Introducing my 2021 Kawasaki W800 HD 1080p
Вставка
- Опубліковано 27 сер 2024
- UPDATED: THE 2022 MODEL HAS BEEN RELEASED. THEY WILL BE HERE FOR A THIRD YEAR. I GUESS THEY ARE SELLING BETTER THAN WE THOUGHT THEY WOULD.
Yes, I know, I accidentally said "650" in the video when I meant to say "800".
Here is an introduction to my new 2021 Kawasaki W800 plus some history and some comparisons to other bikes. After the walk-through we head out for my first long ride of 175 miles. But it would have been a much longer ride if we hadn't seen heavy rains coming through the mountains, so we had to turn around and go home. The mountains will come another day.
I could listen to that motor all day long.
I like that W800 because it's not made of plastic; it actually has metal parts.
Congratulations, what a beauty!
I love the timeless design of this bike.
Yes, I had the W650 when we first got them in the US (2000), blue. The 2001 was green, then we didn't see them again until 20 years later, 2020 (red) and 2021, blue. Wish I'd known they were back in the US for a couple years as I would have liked to have had the red one this time, but I got blue again, and it's a beautiful metallic blue, but I would have preferred red to have something a little different from what I had. But I have about 1800 miles on it (my miles get divided up between it, my 2021 Moto Guzzi, 2021 Yamaha XT250, and my 2018 Vespa 300 GTS Touring). So far the "Dubya" is running like a typical Japanese bike... perfect. Did a 100 mile ride day before yesterday and it hums right along. I have a tail rack and pannier racks and panniers on it now and windshield for highway riding. A windshield spoils the lines of a classic bike, but it's a necessary evil for riding the highway to keep the wind and bugs off you. Waiting for cooler fall weather for some longer rides. I got 71 mpg on the Saturday ride. It's such a comfortable ride. And it looks like it will be a two-year bike again and will go away for another 20 years.
Nice review, it's good to see somebody genuinely enjoying their bike. Strangely enough this is the first video on UA-cam to properly capture the sound of the exhaust, sounds a lot better than I had expected.
Only thing holding me back is they still sell the 2018 model in my country which has the (in my view) far more beautiful black on black on black colour scheme. The only colour for 2021 is Olive green with chrome everywhere. Colour scheme or modern features? Tough choice.
Thanks again for the review mate.
I'm not a big fan of black and my new Moto Guzzi has black exhaust and it's starting to flake off so I have to get that replaced. I like the chrome parts because paint always scratches or comes off or shows the scratches worse than chrome. I also don't like the matte paint on my Guzzi. I like the shiny paint on my W800. I like to wax the paint and make it shine! LOL. It's too bad you don't get some nice colors in your country like we did with the 2020 red (which I wish I had) and the 2021 blue. The 2022 is going to be a chrome-looking candy apple red. Not sure I like that chrome-looking paint.
I love the sound of this bike.
You seem to be a great enthusiast... In your age most ppl spend their time on TV but you are amazing !!!
I promised myself that when I reach triple digits age that I will adjust the valves on my bike, change the oil, clean/lube and adjust the chain, fill with gas and go for a long ride. then come home and watch TV! LOL
Air cooled Real Retro ride. Like that blue.
For those winding back roads. Far from the maddening crowd.
Thanks for filling in almost all the details other, inferior, reviews have left out!
I have long wondered what that tube on the side of the engine was for as I was positive it would not be a pushrod!
People these days never seem to talk about ease, or otherwise, of maintenance so it was refreshing to hear about the innovative tappet adjusting arrangement, too.
I just wish they have given it a shaft drive, otherwise it is nearly perfect.
You are right. I used to think it was a pushrod also. To make it perfect it needs a driveshaft like my Moto Guzzi. I'm tired of chain maintenance.
Sir, by far the best detailed review on W800. Thank you for sharing your knowledge, ever grateful. Best
Thank you for your kind words. Now if I could just find a buyer for it so I could get another new bike to try for a year! LOL
She's purdy ...looks like a proper English bike, especially love the fact that it doesn't have an ugly oil cooler or radiator on it. Had the new 08 Bonnie and just couldn't stomach the oil cooler. Didn't even come with exhaust nut cooling fins nor a center stand...corner cutting cheap. Kept it for 5 - 6 years and sold it. I'd buy a W8 in a minute.
It amazes me that most new bikes don't have center stands any more, and way too many don't have helmet locks (most of the Japanese bikes seem to but other country's bikes don't). I had a Royal Enfield Himalayan and I've got a new Moto Guzzi ($10,000 machine) with no helmet locks. And the Guzzi has no center stand.... and Moto Guzzi actually invented the center stand!!!!!
I love the sound of this bike, there is a slight whine of the bevel drive replacing the valve clatter that Triumphs and BSA's had back in the day. The bevel drive may not be commonly used today, but it was very successful in the Ducati V twins with their desmodromic valve actuation back in the 1970's.
I'd really like to have one of these bikes.
I traded it for a 2022 Kawasaki Versys X 300. I found too many things I didn't like about the bike. Extreme vibration around 55 mph (their counterbalance doesn't work well), and a very heavy steering the corners, and a not very comfortable saddle for long distance, but it's a beautiful bike.
@@spydie Have you ever owned a BSA or Triumph from the 70's or earlier? If so, how does the vibration in the W800 compare to it? My Daytona would put your hands to sleep in an hour, but typically you had to stop for gas shortly after that. There is a "sweet spot" in the powerband you could find where the vibration was tolerable, but it meant cruising either faster or slower than you wanted to go, unless you did some sprocket swapping to move the sweet spot a little.
@@DeereX748 I have not owned the BSA or Triumph bikes but I've owned a lot of single thumpers. The vibration on the W800 is only bad from about 54-60 mph, above that or below that is tolerable. However, those are the speeds I ride at and I hate changing the gearing because it throws the speedometer off and it affects either gas mileage or power, depending on which way you go. With a counter-balancer (that this engine has), Kawasaki has the option to move the vibration to any spot they choose. I wish they would move it out of the 55 mph range.
Excellent review.. you are thorough, hit the important parts, not long winded, and know your subject. Also, enjoyed your lessons on the Royal Enfield earlier. Thanks Spydie!
Your kind words are appreciated.
Best review of this bike on the net. I learnt few new things about it. Considering buying while it's still available.
Thank you. It might be a good idea because we don't know how long it will stick around. The first time (2000 and 2001) it was only a two year bike. I was surprised to see it come back for 2022, although I don't like the new "chrome" red look. I never liked the chrome paint I bought in spray cans.
@@spydie I'd rather have all black as well :) too shiny for me, I guess frequent cleaning needed. Wonder how longer trips with pillion would be, doable you think?
@@robsonenduro3316 I've never like black in anything, but to each his own. I've never ridding a passenger and I have saddlebags that are over the pillion, so I wouldn't know, but I know the seat is not as comfortable as my Moto Guzzi on long distances.
I have the same bike in red. Just love it, my favourite bike since I started riding back in 1985. I love the torque and the fact that the engine is under stressed. I just love riding this bike and the sound is perfect, no need to spend money on an aftermarket exhaust and it doesn't bother the neighbours. I missed out on the w650 but made sure I got one this time around. BTW, those side panels are metal as well, very little plastic on this premium bike.
