The W800 is back!

[Guth_imp]

For me Kawasaki really got the W look right with the original W650. Most of the W650's that I've seen in person looked like this one:


Such a beautiful motorcycle. The black cylinder treatment looks right at home here as most of the old British twins (and Kawasaki's own vintage W series bikes) featured this look.

[GoldOxide_imp]

Indeed. That is an attractive retro, and air-cooled too.

RE: https://www.motorcyclistonline.com/2019-...ook#page-4

[Guth_imp]

Notice the cylinder paint treatment on the bike Guth posted. Same as on the 17 EX's that everyone complained about. Black cylinders, silver heads. It was actually quite a common treatment in the late 60s to late 70s especially on Brit bikes that the W 800 emulates

Yeah, I was one of those who felt that this decision by Honda had much more to do with them trying to compete against Triumph and the look of their bikes than it did with past CB heritage.

[baxtercat_imp]

I agree with Guth about the W650. The final edition of the W800 (which we didn't get) came in a black version--similar to the new model in color scheme--and this one. I'm hoping that maybe some of the trim parts from this (fenders, cases) will be compatible with the cafe, to bring it closer to that W650 look. Admittedly, it's annoying to think of spending extra $ and effort to undo what Kawasaki has done to it, in its appeal to the wrong demographic. But perhaps worth looking into. I'm certainly not parting with my CB, but I think the W remains a great bike, and we have so few choices of air-cooled "retro" done right.

[VLJ_imp]

I've come to enjoy the two-tone colors on the motor of my '17 EX. The more I see it each day, the more I think I prefer it over all the other CB1100 engine colors.

I didn't feel that way when I first bought the bike, but now I wouldn't switch to the other styles even if I could.

[LongRanger_imp]

I don't mind the engine color on the new W800, but the black rims are a non-starter.

[DaSwami_imp]

Can't get onboard the cafe version, but the standard version I would buy

[Wisedrum]

Cafe racers never awake my interest.
Wether build by a manufacturer or someone else.
Simple, useful and classic streetbikes are the real deal for me. I'm glad to own a few very different ones. Always good reasons to be cheerful, even if I just look at them. The W, the CB, the Bullet and of course a few others I don't possess but these 3 are enough. At least that's what my lifecircumstances say.

Wisedrum

[LongRanger_imp]

Which bike do you prefer, the reintroduced W800 or the new Royal Enfield Interceptor 650? I know which one gets my vote!

[peterbaron]

prefer, the reintroduced W800