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Are you young? Would you buy a Kawasaki W800?

By John Westlake -

New bikes

03 March 2011 17:27

Kawasaki has revealed they expect their new W800 retro to attract younger buyers.

Kawasaki's Martin Lambert told MCN that, surprisingly, their research showed the Triumph Bonneville-rival would be popular with under 30s as well as older classic fans.

The research has been backed up by experience, said Lambert: "I've spoken the Kawasaki UK field sales team to get a flavour of the demand for the W800. They said that dealers are reporting a surprising number of younger riders who think it's 'what a real motorbike should look like'."

So what do you think? Can the W800 tempt younger riders onto bikes? While you're pondering, have a look at the Japanese marketing video for the W800.

It's aimed at under-30s and – as far as we can make out – suggests the path to true love is guaranteed by a 773cc retro parallel twin and a cabbage.

Read the full story in MCN, out Wednesday March 9

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DazzleRebel says

Yes, yes, yes er no

Yes I would buy one of these (29 years young). In fact I was split 50/50 with getting one of these instead of an ER6n but went for the more modern looking bike because it seemed a bit easier to live with day to day and I already have an old school V-twin in the form of a shagged out Virago. I loved it but as it was a little bit more top heavy and had a lot more shiny bits to clean the ER6n took it by a whisker but if I could have had both, the ER6n for every day use and the W800 for weekend meets then I would without a thought.

05 January 2012 21:52

RSweetsays

If it was offered in the USA...

At thirty two, I'm old to some, but young to others, obviously, but I really don't know how important age is, regarding the W800. The only thing I know for certain is that I'd be the first in line to buy a W800 if it was offered for sale in the states. No bs. It's the only bike I've lusted after for years.

FWIW, I've heard the same from others... and I mean from people who buy motorcycles, not just talk about them.

10 March 2011 23:17

mintee says

Even though I'm 'old' (ie in my thirties!), I love the look of naked retro's like this. There's somehting to be said for riding a decent bike that has no gizmos, gadgets or any other trickery. Just get on, ride, enjoy. Thats what its about, appreciate the scenery and feel the beat of that vertical twin (or triple in my case with a late 90's T-Bird)

09 March 2011 19:43

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rockabillyboysays

I remember I always liked the look of the old w 650 ,having grown-up with older style Brit. bikes . I also thought they were way overpriced for a mid weight twin ,saying that tho part of the attractraction was they held their price . All the family ride bikes so ,when my younger brother [who"s 50 and cracked on a bike] bought one ,I had to have a test ride . Our kid ! went out a couple of times on the Kwak. with the local sportbikes oldies ,and the gang were impressed ,but I think most of it was his nutty riding . I have a collection of bikes old & modern ,and to tell you the truth after a go wasn"t that impressed ,especially the gearbox seemed like a aircooled B.M.W. build . I shall look foreward to a go on the new w 800 when the chance crops up . But then again why would anybody buy a copy of a copy of a copy ?.

05 March 2011 19:23