stone actually made it feel more nimble and reactive, if a tad unstable once in a while due to road irregularities or even just my own inputs at parking lot speeds.

And THEN I realized that the uber-wide stock W650 bars make it feel even MORE nimble still, while on a straight away at moderate speeds you get the seriously "old timey" feel of a classic "motorbike".

But most of all the W650 completely validates my preference of bikes where LESS IS MORE.

I realize it's got about half the hp of my Buell, but damnit, I think I like it twice as much.

I might seriously consider selling the Buell to provide funds and make room for one.

Hmmmmm, I've got some thinking to do.

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Offline Travman

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Re: W650 Love (SGC)
« Reply #1 on: July 13, 2014, 10:02:01 AM »
I love discovering "new" bikes. When friends share their bikes or kind dealerships allow extended test rides of older bikes it really allows you the time to discover what is good and enjoyable about a bike.

A few weeks ago I rode a 1995 Triumph Trident and then a 2001 Sprint RS. I didn't expect much. Supposedly the 1995 was top heavy. I have never fallen in love with the modern Street Triple like so many others (too much gear whine, too much sport bike). However, both bikes were awesome. I really enjoyed to engine. There was plenty of smooth power and the ability to pull from any RPM. I had to ride my Griso the next day to make sure it was still worthy. It was.

Kawasaki really should bring the latest W800 over here. I'd like to see the standard version and then a more cafe version similar to the V7 Racer or Triumph Thruxton.
« Last Edit: July 13, 2014, 10:06:14 AM by Travman »
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Offline Dean Rose

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Re: W650 Love (SGC)
« Reply #2 on: July 13, 2014, 10:32:00 AM »
Nice!


Dean

« Last Edit: July 13, 2014, 10:32:33 AM by Dean Rose »
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Offline ohiorider

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Re: W650 Love (SGC)
« Reply #3 on: July 13, 2014, 11:26:04 AM »

Kawasaki really should bring the latest W800 over here. I'd like to see the standard version and then a more cafe version similar to the V7 Racer or Triumph Thruxton.
Unfortunately (for us) Kawasaki works under the principle of 'fool me once - shame on you .... fool me twice - shame on me.'  The bike mags were all crying 'bring it, we'll buy it.'  Not!  So unless Kaw has a major change of heart, I don't think the W800 will land on US soil.  

I picked up my 2000 silver and blue W650 in  Aug 2000, for nearly $1500 off MSRP.  They were gathering dust in the back corner of bike shops.  Rode mine for nearly 7 years and 50,000 miles and sold for $3350 in 2007.  Equipped with E21 Givi bags, Corbin Gunfighter saddle, small tank bag, and lower 'Euro' W650 bars, I didn't hesitate to head out anywhere with it.  Even with stock mufflers, the W had a sweet exhaust note.  In that time, I replaced the chain 2x along with the sprockets, did regular oil changes, and re-shimmed a couple of valves.  Least expensive bike to operate I've owned.  Oh, and a lot of fun in the bargain!

« Last Edit: July 13, 2014, 11:30:50 AM by ohiorider »
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Re: W650 Love (SGC)
« Reply #3 on: July 13, 2014, 11:26:04 AM »

Offline Spuddy

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Re: W650 Love (SGC)
« Reply #4 on: July 13, 2014, 05:12:30 PM »
Got my wife an '01. We both Love it. Kawasaki put a lot of engineering in the exhaust note.
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Offline uncle

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Re: W650 Love (SGC)
« Reply #5 on: July 13, 2014, 05:36:20 PM »
Quote

I picked up my 2000 silver and blue W650 in  Aug 2000, for nearly $1500 off MSRP.  They were gathering dust in the back corner of bike shops.  Rode mine for nearly 7 years and 50,000 miles and sold for $3350 in 2007.  Equipped with E21 Givi bags, Corbin Gunfighter saddle, small tank bag, and lower 'Euro' W650 bars, I didn't hesitate to head out anywhere with it.  

I had a similar experience finding my 2000 W in a shop off to the corner neglected...  got it and put the Euro bars and corbin saddle on it and I still ride it regularly...

Ever onward...

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Re: W650 Love (SGC)
« Reply #6 on: July 13, 2014, 05:59:50 PM »
You guys got me thinkin......anyone know how many were brought in to the States? Where do they trade these dsys?

thanks,

John

Offline fotoguzzi

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Re: W650 Love (SGC)
« Reply #7 on: July 13, 2014, 06:05:58 PM »
so Kawasaki beats Triumph at it's own game?  just like Mazda Miata is better than an MG? (not quite the same because MG isn't made anymore but still).
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Offline ohiorider

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Re: W650 Love (SGC)
« Reply #8 on: July 13, 2014, 07:40:39 PM »
If anything, Kaw may have beaten Triumph coming up with a bike that was more true in look and feel to the original Bonnie than the new Bonnie.  I think Triumph was aiming toward a different target ..... ie to build a bike that was larger and more rugged than the original, one that would be more of a general purpose bike in today's world.  Triumph retained the sound of the vertical twin, stayed relatively true to the look of the original.  Best analogy I can think of would be ...... the new Ford Mustangs.  They still have the visual queues so that we know it's a Mustang.  The V8 is there, the mustang is there .... but it is very little like the original.  Better, but not the same as.

