I've fallen in love...

[Greybeard]

With the Kawaski W800.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cm9LUaFj3Qc
http://www.kawasaki.eu/W800

I met one recently and loved the look of it. I believe the bike has a tenuous connection with the A10.

I've been viewing road tests on YouTube and although there are some niggles the bike does seem to be just the ticket for my needs.

I cannot keep two motorcycles and the BSA would have to be sold to help fund the Kwaka.
None of my offspring would really be excited to inherit the A10. At 66 I'm still able to kickstart the BSA but my leg and ankle joints give me gyp so there will come a time... Also I'm a pensioner so cannot really afford to break the A10 engine.
I'm not ready to do this yet but I am very tempted.
What do you guys think?

[nimrod650]

With the Kawaski W800.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cm9LUaFj3Qc
http://www.kawasaki.eu/W800

I met one recently and loved the look of it. I believe the bike has a tenuous connection with the A10.

I've been viewing road tests on YouTube and although there are some niggles the bike does seem to be just the ticket for my needs.

I cannot keep two motorcycles and the BSA would have to be sold to help fund the Kwaka.
None of my offspring would really be excited to inherit the A10. At 66 I'm still able to kickstart the BSA but my leg and ankle joints give me gyp so there will come a time... Also I'm a pensioner so cannot really afford to break the A10 engine.
I'm not ready to do this yet but I am very tempted.
What do you guys think?

keep the a10 fit electric start

[muskrat]

A lecy leg was my 1st thought as well but I don't think Steve's setup will fit on a plunger.
A club member has one he rides when not on his B33. He loves it. The W800 is a descendant of the W1 a sort of copy of the A10.
Cheers

[KiwiGF]

Just my opinion but all modern bikes are an attractive option to a classic bike if you ride your bike a fair bit!

I've just sold my 2010 Triumph Street Triple, best bike I have ever owned, I will miss it but won't miss the service bills (around 8 hours labour for services when valve clearances are checked)....and then there is the depreciation cost on top of that.

If I was to get a modern bike I would not buy a retro styled bike unless it had state of the art brakes (abs) and handling and was light (say less than 180kg) on the basis you might as well have the compensation of those benefits if you are on a modern.

My choice would be a Triumph Tiger 800 if I was in the market again (but unless I win lotto .....).

[scotty]

I'm also in the market for a more modern bike

I do like the look of the W800 and could be tempted

Alas hard to come by here in Canada

I believe this year is the last for the W800 read somewhere  that Kawa are stopping making them ?

S

[bsa-bill]

not sure what's happening to them the last one I saw was based on the Triumph Bonneville, they had it seems stopped making the W650 like an A10

[Greybeard]

I believe this year is the last for the W800 read somewhere  that Kawa are stopping making them ?

Bugger, that's pushed the decision up the agenda then!

[Greybeard]

not sure what's happening to them the last one I saw was based on the Triumph Bonneville, they had it seems stopped making the W650 like an A10

Are you thinking of the Special edition with Matt black exhaust etc?

[olev]

Go for it. (but don't abandon the forum)
A bloke in our club had a W650 and loved it.
He reckoned a set of Norman Hyde M bars transformed it.
I hear the W800's are better.
Is there a Kawasaki badge anywhere on the thing?
Personally I'd have a Guzzi V7 parked in the garage.
cheers

[Brian]

Yes, buy it if its what you want.

I have a shed full of British bikes and have been riding them all my life but I also keep a modern. British bikes are a lot of fun but they are expensive and require constant maintenance if you ride regularly.

I have just bought a new Moto Guzzi V7, I  pick it up Thursday.

[worntorn]

I just got off this after a 400 mile day of Mountain twisties. I don't have an ache or pain anywhere, that's a first!
What a bike. Powerband like an 850 Commando or Vincent except x2. Brembo ABS brakes, Traction control and 3 ride modes.
As close to the perfect motorcycle as anything I've ridden. Triumph has really nailed it.
If you are going modern, give it a look see. There is also a base model that has less expensive suspension and braking but the same engine performance.

[Greybeard]

Go for it. (but don't abandon the forum)

[RichardL]

W800 apparently not sold by Kawasaki in US or Canada, or Uraguay, for that matter.

[Greybeard]

Is there a Kawasaki badge anywhere on the thing?

Across the back of the seat. The tank only has a big W.

[PaulC]

Worntorn, that's great to hear! I collect mine on Thursday!

Paul