It's a good thing we got one. While the W650 was only a two-year import to the US, it's looking like this might be a three-year-only import. No sign that there will be a 2023. Only the 2022 is currently listed on the Kawasaki website.
Great review ... and appreciate showing us Lake valley ghost town... love from India!
Thank you for your kind words.
Riding in heavy rain is part of the excitement! 🤩
WoW! What an amazing review. Thanks for working so hard to share. Really enjoyed the feature film, very informative. Best motorcycle review ever! All the best from England.
Thank you for your support. It's a nice bike. did you see my video on the pannier mount I made for it to turn a street bike into a touring bike? By the way, I see your name if Volksplane. I'm a pilot and I was actually going to build one of those once. I even had the plans for it, but never got around to it. I built an Eich JE-2 Gyroplane instead. do you own a Volksplane? I didn't find any videos of one on your channel.
@@spydie G-BBXZ was my VP1 years ago. Very drafty cockpit, ailerons sluggish, elevator/rudder sensitive, but it was my first ship so has a place in the heart
The same from me, thanks from Scotland
Great review! I very much appreciate your sharing your extensive experience and knowledge.
What a beauty! GORGEOUS bike, very versatile, even practical...and so much fun. A very nice choice...but upgrade the tires...
I won't upgrade the tires until they need replacing, and at over 3000 miles they are already looking pretty worn. Another 2000 and they will be ready to replace. It kills me how I can get 40,000 on my car tires but some bikes have a very hard time 6000 miles in my experience.
Great bike.
I agree! Can't wait for February so we might get some riding days again. It's winter and cold now. But I was able to ride up through the second week of December.
Great choice of bike! I doesn't have to outrun the spider to be great 😂😅
I have the same Himalayan Lake Blue that you had. Enjoyed the video on valves, need to do mine. I have read a lot about Himalayan and realize the shortcomings, but I really enjoy riding it. I have had BMW GS800 KLR650 and a few others, I like the ride on the Himalayan, but I don't go far from home. Kind of a nice easy ride for a 71 year old man. I like your new bike.
Glad you enjoyed it. I just turned 70 and have had 58 motorcycles. People always ask me, "how many motorcycles do you need." My moto is, "I need one more motorcycle." My next one? A Moto Guzzi. Very interesting bike, but a little disturbing like the Royal Enfields and Harley Davidson bikes. You either get a good one or one plagued with problems. I also had a KLR650 which I got rid of to get the Himalayan, and I should have kept the KLR! LOL
I like the style. It looks like a motorcycle. Like they only added what was needed to make it better.
Love my 2020 Street - you've managed to capture the exhaust note fairly well which for me is one of the best bits of the bike. it's not the fastest or most manoeuvrable but does sounds awesome and is perfectly suited to English B roads - nice vid mate.
Hi Stu, thanks for the kind words. I find the handling to be lethargic and actually quite heavy (it tends to want to steer itself when you drop it into a corner). But other than that and the engine vibration, it's a great bike. Not as comfortable long distance like my Moto Guzzi, but it does have better suspension (softer) than the Guzzi. But the seat isn't as comfortable. I've got about 3000 miles on it now (and about the same on my new Guzzi). All totaled, I've put about 10,000 miles on my five bikes since July of 2020.
Great camera work and audio
You know your old when all you can think of is how much pain physically you’d be in after a 1 hour ride on this guy. Beautiful bike…. For them that can ride it🙂
Interesting comment. I'm 71 years old and I can ride it for four hours (stopping for gas every 2 hours). the seat isn't as comfortable as my Moto Guzzi, but overall the bike is more comfortable.
@@spydie Basically my own situation really simply because I’ve got back issues and a broken tailbone which leave me in a lot of pain with a seat like that and no back rest. Accidents in poor decisions made in my past. Oh if we could do things over again🙂. I ride a 2019 Harley Road King along with my wife on the back and I have Harley Road Zeppelin seat with air controls on it as well as another separate air cushion that I ride with on top of that on longer trips… so I can accomplish a one hour ride without getting off for a few minutes to rest my tail bone… i’ve invested approximately $3000 in legend suspension front and rear to help in these endeavors as well. The things we’ll do to ride🙂
@@jeffreyengle2762 Hey man, whatever floats your boat. I've added backrests to a lot of my bikes over the years (from Utopia Backrests) including my new Vespa and my 2021 CT125 Honda which I just sold (still have the backrest for it though which I need to sell). I have degenerative disc disease (inherited) and back surgery so I have a lot of back pain too.
Got mine two weeks ago and have only ridden it twice so far. Winter weather draws near. I'm 75 and after an hour's ride, I'm perfectly fine ...way better than on previous bikes. Can hardly wait until I get out of the 3000 RPM break in period....though that will likely be in the spring.
I have a 2020. It's a work of art in every way. Great video🥂
I wish I had the 2020. I had a blue W650 and wanted red this time. The 2021 blue one is beautiful, but I really wanted red. I have pannier mounts and saddle bags on it now and a large KLR tail bag. I just ordered a handlebar riser. Since the existing handlebar mount is at an angle, when you put a riser on, it brings the handlebar back closer to you without much rise. I also put an outdoor thermometer on it which I miss since my Moto Guzzi has one.
Been considering the W800. I have a 2007 Kawasaki Vulcan Nomad and funny to see they have used the same mirrors and fuel cap for this W800 as what's on my Nomad. Not a bad thing just good economics and really suit the bike.
Fantastic review by the way and that colour is spot on.
Thank you for the kind words. It's the same color as my 2000 W650 (which wasn't quite as comfortable road bike as the 800). I've got the tail rack on the 800 now and I'm designing pannier mounts. I have a pair Nelson Rigg Survival yellow panniers ordered for it and I have a windshield on it now also. I just put some Italian Pro dual density gel grips on it also and a nice Nelson Rigg tail back on the tail rack. and I've had two Nomads, 2005 and 2010. I wish they were still making it. The style has changed too much for my taste.
@@spydie Yes a darn shame they stopped the 1600, in my opinion the best one they made
Jewlery, just beautiful.
Got about 2200 miles on it now.
It's absolutely beautiful congratulations
Thanks. Nice to see you here.
I love you Kawasaki
That's a really pretty bike, wouldn't of been nice if they'd fitted a Kickstarter on this particular model, just to give it a real feel of authenticity. Still very nice.
My W650 did have the Kickstarter. I wish they’d left the Kickstarter on my XT250 also
I purchased the cafe version since I don't like cleaning and black is more "dirt proof". However I have to admit that those chrome parts very beautiful when cleaned.
The Cafe versions didn't sell well in the US and it got a lot of bad reviews about being uncomfortable and the black rims were a textured black coating that were hard to clean. I'm a big fan of chrome and where I live, (very dusty and dirt roads) black always looks dirtier than any other color or coating. I hope you are enjoying the bike. My only two complaints are/were the kickstand is like a knife edge and won't hold up the bike on soft ground (so I welded a larger round plate on the bottom of it) and it has terrible vibration from 50-70 mph (3000-4000 rpm) right in the range you cruise at all the time. Their counterbalance obviously isn't working well or they should tune it for the vibration to come at a different rpm. Also mine surges a lot when it's not fully warmed up and you're trying to go slow, 20-30 mph in 2nd or 3rd gear. But other than that I like riding it. I'm putting panniers on it in the next few days if they ever get here.
