2020 KAWASAKI W800 REVIEW: RETRO MOTORCYCLE (14 FAST FACTS)

[pdedse]

Fabulous! I love this bike. Its predecessor, the W650, is the reason I searched for and bought my DLX. I didn't want to miss the boat again. Unlike the W650, I hope the W800 stays with us for more than two years!

Ditto on like the W650. I searched hi and low for about 2 years for an acceptable W650...they always seemed too far away, the asking was too much, or the mileage too high--it just never materialized. Dabbled with a couple of Yamaha xs650s from the late '70s, early '80s (wanted a kick start bike), but realized I didn't want to spend my time fixing them up all the time but rather preferred riding, so I sold 'em and bought my 2014 standard cb1100. Now I have a '17 CB1100ex.

And then this W800 is out...very sublime looking. Although I can't believe Kawasaki introduces it to the U.S. as a "red". Come on, Kawi! Anything but red--I already have that!! Oh well, I'm not ready to buy another bike. I'd love to see this w800 in a matte green, or a bright green and cream, a light blue and a splash of yellow, or a lovely silver. A deep blue would work too. I don't know why but I've never been overly fond of red for a motorcycle.

MSRP for the W800--not too unreasonable at just over 9k. I'll keep my eye on this bike...maybe 2021 will bring other colors and maybe some won't sell and they'll lower asking to low to mid 8k. Or I'll wait till a used one shows up and maybe get one for 5k with low mileage in about 4-5 years.

My musings aside...a great looker that w800!


Couldn't resist vising the Kawi site to check out the W800 a bit more.

Additional photos...




Christmas is the day after tomorrow...and I've been really, really bueno.