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Biker Bitez
United States
Приєднався 15 січ 2024
This channel devoted to content around motorcycling. Reviews of bikes, rides to destinations and discovery, adventures where the destination might be planned but the journey certainly isn't!
Kawasaki W800 Review
An owner review of the Kawasaki W800 and a ride along in the North Carolina countryside
00:00 - Intro
01:20 - Meguro and W history
05:02 - Walk around
06:50 - Getting gas and downtown
00:00 - Intro
01:20 - Meguro and W history
05:02 - Walk around
06:50 - Getting gas and downtown
Переглядів: 29 703
Відео
Sparta Loop
Переглядів 10011 місяців тому
A ride to Sparta, NC. Unexpected dead ends and and miserable weather TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Titles 02:39 Roaring Gap Overlook 07:18 Hwy 18 Sparta to Wilkeboro
Aprilia Shiver SL750 Review
Переглядів 4,7 тис.11 місяців тому
A short owner review of the 2008 Aprilia Shiver motorcycle Music credits Strivers (audio logo) by tubebackr | www.tubebackrmusic.com/ Music promoted by www.free-stock-music.com Rendered by Alex-Productions | onsound.eu/ Music promoted by www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons / Attribution 3.0 Unported License (CC BY 3.0)
Nice review and excellent bike. My own W800 is a 2014 UK model without the rear disc brake. Love the bike but I hope kawasaki have decided to alter the battery replacement in their newer models as my model is a bloody nightmare. Can't understand why they had to make it so hard to do such a simple task of replacing the battery which every owner will have to do at some time in their ownership.
I got a 2010 Shiver GT and love it. Very responsive in sport mode, good in touring mode, but a bit too weak in rain mode. After 50T km I can say, no big problem at all. Everything woks like it should be. Bulletproof engine with torque and character. I had a lot different bikes over the time, but none made so much fun to ride.
I bet Maduro would have placed the mirror stalks equidistant from the bars. Kills me
Range? Anybody? Just a guess will do. Reserve capacity? MPG? Come on. I know you're out there. I can feel the popcorn.
@@michaelripplinger2169 120-130 miles till the light comes on. I think there should be a gallon left but I’ve generally filled up within 10 miles.
Great review of a great bike. Thank u sir.
MINE IS 336 lbs. WET!
and I am still learning this bike 3 years later!
I just did 161.3 MPH on my slightly modified Shiver, um I do NOT recommend this bike for beginners, in fact my bike is a handful for any seasoned rider, and I rode 600cc superbikes for 3 years under team Monster!
An 08 shiver was my first bike and I couldn’t disagree with u more. If u can’t learn how to control the power while learning the basics, u shouldn’t be on the road at all. Track and street mentality are opposites. The limiting factor on the street will always be the riders skill, while the point of the track is pushing the machine to its limit.
the ring around my gas cap says 27 world titles as of 2008
... "They had a a couple of C models in the 650 & 900" ... Huh, what ?
I am here cause considering to purchase a used MY 2014. To a retro looking bike belongs a retro helmet to ride in my opinion. Sorry yours just does not fit in style, even it's Kawa green. Recommend something else at least for the video. Regards from Hungary!😊
More than one ride and not enough space (or money) to have matching gear for each. The W800 my wife’s bike that I borrowed for the video!
I had 750 2012 with Akrapovic while stock exhaust sucks.., great bike, lots of torque, very nimble, and beautiful bike.
It's actually 52hp (51.7) at 6500rpm. In Europe and the UK they rate it at 47hp at a lower 6000rpm to get under the A2 license barrier. Don't forget it also has a positive neutral feature that no other current manufacturer has that I know of. Holds it's own very well on the four lane highways but it is not a Goldwing. Red with black side covers makes it a 2022. Exactly the same as my W800. It is competent motorcycle for everyday street riding and is a pleasure to ride. Thanks for sharing.
Can't hear shit
What are the points that rust ? The (lots of), chrome looks vulnerable....
I'm 6'-5" so probably not a good fit for me. Love the retro look though.
You can a.ways tell a rider by the way they have there hand over the clutch or not
Had my 2013 for about 1000 miles / 2 months now absolutely love it. I have had a couple of electrical issues but I traced it to the batter which I've replaced, I find it quite light but saying that Ive got a Harley Fatty and a BMW R1250RT as well. I think the handling is very good, I've added a PUIG screen which has made things more comfortable especially at higher speeds. I think you missed the most direct comparison which is the Ducati 796 which the Aprilia out performs (Just).
I went cross country after the Air Force on my CX500 Honda no muss,no fuss.
Since the W800 has been discontinued the bikes are being discounted so go and snag a good deal. Head and shoulders above the RE 650. RE 650 nowhere near Japanese quality w/o a doubt!
The W800 is not discontinued. What market do you live in? There may be some Countries that Kawasaki is not selling them in. They are very popular in the Japanese market. They even sell a W400 in Japan and they also sell a 250cc single look alike in Japan.
The old KZ-750 twin was available with belt drive. The 250,305, and 450 were all available with belt drive for $100 more than the chain drive version.