Good looking bike.
I like the ghost town tour!
Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful! Good for you, Mr. Personally going to pick up a used 2000 W650 in two days. .... Not as beautiful, or technically advanced, as yours. ....
but, the kick starter neutralizes any, and, all shortcomings. Thanks for posting such a beautiful bike.
I had a 2000 650, back in 2000. I sold my W800 and got a 2022 Kawasaki Versys 300X last fall and since then I've picked up a 2022 Honda CB500X (so I'll probably sell the Kawasaki) and last week I picked up a 2023 Honda XR150L (first time we've seen that bike in the US).
Hello Spydie a small correction, The Norton CS1 made in 1927 was the first motorcycle engine to use a bevel drive OHC, a long time before Ducati. All good though, your W800 is a Pearl.
Yes, I found that out after I made this video.
Just turned 30 and having ridden modern Yamahas and Harley my interest has swiftly turned to these beautiful machines that look of the past. I'm looking to add a W800 this season for sure. Seem easy to work on as well
Good luck. they can be hard to find at times. It's a nice bike and fun to ride but it's not without its faults. the seat is not the most comfortable (not as comfortable as my Moto Guzzi) for long rides and the engine has a terrible vibration in the normal cruise range from 50-70 mph. It comes on at 3000 rpm and stays vibrating until 4000 rpm. But you'll get used to it in half an hour each time you ride it. Mine has a small oil leak that I can't find, and Japanese bikes NEVER have oil leaks. Just my luck. And it should have come with chrome covers over the fuel injection like in other countries, but here it costs us another $37 for each side. Other than that it's still one of my favorite bikes.
@@spydie Yeah they seem pretty few but also found a few 2019-2021 they have not managed to sell yet. I've been looking at the Guzzi V7 but been put off a bit by lack of dealership and it being Italian so would probably give me some few quirks here and there. Yeah Kawasaki and oil leaks shouldn't happen, usually bulletproof when it's from Japan! Unlucky. I'll see if I'll go for the V7 or W800 depends a bit if I can find a good deal on either 😄
@@Skuglyft The V7 Centenario that I got was a real good deal at $8500 or about the price of the W800 on sale ($9200 MSRP). The Guzzi has better fuel injection. The W800 is cold blooded and surges until it's warmed up. That, again, if very unusual for Japanese FI. The Guzzi has a more comfortable saddle, but the suspension for my light 125 lbs is stiffer than the softer riding W800. Yes, the dealerships are harder to find and farther apart, but the Italian bikes are built much better than the Indian (Royal Enfield) bikes. I had a Himalayan for 1500 miles and then dumped that piece of junk. Moto Guzzi has been in business 100 years last year, the oldest European motorcycle company in business continuously. They built their reputation on racing in the early days and as we all know, it's racing that brings the best developments to all motor vehicles. Their engines are, according to a life-long MG mechanic, 300,000 mile engines before you need to take a wrench to them. The shaft drive is so nice not to have chain Maintenance. I don't think you can go wrong with a Vespa (oldest scooter in the world), of which I have a 2018 Touring model GTS300, or Ducati or Aprilia either. I like Italian bikes. Did you see my video on making pannier mounts for the Guzzi? I like that the Guzzi has the time and temperature displayed all the time on the dash (no the "special" model with the analog gauges) and not have to cycle through the different information like on the W800 which only has ODO, Trip and time. When I take a long trip (250+ miles or about 4 hours) the Guzzi is the only bike I'll take. The W800 isn't as comfortable on long rides. But you'll be happy with either one. They are both great bikes. Do like me and buy one of each!
@@spydie I think I just hit the lottery as there is a Guzzi dealership opening up 10 mins away next month, just found out. That puts it a lot closer compared to Kawasaki 😅 Very nice words about the Guzzi, it could have the character I'm looking for as well. Just gotta wait and see with the war here in Europe if it escalates even more otherwise I'll buy a V7 stone for spring. Thanks for taking your time! Will check out the panniers video.
@@Skuglyft Congratulations. That's the one thing the V7 has, character. It's such an unusual bike and you don't see many on the road. Low production I'm guessing compared to the Japanese bikes. What country do you live in? Also, unlike all other bike manufacturers, Moto Guzzi still brags about "each bike is hand assembled." The very last Manufacturer to hand assemble bikes. Like and Italian Ferrari. Let me know when you get one and we'll have more discussions.
Thanks a lot for this beautiul video.The W 800 is a great motorcycle but I also admired the landscapes and that ghost town. May God bless all your rides!
Thanks for your comment and encouragement. There's a lot to see in the desert! And probably where you live too. Where do you live?
@@spydie Thank's a lot for your answer, Sir! I'm a Romanian living in Romania! And you are perfectly right. My country is beautiful even if it ain't perfect! -:)
@@mihaimihai9254 Nice to hear from Romania! I'm a ham radio operator and I've talked to guys all over the world, but never in Romania! And unfortunately, no country is perfect... especially this one! :)
@@spydie Hello, Sir! Unfortunately I don't share your passion about radio operating. I would just like to be able to change some detailed opinions with you. Regarding US, we have a word that says that "there's always room for better". But even if I haven't been there, I do consider America and Americans as being model for those who like to be free. Believe me Sir, I'm not a romantic person, but in my opinion the fact that you were born and you live in a country which has never been totalitarian (in the real meaning of the world), may be considered a holly gift. I hope my words won't offend you and I do hope you won't think that I'm giving you lessons about your country. There were only some thougts provided by a man who has spent his childhood being adviced by his parents not to speak what he hears in his own house with his friends and not to mentiom that they have a one american dollar bill hiden their closet as a hope for freedom. I hope you will visit my country someday.
@@mihaimihai9254 I do feel sorry for people that live in countries with less freedoms than we have but our political picture in the US is far from a bed of roses. We had President Trump who did more for our country than any president in my lifetime, but the liberal socialist Democrats cheated at the voting polls and got him replaced after only one 4-year term in office, now our gasoline prices have doubled which has raised the cost of everything we can buy (and our wages are not going up) and even though the pandemic is pretty much all done in this country, we are having more shortages of everything just like the pandemic is just starting. It's all political. The entire world knows that socialism doesn't work but that's the direction the democrats are taking this one-wonderful nation. And the socialist democrats are trying to change our constitution and take away our rights just like in your country. Every country has problems so we can compare everything we hate about our countries all day long, but in the end, we still have more freedoms right now than any other country in the world, but it's all going to go away someday in this country also.. But you do have the internet so you can voice your views and opinions outside of your country. You are lucky to have internet. Here in the US, of which much of the country is "rural" (not city-dwellers) we have very limited internet if you don't live in the city. For the first time in my life, since the internet started (in 1997 for most of us in the US) I now have good internet speeds starting a few weeks ago. I've never had better than 12 mbps until now I have almost 100 mbps. I'm finally able to watch UA-cam videos with buffering all the time.
I have just bought one in the UK (though it's the Street model I went for!) and got a £1500 discount on it from the MSRP. I think they targeted the bike at too high of a price point initially and that's why it didn't sell well. Standard price for a W800 is almost the same as a Triumph Street Twin which has nearly 20 extra horsepower & torque and more sophisticated electronics. At £6500 (which I what I paid) the W800 makes perfect sense. At just over £8000 it would be hard to justify.
