I'm not a grandpa and I own this bike, and love everything about it. Riding mine for three years now. I love the 2024 tank paint.
@PeterLoweOne8 ай бұрын
I didn't mean that THIS bike is for grandparents, but this is exactly what bikes in the 60's and 70's felt like. That's what makes it unique.
@SteveBlancoMusicianWarrior8 ай бұрын
@@PeterLoweOne Indeed!
@leeinwis8 ай бұрын
Air cooled is hot on the calves aint it ?
@PeterLoweOne8 ай бұрын
@@leeinwis it can be. That's part of the experience of this bike, but I will say, this bike isn't uncomfortable due to heat like some other bikes.
@silverback8027 ай бұрын
The 2024 paint is beautiful
@jamessabbagh60148 ай бұрын
I love the under-square bore/stroke ratio and 360 degree crank, all of which provide the exhaust cadence and performance reminiscent of Britbikes of the 50’s, 60’s and early 70’s.
@davidbrayshaw35298 ай бұрын
It gives them a pretty beefy low and midrange, too. They're great fun to short shift, these bikes. You can scoot around town briskly and never see more than 3,000 RPM.
@EstebanDVO7 ай бұрын
Im 33 and got the 2023 model last fall. Weirdly enough, i've had supermotos since i was 16 and I think this is going to be my forever bike that i'll hopefully pass down the family one day.
@Spartansrule1184 ай бұрын
what do you love most about? is it possible to travel on the highway with? thanks
@PerfectlyFreedom8 ай бұрын
Will be 29 year old this year, and the W800 has always been my dream bike for years!
@Pinoydotobestdoto8 ай бұрын
same bro!
@7thSpringofthe7thSun7 ай бұрын
I got it 7 months ago and put 5000 miles on it, it is amazing, especially with the michellin type, you will love it!!!
@PerfectlyFreedom7 ай бұрын
@@7thSpringofthe7thSun Thankyou, amen to that!
@paulblackfield473Ай бұрын
For anyone smart enough to see beyond the top speed and BHP figures of bikes , the W800 is the perferct bike for all occaisions. I tour on mine every year and I never know whether me or the bike enjoy the ride most.
@triwaldausАй бұрын
Best bike review I have ever seen - "chapeau", Peter. Comments: knee grip (rubber) pads not only save the paint, but on a really cold day you can hug the tank with all that COLD gasoline in it and not transfer that cold to your body. And yes, most 60-ies era front brakes were insufficient, but the TLS front drum brake of the '68 Bonneville had amazing, more-than-needed braking power. Love the disc brakes and fuel injection however, which unfortunately rules out a much loved (and sorely missed) kickstarter. With a period set of mufflers and without an ugly oil cooler to spoil the classic appearance, the "W" out-retroed even the venerable new Bonneville and sadly discontinued Thruxton.
@DBomber_248 ай бұрын
Forget about granpas, with all due respect to all of them, I'm in love with this bike.
@PeterLoweOne8 ай бұрын
Yeah. The title may be a little controversial. 🙂 It's bikes like these that caused a lot of us to fall in love with motorcycles!
@El_SantoTaco2 ай бұрын
I ride a 2001 Kawasaki W650 and I love it. Everything in this video is accurate for the W650 as well.
@michaelb.421127 ай бұрын
What a gorgeous, simple , RELIABLE bike.
@Kwikasfuki0078 ай бұрын
That's a great looking bike!!
@davidbrayshaw35298 ай бұрын
I've owned a 2015 for the last 7 months. It is just so easy to ride. Unlike earlier bikes, these things are very well balanced. The weight sits very low and central in the frame which mightn't be the recipe for winning GP's but it is very confidence inspiring in the "real" world. They're a fairly long wheel base, too, which gives them a good ride quality as well as preventing them being "pitchy". They track like they're on rails through the twisties and they are equally at home doing sharp 90 degree turns on city streets. And while these things aren't powerful on paper, all that power is on tap, everywhere in the rev range. That combined with a silky smooth gearbox means that they are really easy to keep on the boil but are equally as easy to lane split through stationary traffic at 5 mph. My only real complaint of this bike is that the front brake could be better. It's not bad, but it's not good. The suspension is on the better side of just adequate, if that makes sense. Oh, and most importantly of all, the tyres that it comes with go straight in the bin. Put a decent set of radials on straight away. Everything else on the bike is quality. The castings are excellent and you could go swimming in the chrome. And on the chrome front, mine is now nine years old and there is not a single spec of rust or any imperfection whatsoever. It polishes up like brand new. Same with the paint. If you do a lot of highway miles, this isn't the bike for you. An hour or two here and there, it's fine, but that's about it. But as a city commuter and B road blaster, these bikes are really easy to ride quickly and will make an average rider faster than they have any right to be. I'm not selling mine anytime soon. I'm absolutely besotted by it.