At the time I purchased my dust-gathering W650, the dealer had 2 more doing the same thing.  I had the fleeting thought ' ....... why don't I see what they want if I buy all three.....'  I'm thinking I could have walked out the door with all three for just north of $12k.

For good or bad, it was only a fleeting thought!



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Offline kevdog3019

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Re: W650 Love (SGC)
« Reply #9 on: July 13, 2014, 09:00:56 PM »
Is there any wonder why I hot-rodded my Lario, put 4-pot dual Brembos and cartridge forks and rears to match and a LM 1 fairing on it. Smaller great handling little beasts are a ball.
Cool you found this little gem appealing. Maybe your take-away is to put a little of what you found into your V7??  Make it yours.
Kevin
« Last Edit: July 13, 2014, 09:12:41 PM by kevdog3019 »
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Offline Yeahoo Whoyah

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Re: W650 Love (SGC)
« Reply #10 on: July 13, 2014, 10:48:27 PM »
You guys got me thinkin......anyone know how many were brought in to the States? Where do they trade these dsys?

Good question(s).  
« Last Edit: July 13, 2014, 10:49:10 PM by Yeahoo Whoyah »
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Re: W650 Love (SGC)
« Reply #11 on: July 14, 2014, 01:35:26 AM »
The W650 is a jewel compared to any of the 'Retro' Triumph twins.

My mate Dave made the mistake of buying a Bonnie. It was such a turd he took a three grand hit just to get rid of it!

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Offline Phang

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Re: W650 Love (SGC)
« Reply #12 on: July 14, 2014, 01:51:37 AM »
We have all the 3 variants here, 650, 400 and 800 (in chronological order).

These are niche of the niche bikes as most of the potential buyers will go for the "real deal" instead of the clones of a clone.

650 was imported by the Kawasaki distributor in a small batch of ~15 bikes. All of the current owners cling on to them.

400 was a grey/parallel import, I owned one of the 6 units imported into the country, I sold it to fund the V7 Sport after owning it for a good and fun 7 years since new.

800 is the on going model.

Personally, among the three, I would pick the 650. 400 is seriously undepowered and the FI removed a little soul off the 800 engine.

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Re: W650 Love (SGC)
« Reply #13 on: July 14, 2014, 06:47:14 AM »
They're lovely machines.  The Big Four are their own worst enemy sometimes.  When I bought my ZRX1100 in early 2000, there was a W650 and a ZR750 sitting next to it on the showroom floor.  All 3 were within a couple hundred bucks of each other.  I went in specifically to buy a zrx but I very nearly walked out with the W650 instead.  Just like Yamaha with the SR400 this year...the original msrp was at least $1500 too high for me to bite. 

Online Kev m

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Re: W650 Love (SGC)
« Reply #14 on: July 14, 2014, 06:53:26 AM »
It's funny, I remember working on a marine project around 00 or 01 and walking into a Kawasaki/Yamaha/Sea-Doo dealer for research and came across a W650. It stopped me in my tracks and I poked around it a while very interested (but not in a position to be buying another bike at the time).

It was about 2-3 years later that I sold my RS and needed a replacement and decided to look at EVERY major brand and spend up to $10k.

By that point all the leftovers were gone and I'd pretty much forgotten about it.

I wound up with what was basically a leftover Jackal and discovered Guzzi.

But I rediscovered the W650 a few years later when my bud was looking for a first bike.

He wound up passing on a pristine one I found him and buying something even smaller as a starter bike. But a year or so later found a used (and abused one) on the cheap and picked it up and has been thanking me for making him consider them ever since.
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Offline sturgeon

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Re:
« Reply #15 on: July 14, 2014, 07:10:49 AM »
Its the best Triumph that Triumph never made.

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Online Kev m

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Re:
« Reply #16 on: July 14, 2014, 07:26:04 AM »
Its the best Triumph that Triumph never made.