Good for you. Mine, of course, is a street model too...In USD you paid only about $300 more than I paid (£218). Our MSRP of $9299 would be about £6764 so your british MSRP is way higher than it is in the US. But you got a good deal. Yes, I believe they are over-priced (just like the Honda CT125 this year) but the reason I didn't go with Triumph is because the W800 looks more like an old Triumph than Triumph does. Triumph is now more complicated with water cooling and like you said, more sophisticated electronics (something I try to avoid because it WILL give you trouble) and they are no longer British bikes (being made in Thailand now). Also the reliability is a lot worse than Kawasaki. After reading all the reviews and haunting the Triumph forums I was seeing way too much reliability problems to the point that it scared me away. I know you are going to like the "Dubya". I have 2000 miles on mine already (and half my mileage is divided between that and my new Moto Guzzi). The Dubya has softer suspension than the Guzzi, but the Guzzi engine is smoother (less vibration). So I can't pick either one as my favorite. I like them both.
Beautiful bike, I have the red 2020, could you say more about the positive neutral I noticed that finding neutral in the w800 is easy but in my 1000 versys it is a bit of an adventure. Also appreciated your comments on the bikes history, if you could talk more about that that would be great. This is a beautiful well built well designed motorcycle that is very underrated. Interesting schoolhouse and museum. Great video, merry Christmas to you and yours from Fr. Bob in neenah wi, I subscribed.
Well I can't really say more about any of that stuff without making another video, but I'll try to clear things up for you. Kawasaki has always been well-known for its "positive neutral finder". When the bike isn't moving and you're in 1st gear, lifting up on the shift lever, no matter how hard you lift, will only go into neutral. You can't miss neutral and go into second gear. You say your Versys doesn't do that? I may be mistaken, but I thought all Kawasakis did that. Every one I've owned since 2005 has. Also, I don't know what more history you could want on the W800. you can do a google search and read more about it on Wikipedia. Thanks for your comments and Merry Christmas to you and your family also. PS, We are from Janesville, WI originally (about 40 years ago). Still have relatives up there we don't get back to visit very often anymore. I was out riding the W800 today as we are having mid-70s down here right now. I can ride year-round in NM. I also have a new Moto Guzzi V7 850cc Centenario, 2021 Yamaha XT250, 2018 Vespa GTS300 Touring, and a Honda CT70 clone.
Nice exhaust sound!
Very nice Classic Bike Dude 👍🏼.
Got about 2200 miles on it now.
@@spydie ,that’s good,and many more,wish you good travelling.
@@edbrock5588 I'd have over 4000 on it now but I divide my time between that and my Moto Guzzi V7 Centenario 850, which has 2000 on it also (which I bought just 3 weeks after the W800)
I had a 2000 also! Great motor but brakes and handling only so-so… good luck with the new bike! Look forward to hearing your updates 👍
Thanks. That was so long ago that I can't remember every having any concerns with bad brakes. The rear brake on the W800 is only so-so. Handling is not nimble, but it's a 500 lb bike so I guess it's fine.
The W-800 did not sell well is because the MSRP of $9,100 is way too high. You mentioned that you got the discount of $2,200 off the MSRP would make more financial sense for most buyers.
It sold better than I thought it would. Most guys thought this was going to be a two-year import again like the 2000-2001 W650, but it's made it 3 years so far.
.. sat on this Beauty yesterday at dealer...Liked it ...like it a LOT !!
You'll hate it before long... Hate to quit riding it I mean! LOL
I understand that you love this bike, but tbh you made some misleading statements. For the record, the W650 and W800 are entirely unrelated to the BSA-based W1 and W2 of the 1960s which Kawasaki inherited (and greatly improved) when they bought out Meguro motorcycles to create their own motorcycle division. Kawasaki did not copy Ducati by fitting a bevel drive to the camshaft since Ducati did not invent this system and, in fact, no longer uses it. It's also pretty obvious that you can't lock the rear wheel since it has ABS brakes. Enough picking nits, the W800 is a beautiful machine surpassed in looks only by the new, Japan-only, Meguro K3 version.
I didn't make anything up. I got that information on the history of the bike both from Kawasaki and from Wikipedia. All I did was repeat what I found. It's pretty obvious they started with the BSA engine that they licensed (according to Kawasaki) but I know they have updated it over the years to the point that it's not even close to the same engine they started with (probably only HD and Moto Guzzi are still using the same basic engines, but they've both been updated a lot also). But it is the same basic configuration (360 degree engine) as it appears they inherited that design from the original BSA engine. So no, it's not entirely unrelated to the original W1 engine. Just a lot of design change over the years, which is understandable, but it still doesn't mean these bikes didn't come from the original W1 design. It was just the start of that design and it still holds a lot heritage there. And you are wrong about the rear brake. If you can lock the front brake (also ABS) then you should be able to lock the rear brake. And you can if you really stand on it. It's just not an effective brake and needs two discs on the rear to be effective. And if you really understand ABS, it doesn't work when the bike is going slow (different bikes vary, but usually under 6 mph ABS quits working). All information I can find said Kawasaki copied Ducati on that bevel drive. Your mileage may vary. There's so much information, and a lot of it wrong, on the internet, you can't really swear that your information, or my information, is the correct one. But I did my research before making those statements and I'll stick to them. Thanks for watching and commenting, but we'll have to agree to disagree. Oh, and I see absolutely no difference in the looks of the Meguro K3 and the W800. They look like twins to me. The website says:"Under the skin the K3 is virtually identical to the W800, although it’s actually slightly more powerful at 52bhp (because our 48bhp W800 model is A2-compliant). This should make the K3 relatively simple to register in the UK if you were desperate to import one". I would replace that "including the skin" since they look alike.
As far as I understand you can lock the rear wheel accidentally if you downshift to a lower gear without rev matching. It’s the driveline that locks up. The ABS is “out of circuit” in that scenario. Love this style bike. I have a Guzzi myself and I absolutely love it. Loads of character which I think is what defines these classic looking bikes.
The bike is built by Meguro and based on the BSA of that era the sixties. Meguro made the biggest bike in Japan. Kawasaki wished to cooperate with Meguro as Jawasaki made smaller bikes with two stroke engines.
When business was bad for Meguro Kawasaki bought Meguro a d that was the end of Meguro. Kawasaki did bring the old bike in the narket as a retro model first with 650 cc. and kater with 800 cc. (773 cc. in reality).
All details of Meguro, the Kawasaki/Meguro cooperation etc. can be found on the internet.
@@erikloupias7511 That's the problem when people go to the internet, but don't fully understand what they read. The original Kawasaki W1 650 was a rebadged Meguro, which was a licensed-built BSA A7 with some improvements. The subsequent W2 was an improved version of the W1. That much is a given and isn't in question. However the W650 and current W800 are entirely different machines. Apart from the looks, their only commonality with the BSA-based W1 and W2 are that they are 360 degree vertical twins. That's not an unusual configuration. The W650 and 800 were clean-sheet designs meant to remind us of the original W1 & W2, but they are not in any way based on the earlier designs. At least we can agree that the Meguro K3 is a gorgeous bike.