@PeterLoweOne8 ай бұрын
The only thing I'll add is that, while I agree that the bike is easy to ride, it isn't because the weight is low in the frame. A modern bike has much better weight distribution and centralization. But thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences! I appreciate it.
@davidbrayshaw35298 ай бұрын
@@PeterLoweOne Now that I think about it, I'm comparing to older bikes, not new ones. Compared to a Z900 or a CB 900, the weight feels really low and central! Maybe not so much something built this century.
@davidjones5355 ай бұрын
The only thing missing is a kick starter you may not use all the time but it's is nice to have if your battery's low in power plus it just looks right .
@BlackArroToons8 ай бұрын
Cool, classic W800 styling of the 1970s. Thanks for the detailed review, Peter!
@davericketts91018 ай бұрын
Great, detailed review, thanks. I own a 2001 W650 (actually 676cc) and love it. The W800 featured here is, of course, the later version of my bike. The main differences being that the W650 has a kick start, which I use all the time and carburettors. Absolutely love it.
@PeterLoweOne8 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching!
@ianhalliwell86048 ай бұрын
As a BSA GoldStar owner myself i just love the W800, if/when i decide to change it would be for this one. The character and period design of this bike is right up my street, although not sure if Kawasaki has the 2024 model in its range in the UK at present i might have to go second hand.
@johncranwell37832 ай бұрын
Hey Jim, thank you for this. Review. The best motorbike walk round talk I have ever experienced. No half knowledge, no fluffiness on data but just everything you need to know…. My first parallel twin was a BSA 650 thunderbolt , and I’ve come back to motorcycling with that nostalgic feeling firmly in my heart and I’ll be honest if I lived near you, I’d be down to your shop and buying one of these 2024 Kawasaki W 800s. Alas, I live in the UK and it isn’t available here anymore as a new bike…. This one would be perfect. I love the red…. Thank you again again all the best from Wales, uk. John
@rzracer697 күн бұрын
Love my 2 carbureted 2001 W650's for much of the same reasons. So fun and yet relaxing to ride.
@cycoklr6 ай бұрын
The motorbiking bug bit me in 1965 and still enjoy riding. My 2018 W800 is a great ride despite its rear drum brake. The Dunlop K300 tires are adequate. The stock suspension reminds me to temper the throttle on high speed sweepers. These limitations are the features that help me become aware of its essence as a *retro* bike. And I love it!
@garrycompton72148 ай бұрын
Looks great - I had 2 Triumphs and in 1972 , after driving a Honda 750 - I traded my 650 Triumph the next week. The Japanese bikes are way ahead of everyone.
@douglasburt16228 ай бұрын
Gorgeous! My first big bike was a 1980 GS 750. I've wanted it back. Now I want this one. And yes, I'd sell my new MT for it.
@Jonathan-L7 ай бұрын
Those GS Suzuki shaft drive bikes were actually great designs. But the newer motorcycle designs became very 'sporty' and so the practical, low maintenance (shaft driven) motorycles weren't cool. I think the latest model was the GS1100G with shaft drive ... not very enticing, but a good used one can be purchased affordably and they probably hold their value too.
@Yeagermeisters926 ай бұрын
Grandpas!!!! Bro I'm 19 and I'm loving it it's definitely gonna be my first big bike I have a 110 at the moment
@PsychNurse.4 ай бұрын
Low maintenance. 60 mpg. Max 110 mph with 5 speeds.Easy oil filter Change. Easy spark plug change.
@caoimhin71222 ай бұрын
You forgot to mention that the engine is a 360 degree crank, something that was done back in the ‘60s, but not anymore. And as such, vibrates a bit more than a 180 or 270 degree modern bike. Also, you forgot to mention that since it has spoke wheels and is a classic, it has tubed tires.
@dougburrell8 ай бұрын
Great in depth review. Thank you. That bike is gorgeous
@christianmouraux72696 ай бұрын
I got a 2016 Black Edition and I truly love it! Full of character!
@frankindia8886Күн бұрын
Only downside...bias-ply tires. Difficult if not impossible to replace in those sizes with modern tubeless rubber. Beautiful bike.
@kawabungah205 ай бұрын
Nice review of a beautiful machine!
@SiLloyd8 ай бұрын
I owned one of these for about a year and loved it. Very unique and characterful. Traded it in for a Versys 650 GT because I thought I wanted to go touring. I did not actually enjoy touring in the end - should have kept it! I'm on an Eliminator right now and loving it.
@pexton1234568 ай бұрын
love the bike ! Hi, Peter , is it possible to add riding videos in your review ?
