W650 Love (SGC)

[Vasco DG]

Unlikely because the vast majority of people who might buy a Kawasaki would never consider something they considered an 'Oddball'. That is of course assuming they even knew the existence of Moto Guzzi.

Once the blinkers were removed chances are some would happily jump the fence but the very conservative orthodoxy of most motorbike riders would mean that the circumstances in which such a scenario would happen are unlikely to occur in any meaningful way

YOMV.

Pete

[leafman60]

I've ridden a W650 and I also think they actually look more like a Triumph than a Triumph. The W650 appears more svelte, not as chunky as the Nuovo Triumphs.  They have that trim look of the original TR models.  Yeah, the bevel shaft on the side is a little out of place but it looks good.

I've considered buying one a few times. But, I have some personal quirks and prejudices that I confess. I just can't get too worked up about having something that tries to look like something else that it's not. I know that sounds a little silly.  It's just me.

I don't want a Harley clone, no matter how nice it may look. I also don't want a Triumph clone from japan, no matter how good it looks or works.

I know. Judging something on its own merits alone makes sense to many, if not most, people.  I have just not evolved to that point.  

[ohiorider]

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

That is a nice example.  One thing that would need clarification ..... why is the tank off the 2000 model? You could have any color you wanted in the USA in 2000 as long as it was blue and silver.  Same for 2001 ... one color combination only .... ivory and dark green.  Saddle with pleats looks like it's a 2001.

[menzies]

I pulled into the Barber Museum a couple of years ago and noticed what I thought was a Hinckley Triumph Bonneville sitting between a couple of GS BMWs, on closer inspection it turned out to be a W650. I also noticed it had an Oregon license plate, I looked the trio up inside and sure enough they had ridden from western Oregon. The W650 they stated had no problem running 75-80 mph all day, with the small tank like the Triumph you had to stop every 150 miles or so. I agree with several folks that it looks more like a classic than the Triumph.

[cruzziguzzi]

I pulled into the Barber Museum a couple of years ago and noticed what I thought was a Hinckley Triumph Bonneville sitting between a couple of GS BMWs, on closer inspection it turned out to be a W650. I also noticed it had an Oregon license plate, I looked the trio up inside and sure enough they had ridden from western Oregon. The W650 they stated had no problem running 75-80 mph all day, with the small tank like the Triumph you had to stop every 150 miles or so. I agree with several folks that it looks more like a classic than the Triumph.

I had much the same experience when I saw my first one. Since I had given up on magazines a couple years earlier, I never saw it coming. Add to that the heavy styling of the first ones and I was thrown for a loop.

I had walked out behind our building to do one thing or the other and saw it perched on a center stand looking like a "time capsuled" Triumph - a model that I knew nothing of. Having the son of a Triumph guy working for us, I went back in to get Mike and ask him what model it was - curious as to why it apparently had had such a limited production asa to have escaped my awareness. When we returned and approached it, it quickly became obvious that this was no pampered '60s limited run but a new bike. Now I don't recall whether it had been de-badged a bit or if it was cleverness on the part of Kawasaki but we both assumed it was a new Hinckley release being tested in Arizona as so many manufacturers do. Had to pay close attention to find it a Kawasaki.

A really compelling aspect of the experience was that it was parked out back the building at a neighboring suite to one of our tenants at the time: Borget Motorcycles (he of the stretched, melted and excessively-assed, oil in frame choppers) and it was nearly painfully obvious that none of the chopper guys wanted to get caught by any of their "brothers" looking at, let alone admiring this beauty. They kept finding reasons to pass with the extreme wall-eyed (I'm not looking) expression of prey fish.

[exc911ence]

The W800 is even more stealthy in regards to Kawasaki badging...



... I think I'd actually prefer the Kawi "K" over the "W". Owners are likely to spend a disproportionate amount of time explaining to curious onlookers what a W-branded motorcycle actually is.

[Kev m]

Dang it Kev!  These POSes (gems) are already too few and getting pricey -- please delete this thread.   ~;

Sorry man

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

I won't, but man, just hit the buy-it-now!