@@CaptHollister
No Sir,
Megure is the factory that got the license to manufacture BSA twin cylinder motorcycles in Japan. Also Neguro got a license to manufacture And yes Meguro improved on the BSA motorcycles and manufactured motorcycles that were much better then the BSA's they got a license for.
Meguro already manufactured parts for British and Swiss motorcycles, and parts for BSA's too. Allready those parts manufactured by Meguro were beter parts then the original British parts, as far as parts for British bikes were concerned. The BSA clone Meguro manufactured was derived from the BSA A7 and sold in Japan. This was the 500 cc. Meguro K1. From 1955 to 1860 Meguro manufactured the Meguro T1 a 650 cc. parallel twin. It had the largest engine of all motorcycles in Japan manufactured at that time and it was a rare model on the Japanese market as it had a four stroke engine.
Kawasaki at that time made only bikes with smaller engines and made only two stroke engines at that time. Kawasaki and Meguro agreed that Kawasaki got Meguro bikes re-badged these bikes and, hence, sold Meguro fourstroke twins under the Kawasaki name. When Meguro got into financial problems Kawasaki bought the Meguro Company and the Meguro name in 1964. Also Kawasaki of course could maufacture and sell the bikes developped by Meguro. Kawasaki enlarged the engine from 500 cc. to 650 cc.
In Meguro City there is still the building of the old original Meguro factory, now part of a larger building of another manufacturing plant.
Meguro City is a City district of Tokyo and has has it's own City Statute.
The Meguro motorcycle factory was called: Meguro Manufacturing Co. Motor Cycle Works, it was founded in 1930 and existed during approx. 30 years. Originally the Meguro Motor Cycle Parts plant was located in Osaka but relocated to Neguro City.
The Meguro factory is rooted in the Murato Iron Works which was founded in 1924. There were also other companies that merged to either Murato or Meguro, like Abe Industries that merged with Meguro in 1931.
Hello from England we have the green ones in the UK. I have the Triumph t100 900 (2017) water cooled, good bike but you can not do any maintenance on the rear end, chain tension or wheel removal without taking the silencers off the bike, a real pain and bad design fault in my opinion, your w800 looks a bit easier to work on at the rear and looks better quality than my Thailand machine. Stay save.
I was looking at getting a T100 but after watching lots of reviews and haunting the forums their reliability scared me away. Back when I was a kid in the 60s, British bikes and cars used to be "ride 'em all week and work on them all weekend." Not the most reliable bikes built. One guy said the dealer finally came and picked up his new T100 and gave him a refund because they couldn't keep it running. Plus, they still look a lot like the old Triumph, but now they are not British bikes anymore, harder to work on, and water cooled (more complicated). So I found the W800 and jumped on it. (now I've also bought a new Moto Guzzi V7 Centenario which is air cooled and you can adjust the valves without taking the tank off). There is no better build quality or reliability than Honda/Kawasaki/Yamaha/Suzuki... all the Japanese bikes. You'd love the W800. It rides better (softer) than the Moto Guzzi but it has more vibration in the 50-70 mph (3000-4000 rpm) range. One complaint some owners have is that it has a one piece exhaust so you can't easily change the mufflers if you want a different sound. But at least you don't have to take them off to work on the bike. And it has a center stand which makes maintenance easier (which most bikes don't have today, including the Moto Guzzi).
Really nice bike. Yes it does look like a copy of British retro.
It's been said that it looks more like a Triumph retro than the new Triumphs do (now that they aren't British anymore (made in Thailand) and are water cooled).
Thanks for sharing very nice
Nice run-down of the bike's details. I had never heard in other videos how the valves were adjusted.
It sounds like shim-on-tappet, like my old Fiat - much easier than shim-under-bucket which is needed for engines with higher RPMs.
Very informative, honestly I never really thought about this cycle. I do own a 1970 BSA and this might be a great daily crusier. P.S I also own Himalayan. Great little adventurer.
I replaced my Himalayan with this and then I bought a new V7 Moto Guzzi Centenario. Between this bike and the V7 I have a hard time decided which one to ride, especially when I go on a long ride. They both have their strong points. The engine on the MG is decidedly smoother at highway speeds (and rougher at idle) and the seat is slightly more comfortable for my skinny/bony arse. Also the MG handles the twisties better as the W800 is heavy on the steering. But the W800 is more docile and smooth below 3000 rpm and above 4000 rpm and it's more beautiful with all the chrome. It has steel chrome fenders (who does that any more?) and steel side panels (who does that any more?) and a very good LED light at night (good coverage...never seen another LED headlight this good) and it's a blast to ride and has it's own unique exhaust sound. But I like the gauge on the MG more because it shows time and temp all the time and the W800 doesn't even have the outside air temp. I couldn't give up either one of them because they are both so unique. I ride a different one each day.
Thank You for your service, Sir! Very pretty motorcycle.
Thank you for your kind words.
I have a W650. These are great little machines that can work for a lifetime without any major work done on it... for oil checking it should NOT be on the centerstand... it has to be perfectly leveled.
I had one of those too. A blue one in 2000. In 2001 they had a green one here in the US. And that's the last we saw of them for 20 years. But I disagree about the centerstand. You can check your oil on the centerstand. It changes the oil level very little and it's easier to do and it's more accurate. It's more important to be level side-to-side than it is front to rear.
@@spydie well the doctrine diverges there... But on multiple forums I follow and admin this is common knowledge. Either be off the center stand or place some wood under the front wheel to get it leveled.
@ It's OK. Do it however you want, but when you get it filled to the proper level off the centerstand, then put it on the centerstand and see where it is. From then on, you can fill it on the centerstand to that same level and you'll know you are correct, same with checking the oil level. It changes a little, but very little, not enough to be over-filled or under filled if you do everything on the center stand. Give it a try and see what I mean. We don't want to be too anal about getting it EXACT. It's not rocket science.
@@spydie yeah... I know that is why I called it a doctrine ;)
I rode my son’s 1981 Kal 440 LTD that he bought as new old stock. Then later, when I was between bikes, I rode his 2000 W 650. It was an awesome bike. I’ll have to see if I can get the W 800.
I remember liking my W650 and I don't remember why I sold it, but this has got a lot more power, but it seems to have more vibration than the 650. However, time and memory have probably erased my feelings of the ride on the 650. My brother had a 440 LTD Kawasaki but I don't remember what year. I never rode it that I can remember. I did have a new Honda 450 twin in 1972 I think it was.
Really great review! I thought I had watched every review of the W800 on youtube and then found yours, and you gave so much more detail and really great close footage of the bike. Appreciate that. Question, how comfortable is this bike for a passenger? Im 5'11", 190lbs and my wife is small, 5'5" 125lbs. I would like to take her on short to medium adventures on this bike, maybe 3-4 hours round trip on weekends from north of Houston down to Galveston or something like that. But I want her to enjoy it and not be too uncomfortable. I just hate cruisers. Not my style. Heart is on the W800.