@PeterLoweOne8 ай бұрын
I'll be doing some riding reviews when I can, but most of the bikes that I review wouldn't be available for riding reviews as they're not demo bikes. So I make the core of my channel these types of reviews, and you'll see me doing riding reviews when I can this summer. I film in Canada, so it's still pretty cold. I'm looking out at snow in my yard as I type this. The other thing is that there are a LOT of riding reviews out there, and I do try to offer something a bit different. So it's all a balance. I don't view other KZbinrs as competition, if you ask me, we're all working on the same team to round out the information for those who are willing to watch. So I try to do my best in this format. My riding reviews won't be as good as others who have done them for years, but hopefully I'll offer a perspective that will be worth watching. We'll see!
@jn19828 ай бұрын
I have the 2022, and it appears exactly identical....except the horn wires are better routed (mine broke at 500 miles). Honestly I thought I was done with motorcycling but a few of life's failures led me to ask what makes me happy, and the W does make me happy; I'm back to bikes!. After 1,500 miles the bike is starting to free up some, and has good grunt down low with pleasant vibrations that will let you know you're in a time warp. The build quality is fantastic (other than the horn wiring there for a few years---there's a recall on that I believe, so it's a free fix). Tires are for 60mph or less--read up on those; above 60 mph, pay close attention. Give me a good country road, 70F day, and the W will take you places! At low speed it's like riding a bicycle--it's geometry makes it easy to place where you want to go in a parking lot. This is a great in-town commuter with plenty for the mountains for a fun time, old-school style.
@davidbrayshaw35298 ай бұрын
Throw the Dunlops in the bin and go for a quality set of radials. I'm running Bridgestone on mine. It transforms them.
@herrtomas67298 ай бұрын
Hi Peter. Yes, that looks more like the bikes I recognise…. 😊
@markwilliamson2795Ай бұрын
Great report...
@gzk6nk8 ай бұрын
I bought a new 2015 W800. It looks lovely but I found it had two big problems - not enough power for safe overtakes on crowded UK roads, and poor braking performance (it needs twin discs). So it had to go. Also, it didn't sound very good (very quiet).
@barrybarnes968 ай бұрын
What did you replace it with?
@gzk6nk8 ай бұрын
@@barrybarnes96 An R9T. Loads pf power, excellent brakes.
@longjonwhite8 ай бұрын
Good detailed description of many aspects of this great-looking bike, thanks. When you are describing how the bike fits, it would be helpful if you told us your height and inseam.
@PeterLoweOne8 ай бұрын
Yeah, I sometimes forget to do that. I'm about 6 feet. I don't actually know my inseam, but I'm a proportional 6 footer. Thanks for watching!
@barrymoore11077 ай бұрын
When I got my 1972 Norton 750 Combat, one of my roommates put clef up a ‘74 or so Kawasaki 750 to rebuild. You know, despite having an overhead cam, there were no cam bushings,no separate valve guides. There was nothing left of the cam-chain tightening slipper. Parts were hard to find in 1965 so we improvised w a piece of ‘ Blue Brute’ water pipe. No matter, I found the tensioner slipper cast aside long after he left the completed bike ( which never did run again) it was a surprise to see how primitive the actual manufacturer was of such a high-performance DOHC engine was. It don’t know if contemporary Kawis or R Enfields take as many liberties w ‘quality where the consumer can’t see’ as Daimler Benz demanded w the Chysler. LH revisions. But I’d ask to to an exploded view of the engine before I’d buy.
@josevi58353 күн бұрын
Lovely bike but outrageously priced. Like the color schemes and chromed parts.
@paulstanley32658 ай бұрын
Very nice bike but I have yet to see one at my dealer or out on the road. Great review thanks.
@TucoDog-ho6fw7 ай бұрын
Just a few minutes into the video and I can tell this is a great channel. Subbed. 👍🏻🇺🇸
@PeterLoweOne7 ай бұрын
Thanks so much for the support!
@evanthompson89255 ай бұрын
Having rode 750 and 850 Norton's decades ago some questions. Steel or aluminum rims? Where is the oil filter and battery? How is valve lash adjusted? Is there a 12 volt output plug?
@Ismael.MotoVlogАй бұрын
Excelente video de la w800, gracias.
@moosecat7 ай бұрын
I own a 1982 KZ440 (LTD belt-drive) and a 1993 KZ1000P (ex-Oregon State Patrol). Unless you specifically know what you're looking for, the W800 would fit in nicely with my current bikes.
@boog36902 ай бұрын
Ive sat on one but I have not ridden one yet. I love the looks and feel of the bike, but no cruise control and most importantly no 6th gear really is a deal breaker for me. Sad😢
@PeterLoweOne2 ай бұрын
I don't get why a lack of a 6th gear is an issue if you haven't driven it. Gear ratios are different on all kinds of bikes. You may love it, you may not, but I wouldn't think that the number of gears should be an issue if you haven't gone out for a ride on it.
@boog36902 ай бұрын
@@PeterLoweOne Point taken dear Sir. I may just do that but in my experience the lack of a 6th gear usually translates to struggles at highway speeds.
