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It'd be interesting to find out if there are any cast wheels from other models that will fit the W800.Even if they could be found, since the new W800 has ABS, there might be some fabrication needing to be done to mount the tone rings, and or modifications to the mountings for the sensors.While I do think the W800 looks right with wire wheels, I also appreciate having tubeless tires.
Which again will be part of what we need to consider between the two.Tubeless tires on mags - but water cooling and no tach - BonnieWire wheels/tubes and tach - but air cooled! - WI know we could eventually seal the wheels, but I still don't like spokes no matter how "period" or "style" correct they are.Then again would it kill us to have ONE exception to mags or air-cooling?naaaaahhh, it wouldn't.Ohhh, one more difference, the incoming Street Twin is going to have a Brembo front brake.
I think this absolutely calls for a test ride, and detailed analysis. I think I need to come help.
Multi brand dealers have a unique perspective that is likely a result of their market segment. I remember a conversation with my local multi-brand shortly after the T120, Thruxton R etc. came out. This place carries all of JAPanInc., Polaris, Sea-Doo/Ski-Doo, Ural, and Triumph (and at the time still had Vic and RE).Anyway, his customers want the fastest they can get for the cheapest, they just don't GET most of the Triumphs, especially the Thruxton R for the price.That said if you compare this Kawi to Triumph, Guzzi, Harley, you see it's priced to THAT market.Kawi - $9799Old Street Twin (no dual clocks, no cafe features etc.) - $9100New Street Twin (TBA, bet it's damn close to the Kawi)Street Cup - $10,500T100 - $10,400
I called Kawa today and they said that no spare parts other than for the product sold will be available via dealer network. So no orderable "Street" handlebars to be installed on the Cafe version.I guess ebay or aftermarket is the only route left.
You can do what I did when I wanted color matched hand guards for my Red Versys. I ordered them from a Kawasaki Dealer in the UK.Since Canada is supposed to get both versions, you could order through them.
I bought my W650 in 2000 and rode it for 7 years/50000 miles. Troublefree! I did take a slight bump from a following vehicle in the rear fender and tail light assembly that required that both these parts be replaced. Since it was an insurance job, I decided to let the dealer make the repair. I got a call from their service department in slightly less than two weeks. "OK, I thought. What's the problem?" No problem ..... bike was repaired and ready for pick up. No, the dealer had none of the body parts in stock, but ordered them through Kaw in Japan.I was impressed.Bob
I think Jay got a new rear fender and exhaust for his W650 just last year.
I got a new fender, but, not exhaust. The original exhaust cleaned pretty nicely with Quick Glo chrome polish.I got the fender from:https://www.kawasakipartshouse.comIt did take many weeks for the fender to arrive, unlike service parts ordered from the same place, which showed up in days.That says to me, that the fender had to be ordered from Japan, but, that the common service parts were in a US warehouse.
Of course, that was a ~10 year old, low production bike, that was only sold in the US for 2 years. Still not bad.
Saw this bike in the flesh today at the Long Beach IMS show.The paint isn’t matte/flat, it’s a nice metallic brown.
Wait, have we all been bitching about nothing with regards to the paint?!??!?Oh and Jay, yeah I didn't think you were bitching...
Hmmmm. The first pics, it looked matte, but, then later, I saw some that I could've sworn were gloss. This confirms it.OK, well, that looks a lot nicer than my first impression. If they see fit to bring the "Street", hopefully, they also see fit to give it better paint, because, it certainly is matte. At least it comes with a tach (unlike the Stone).https://www.kawasaki.ca/product/w800-cafe
I still want a bright color gas tank and the engine/tranny silver, polished or chromed!Like this mate??
Like this mate??
The more I looked into the W800, I soon realized that there was a bike still readily available here that did everything the W800 does and probably better, and looks just as good if not better? Bonneville T100 anyone?
The bike in the pic is a 2016, that engine is known to go 100K miles, same as the Scrambler, they are heavy but built like tanks, and tons of aftermarket stuff that the W800 will never have...definitely a safer, cheaper, and saner path I think. Plus, look at that Bonnie!!
Wait, do we now think a Kawi isn't built to go 100k miles? Hmmm ok.
I guess I'm just saying I see both sides of this. I can see valid arguments for either. I've ridden both, they're decent bikes, similar, but different.
I wouldn't fault someone for choosing either.
Wait, do we now think a Kawi isn't built to go 100k miles? Hmmm ok.I guess I'm just saying I see both sides of this. I can see valid arguments for either. I've ridden both, they're decent bikes, similar, but different.I wouldn't fault someone for choosing either.
16 years ago I bought a new W650, Green and Gold. It's been gone for years but I still have fond memories of that bike. I'm glad to see they are finally bringing the W800 into the states but I wish it looked more like my old W or some of the W800's the rest of the world got in recent years. Comparatively speaking, I think the W800 Cafe is not nearly as well turned out as my V7/50 or for that matter, as good a value.
You right, that V7/50 is way betterThe mid size retro market is getting crowded lately, not sure if they’re geared towards us 65 yr olds or the youngerNew riders or both, but I only like a blend of finishes that don’t include black. Not sure what young riders want if anything. I don’t like the V7 stone at all, I like the V7 Special and V7/50 and the Milano.