I've considered buying one a few times. But, I have some personal quirks and prejudices that I confess. I just can't get too worked up about having something that tries to look like something else that it's not. I know that sounds a little silly.  It's just me.

I don't want a Harley clone, no matter how nice it may look. I also don't want a Triumph clone from japan, no matter how good it looks or works.

But it's NOT a Triumph clone. If anything it's like the Japanese built Harleys that were licensed.

Maguro paid for the rights to build a BSA, and Kawasaki bought Maguro.

No clone, genuinely legal production and arguably lineage.

[oldbike54]

The W800 is even more stealthy in regards to Kawasaki badging...



... I think I'd actually prefer the Kawi "K" over the "W". Owners are likely to spend a disproportionate amount of time explaining to curious onlookers what a W-branded motorcycle actually is.

It is a Marlon Brando bike . A "Watchless"  ;D
   Dusty

[kirkemon]

My W650 has been daily driver for 10 years (short commute).

A few notes about the difference between a 2000 and 2001. The 2001 had a larger front axle, which is suppose to be more stable, and more comfortable seat (in most people's opinion).

While I was in Japan I bought a newer tank with a rare factory paint scheme, the factory low bar kit (which is stock for the ones they sell in Europe and Japan), and I also got some aftermarket pipes, pancake air filters, smaller side covers, and Ikon shocks. The W650 has really soft springs and the biggest improvement is Progressive springs to stop the nose diving.



Great bike, very reliable, easy maintenance (although 8 valves).

[uncle]

A few notes about the difference between a 2000 and 2001. The 2001 had a larger front axle, which is suppose to be more stable, and more comfortable seat (in most people's opinion).

The 2001 model had the front end raked a little as well to try and correct a wobble that the high wide bars on the U.S. bikes would experience at high speeds.  By putting on the factory low(er) bar kit the wobble disappears...

[ohiorider]

My W650 has been daily driver for 10 years (short commute).

A few notes about the difference between a 2000 and 2001. The 2001 had a larger front axle, which is suppose to be more stable, and more comfortable seat (in most people's opinion).

While I was in Japan I bought a newer tank with a rare factory paint scheme, the factory low bar kit (which is stock for the ones they sell in Europe and Japan), and I also got some aftermarket pipes, pancake air filters, smaller side covers, and Ikon shocks. The W650 has really soft springs and the biggest improvement is Progressive springs to stop the nose diving.



Great bike, very reliable, easy maintenance (although 8 valves).

Nice bike!  Lovely pipes ..... and the air cleaners add to the vintage appearance.  Re maintenance ..... has any bike that uses valve shims been easier to adjust?  Nope!  (unless Kaw used that system on other bikes). I installed Kaw's Euro handlebars on mine too.  An improvement for me.

[MarkIIITom]

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. 

This was the big problem for Big Green.  They cannibalized their own sales by offering the ZRX1100/1200 (in Lawson Green, no less) AND the W650, at the same time.  Bad move.

If they brought the W800 here for a couple of years, I bet it would sell. 

I'd buy one in a heartbeat.

[Sasquatch Jim]

 Japan has a habit of selling their best bikes every where but the U.S.   Revenge?

[cruzziguzzi]

Japan has a habit of selling their best bikes every where but the U.S.   Revenge?

Nah, experience. They learned long ago that the very bikes that magazine "editors" scream for the most are the first ones to be torpedoed by the same editors in the next years; comparo/shootout/thrashing editorial assassinations.

Then the riding sheep are shamed by side-bar numbers into ignoring the most appealing bikes. This allows a bunch of us others to go about crowing about how much we saved on left-over stock then griping about the lack of parts and accessories.

That 800 would be an epic flop here after the editors got done with it by telling us how badly it compares to 1400 and greater bikes.

[ohiorider]

Nah, experience. They learned long ago that the very bikes that magazine "editors" scream for the most are the first ones to be torpedoed by the same editors in the next years; comparo/shootout/thrashing editorial assassinations.

Then the riding sheep are shamed by side-bar numbers into ignoring the most appealing bikes. This allows a bunch of us others to go about crowing about how much we saved on left-over stock then griping about the lack of parts and accessories.