That's what everyone says...except didn't we uncover that it was really a Meguro, which was a BSA Copy.

http://www.kawasakiw650.co.uk/5.html

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Re:
« Reply #17 on: July 14, 2014, 07:33:44 AM »

That's what everyone says...except didn't we uncover that it was really a Meguro, which was a BSA Copy.

http://www.kawasakiw650.co.uk/5.html



Meguro/Kawasaki W1.  The W650 had an msrp of 6500 in 2000.  I paid 6800otd for my zrx and they threw in a leather jacket and tank bag for that price.  If I had been 41 instead of 31 in 2000....I probably would have bought the W650
« Last Edit: July 14, 2014, 07:36:39 AM by JohninVT` »

Offline RayB

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Re: W650 Love (SGC)
« Reply #18 on: July 14, 2014, 07:54:07 AM »
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Offline sturgeon

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Re:
« Reply #19 on: July 14, 2014, 07:59:00 AM »

That's what everyone says...except didn't we uncover that it was really a Meguro, which was a BSA Copy.

http://www.kawasakiw650.co.uk/5.html



Perhaps, but it'll never top the BSA Rocket 3 that I used to thrash around in my university-student days. I know, I know, apples and bananas, but still ...

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Online Kev m

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Re: W650 Love (SGC)
« Reply #20 on: July 14, 2014, 08:05:37 AM »
Kev,

Sounds like you've swallowed the hook.

Maybe you want to get in on this action:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kawasaki-Other-2001-kawasaki-w-650-/321456026070?forcerrptr=true&hash=item4ad845b1d6&item=321456026070&pt=US_motorcycles#ht_117wt_1023

After mentioning how I was feeling about this a week or so ago in a text or email my little brother Jay inundated me with links to every CL and Ebay ad in the country for a W650 within minutes...  :D

But I'm two weeks away from buying a new house, moving my family, starting a new life... unless someone has a W650 and just happens to want a Buell ST3 in trade, this is going to have to wait a bit.  ;)
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Offline trippah

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Re: W650 Love (SGC)
« Reply #21 on: July 14, 2014, 02:30:05 PM »
I was going to mention a silver one for almost 4K on cycle trader in New York (City area I think) you could grab before you relocate. ;D

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Re: W650 Love (SGC)
« Reply #22 on: July 14, 2014, 02:48:34 PM »
Hmm , don't think any Meguro , W1 , W2 , OR BSA parts are gonna fit on a modern W650  ;D
   Dusty

Offline cruzziguzzi

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Re: W650 Love (SGC)
« Reply #23 on: July 14, 2014, 04:04:48 PM »
Hmm , don't think any Meguro , W1 , W2 , OR BSA parts are gonna fit on a modern W650  ;D
   Dusty

Thankfully not, for the lucky few W650 owners though it would be a hell of a boon for the classics owners were the reverse possible.
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Re: W650 Love (SGC)
« Reply #24 on: July 14, 2014, 04:07:43 PM »
I was going to mention a silver one for almost 4K on cycle trader in New York (City area I think) you could grab before you relocate. ;D

I COULD... but then I might run out of $$$ to relocate...  :o

Hmm , don't think any Meguro , W1 , W2 , OR BSA parts are gonna fit on a modern W650  ;D
   Dusty


Not anymore than no Triumph parts are gonna fit either eh?

And I don't know that either is a bad thing...
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oldbike54

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Re: W650 Love (SGC)
« Reply #25 on: July 14, 2014, 04:18:32 PM »
Thankfully not, for the lucky few W650 owners though it would be a hell of a boon for the classics owners were the reverse possible.

Except for this Kev m  ;D Man , that would be cool  ;-T

   Dusty

Offline pedorro

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Re: W650 Love (SGC)
« Reply #26 on: July 14, 2014, 05:19:13 PM »
Dang it Kev!  These POSes (gems) are already too few and getting pricey -- please delete this thread.   ~;
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Offline ohiorider

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Re: W650 Love (SGC)
« Reply #27 on: July 14, 2014, 06:57:06 PM »
The parts availability for the W may not hold true in 2014, but when a careless driver pranged the rear fender and license plate/turn signal assembly of my W650 in April of 2007, I took the bike to a local Kaw dealer fully expecting it to be in the shop for weeks.  Big surprise ..... even though the parts shipped from Japan, the bike was ready for me in less than 3 weeks.  Although the W650 was only available in the US for two years, perhaps the fact they were on the Asian and Euro market for much longer eased the parts situation.

Side note - for an additional $400 or so dollars, I purchased a Kaw factory extended warranty that added two additional years and unlimited mileage coverage to the bike.  One cracked muffler/tailpipe section paid for it.  I paid so little for the bike, that even with the extended warranty, it came in a thousand less than MSRP
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Offline Thunderbox

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Re: W650 Love (SGC)
« Reply #28 on: July 15, 2014, 01:58:45 AM »
Kev there is a nice W650 on Ebay in Joplin MO.  Don't outbid me on this. lol  http://www.ebay.com/itm/251586381863?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2648
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Offline Steph

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Re: W650 Love (SGC)
« Reply #29 on: July 15, 2014, 04:09:26 AM »
I really like the W650, never driven one but was top of my list some 15 years ago.

If the tables were turned and you have had the kwacker for a long time and then extensively test driven the V7, in a parallel universe, would there be post on the kawasaki forum entitled "Re: V7 Love (SKC)"  ?


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