KAWASAKI W650 (1999 - 2006) Review

Version: C5

Year: 2003

Annual servicing cost: £100

In 17 years in the shed, the machine has never let me down. Several partners have joined it and departed over the piece. I was happy enough to own them for three or four years but only the W has lasted and in short, that's because of its stunning versatility and durability. My racing days being long in the past and unremarkable, I have no illusions about being an undiscovered talent, so the fact that the machine challenges no performance boundaries is of no matter to me. Afternoon cruising, two up touring and scratching on B roads are all perfectly possible on these bikes. Try one and unless you're one of those jumping from machine to machine in search of unicorns and indifferent to the mayhem caused to your savings account by crippling depreciation, it won't disappoint.

Year: 2004

Annual servicing cost: £40

I love this bike and would give it 5 out of five, but the seat mount and consequent seat design, no matter what you do with it (I've had mine apart 5 times trying to get it comfy and have come very close) is terrible...because this bike was originally never meant for export and designed for smaller Japanese people. The build quality is great, and after some "adjustments" (emissions) and raising the jets, the thing goes like hell (4.5 secs 0-60) and is a beautiful bike that gets admirers everywhere I take her. The stock Bridgestones are crap...I replaced mine with Avons which work wonders. I love this bike....and I grew up on 60's Bonnevilles.

Year: 2000

Enjoyably adequate but weak brakes, vibration and indifferent handling leave me wishing for more. Is it nostalgia or did my early 60's Matchless G12 ride much better?

Buying experience: Third owner, both previous owners treated the bike well.

Year: 2001

Annual servicing cost: £30

High barred model that reminds me so much of the old Brit Iron I grew up with without bits falling off or indifferent electrics. I love the sound and the looks

Buying experience: Bought from a dealer 14 months ago for £3,250 only 5,300 on the clock, I am the sixth owner it has now covered 18,478 and I don't ride in the rain!

Year: 2001

Annual servicing cost: £100

Crazy not too, Top bike

Buying experience: Second hand, what a bargain

Year: 2001

This is the first bike I have owned, but I have ridden retro-styled suzukis, dual sports, and sports naked bikes. This is my favorite to ride. It gets a lot of attention in and around town, sounds great, reliable as heck.

Year: 1999

Annual servicing cost: £30

Wasted loads of money on bikes, from Gsxr 750 , thru iron Harvey sportster, via Guzzis to 66 Thunderbird. Stopped when I bought mine new in 99, best all rounder I ever had.

The Kawasaki W650 makes the purrfect partner on all the best roads, it bobs and weaves with ease round the A and B roads, managable, easy on the wrists, pulls at the lowest in 5th and motors away...just great. For relaxed road cruising the W650 is one of a kind - although could do with a little more on the power band - about 55-60bhp; I'd buy another...shame they stopped making them.

I chose the W650 on looks and riding position. I was looking for a standard that looked like a retro crusier and found it in the W650. A dream to ride at low speeds. Thifty to maintain. Lots of comments by other riders and passers by. Hates speed; scary wobble at high speeds. Orphaned by Kawasaki USA right when it could have gotten its foothold (few aftermarket parts available in the USA). I wish that Kawasaki would bring it back to the USA with more power and less wobble. If they don't I'm buying a Triumph Thruxton... soon! Classic Vertical Twins really grow on you.

The W650 is a real back to basics bike - very little plastic, lots of shiny metal bits and a great sound from the exhausts (if you remove the baffles!). For cruising about on a sunny day or commuting this bike is easy to ride, cheap to insure and frugal on fuel.

The W650 is a real back to basics bike - very little plastic, lots of shiny metal bits and a great sound from the exhausts (if you remove the baffles!). For cruising about on a sunny day or commuting this bike is easy to ride, cheap to insure and frugal on fuel.

I have been luck enough too have had two W650's and have had the pure retro pleasure of blasting 30,000miles. Top bike great looks, almost the power of the CB500 top-end more bottem-end, handling could be better but i can still get the pegs down, equipment wise just enough for a air-cooled rev counter lovely exhaust sound over 4.5k. Value good as i been luck the first one i had put 15k on it and sold for the same money. Finally the old-women loves it, flat seat been 110 two-up in the sun looking good & feeling great, as well as super in town Wide bars rule. Treat yourself

If you want something retro, this is a great bike to consider. It's my second bike and I try only to take it out in the dry cos its not the easiest to clean - but I commute on it (72 mpg) and do Sunday rides. The limited power means planning overtakes. Its also rather rewarding to work a bike hard sometimes - much easier on this than on bigger bike.

What can i say, the W650 is a fantastic bike, used as a commuter and took me through europe last year fully laden cruising at an average of 70-80mph. Looks good and I get lots of questions from people when I park up. I'm a short arse so the seat height suits me fine. What more can you ask for, a bike that commutes, draws admiring looks, cheap to buy and run, easy to maintain, less common that the bonneville and tours europe with ease (with a fly screen!). Bloody great and well recommended.