KAWASAKI W650 (1999 - 2006) Review
At a glance
| Owners' reliability rating: | |
|---|---|
| Annual servicing cost: | £60 |
| Power: | 49 bhp |
| Seat height: | Medium (31.5 in / 800 mm) |
| Weight: | Medium (430 lbs / 195 kg) |
Prices
Overall rating
Next up: Ride & brakesRelive the 60s with the delightful Kawasaki W650. Styling is spot on – the exhausts are closer to a 60s Bonneville than Triumph’s own latter day replica. Modern handling, engine and reliability means all the joy of a classic with none of the grief. Relaxed performance unlike the Boneneville of the 1960s.
Ride quality & brakes
Next up: EngineDespite a dry weight of 195kg, the Kawasaki W650's small size makes it feel far lighter and more controllable. Suspension’s not sophisticated, ground clearance is far from limitless but this is no sports bike – compared to a cruiser it’s nimble and capable. The Kawasaki can feel bouncy if you press on or take a pillion.
Engine
Next up: ReliabilityThe Kawasaki W650's parallel twin is a real softy, borderline weakling. Claimed 49bhp is barely enough anywhere other than in town or bopping gently down those sunny memory-lanes – the firms own budget, 500cc twin, the ER-5 manages more. Fine if you’re not after life in the fast (or even middle) lane.
Reliability & build quality
Next up: ValueMost examples of the Kawasaki W650 get a relatively easy life and few problems are reported. Engine is in such a low state of tune it should last well. If a bike is neglected, the lashings of chrome will tell the tale. The centre stand decks out with enthusiastic cornering so check if buying used.
Value vs rivals
Next up: EquipmentBefore Triumph released their Bonneville the Kawasaki W650 was a great buy for someone looking for a bike like this. The British bike is a little heavier but has a smidge more power – and has the right name on the tank. Unfortunately the W650’s only a bargain when discounted. At least insurance and running costs are low. Find a Kawasaki W650 for sale.
Equipment
The Kawasaki W650's standard kit is fairly limited but you don’t expect an on board computer on a bike like this. A kit was available in 2002 to turn the bike into a café racer. Soft and hard panniers plus rails are available from Kawasaki as are engine bars.
Specs |
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| Engine size | 675cc |
|---|---|
| Engine type | 8v parallel twin, 6 gears |
| Frame type | Steel double cradle |
| Fuel capacity | 15 litres |
| Seat height | 800mm |
| Bike weight | 195kg |
| Front suspension | None |
| Rear suspension | Preload |
| Front brake | Single 300mm disc |
| Rear brake | Drum |
| Front tyre size | 100/90 x 19 |
| Rear tyre size | 130/80 x 18 |
Mpg, costs & insurance |
|
| Average fuel consumption | 51 mpg |
|---|---|
| Annual road tax | £93 |
| Annual service cost | £60 |
| New price | - |
| Used price | £2,600 - £4,300 |
| Insurance group |
8 of 17 How much to insure? |
| Warranty term | Two year unlimited mileage |
Top speed & performance |
|
| Max power | 49 bhp |
|---|---|
| Max torque | 41 ft-lb |
| Top speed | 110 mph |
| 1/4 mile acceleration | 14.2 secs |
| Tank range | 165 miles |
Model history & versions
Model history
1999: Kawasaki W650 launched.
2006: Model deleted.
Other versions
None.
Owners' reviews for the KAWASAKI W650 (1999 - 2006)
15 owners have reviewed their KAWASAKI W650 (1999 - 2006) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.
Review your KAWASAKI W650 (1999 - 2006)
Summary of owners' reviews |
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| Overall rating: | |
|---|---|
| Ride quality & brakes: | |
| Engine: | |
| Reliability & build quality: | |
| Value vs rivals: | |
| Equipment: | |
| Annual servicing cost: | £60 |
Version: C5
Year: 2003
Annual servicing cost: £40
A middleweight air cooled vertical twin that demonstrates beautifully why this is a great engine configuration. Suspension and seating position could have been and can be made better.
Very adequate for the performance potential on offer.
A peach. A modern take on a classic design in the firm of the bevel gear driven ohc.
17 years and 55K miles, sharing space in the shed with other bikes that have come and gone. An active worldwide FB page tends to confirm that these are the kind of bike that riders, who are lucky enough to own more than one machine at a time, tend to hold on to. Ridden in all weathers, it has proved to have fairly durable paint, high quality fasteners and thick chrome. A reasonably competent home mechanic can also handle all servicing.