Hello my friend, Thank you for your kind words. I am not a good one to talk about passengers on a bike because my wife refuses to ride double, so I have no idea how comfortable the passenger will be. I'm 5' 10" and I take my bike on 140 mile, 3 hour trips and it is comfortable, but the seat does get a little hard. I stop a couple times for food or to take pictures so I'm not sitting on it for a solid 3 hours. The suspension is more comfortable on rough roads than my Moto Guzzi, but the Guzzi has a more comfortable saddle for long distance (I take it on a 250 mile ride each August). I have had many cruisers but now prefer the "Standard" bike as they used to be called. Now I think they are called "Naked" bikes. Cruisers are more comfortable for all day riding though than a "standard" bike is. Also, be aware, the W800 is a 360 degree engine which means both pistons run up and down side by side, one is firing and one is exhausting. It's a blueprint for vibration. It does have a lot of vibration between 3000-4000 rpm which is 50-70 mph, which of course is the speed most of your riding is done at. It's really the only thing I don't like about the W800. You do get used to it after a few miles and you'll even forget about it until you ride it again. It's an aggravating vibration. The engine has a counterbalance but I claim Kawasaki either doesn't know how to build a counterbalance, or they don't know how to tune it. If it's working properly, the counterbalance can be tuned to bring in the vibration a different speeds. Tuning to vibrate from 50-70 mph is really dumb. But that said, I do love the bike and the sound of those beautifully tuned pea-shooter exhaust pipes. The 800 also had plenty of power for 2 people, but my 850 Guzzi has a lot more power. Neither bike produces a lot of horsepower as they are both de-tuned to increase engine life (The Guzzi has a 300,000 mile engine). Anyway, good luck with your choice.
@@spydie that's all really great to know. Ive heard others talk about the vibration, some like it, some dont. Considering ive never owned a bike before Im not sure how i feel about it but its probably not an issue for me. I cant imagine us riding more than a few hours at a time. No touring really. Thank you much for the response and additional info. Cheers!
Beautiful motorcycle! I had a red 2003 Triumph Bonneville that I bought new in 2005. Fun bike and like you regret selling it. Would love to buy a red W800, which is probably a much better bike. Fit and finish is incredible on this motorcycle… best of luck and safe travels sir!
Valves on a Moto Guzzi are also easy to check and adjust and you don't even have to remove the gas tank. But the W800 is a nice bike. Hope they continue making them.
Yes, I mentioned that in my Moto Guzzi video. So far I'm not seeing the 2023 in this fall's lineup. The 2000-2002 650cc didn't sell well against Royal Enfield and Triumph so it only imported for 2 years. This 850 really hasn't sold well in the US, but they chose to import it for at least 3 years, but that might be the end of them. A couple more months will tell the story.
Nice ride.
That looks a lot like like a '70s Yamaha 650. It also looks a lot like the British twins.
Yeah, that's the whole point in a retro bike, it's supposed to look like something old. If you look up the history of the W bikes you'll see they licensed the BSA engine and stole the bevel drive gear for the cam from (probably) Norton Manx back in 1966. But the overall look was supposed to look like a British Twin which were the world standard at the time. Today the W bikes look more like the old British twins than the new (made in Taiwan) water cooled Triumph bikes. But these bikes have been produced since 1966. We saw them in the US for the first time in 2000 and 2001 as a 650cc bike, then 20 years later they came back again as an 800 cc bike. They've been making these W bikes (stands for WORLD bike) for a long time.
I've been thinking about getting one of these and I'm glad I came across your excellent video. Very professional and informative. Thank you sir. I would have liked to see it on some paved roads cornering and stopping etc. Thanks again for the fine video.
@@spydie Sorry to come across as negative. I really did think you did an outstanding job there and I feel very well imformed as a result. Thanks again. Maybe I should go back and edit that first comment.
I absolutely love this..the color, chrome, center stand, helmet lock. I just about to ring up my Kawi dealer until you said the price...if they lowered the price like they did on a few of their models, I think it would sell a lot better. If this was 8500-9000 I think it would be in more demand. I just cant drop 11k on it. Beautiful looking though, gorgeous chrome and metallic blue
I would call your local dealer and see if they have them in stock (if not he won't be getting any more of them, so you'll have to find another dealer) and see if he has raised his price from the $9199 to the new $11,200. And see if he has a sale as some dealers do (like I said, I got $2400 off the $9199 MSRP). Don't rule it out until you've checked the prices within about 500 miles of you as I had to do to get the best price. I only had to drive about 200 miles to get this one. But of course, even at $8679 sale price by the time you get setup and freight on it it's still going to be a bike that costs over $9000, and with tax/title/registration it's going to cost you much more than that. The sale price, or MSRP, is just the beginning of the all the hidden fees and add-ons which really inflate the price on a new bike. A used one circumvents all those extra costs, but finding a used one will probably be impossible. But a Triumph T100 or T120 Bonneville (to get this retro look ) will cost you even more, without the Kawasaki reliability. Bikes aren't cheap, except for Royal Enfield, and I just dumped a new Himalayan with 1500 miles on it because they are JUNK!
@@spydie yea, I do like the Royal Enfield interceptor and the new meteor 350. Royal Enfield do have the best motors in the market..saw a test of first 600 mile oil changes and as far as leaving residue, carbon etc behind..RE was number one for being the cleanest. The other top bikes were all Japanese and the worst were Harley, Ducati and Aprilia which..doesnt surprise me as I had two Ducatis and they are good bikes ,but their engines aren't meant to last. But yea, I will check the dealership as like I said..this color W800 is absolutely gorgeous..love the blue, chrome..everything looks great. Metallic blue is one of my favorite colors
@@robbieracer3294 I had a new 2021 RE Himalayan and hated it. sold it after 1500 miles. That was the noisiest engine I ever heard in my life. It sounded like the rods were ready to come through the case or something. It also had the worst fuel injection I've encountered. YOu had to hold the throttle at 2000 rpm for 45 seconds before you could walk away to gear-up or it would die once or twice, whether you used the bi-starter lever or not. I've talked to guys and seen way too many breakdowns and leaving guys stranded with the Himalayan, so I'd never buy another RE. But it did have a very clean engine on the first oil change. My new bike I'm dealing on is the Moto Guzzi V7 2021. I've watched dozens of videos and reviews and everyone loves that bike and it's the most comfortable bike on the road (according to guys that also own BMW 1200 GS models). It's so unique with that transverse engine and shaft drive, and you can adjust the valves without taking the tank off (that's got to be the only bike currently made that you can do that with). Maintenance is super simple and no chain maintenance.
@@spydie Yea that one seems to be Royal Enfields little "bummer" model. My neighbor has the interceptor and hes already racked up 8000 miles on it and loves it. I rode it down the street and really liked it. Moto Guzzi makes some very interesting bikes , never rode one but I do like them
@@robbieracer3294 I picked up my new Moto Guzzi V7 Centinario today and got to ride it 50 miles before I was warned about rain ahead, so we loaded it on the trailer and finished the last 200 miles home (and didn't run into any rain!!!). It's really a premium bike. I wish I'd found this before I bought the W800. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have bought W800 (even though I really like it).
Of all the Retros the W series is the prettiest imo
What a beautiful bike !
Beautiful …..
That's a fine looking bike.
Thank you for a very thorough and thoughtful tour..
Thanks for your kind words Gary. I see that we are going to be blessed for another year with this fine bike. The 2022 in Candy Apple red (which looks like a Chrome paint) will be available shortly. This is the first time it's been offered for more than two years.
it's a handsome retro road bike, with an over-head cam to show that time has not totally passed it by.
but engine has been de-fanged, perhaps too much. 'old men' are an important segment of the market, harley totally depends on it, but a little more power and a little less weight would have doubled the market.
