Wildguzzi.com
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: ohiorider on May 30, 2022, 04:16:37 PM
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A nice, very easy to ride retro Kawasaki. Aside from fuel injection, ABS, disk brake on the rear, and slightly more displacement, she's not so different from the 2000 W650 I owned for several years. I'm going to stay as close to stock as possible, but may initially go with some heavier fork oil, or at least add an oz. or so to what's already in the forks. Feels a little springy and undamped to me.
The engine now has almost 1300 miles on the odometer, and although the redline is approx 7000 rpm, I've had no need to go there yet. Shifting from 1st to 2nd at 4k, 2nd to 3rd at 4k, it's then a mini rush to feel the little twin pull to 5500 rpm in 3rd with a gentle roll-on once she's taching 4000. I don't know what the exhaust sounds like to pedestrians, but Kaw has engineered a noticeable Brit Bike sound which is certainly perceptible to the rider.
It's not the perfect bike for me, (I prefer shaft drive) and had we had a good Guzzi dealer in the area, I would have most likely gone with the V7 850. Additionally, the selling dealer also sells Triumph, and gave me a reasonable trade-in for my 2016 Bonneville.
Anyway, here's two pics of the bike with all its chrome farkles!
Bob
(https://i.ibb.co/9y3PHDK/My-2021-W800-in-the-driveway.jpg) (https://ibb.co/9y3PHDK)
(https://i.ibb.co/6yqyGwj/W800-cam-bevel-drive.jpg) (https://ibb.co/6yqyGwj)
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Looking good Bob! Enjoy and Im sure many reliable miles are ahead of you. BTW, hows the stock suspension compared to Triumph T100 suspension?
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Still air cooled? I like it.
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Curious why you traded in the Bonnie for the W800? Does it feel more British than the Bonnie? I imagine the Bonneville had more power since it’s liquid cooled.
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To Dave: I found the T100 a little harsh, especially the rear shocks, which I replaced with aftermarket ones. The W800 a bit mushy. I'm looking for that Goldilocks 'just right' thing!
To Blu Guzz: Yep, still air cooled, just like my 2000 W650 was.
Hope you guys and family had a good holiday!
Bob
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Curious why you traded in the Bonnie for the W800? Does it feel more British than the Bonnie? I imagine the Bonneville had more power since it’s liquid cooled.
I'll try this again, after typing an answer that somehow vanished in the ether!
Why trade? I'd experienced since day one vibes in the front end I couldn't isolate, and the dealer after a couple of hours, determined he hadn't isolated it either. I decided to give up the scavenger hunt and move on. Having said that, if I had isolated the front end issue, I would still be on the T120.
Re feel, the W does feel much like a Brit Bike, with its 360 degree crank. And even though the idle is quiet with the stock mufflers, it has a nice tone when its getting some throttle and moving from 3000 to 5500 rpm.
More power? The T120 had the power, hands down. 400cc larger engine, I think the Bonnie produced perhaps 80hp, where the W produces 48-50hp. However, the W800 has a progressive linear torque curve, making the pull from 3000 to 5000/5500 feel like there's more power under you.
Bob