Thoughts on W800

[peterbaron]

NO, PB did once, a 3 mile test, just to see how she is.... Period.

[GoldOxide_imp]

NO, PB did once, a 3 mile test, just to see how she is.... Period.

I think maybe Saturday, or Friday night at the peak of our little Polar Vortex would be a fair ride for you. I know the CB1100 will ride well at -25C air-ambient (or -45C highway temperature), but fortunately for you we will not get any lower than -12C, sans windchill. This is a bargain [url=http://cb1100forum.com/forum/member.php?action=profile&uid=3454]PB. Hopefully it won't snow. Now, the CB will rust, but it is manageable. Shall we meet part way, say like Mississauga/Oakville border?

[peterbaron]

https://www.theweathernetwork.com/ca/wea...o/brampton

[GoldOxide_imp]

https://www.theweathernetwork.com/ca/wea...o/brampton

So Sunday? That is pretty rough - Valentine's Day et al.

[peterbaron]

NOT a chance in winter....spring = yes

[GoldOxide_imp]

NOT a chance in winter....spring = yes

(grumble) Looks like a possible major snow storm this Monday.

Nevertheless, I will be out this weekend, as conditions permit.

[TCBronson_imp]

So I finally got to ride my new bike. Tempts got up to low 70's, clear blue sky and a slight breeze.

I'm not too good at writing reviews but here goes.

After checking things out like tire pressure, oil level, adjusting the handlebars, brake and clutch levers and oiling the chain I was ready to go. I added a battery charger cable to the battery and had to take both side covers off as well as the seat. The covers are metal, not plastic. There is no plastic on the bike so the quality of materials is pretty good as is the chrome fenders and exhaust.

Since the bike is fuel injected it fired to life quickly and idled fast at around 2000 RPMs for 30 seconds or so then the idle came down to normal. Just looking at the bike and hearing the 360 degree parallel twin idle brought back some fond memories of bikes from the 1960's and 70's. Kawasaki got it right on the retro style and sound . It reminded me of a Yamaha XS650 from the 1970's I rode a few times. As well as a Norton 750 Commando. With the sound and the positive vibrations you new you were on what a motorcycle is supposed to look, sound and feel like.

The riding position is very good. The seat, pegs and handlebars are where they should be giving a relaxed upright riding position. The seat was surprisingly comfortable, so far any way. Because I am 6'2" with a 32" inseam, I have a long torso. I might consider adding bar risers to raise the handlebars up a couple of inches to fit me a little better. The seat height is around 31 inches so flat footing was easy. Otherwise the ergonomics were very good for a wide range of riders.

I put the side stand up, pulled in the clutch and tapped on the shifter and it snicked in to first gear. As I let the clutch out to start moving the disengagement was early but I didn't stall the engine. I could tell the 800, (773 cc) engine had some torque. That came to my attention while riding the bike later in the day. While it only has a 5 speed gear box, I could slow to around 35 mph with out lugging it and power up to over 65 mph with out shifting down from 5th. The engine pulls strongly. This bike is not fast or quick but at around 50HP and less than 500 Lbs it has more than enough power. The bike is predictable in every aspect of operating it. There were no surprises with the power or handling. The brakes, especially the front worked very well hauling the bike down with out any drama.

I mentioned vibrations earlier and there are some. Up to 3500 rpms the bike is surprisingly smooth. Between 3500 rpm's and 4000 rpm's there is a definite almost intrusive vibration that can be felt in the hand grips and foot pegs. I soon chalked that up to character. Above 4000 it smooths out again. Red line is at 7000 and at 4000 you are running around 67 mph so 70 + mph is smoother running. The deep rumble of the twin and some vibrations are all characteristics of the bike and not a negative aspect. With a 4 gallon tank and an estimated 50 MPG I should be able to get close to 200 miles to a tank. There is no reserve but a low fuel warning light. I will be interested to see what kind of range the bike gets.

I ordered a Kawasaki chrome luggage rack so I can carry some stuff for trips like tools and a tire repair kit, chain lube etc. I would like to try some trips or touring with this bike to see how well it does. I may add some soft saddle bags and a tail bag to start with.

So with the bike now having only 60 miles on it, this is only my first quick impression. It will be interesting to see how my first impressions compare with my later impressions after the newness wears off and I get more used to riding it.

[Frulk_imp]

Nice write up. Glad you like it. For some reason I thought it had a kick starter. Then I realized I was thinking of the Yamaha 400.

[the Ferret]

Good write up and review Tom

[GoldOxide_imp]

So I finally got to ride my new bike. Tempts got up to low 70's, clear blue sky and a slight breeze.

I'm not too good at writing reviews but here goes.

After checking things out like tire pressure, oil level, adjusting the handlebars, brake and clutch levers and oiling the chain I was ready to go. I added a battery charger cable to the battery and had to take both side covers off as well as the seat. The covers are metal, not plastic. There is no plastic on the bike so the quality of materials is pretty good as is the chrome fenders and exhaust.

Since the bike is fuel injected it fired to life quickly and idled fast at around 2000 RPMs for 30 seconds or so then the idle came down to normal. Just looking at the bike and hearing the 360 degree parallel twin idle brought back some fond memories of bikes from the 1960's and 70's. Kawasaki got it right on the retro style and sound . It reminded me of a Yamaha XS650 from the 1970's I rode a few times. As well as a Norton 750 Commando. With the sound and the positive vibrations you new you were on what a motorcycle is supposed to look, sound and feel like.

The riding position is very good. The seat, pegs and handlebars are where they should be giving a relaxed upright riding position. The seat was surprisingly comfortable, so far any way. Because I am 6'2" with a 32" inseam, I have a long torso. I might consider adding bar risers to raise the handlebars up a couple of inches to fit me a little better. The seat height is around 31 inches so flat footing was easy. Otherwise the ergonomics were very good for a wide range of riders.

I put the side stand up, pulled in the clutch and tapped on the shifter and it snicked in to first gear. As I let the clutch out to start moving the disengagement was early but I didn't stall the engine. I could tell the 800, (773 cc) engine had some torque. That came to my attention while riding the bike later in the day. While it only has a 5 speed gear box, I could slow to around 35 mph with out lugging it and power up to over 65 mph with out shifting down from 5th. The engine pulls strongly. This bike is not fast or quick but at around 50HP and less than 500 Lbs it has more than enough power. The bike is predictable in every aspect of operating it. There were no surprises with the power or handling. The brakes, especially the front worked very well hauling the bike down with out any drama.

I mentioned vibrations earlier and there are some. Up to 3500 rpms the bike is surprisingly smooth. Between 3500 rpm's and 4000 rpm's there is a definite almost intrusive vibration that can be felt in the hand grips and foot pegs. I soon chalked that up to character. Above 4000 it smooths out again. Red line is at 7000 and at 4000 you are running around 67 mph so 70 + mph is smoother running. The deep rumble of the twin and some vibrations are all characteristics of the bike and not a negative aspect. With a 4 gallon tank and an estimated 50 MPG I should be able to get close to 200 miles to a tank. There is no reserve but a low fuel warning light. I will be interested to see what kind of range the bike gets.

I ordered a Kawasaki chrome luggage rack so I can carry some stuff for trips like tools and a tire repair kit, chain lube etc. I would like to try some trips or touring with this bike to see how well it does. I may add some soft saddle bags and a tail bag to start with.

So with the bike now having only 60 miles on it, this is only my first quick impression. It will be interesting to see how my first impressions compare with my later impressions after the newness wears off and I get more used to riding it.

Thanks TCBronson. I think your initial write-up is very good and allowed the reader to follow you along quite easily.