12-23-2019, 08:54 PM
I owned a 2000 model for nearly 7 years. Here's a copy and paste of my post on TriumphRat when I sold this sweet little bike. Equipped with Gunfighter solo saddle, Kaw low bar kit, and Givi E21 bags, I treated it like a baby BMW sport tourer.
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April, 2007
The new owner of my W650 is driving in from Illinois to pick up the bike tomorrow. After putting 52,700 miles on her, she still runs like new, and I'll probably regret the sale. As reliable as any bike I've ever owned. Though top end hp was 10 down (50 at the crank) on my T100's advertised hp, the torque curve was table-top flat. Red lined at approx 7000 rpm. Tranny shifted without a clunk, and was smooth as butter.
Approximately 30-35 pounds lighter than a stock T100, and 0-60 times close to those of the Triumph, per bike mag comparisons.
Utilized a long stroke/small bore (undersquare) engine (72 x 83mm) vs the Bonnie's oversquare design (86 x 68mm), more like the original 650 Britbike designs.
The W650 came with lots of nice standard features, including:
- center stand
- chrome fenders
- alloy rims
- electric and kick start
- double wall exhaust pipes
- decent sound from the stock mufflers
- excellent headlight
- locking hinged gas cap (used ignition key)
- easily removed saddle (used ignition key)
- valve shims could be changed without removing the SOHC
- full tool kit with nicely chromed wrenches stowed under the seat
All in all, a nicely finished, well-designed motorcycle. Good value for the money, especially since the dealer where I purchased the bike couldn't get rid of them, and sold mine to me for $1500 off of MSRP. That was in August of 2000.
She'll be missed.
Bob
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April, 2007
The new owner of my W650 is driving in from Illinois to pick up the bike tomorrow. After putting 52,700 miles on her, she still runs like new, and I'll probably regret the sale. As reliable as any bike I've ever owned. Though top end hp was 10 down (50 at the crank) on my T100's advertised hp, the torque curve was table-top flat. Red lined at approx 7000 rpm. Tranny shifted without a clunk, and was smooth as butter.
Approximately 30-35 pounds lighter than a stock T100, and 0-60 times close to those of the Triumph, per bike mag comparisons.
Utilized a long stroke/small bore (undersquare) engine (72 x 83mm) vs the Bonnie's oversquare design (86 x 68mm), more like the original 650 Britbike designs.
The W650 came with lots of nice standard features, including:
- center stand
- chrome fenders
- alloy rims
- electric and kick start
- double wall exhaust pipes
- decent sound from the stock mufflers
- excellent headlight
- locking hinged gas cap (used ignition key)
- easily removed saddle (used ignition key)
- valve shims could be changed without removing the SOHC
- full tool kit with nicely chromed wrenches stowed under the seat
All in all, a nicely finished, well-designed motorcycle. Good value for the money, especially since the dealer where I purchased the bike couldn't get rid of them, and sold mine to me for $1500 off of MSRP. That was in August of 2000.
She'll be missed.
Bob