With the bevl drive you never have to worry about cam chain breaking and destroying the engine. It is the best feature of the bike. Expensive to make which is why all the manufacturers use chain drive. Moto Guzzi has a gear drive after market to replace the chain . It should come stock. The bike should have a kick starter like the W-650 had. I suppose you could do one but l don't know how much it would cost to get it. The only new Japanese motorcycle l would buy today. I hate EFI that adds $1,500 over the price. I like carbs. Just had the carburetor on my Sportster cleaned for the first time in 25 years.
i had a 2020 w800 nice bike but it under power its has like 50 hp its can be very dangerous when you want overtake or acceleret very quikly tgis days car are faster then the 1970.you better buy triumph bonneville as its has more horse power and more safer for today road.
I've decided to trailer my W800 from central fla to Brevard NC the last week of July and plan to ride the Smokies, Blue ridge park way , this will be like riding a combination of the English country side and our new England states, I've completed the Smokies, Blue ridge, and sky line drive several times in a vehicle ' I was going to take my Dr 650 ,
The W1 was a 624 cc vertical twin....sorry.
Its not 800 cc sadly it is only 773 cc.
The main problem is it's price, the 650 Interceptor does all the W800 does for less money, second problem is the looks, it’s a copy of it’s own older self which was a copy of a British bike of the 50/60’s. The engine looks good from the left but weird from the right, the seat looks good but the tank looks like they couldn’t be bothered. Credit for the all air cooled engine and the good 5 speed box (quite why good gearboxes are hard to make after 100 years is a mystery).
Im looking to get one of these. Its one of the very few that dont look like crap, are mechanically simple and affordable. And i dont need 200 horsepower.
Kinda expensive.
Very enjoyable vid and well made for saying you only have a couple of other vids on your channel. I've always thought the W800 as a lovely little retro but probably a bit small for my 6ft 4 frame. You sound British and very clear to listen to.
Not actually a review, as you said little about the details of it's character. Frankly just an old bloke repeating "it's got disc brakes front and rear" - YAWN !
More Japanese mediocrity ....................
A more classic bike than a true classic bike. If only they put on a fuel guage...otherwise perfect.
Durable engine and Kawasaki is another amazing company and I have owned a few since the 70s.
Hoping to pick one up this year. Looking to get a bimble bike as high reving inline 4 doesn't suit my riding style anymore. Only issue is not a lot come up for sale in UK and definitely not close to me ( plenty of street and cafe models but not interested in them). Luckily not in any rush so i guess ill just have to wait until the right bike for me pop up 🤞
I love your reveiw, ive always wanted one ot these bikes and i bougt a used 2020 this week with only 650 miles on it. I changed the oil and filter, fuel, 9:29 I love the bike, Is it normal for the engines on these bikes to have a slight ticking noise on the right side while idling, ive listened to several on You tube and they seem to sound the same as mine, yours did not sound to tick?
Coming from the bevel drive. Nothing to worry about
I passed up the chance to purchase an old original W650. I've regretted buying it. I guess if the new one still had the kick start I would buy one.
Not sure what bikes today new still have kick starters?
Me either I'll have to do some research.@@BikerBitez-nq1tm
I just wish these retro parallel twin machines weren't so damn heavy. Enfields, Triumphs, and this Kawasaki are all 75-100lb heavier than the bikes they are emulating. A 1970's Triumph Bonneville weighed in at a shade less than 400lb. This Kawasaki is pushing 490lb.
Hold a electric starter in one hand and a large battery in the other one and you will see why they are heavier than a kick start only Triumph 650. That's the weight difference.
@@frankmarkovcijr5459 Don't forget the added weight of the fuel injection system, the ABS system and the catalytic converter exhaust system. My W800 is 95 pounds heavier than my 1969 Norton Commando. Bob
@@Bob-xc2us Let's not forget about the electric starter and a battery to power all the electronics on new bikes. Everyone thinks that all the traction control and ABS is going to save them when they do something stupid. People don't develop the skills to be a good and safe rider.
@@frankmarkovcijr5459 Agreed. I forgot that my 1968 Norton has a small battery and no electric starter. Non ABS brakes stop shorter than ABS brakes on dry good road surfaces but ABS can prevent unfortunate accidents in wet or otherwise slippery conditions. Specially for inexperienced riders. Bob
@@Bob-xc2us That's just it. You learn how to ride by making mistakes and learning from them. My Triumph Tr-6 with a hard tail and magneto is super light. Not intimidating for new riders. When you fall down and go boom you learn not to do what you did that made you fall. Why l love crash bars on my street bikes. I came across a railroad crossing that was really banked. It shot me up in the air about 20 ft. This girl looked up at me as l looked down on her. I landed and kept going. I learned not to do that again. Hot sugar sand on a S curve and rolled my Triumph Tr-6. Handle bars were bent so I just yanked them straight. Loaded up the saddle bags and went on my way. This is how you learn what to do and what not to do. People always say vintage motorcycles make you pay more attention to your surroundings because you have no rider aids to bail you out. No ABS or TC. It's a good way to sharpen your motorcycle skills. Sometimes the lesson is painful and sometimes not.lts a roll of the 🎲.
