NGC - W800 for 2022 riding season

[ohiorider]

Well, tomorrow is the day.  I got a call from my local Kawasaki dealer that my new 2021 W800 will arrive at the dealership.  I have this bad habit of buying a new bike in the dead of winter, and having to exercise patience until (a) first hard rainstorm in late winter washes salt off the roads, and (b) the the first ride is a sunny, warm pleasure, not a bone-chilling 20 degree military manuever.

Anyway, will do paperwork tomorrow, and have the bike trucked salt-free the 6-7 miles to my place. where she'll sit on a Battery Tender off and on, with a tank full of Stabilized fuel, waiting for 2022.

She's the Ocean Blue model.  Quite a bit down on hp compared to my recent T120, but nearly 50hp is enough for me to enjoy the roads through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, as well as rides thru Amish country east of where I live.  I think she'll be perfect.  Isn't this approx the hp of many of the 750cc Moto Guzzis?

Looks as though I can purchase a set of Monokey mounts for the Kaw that work with my barely used set of Givi E21 hard bags.  That combination worked nicely on the W650 I owned for several years.

Don't think pics are necessary.  Dave Swanson posted a pic of the Blue W800 on another thread recently.  Seen one, ya seen 'em all!

Bob

[Navydad]

Congrats on the new Kawasaki. I too tend to buy my new bikes in the winter and then have to wait until the road salt is gone. I rented a trailer and brought my new Triumph home in January of 2014. I got lucky when I bought my Spyder. It was a salt free day in January 2017 when I got it, but it was a 40 mile ride at 18 degrees. Been pretty mild so far here in southern Ohio so no salt yet and I have had the Guzzi out several times this month.

[Dave Swanson]

Excellent Bob!   As I have said before,  I think the W800 (in blue) and the 2014 CB1100 Deluxe are the 2 most beautiful of all the current retro classics. 

[guzzisteve]

Good on ya Bob, enjoy that new ride.

[Alfetta]

Excellent Bob!   As I have said before,  I think the W800 (in blue) and the 2014 CB1100 Deluxe are the 2 most beautiful of all the current retro classics. 

Agreed!  nothing looks more UJM retro that a UJM !
I would be proud to own either...

But I must have an Italian bike parked next to my Italian cars, or something just feels "Off" in the old garage...

[bad Chad]

Enjoy, it really is a pretty motorcycle!

[JJ]

Agree with everyone!  CONGRATS and they are BOTH beautiful, practical, and reliable motorcycles. 

If I was not so fond of my '98 Centauro GT, I would be on something like that Kawasaki W800 or maybe a modern Triumph Bonneville or Royal Enfield 650 INT!

[80CX100]

Congrats on the new bike, it's a very pretty ride. 

Curious to hear your impressions once you actually climb back onto the saddle.

    

[Kev m]

Sweet....

Ya know, yesterday I spent the afternoon on my RK. Big, comfy, gobs of torque, warm behind the windshield. I loved it.

Today I spent the same or more time/miles of my V7. Small, comfy enough, svelte and nimble. I loved it just as much or maybe even more.

I think you're gonna have a ball!

[greer]

Oh, that's a beautiful bike.  Big enthusiastic thread over on advrider, in case you want to check it out:

https://advrider.com/f/threads/kawasaki-w800.614615/page-165

Sarah

[twowheeladdict]

Congrats! 

The W800 was the elusive Kawasaki bike that would have completed my Kawasaki Stable if it had come to the US a lot earlier than it did.  Now I am more interested in the Z650RS than in owning the W800, but find both pricy compared to other bikes I could buy. 

[Joliet Jim]

Agree with everyone!  CONGRATS and they are BOTH beautiful, practical, and reliable motorcycles. 

If I was not so fond of my '98 Centauro GT, I would be on something like that Kawasaki W800 or maybe a modern Triumph Bonneville or Royal Enfield 650 INT!

Damn Centauros suck in that respect

[ohiorider]

Well, the paperwork is done, the W800 is mine!  It is a lovely little bike!  Spent a pleasant hour or so at the dealership this afternoon.  I'll have it trucked to my place on Jan 3, 2022.  By that time, I hope to have my nasty garage cleaned up.

We did fire it up at the shop for a couple of minutes, and she sounded just fine. I love the sound of a 360 degree crank vertical twin.  I grew up on BSA and Triumph twins, so this sound is as natural as breathing!

I rode the predecessor to the W800, my 2000 W650, for nearly 7 years and 52,000 miles, so I think I know what to expect from this little bike.  I'm pleased that Kawasaki decided to continue the W series, and cannot wait until the first day the sun shines bright, and temps hit 65 degrees.  Love retro bikes!

Bob

[ohiorider]

Good on ya Bob, enjoy that new ride.

Steve, where the h*** does the time go?  It's been nearly 10 years since I did a fly and ride to your dealership in Dahlonega GA.  What a great trip that was!  I recall riding the local (really nice!) roads for a couple of days until I'd pushed the mileage up to the point where she was due for first maintenance.  Then it was off for Hudson, Ohio.  A huge storm crossed Ohio and West Virginia, causing me to have to re-route myself to the west, since gas stations in W Va had no power, therefore no fuel.  Cincinnati wasn't in my original plans!

The Griso kicked arse all the way home.

Good hearing from you.

Bob