09-14-2016, 01:07 AM
(09-13-2016, 11:56 PM)The ferret_imp Wrote:(09-13-2016, 10:28 PM)alphonsus_imp Wrote:(09-13-2016, 09:19 PM)Capo_imp Wrote: As if on cue, Kawasaki belatedly enters the retro game. Whaddaya think?
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/new-b...-imminent/
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that's not quite true, since Kawa has had the W650/W800 for the past decade. A really beautiful bike, with real retro build. Sadly discontinued from next year due to Euro 4.
This one is more in line with the XSR series, "retro inspired" maybe, with lots of modern design elements. Probably will be a bigger sales success than the W, judging by the success of the XSR and the Duc Scrambler. Not a huge fan of the look personally, but nice to see a non-transformers looking bike from Kawasaki.
that's not quite true, since Kawa has had the W650/W800 for the past decade. A really beautiful bike, with real retro build. Sadly discontinued from next year due to Euro 4.
![[Image: 15a074eb3db555f5035e7d9c90485e8b.jpg]](https://cb1100forum.net/forum/uploads/imp/201609/15a074eb3db555f5035e7d9c90485e8b.jpg)
I also think besides only a 2 year run of 650's in North America and no 800's, people were put off by the retro performance of the Kawasaki's. Slower than both the Moto Guzzi 750 and the Triumph Bonneville which was retro hp king until the CB1100 came along, and a lot of people are still unimpressed with the power of the CB1100. If this Kaw puts out over 120 HP it should be mildly popular.
![[Image: d87725417fdf8b6dd7dbcb610590dc18.jpg]](https://cb1100forum.net/forum/uploads/imp/201609/d87725417fdf8b6dd7dbcb610590dc18.jpg)
that's not quite true, since Kawa has had the W650/W800 for the past decade. A really beautiful bike, with real retro build. Sadly discontinued from next year due to Euro 4.
![[Image: 505d66371da11e97a7c54f9b8c9b9576.jpg]](https://cb1100forum.net/forum/uploads/imp/201609/505d66371da11e97a7c54f9b8c9b9576.jpg)
I also think besides only a 2 year run of 650's in North America and no 800's, people were put off by the retro performance of the Kawasaki's. Slower than both the Moto Guzzi 750 and the Triumph Bonneville which was retro hp king until the CB1100 came along, and a lot of people are still unimpressed with the power of the CB1100. If this Kaw puts out over 120 HP it should be mildly popular.
Yes, I prefer the interpretive modern retro approach a la the CB and new Thruxton, and apparently this new Kaw, more than the replica/ knockoff approach of the W. Or the 'not even a retro but an actual old bike' approach of Royal Enfield!