I seriously considered buying a W650 back in 2002, but Kawasaki seriously overpriced it. I bought a Vulcan 750 instead. Twice the bike for less money. And I have put over 80,000 miles on it since. Now that I have more money, I'd like to buy the W800, but because of all the computerized garbage, like EFI and ABS, and an LED headlight, I flat out refuse to buy it. I want a REAL motorcycle. Not a computer on wheels. Back in 2013 I bought a new Royal Enfield B5 Bullet 500. It came with EFI and a cat con exhaust that was three feet long and weighted 30+ pounds. I quickly replaced the EFI with an Amal Concentric MK1 carburetor, and installed a smaller, lighter, and much better sounding exhaust on it. It runs great, sounds great, feels great, but does not make enough power for highway use. And because of it's tube type tires (which both the W650 and W800 have as well, even in 2024) I have to stay close to home on it, because a flat tire with tube type tires means a tow truck. I have put just over 20,000 miles on the Royal Enfield, and it has come home on a tow truck 4 times due to flat tires. Good thing I wasn't far from home.
Stirling review!. All around. Country roads in western Penn. and your area, may be enough for relocation with one of these bikes.! Here in San Francisco Bay Area, traffic is less than idyllic. Hectic being the operative adjective. The 2000 W650, while carburetor'ed, & drum rear, offers the balanced asset of a kick starter, .. = added versatility/functionality. Now, if they had only left in the points and magneto. ...... 😜
😢after 1 year you are a diplomatet motor technisan ..with all the problems on the kaw
You had issues? Mine hasn’t had any problems. Easy for home mechanic for basic tasks too.
What the heck is going on at 0:27? Did you get Princess Kate to edit you pretending to be riding on a road? 😂😂 in fact did you do the whole video on a green screen simulation....
Haha. No green screens involved. Insta360 X3. Still learning the editing. At no point will I have an extra finger or missing a sleeve!!
No plastic. Air cooled. A timeless winner!
Air-cooled. A no-no for me.
Why? Do you live in Arizona, Utah, Nevada or New Mexico? I hope that your radiator doesn't corrode or the water pump doesn't harden or the thermostat doesn't lock shut or the temperature sensor doesn't go bad during storage. @@krollpeter
@@kennethm.pricejr.8921 Singapore My previous R1200GS was constantly at near the redline. When waiting somewhere I could watch how the temp went up, bar by bar. First and last air-cooled machine for me.
I live in Florida and my Sportster never gets above 215* even in the summer ⛱️🌞 . Don't miss out on a great bike . Plus you can always go back to carbs to cool it even more as well as you can put a kicker on it too. I also have my Triumph TR-6 with a iron barrel no heating issues at all. Get one you won't be disappointed! @@krollpeter
@@kennethm.pricejr.8921 In Singapore
I love the sound of the engine, it sounds like a boxer. Does it have a 360 degree crank?
360 degree
Yep. 360 degree crank just like all of the British bikes from the 60s. Everyone else uses a 270 degree crank and they don't sound as nice.
I've got 17k kms on my 2020. Its a perfect B road bike and I like it a lot. Not really suited for freeways or 2up. 60-80 kmh tight country roads or in town.
Looks like a Triumph Bonneville.
And the original W1 from the 60s looked like a BSA A7 because they were built under an engine license agreement with BSA.
I own a 2018 Shiver 900. Soooo much fun. So torky . Insane in twisty roads. Its an eye catcher. Love it
SIMILAR TO A Kz750 twin, 1977 - 1982
You are right! I had forgotten about the KZ750, which followed on from the W3, which is the direct descendent of the Meguro I flashed up in the video. Sharing the styling of the bigger 4 cylinder Z900 but the simplicity of the air cooled parallel twin.
Nice bike. I'm up in east KY. Bevel drive cam? What about vibration? Crank degrees?
360degree crank. just like the original BSA's and Triumph's. There is a balance shaft but the vibrations aren't totally eliminated. I put Grip Puppies on the handlebars and the result is both characterful and manageable. And yes the cam shaft is bevel drive with the external shaft on the right side of the engine.
@@BikerBitez-nq1tm thanks. They vould have built two motors for all the work it takes to make one. Lot of precision engineering
I have had 360 cranks in several machines. They vibrate bad even with balance shafts some still present. Without the handlebars feel like they are going in circles like a paint mixer shaker. One thing inherient to the design, torque. It should pull really good. The AMA flat track racers used the design to fig off the cushions in the curves and also on hill climbs. Hang on
very good review, thank you
As I was watching I thought how similar the country roads of England are to the U.S. and even the convenience store looks straight out of my small town. Then, you rode on the right side of the road…and then you unraveled the mystery by stating you’re in Mooresville, NC. Haha. I’m on the opposite side of Charlotte from you in Fort Mill, SC. Nice review.
I can see your confusion. In some ways there are some similarities to England, but in NC we don't have the hedgerows and stone walls. But the rolling countryside and winding roads of the Piedmont are not dissimilar to southern England where I grew up.