Kawasaki W800 – Japanese Take on British Style

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  • #14818
    HippoDrones
    Participant

    Mine for a Few Hours

    Took my Moto-Guzzi V7 in for a service today and they have lent me one of these:


    Not the bike itself, good looking wee thing

    I love the look of it and to ride in a straight line it is lovely, the suspension soaks up the bumps properly (take note Moto Guzzi) and the seat and riding position is really really comfy. The engine was nice and responsive once it warmed up and has a nice step up in power from around 5.5k rpm ish. Unfortunately the brakes are rubbish and it doesn’t corner very well at all, guessing that is due to the lazy steering angle which makes it so nice on the straight bits. Also above 85ish mph there seemed to be an increasing weave which could have been partly to the wind but it got a bit un-nerving when approach 100+ which the engine was willing to go to and more!

    Cool Retro Vibe

    If you into the retro, this is supposed to be more authentic than the Bonneville, I’ve not tried that but there are some bits of biking which should improve no matter what style of bike and the main one being the brakes. My Guzzi has basic brakes and only a single disk up front like this but has far more feel, feedback and power than the Kwak.

    I certainly think I chose the right bike with my ’70s esq V7 but I really can see why people like the ’60s style of the Kawasaki and Triumph.

    #64686
    Radar
    Moderator

    Interesting review, good looking bike the W800. Sounds like it would be relatively easy for Kawasaki to improve a few things, but I suppose the envelop up 85mph isn’t crucial area for this bike, I think most owners tend to potter about on them, which is fair enough

    #64687
    HippoDrones
    Participant

    like this one:

    01-w800-spirit.jpg

    #64688
    Radar
    Moderator

    Now that is the Mutz Nutz!

    #64689
    Radar
    Moderator

    Rather sad to learn that the new Euro IV regs have killed this bike off in the UK market

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