Anyone got a Kawasaki W650 / 800?

[Farjo]

Saw a picture of a W800 and have been day dreaming ever since. Are they good to ride or just gutless pretty-boys?

[eddie]

read an article  in  Bike magazine a while ago Frazer.. they rated it pretty good for a retro with handling... no fazer 600 tho...do a bit of googling for reviews

[rustyrider]

A mate bought a W650 a couple of years ago and I picked it up for him and rode it back to my place before trailering it down to him in the south of France.  Looks and sounds like a Bonnie but starts first time every time, doesn't leak oil and just does everything you expect of it.  However riding it was a different matter.  Now maybe I've been spoilt by owning faired bikes but I had to stop every 40 mles or so on the way back to put my shoulders back into their sockets.  Sitting bolt upright, you are the air brake.

[Fazerboy]

A Friend has had one since new, think it's a 99 with newer mods it's done a few miles and still looks ok
It's a retro but reliable and cheaper than the new bonnie, it's not powerful which is a good thing as the brakes are not the best but having been following (not chasing) it's a nice comfy bike that goes around corners happily. he's been to france on it too !
Only thing is, he's a throwback to the fifties and insists on an open-face helmet (with white biggles scarf) and the turn-up jeans etc  :eek

[peejay]

Some info:
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikere...1-current/


I prefer my bonnie, but there again I am biased

[pitternator]

I test rode a new hinckley bonnie and was pleasantly surprised at how it zipped along. Not powerful for sure by modern standards( especially next to a snorting speed triple ! ) , but not sluggish either.The w800 is claime dto be more " authentic"  ( lol) to the original bonnie ! Main diff seems to be silencer routing and big cam drive tunnel on 1 side. Many mags do purport it to be better than a hinckley bonnie...but TBH you dont buy bikes like these for their performance, but for how the bike makes u feel.So buy one based on such.
They are capable of touring too, so is not as mad a choice as it may seem. I know a couple with one who do the full camping / rallies thing on theirs...and they love it.