2021 w800

[Roper_imp]

It's interesting where we think the cut-off for "retro" is. It can have disk brakes instead of drum, but it has to have carbs and be air cooled. Okay, it can have EFI, but no water cooling. I suppose water cooling is okay, but steel cradle and no aluminum. And I guess LED lights are okay, as long as they're in retro housing. And adjustable suspension is okay too, I guess.

Look, unless you're going to restore a 50-year-old bike to ride, you have to give concessions to modern improvements which still imitate enough stuff visually to look "retro." It's arbitrary to draw the line for some things but not others. Ride what you like and screw the definitions.

[Wisedrum]

When time permits, could you briefly compare the three and which one is best for you?
Thanks.

There is no best for me. I can write, it's the one I'm sitting on when being out on a ride. I enjoy each bike the way it is: the looks, the power, the chassis etc.

It's simply the feel and the way these bikes talk to me while looking at them, taking care of them or even better going out on a ride with them. I like their 'language' though all three have different accents. I'm not living in the past but carried by the past. These bikes communicate the past in a modern way without being too modern.

Out of the Bullet line I like the Chrom Classic the most. Within the W line the first W800, rode the W650 before, same goes for the CB. I like the one cylinder concept of the Bullet and her pure simplicity that strips down motorbike riding to when it all begun. Two wheels, an engine and not many 'tricks', the bare necessecities to construct a motorbike. I also enjoy more cylinders and an advanced frame and brake technology like the CB offers. The W is something in between based on the initial Speed Twin idea out of the 1930s.

These bikes are not build for comparision. They won't win any but your heart, if you choose them. And the hearts of people you meet. But that's not the reason for why I bought them. It's just a nice side effect and sometimes starts a conversation.

[peterbaron]

That's good, I see variety of all three make your entire motorcycle life very happy.
Different bike for different application.
I wish, I had at least two, would not mind W800
Keep riding, thanks.

[GoldOxide_imp]

A thumper is something organically special indeed.

[Houtman_imp]

That W800 is a nice looking bike , perhaps something for me 5 years down the road but I am surprised at the weight.

[CB1100DLX_imp]

Pretty cool bike. Would've been even better with a kick start like the W650!

[Wisedrum]

Honestly admitt I don't miss the kickstarter of the previously owned W650 at the W800. Sometimes I used it, mostly not. I don't have to proof a successful 'real man's' kickstart to me or anybody else. I don't kickstart the Bullet often although I could, if I want to. Pushing a knob is so much easier, if the battery works fine and saves kickstarter mechanics from being damaged by too many faulty attempts, which can likely be the case with a lot of kicks that lead into nothing. I found it amusing that a lot of Bullet EFI and W650 owners when being asked, all 'tough' motorbike riders, do the same and prefer pushing knobs. As I do, they know why. The CB doesn't offer this option. So it's out of question. Of some I read, they wish the CB would have one as the CB750four had. Honda knows, why they left it out. I can imagine why.

[DAC]

It’s a nice looking bike but having seen one up close and sat on it, I gotta say the fit and finish doesn’t seem on par with the CB. A good example is the tail light bracket, which looks poorly executed. The cap nut sticking out the top looks tacked on and the bracket itself is just a stamped part with sharp edges. Granted, the same piece on the CB is plastic, but it looks a lot better. Just my $.02.

[Wisedrum]

In Germay the price for a new W800 has climbed too much. Nearly 10 years ago, when I bought mine, it was round 8.500€, now it passes the 10.000€ mark. It was too much and now is way to high. Kawa is very ambitous. One has to be no prophet to foresee only a very limited number of buyers. Especially in times of Corona. When the pandemie is gone, the W800 maybe has passed by too.

The finish is okay. Of course it could be better and if you keep your bike as an outdoor bike as I do, you have to prevent it from being altered by weather. It will start to rott as any other bike also will. Some earlier, some later.

[peterbaron]

Had to resurrect Pdedse thread, 'cos I like this bike
...and you can get a lot OEM accessories, SW Motech has side luggage and panniers set as well


https://www.kawasaki.ca/en-ca/purchase-t...torcycle/w