That 800 would be an epic flop here after the editors got done with it by telling us how badly it compares to 1400 and greater bikes.

cruzzi - I'm probably one of those who did crow over what I paid for the 'orphan' W650, but I never bitched about parts availability.  Nothing broke on the bike in 50,000 miles aside from the right exhaust pipe covered under warranty.  Took a couple of weeks for approval and supplying the dealer with the replacement part.  The biggest surprise came when Kaw was able to supply body parts within a week of an accident.  Rear fender, and a few other parts.  Shipped from Japan to the dealer doing the insurance repair.

[Kev m]

The bike was built for something like at least a decade overseas right? And then morphed into the W800 since... I would think parts availability won't be an issue for quite some time.

But feck it, I've got a Buell... know what I mean...  :D

[oldbike54]

My W650 has been daily driver for 10 years (short commute).

A few notes about the difference between a 2000 and 2001. The 2001 had a larger front axle, which is suppose to be more stable, and more comfortable seat (in most people's opinion).

While I was in Japan I bought a newer tank with a rare factory paint scheme, the factory low bar kit (which is stock for the ones they sell in Europe and Japan), and I also got some aftermarket pipes, pancake air filters, smaller side covers, and Ikon shocks. The W650 has really soft springs and the biggest improvement is Progressive springs to stop the nose diving.



Great bike, very reliable, easy maintenance (although 8 valves).

Kirk , you have got to stop posting pics of that gorgeous motorbike , it makes me envious  :D
   Dusty

[leafman60]

Now, I really like that too.  Beats the hell out of any of the newer Triumph models.

Where are those pipes from?

[rboe]

Given Japan's history of getting burned on retro bikes I was a bit surprised to see the CB1100 make it over here. I hope they don't do the W800 as I'll have to sell something to get it!  ;D

A local buddy has a W650 and she is one pretty bike. Very tempted at times. Very tempted.

[jas67]

Low miles (6,717), and reasonable price, $3,450.
http://newyork.craigslist.org/que/mcy/4570164466.html

[Kev m]

Low miles (6,717), and reasonable price, $3,450.
http://newyork.craigslist.org/que/mcy/4570164466.html

Let me be clear, I HATE YOU, Just sayin...  (see phrase thread)  ~; :BEER:

[sturgeon]

Don't be a hater, Kev …

[Kev m]

Don't be a hater, Kev …

Haters gonna hate...oh wait I was just dismissive to myself... :D

[jas67]

Let me be clear, I HATE YOU, Just sayin...  (see phrase thread)  ~; :BEER:

That's OK, it's all YOUR fault that I'm trying to figure out how to finance a new Ducati.   :BEER:

[Kev m]

That's OK, it's all YOUR fault that I'm trying to figure out how to finance a new Ducati.   :BEER:

I've always been a great influence.  ~;

It's all good!  :BEER:

[kirkemon]

Kirk , you have got to stop posting pics of that gorgeous motorbike , it makes me envious  :D
   Dusty

Thanks for the compliments - I like it too!
It's hard to see, but changed the turn signals and tail light to Lucas replicas, and repositioned the rear turn signals.
Some of the newer Triumph owners seem to be a little embarrassed when they see it.

The pipes have removable baffles that I keep in, but I have drilled a couple of holes in for a little more db level.
I run Mobil1 20-50, Iridium plugs, rejetted the carbs when I changed the air cleaners and pipes.
Yes, I don't really care for the shim valve adjusting, but it doesn't require much adjusting.

[jas67]

I've always been a great influence.  ~;

It's all good!  :BEER:

I guess I can also blame drums4money for showing us pics of his beautiful S2R in the "new Monster 821" thread.   ;-T

[jas67]

Here is another low-miles W650 for a decent price:
http://longisland.craigslist.org/mcy/4570797603.html

5,254 miles, $4,000.

[jas67]

Price dropped to $3,100.
http://newyork.craigslist.org/que/mcy/4586994678.html

Low miles (6,717), and reasonable price, $3,450.
http://newyork.craigslist.org/que/mcy/4570164466.html

[Kev m]

You suck... >:(

This has nothing to do with me getting that email yesterday saying the Hud1 shows we should be walking with about $4k cash back after this coming Monday's closing, does it? :D