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James-K

Joined:

Apr 04

Posts: 762

James-K says:

Video: Kawasaki W800 - retro commuter

Kawasaki have created this video to promote their new W800 - it seems to suggest that they're pitching the bike at trendy London types who want a retro-cool commuter for the city.  With an authentic-looking air-cooled 773cc parallel twin motor, twin rear shocks and pea-shooter exhausts, the W800 certainly looks the part - but so does the competition, namely the Triumph Bonneville and Moto Guzzi V7 Classic.  ...

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  • Posted 3 years ago (02 December 2010 12:26)

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kiwikeith

Joined:

Nov 05

Posts: 102

kiwikeith says:

Kwaka W800

Bymoto these bikes are not rubbish they are well built have a better finish than the Bonneville. Yes they are made in the far East like 80% of all bikes are. But don't forget Bloor set up a factory in the far East and the Triumph Bonneville is made in the far East as well. Do your homework before posting. Now you can spend the rest of the day removing your size ten boots out of your gob. You thick Triumph bigot plank.

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  • Posted 3 years ago (07 December 2010 18:55)
bimota3823

Joined:

Dec 10

Posts: 3

bimota3823 says:

Kawasaki W800

You should read my post, I did not mention the triumph build quality, just the K was a copy of the real thing and more expensive. PS. its Bimota not Bymoto and its a size 9 boot not 10

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  • Posted 3 years ago (07 December 2010 20:45)
Tim158

Joined:

Mar 09

Posts: 22

Tim158 says:

Cheeky!

Didn't he run a red light at about the 1.20 mark?

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  • Posted 3 years ago (08 December 2010 09:16)
b3bmcwi

Joined:

May 07

Posts: 19

b3bmcwi says:

KIWIKEITH

"You thick Triumph bigot plank"

 

ROFL

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  • Posted 3 years ago (08 December 2010 15:43)
SatNavSteve

Joined:

Sep 10

Posts: 707

SatNavSteve says:

No thanks!

I agree with all the critics about this bike (too expensive, not the real thing etc.) but my gripes are that when I saw it at the NEC and sat on it, the comfort was awful, the finish looks cheap and the switches look like they are off a 1970's jap bike. Have a look for your self and see if you agree. Sorry Kawasaki, but why pay more than the real thing and depreciation will be jaw dropping, if it sells!!!

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  • Posted 3 years ago (10 December 2010 12:16)
Anonymous

Joined:

Posts:

Anonymous  says:

SatNavSteve, Not seen one yet in the flesh, but have to agree with the comment about why not buy the real thing. Problem is the "real thing" is mainly built in Thailand and depreciates just as fast - bizarrely the W650 has very low depreciation for a japanese bike, but this may change with the introduction of the W800.

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  • Posted 3 years ago (10 December 2010 14:17)
neophyte

Joined:

Apr 07

Posts: 7

neophyte says:

The W series of bikes are far more attractive than the porky, drab Hinckley Bonnie. Testers I have read emphasise the Bonnie's lack of charisma and general staidness compared to the W's lithe good looks and hint of mischief when she hustles on. I presume those of you asking why not buy the 'real thing' are all riding 1968 T120s? Nevertheless, it's always amusing to read complaints of copying when Hinckley Triumph are reproducing American styled cruisers by the thousand.

W650s have acquired a reputation for being bullet proof and a fantastic canvas for old school flat track and bobber  customisation, depreciation is minimal. It can hardly be accused of copying Hinckley, when it was on sale before the Hinckley offering, which appeared to take the old spirit of the Bonneville name and gently anaesthetise the life out of it.

I think it's about time we grew up and recognised that a revival of the Kawasaki W1 from 1967 is a pleasant addition to the broad church of motorcycling. You're not seriously going to complain that the original was a copy of the BSA A7, are you?

Oh, you probably are.

 

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  • Posted 3 years ago (16 February 2011 03:05)
oldboybob

Joined:

Feb 11

Posts: 1

oldboybob says:

Kawasaki W800

Let's put some meat on the W800 debate. In 1968 I bought a brand new Bonneville. It vibrated like mad, speed wobbled at ton+, cut out in the rain and the fixings soon rusted. I owned a W650 last year and it was a great bike. The more you wound it on the better it liked it. For some reason I traded it in for a 1972 Norton Commando. I have recently test ridden a W800 and Bonnie and the only better thing about the Bonny is the performance. Other than that the W800 beats it hands down for authenticity in respect to a 60's Bonnie. The power is only 48 ps whereas the W650 was 50 but the 1968 Bonnie was only 46 bhp. I am selling the Norton and have placed a W800 on order and will post additional thoughts when I receive it end of March. Regarding value, it is no more expensive than a T100 SE and the W650 2005 models are now fetching more than the final discounted selling price and I hope the W800 will do likewise.

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  • Posted 3 years ago (23 February 2011 23:33)

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