2019 KAWASAKI W800 - an 'Any Old Bike' Review

Modern classics aren't for everyone but they have a certain charm. Kawasaki's W800 is a quality machinethat captures the look and feel of old British bikes, but without the mess and distress.

[@SteveBlancoMusicianWarrior]

I love mine so much. The ride, fit, and finish are amazing. And, the sound is pure music. It's a Japanese work of art.

[@sidecarmisanthrope5927]

I prefer the W650, just as powerful and still has the kick start if you want to look cool.

[@bigred8438]

It is an under square bore and stroke engine, which gives it more mid range torque than most modern bikes. In this respect it is much like old school vertical twins. I like that a lot.

[@BlakesPipes]

Own a 2020 W800 cafe now a year of ownership, with 8k on the clock, it's the best everyday journey for me to get to work and back. Have a Concours that I also have had for 13 months with 10k on it now. I prefer to ride the W800 but when 300 to 900 miles in a day, I get on my Concours. I am not a Kawasaki fan, just a person that likes what they are putting out to fit my needs and wants. Great review!

[@roverchap]

I chose one of these for the looks and also it's the only retro twin with 360-degree crank phasing. All the others use the 270-degree phase which is smoother but lacks the right sound and feel of a traditional vertical twin.

[@wordsmithgmxch]

I appreciate your laid-back style, your buttered-toast voice. So different from the "What's UP, ever' bodyEEE!! Ta-DAY, we gonna ..." Yadda-yadda.

[@coloneljawoof6832]

Love my 2022. Fantastic bike.

[@tinytim9413]

Hi Nick

[@sefton1972]

A nice simple review. Great for bimbling along country lanes or holding its own at motorway speeds all with a style & charm of the bikes gone by.

[@robertonunez1085]

I have one 2012 green paint, with 6k miles in the clock.I really enjoy ride this beautifull machine, I love it !! Thank you for your video.

[@UncleLongbeard]

The most reliable bike I ever had... and a beautiful one too.

[@davidpianosi4512]

Thanks for taking the time to give a 'flavour' kind of review.

[@richardjohnson3463]

Thanks Nick, a good "no nonsense" review

[@ridewithted2003]

Simple is always appealing isn't it? Sadly there just isn't enough appreciation for it. Nice vid Nick!

[@jonsharron184]

Thank you for another great video

[@paulcannell7188]

nice review. nice bike. I have 2 friends with W800s and one with a W650. As my friends are always classy I think that this is a ringing endorsement for the Trad Kwaks.

[@broadwayFan28]

When I got to

[@carlmarkwyatt]

Thanks for the review. I like the W800 a lot, especially the bevel cam but I'm not a fan of chains anymore so brought it's competitor the Guzzi V7 850.

[@jamshedsethna3428]

I have the W650, it is carbed and has same HP as the restricted emissions 800. Brilliant bike.

[@larryyz_hideaway]

I just picked up this exact bike from it's original owner back in May. He picked it up new in July of 2021. As with the W650 20 years ago, I don't think people are buying these in numbers....which means there are deals to be had, I think. More than a third off list made it too good to resist, and a great value proposition vs a Triumph or even one of your beloved Guzzi V7s.