That's an estimate for service consumables. Do it all myself.
Standard is adequate.
Buying experience: I've forgotten after 17 years.
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.
These machines have no exceptional components, excepting the stunningly competent and reliable motor. The seat looks good but over distance there's no hiding from its shortcomings. Look to change the profile if you intend to use it.
The bevel or crown gear ohc motor and gearbox is a peach. That is all.
The figure is a rough guide and reflects that I've done all its servicing, apart from the first service arranged by the first owner (I bought the bike with 900 miles on the clock). Perfectly possible and I'm no trained mechanic. There's now 55000 miles on the odometer.
Competent in all respects for a machine with this level of performance.
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.
She stops on a dime if you need her to....
Very well made...and also fairly light, so easy to muscle around.
I've had mine for 18 months and there have been no costs other than oil and filter change and changing the tires.
Engine and gearbox are superb.
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?
Decent ride quality. Brakes do not inspire confidence. Upgraded suspension helps when riding briskly. I experience excessive 'turn in' (wheel flop) during low speed cornering. I installed European style bars with bar end weights and an accessory saddle with gel insert. Vibration still gets tiresome on longer rides.
All the power I need for the riding I do, but a more favourable power to weight ratio would add to the fun.
Chrome wants to rust pretty quickly in this wet, coastal zone.
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
As I mentioned earlier it feels very British, more like a BSA A10 rather than a Norton Dominator, gets upset by bumpy curves. Grinds the foot pegs but not a drama. Brakes are adequate and it could do with some decent Hagon shox. It comfortably gets me from A to B and generally ahead of friends on larger faster bikes
Torquey pulls form less than 20mph in top, balanced so although you know it's there your hands don't fall off after 50 miles. Gear selection could be better though
Alloy rims, good chrome and reliable engfine
I do my own and it's a doddle to work on Simple valve train that is easy to adjust, all I have done so far is fork oil, engine oil and filters
Basic, it could do with a braided brake hose but it does the job. I have updated the headlight with a super bright H4 bulb and relay. The Indicator light is not easy to see so I have fitted a beeper. I'm too used to self cancelling indicators!
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
Braided hose required
Banging air cooled 650cc twin
Nothing, other than rear mudguard weight of brakelight assembly
Cheap Cheap
Who cares, so much fun
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.
front fork dive under heavy braking. Not 100% confident in the front brake. Otherwise its decent to carry a pillion for 100 km or so. Adjusting the rear pre-load seems to help from being floatey. I put on Euro low bars, and it transformed the ride at speed and on turns, a must-do
Bulletproof and sounds amazing above 4k rpm, popping on deceleration can be modified out but I prefer the sound. A little lean on idle, over-rich on high-revs, but excellent mid-range. A high-flowing exhaust is a must for power and sound.
I've heard the most common problem is the rear fender cracking due to vibrations. This hasn't happened to me and it has been bulletproof after 10,000 km since purchasing used.
economical on gas. Haven't run into a service that I cannot do myself.
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.
Front brake so so, wears tire on one side due to pull, rear brake does job but wooden. Seat bit hard, but bend swinging needs you to move around on saddle. 2 up takes edge off power and handling like all bikes.
Economical, 65 to 80mpg, pulls from 19 mph in top, more torque than an old Triumph twin and bulletproof.
High quality chrome, even nickel plated spokes lasted 7 years till I got stainless. Chrome on exhausts excellent, only replaced with stainless ones for louder sound. If it cuts out onto 1 cylinder, check main jets in cards- mine kept blocking till in line filter fitted.
Just oiled and filter, valve shims exchanged at dealers.
Stock tires just fine, Hagon shrouded shocks improve looks and handling, thicker oil in forks taughtens front ride.
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.
Kawasaki W650 motorcycle review - Side view
Kawasaki W650 motorcycle review - Side view
Kawasaki W650 motorcycle review - Side view
Kawasaki W650 motorcycle review - Instruments
Kawasaki W650 motorcycle review - Riding
Kawasaki W650 motorcycle review - Riding
Kawasaki W650 motorcycle review - Brakes
Kawasaki W650 motorcycle review - Engine
Kawasaki W650 motorcycle review - Rear view
Kawasaki W650 motorcycle review - Instruments
Kawasaki W650 motorcycle review - Engine
Kawasaki W650 motorcycle review - Riding
Kawasaki W650 motorcycle review - Side view
Kawasaki W650 motorcycle review - Side view