I know this bike keeps getting the moniker "retro" bike, but it's not really. Retro bikes are new bikes being designed to look like the old one. This bike is an original, having changed very little since the first W1 was released in 1966 and it's been manufactured continuously since then. We have only seen them twice in the US. The first time in 2000-2001 and now 20 years later. The engine has not been de-fanged. It never had any fangs. It's always been a low-powered de-tuned engine designed for low rpms to increase longevity. It's certainly not an over-stressed engine that will wear out quickly. And actually this bike and the real retro bikes like Triumph and Royal Enfield, etc are selling mostly to the middle-aged and younger crowd that want to experience what bikes used to be like. And they all sell to "old men" too but never try to figure out the age bracket that bikes are being marketed to because you'll be wrong every time. Look at the Honda Monkey, it's selling to kids all the way through the old men. Basically all bikes sell to bike lovers, and bike lovers come in all ages. But all bikes are way overpriced so they are aimed at people with money, the yuppie crowd and the millennials that are doing very well financially and the older people that retired with enough money to enjoy life. More power and less weight would not have sold any more W800s.
Beautiful retro styling!
Thank you. It's a nice bike if you're into the retro looks and feel.
I have just bought a blue one just like yours! thank you for the video🙏 learned a lot with you
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it. I traded mine for a 2022 Versys 300X
@@spydie Was the vibration on the W the reason? Do you still have the CB500X?
@@goldfish8196 The vibration and the steering which had a mind of it's own. I still have the CB500X but if I were going to sell one of my bikes now I'd keep the Versys 300X and sell the 500 even though the 500 has more power and a softer ride. The 300 is just more fun to ride.
Appreciate your time@@spydie Thank you!
You have a beautiful bike sir. That XR250 is a decent too! I own one as well.
I just sold the XT250 and put a Honda Monkey on Order. I'm also looking forward to being first in line to get the new Honda Scrambler that might be released this fall.
11:44 is when the engine starts ;)
I see why you have a dirt bike now. A heavy street bike would be a pain in that terrain. That is a nice bike you have and simply enough to maintain just don't break anything with parts being what they are.
I got rid of the Yamaha XT250 dirt bike and have ordered a Honda Monkey. I hope to get it in a couple months. I'm first on the list at two dealers near me. I also bought a nice Moto Guzzi V7 for the highway and it's a better long-distance bike than the Kawasaki because the W800 has too much engine vibration at 50-70 mph. I've got a little Honda CT-70 Chinese clone (with 125cc engine) that I use for a dirt bike.
@@spydie did you ever think we would ever be in a situation where we have to order a bike from a dealer as opposed to just walking into a dealer and taking your bike home? Crazy
@@rodneybarcus2233 We never saw Covid coming! LOL. I'm afraid it's going to be like this for several more years, maybe forever. It's like gasoline. Once the big manufactures realized that people would actually get used to paying $1 a gallon instead of 35 cents, it became a new game. Then they said, let's get it up to $2 a gallon, "they'll get used to it and quit bitching in a few months." and it goes on and on. Like ammunition. .22 bullets should be 2 cents a shot. Look at what we are paying now because of a panic and a shortage and they got us used to paying 12-20 cents a shot and so they just keep it there. It's all about creating a shortage to milk the public. It will be same for motorcycles and cars. A created shortage (because of covid) for the computer chips for cars caused a shortage. Will they ever catch up and produce enough computer chips to have a glutton of cars again? Nope... it's financially beneficial to keep everything in short supply. We'll just get used to pre-ordering our bikes and cars and paying full MSRP (or some dealers are jacking up the MSRP for a larger profit). I remember when you could offer a dealer MSRP and he'd throw off the freight and setup fees. You'll never see that again.
Wow he really lives way out there...
That’s a proper motor bike
I bought a 2021 new. I like it, but I don't ride much.
Beautiful motorcycle!
Nice new bike ,
Enjoy
Dang lovely bike just love in the blue, here in the uk I had been waiting for this blue then they announced due to euro5 they would no longer be allowing them into uk, I have found they are available in Europe go figure, so trying to see if I can import does it have tubeless tyres ?, great review have sub so can see your journey on it, have been thinking of a triumph Bonneville T120 if it proves to expensive to import, enjoy
Tubed tires, just like the old days.
I managed to get hold of mine back at the end of April. The green colour is the UK version and I think the blue is for the US market. Mine was the last one they had, and the dealer wasn’t sure they would be able to get hold of anymore. If what you say is true about Euro 5, then I seem to have picked it up just in time.
Always liked this Bike, Style and Mechanics, and most importantly.....PRICE WISE!😉
Actually the price is way too high for an 800cc bike unless you can find a good sale price. $9200 msrp is out of reason. And it does have a LOT of vibration from 50-70mph.
@@spydie Thanks live in England, price is OK over here, get some good offers in winter time, thanks for quick reply, stay safe.🇬🇧🇺🇸
Needs another disc on the left fork. It would be nice if someone made a nice set of Thruxton-style (the real ones, 1963-style) for this machine. And a Thruxton Bonneville-style aluminum fuel tank.
Good work sir 👌
easy to maintain
Yes, but the only thing that would make maintenance easier would be a shaft drive. Now that I have shaft drive on my Moto Guzzi, I'm seeing what a pain it is to maintain, tighten, clean and lube a chain is. But it's a great bike if you can stand the vibration from 50mph to 70 mph.
Great detailed review! Planning on getting one and your video is very convincing. Cheers!
Are you in Australia? I wonder how prolific they are where you live. They are very hard to find in the US because they sold so poorly that when dealers got rid of their first one, they never re-ordered. For the few who either did re-order or ordered two, the second one has been a nightmare to sell and they are heavily discounted. I got $2400 off the sticker price of $9200 on mine.
Great looking bike
You check the oil when the bike is off the center stand. You got to make it stand upright to check it.
Actually I have found no place that says that. The owners manual doesn't even tell you how to check it properly. Nor does the service manual (it just says bike should be perpendicular to the ground). You should be able to check it on the center stand like we used to on other bikes I've had over the years. I did find that the oil level is the same as off the center stand if you press down on the rear of the bike to level the bike, however, there really isn't a lot of difference between off the center stand and on it. Mine took a lot more oil to bring it almost to the top of the top line (off the center stand) than the manual states it should take. And I can still read it between the two lines when it's on the center stand. Probably not 2 ounces of oil difference between on or off the center stand.
The bike is supposed to be level when checking the oil. You could get someone to hold the bike for you while you look into the sight glass but the easiest way to do this is with the bike on the center stand, on a level surface.
@@paulbunyon6324 I think you misunderstood. I know it has to be level but not having someone with me all the time to help, it is a little precarious trying to balance the bike with one hand and reading the oil level with the other, so I used the center stand, even though it's not actually level on the center stand (the rear is high), but like I said in the post above, if I press down on the seat when it's on the center stand, that levels it out. However, as I also mentioned above, there isn't a lot of difference between the level you see on the centerstand or off it (and holding it level/balancing it). So regardless of what anyone tells you, checking the oil level, and filling the oil level, when it's on the center stand it so close to just balancing the bike that it won't over-fill it or make any difference at all. Probably not more than 2 ounces of oil difference.
