W650 Love (SGC)

[jas67]

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

Seems like perfect timing to me.   :BEER:

[oldbike54]

Nothing quite like the warm glow of brotherly love  ;D You suck , no YOU suck  :o :D

   Dusty

[sliphorn]

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.

You are correct, sir! If you end up with one be sure to check out:  www.w650shop.de    They've got plenty of nice bits to make a W your own.

[ohiorider]

Kev, a couple of observations ...  the R Island W650 appears to have been left stock (referencing the Kaw badges remaining on the R Island bike)  I don't recall if these were held on with adhesive or if there were mounts threaded into the tank.  Also, R Island bike pipes appear to have run cooler.  I know, blue is beautiful, but the W comes with double wall pipes, and mine at 50,000 miles and stock jetting looked like the pipes on the R Island bike.

Of course, $900 difference might not be worth the difference, unless one bike is a 9 out of 10 and the other is a 5 out of 10.  Hard to tell from the pics.

Also, ask the seller if the rear fender was ever changed out under warranty.  Some of the W650 rear fenders cracked at their mounting point, and I think Kaw replaced them.  Mine never split up to 35k miles or so, but was replaced by insurance when an errant driver hit the gas when I hit the brakes.

If you buy a W, I think you'll enjoy it.

[jas67]

There was a 2001 W650 listed on the Philly craigslist with 14k miles for $3k.

I was VERY tempted, but, resisted the temptation.   Now it is gone.    My money is safe,......... for now.

[Kev m]

I'm still holding off myself for 2 reasons:

1. Money - still spinning from selling/moving/buying houses last year.
2. SPACE - until we can afford a garage expansion I'm kinda out of room. I mean I COULD squeeze something in if SOMETHING was ALWAYS on the bike lift, but I don't like that as a plan.

[Muzz]

They did a test some time back on the 800 out here.  The reviewer had the opinion that the 800 was a superior machine to the 650 in many respects. He really enjoyed the ride.