W650

[Hondahawkrider_imp]

As a owner of a 2013 cb1100 I’m a fan of the modern retro.. but I need a little
Advice on another different bike.

One of the bikes I wish I had gotten when it came out was one of the 1st, the kawi w650, but life, marriage divorce, etc intervened. . So since it’s come out, it’s always been on my radar as something to look at for in he used market, but it’s commanded a rather high price (like used 2013 cb1100 $..

At least till now.. There is now one for sale locally (35 mins away) for $1900 bucks.. it was involved in a tip over, but fixed via insurance (#1), and it’s been in a shed for over a year so it’s not running but it’s not seized (#2). The paint looks good, and the metal needs a good polish, but it looks solid..

I’m in if it won’t take much to get it back on the road.. figure it needs a carb clean, fluid flush (oil/clutch/brake), plus new pad and tires.. It would not be the first rehab I’ve done, but those where on Honda’s where not much needed to be replaced..

Thoughts anyone?

Seller wants in gone, has gotten a lot of interest but nobody with $ so far.. I need another bike like a hole in the head, but I’d probably get off my butt and sell the 03 wide glide, which would recoup the purchase price and any parts..

Thx in adv
Jason

[Guth_imp]

Many years ago I was in Powell's books here in Portland. They always have a pretty interesting selection of "Transportation" books. That particular day I ran across a factory service manual for the W650. I carried it around with me in the store for a while, then put it back on the shelf. Then I repeated that process one more time. I really wanted to buy that book because in the back of my mind I thought that I might own one of these bikes one day. Gorgeous bikes — definitely one of my all-time favorite "modern retros". Never did end up with one but the last time I was checking out the market for these bikes they were far and few between and there definitely weren't any good deals to be found.

Good luck!

[Cormanus]

A few minutes ago I saw this post from LongRanger about another bike:


If you like the W650—and I think it and it’s successor, the W850 are beautiful—and there’s nothing wrong with the one you’re looking at, buy it. I’ve not heard bad things about them.

PM Wisedrum, one of our members who has the W850 (I think) and really enjoys it.

Good luck.

[Houtman_imp]

My riding buddy has two of them and loves them , they have been VERY reliable and are still collectable bikes.
Of course they might become less collectable with al the new retro bikes coming out.

[cookiemech]

I rode one of those when they first came to the US in the early 2000s. Terrific bike for the backroads; seems to me that Kawasaki built a better Triumph Bonneville (and I had two of those, a 1970 and a 1981).

For the price, I'd be all over that one!

[Rocky_imp]

I rode one of those when they first came to the US in the early 2000s. Terrific bike for the backroads; seems to me that Kawasaki built a better Triumph Bonneville (and I had two of those, a 1970 and a 1981).

For the price, I'd be all over that one!

So would I

[Wisedrum]

Wisedrum has one. A W800 not an 850. That would be too much of a good thing. I don't mind but often had admitted how much I like this bike and will not become tired to do so in the future. It's beavel shaft, ' King Wave' in Germany, makes a today extraordinary motorcycle out of it and will always create food for collectors or special but reliable motorbike lovers.

Wisedrum

[LongRanger_imp]

$1900 is a steal assuming the bike is unmolested and you can get it back on the road for less than $1000. I'm beginning to see them around here, in excellent condition, for $3500-$4000, so the prices are coming down a bit. Like you, I've kicked myself for not buying a new one when they first came out in 2000. It's the reason I jumped on a DLX as soon as I found one for sale.

[flynrider]

When I was doing garage queen restorations, I learned that buying a non-runner for anything more than salvage value is a risk.

Fortunately, I learned that lesson cheap from a friend of mine (he learned the hard way). He bought a non-running KZ900 for a great price. Previous owner said it only needed the usual carb cleaning, new rubber, etc... That was all fine until my buddy replaced/cleaned everything up and started the bike for the first time. That's when the hidden crack in the crankcase made itself known. The bike was (expensive) junk and the previous owner was off the hook, as virtually all used vehicle sales are "as-is".

Not trying to pee on your Cheerios, just saying that you have to be really careful about buying a non-runner. There are things that can't be checked if the the bike can't be started and run.

[use2b_imp]

I for one say follow your dreams . so far i have bought non runners and done very well even though they were all old Honda's . pretty easy to put it on the center stand and work it through while feeling the gears , feeling the clutch , feeling the compression , listening to any noise , testing the brakes and checking for spark. I would find flaw in this for a better price myself even if satisfied.
but always be mindful of hidden problems when bringing home anything used and when you mention life, marriage divorce. that gave me a flash back from marrying a possessed bipolar redhead and was lucky to trade her off to a sailor who moved her to Chula Vista California , but I guess that might be TMI and another application - my bad