@@spydie I'm with you, I always use the center stand and just ignore the fact that the rear is a little high, its the side to side level on the glass that I'm concerned with. So, a level surface with the center stand is good for me.
great review, love the views, wonder who was Blanch Nolan, must have been of Irish descent??
All I know is she was the last resident of that ghost town. If a guy took the time, I'm sure there's a written history of her and her husband in the records inside the old schoolhouse.
Wow, what a landscape...rough and yet beautifull. What state is this sir?
New Mexico
@@lonlawrence1390 Nice, thanks!
Good looking bike. Very Bonnyville looking with out costing your first born child. I'm surprised to hear about the KLR Kaw. There reputation is there the end all be all two wheel pickup truck that can do anything, that's super easy to work on.
The Kawasaki KLR 650 isn't easy to work on. You have a lot of fairing to remove to get at anything. They don't have a water pump and just rely on the water heating up and burping up to cool when it gets too hot (there's a fix for that) so they don't run at a constant temperature, which also shortens the engine life and makes them use oil. The "doohickey" still hasn't been changed/fixed by Kawasaki because it takes about 5000 miles for the problems to start showing up and by then (for most riders) it's out of warranty. Kawasaki said they haven't had enough warranty claims on it to spend the money fixing it, and that's because they are out of warranty before the problems occur. And of course it's not just the KLR that requires the camshafts be removed to change the shims to adjust the valves. A lot of the water cooled Kawasaki bikes have that maintenance expense. A friend just got his 15,000 mile checkup on the Concours and it cost him $1200 because of the time it takes to get at the engine and remove the camshafts. And here I am looking at selling the W800 and getting a Versys X 300 (which is as difficult to work on as the KLR).
actually I think it costs way too much. The MSRP of the Bonny is $10,700 which isn't much more than the $9200 W800.
@@spydie Well there not free, however your more likely to find a Kaw dealer for service then a Triumph they don't have sh*t for dealerships.
@@scottfree641 You got that sh*t right! LOL. I've got the same trouble with my Moto Guzzi.
The only thing I don't like about the w800,is the W badge on the gas tank.
It does make people ask "what kind of motorcycle is that"!! But I agree. I wish they had a better name for it, or put Kawasaki on the tank, but it's all about the heritage of the original W1 from back in mid 60s.
Thanks for this Spydie. Well, guess what? I just bought the very same blue 2021 Kawasaki W800 yesterday. I do like the blue better than the red and not sure about the 2022 colour so thought I'd jump while I could. I got $1300 off the MSRP. I won't have it till the spring but at least have something to look forward to over the winter. I now own a W650 and know exactly what a fine bike these are.
Congratulations. I had the blue W650 and kinda wish I could have gotten the red 2020 model this time, but there were none close enough to me to go get, so I got the blue again. Which is beautiful, but I just wanted a different color this time. I don't think I like the candy apple chrome-red paint on the 2022 either, so I'm glad I didn't get that one. I have panniers and tail bag on mine now. Wish you could post pictures in the comments on here so I could show it to you.
@@spydie How costly were the panniers and mounts and do you have links to what you bought?
@@tomforum1 I designed them myself and I could send you pictures if I had your email address. I also designed some for my Moto Guzzi because there are none for that either.
@@spydie I saw the pannier racks in your other thread. I wish there was a set you could buy off shelf. All accessories are very expensive of course.
@@tomforum1 I don’t think they’ll ever have pannier racks for this bike. The small tail rack will probably be available next year. But it’s pretty small. You’ll have to build your own. It’s fun. I can send you detailed pictures if you feel like building them
COOL BIKE BRO!
Shock mounted mirrors because many 800s vibrate......A lot! A friend had his engine replaced under warranty, still excessive vibration.
You can't get rid of the vibration on a 360 degree engine. It's built into the beast. But the counterbalance needs to do a better job. Vibration only happens from 3000-4000 rpm which is right in the major cruising range of 50-70 mph. It's pretty damned smooth below that and above that.
Everyone has hopped on Triumph's T100 wagon.
Not really. I looked at getting one but they were having so many problems, recalls and dealer buy-backs from those Thailand-built Triumphs that I decided to stay away.
godess of a bike
50 ponies is a lot. It only takes 30 ponies to go down the road at 70mph. I know you already know that. But i have 2 Harleys, an 03, 1200 Sporty, about 50 ponies, and a 2012 Dyna Superglide, 63 ponies (dyno ponies). Youve got an amazingly beautiful bike.
Thank you, but I no longer have it. I used to have a lot of Harleys, but haven't owned one for quite a few years now. I've got a garage full of Japanese bikes.
@@spydie but you still have the w800, yes??
I live in Phoenix, AZ. Jeepers!!! Had I known you were going to sell your blue w800, I'd have made a play for her. She's gorgeous.
@@samueljeppsen9785 Aha, practically in my back door. Yep, too bad we didn't know each other way back then.
@@samueljeppsen9785 No, I don't
very nice
Useful, thanks
Love it, liked it and really appreciate it 👍
Alas, it is now gone. Traded in last week for a 2022 Kawasaki Versys X 300. My latest video of a long trip on that is now posted.
Hello Sir, I've got one of these, well a blue and cream one from 2017 actually. Things I see slightly different are; the bevel drive top cover, mine has a rear drum brake of course, and no carbon fuel vapour filter. Not to impugn this later variant in any way at all, in fact I'm glad they continued the line, yet I must say that caliper brakes take way more fettling and servicing etc than a good old drum brake which is self contained and naturally defends itself from the element's (ingress of winter road salt etc). I have a wee video of it (but not a review as such) on my channel if anyone wishes to compare visual differences. If this is the first of many on this machine Sir, then I shall subscribe. Kind regards.
Edit; watching further into the video I see further changes; no slipper clutch (or not that I am aware of), no ABS, chrome injector covers, different headlamp bezel and lens, my seat does not have the white piping.
Heck, I did not even know about the positive neutral thing, I'll check mine out this afternoon and see.
Mine does have Hydraulic assist clutch and also the slipper clutch (although I can't feel any difference in the hydraulic assist, it feels like all my other clutches), and I do have ABS, 2-channel, front and rear. I put on the chrome injector covers ($37 USD each), but I guess yours came from the factory with them? I wish we could get a see-through bevel drive cover like you can get for the Ducati. If I could find the carbon fuel cannister I'd take it off. Disc brakes require no maintenance and work better in the rain/wet roads than a drum brake and they are self-adjusting and don't overheat with extensive use. Drum brakes don't defend themselves from the wet (river crossing) whereas disc brakes throw off the water and scrub it off the first time you use the brake. Anything that gets into a drum brake stays there (sand, brake dust, etc) to cause more damage. I think the 2020 and 2021 are going to be the only two years we'll see this bike in the US, just like 20 years ago when we got the W650 for 2 years only.
I looked at your channel and could not find a video on your 2017 model.
@@spydie It is a bit obscure Sir I know, but the video is called "W is for Whicham". Kind regards.
@@onanysundrymule3144 Found it. Thanks.
@@spydie At last, every time I go out on it I forget, but today yes indeed, the positive neutral thing is real and I never even knew. I'm not sure I ever needed it on any of my other machines, or on this one, but I imagine it might be a useful feature to some. Thank you for increasing my knowledge of the W. Kind regards