@boog36902 ай бұрын
@@PeterLoweOne yep test road one today. Just like I thought. High vibes at highway speeds that you can barely reach. Great bike for 50 mph or less on back country roads or city driving but highway...no can do brother. Had to pass on a great deal. 2020 W800 with 1300 miles for $5,500.00. I couldn't pull the trigger because I like to tour with my bikes and this just can't do that comfortably.
@raybrensike428 ай бұрын
That control pod on the handlebars looks small and I like that.
@bfarm447 ай бұрын
That might be sound tuned but it sounds a hell of a lot better when you run a hole saw up the inside of those mufflers and yeet over a foot of db killer out of both of them then rip the snorkel restriction out of the airbox. $12 dollar mod that’s way worth it
@iancameron5536Ай бұрын
Beautiful bike, just one question does it have a fuel gauge or just a light to indicate fuel is low???
@PeterLoweOneАй бұрын
I believe just a light. But it has a trip meter too.
@evanthompson89254 ай бұрын
Does the speedometer read in MPG (USA) or KPH (Europe) for the US market? There is a black plastic plug on the engine case just behind the right foot rest. Was this where the kick shift was located?
@bluesysaxman8 ай бұрын
Why did Kawasaki decide to go with a five speed gearbox instead of a six? I just think the extra gear would make it smoother.
@666louis8 ай бұрын
Yeah, this is my only gripe with the bike. If you are riding around the 100Kp/h mark, the engine revs around 3500rpm and is very buzzy. So for the most part I will ride around 80kp/h. Of course on the plus side 5-speed means less shifting operations. Once you are out of town you can put it into 5th and it will pull from 60kp/h / 1500rpm no problem.
@davidbrayshaw35298 ай бұрын
I don't think a short "overdrive" would hurt this bike. There's enough low down grunt to carry a cruising gear at 80-110 kph. Much above that, you'd be shifting back to fifth, I'd reckon.
@PeterLoweOne8 ай бұрын
It's a fully retro bike. Bikes had 5 speeds back then.
@bluesysaxman8 ай бұрын
@@PeterLoweOne I understand that, however, I know one of the complaints of this bike is vibration and I wonder if adding a sixth gear would resolve that issue?
@PeterLoweOne8 ай бұрын
@@bluesysaxman maybe, but they didn't set out for ultimate refinement when they produced it, they set out for authenticity and if you smoothed it out, you'd probably alienate the main group this was made for.
@Dave-sw2dm7 ай бұрын
Love that line about motorcycling versus performance. Explains me and my motorcycle choices over the years. Like the 900RS. Love the sound, the ride, but the radiator Kills it for me.
@paengskiiigaming44223 ай бұрын
Getting this in 2028, I'm claiming it right now! I am going to work my ass off and be cheap for the next 4 years tho, but I know it will be frickin worth it!!! 🤞🏍🏍🏍
@zteburner58827 ай бұрын
Awesome review... You are the Alex of Motorcycles (reference Alex on Autos).
@mattmacpherson10337 ай бұрын
Reminds me of my 1974 R90 except the engine of course
@endrizo7 ай бұрын
love this new vitage vibe...they must do the same to CARS
@jvl48328 ай бұрын
Excellent overview Peter. Wonderful explanation and insights of a truly beautiful bike. I do ride a 1250 GS at the age of 66( yes , I am the cliché 😅), but I truly love this bike in looks and concept. How to convince my wife of the necessity of a second bike?
@dennisheidrich72398 ай бұрын
How tall are you? Your feed are not complete on the ground?
@hoklai19867 ай бұрын
Good review 💪. I apologise if I missed out some details. Does the bike have gear indicator, fuel level and fuel range display? I know it’s too basic question but maybe you can enlighten me on these. Thanks in advance for reading and responding. Appreciate it 🙏🤞🌈
@istvanpleiveisz21905 ай бұрын
none of these
@lorimcquinn39668 ай бұрын
The gorilla in the room is the fact the bike has Tube type tires. This could have been easily rectified and should have been considering the price.
@lordjesussavehealus.35057 ай бұрын
Tubed tires. You answered my question, thank you. I wished for radials.
@lorimcquinn39667 ай бұрын
@@lordjesussavehealus.3505 While I'm not 100% sure on this, I think Radial tires are not suppose to be installed with tubes. The fact that these are tube type rims, forces the issue and your get Bias tires.
@lordjesussavehealus.35057 ай бұрын
@@lorimcquinn3966 .... Yes. The whole point with riders wishing for radials, myself included, is that we do not want to "deal-with" a tube inside a tire! We wished that Kawasaki stepped it up a notch and designed the bike, rims, with radials, inferring...no more tubes! even if they could just use nice mag-wheels. Tubes are just too old-school, for some of us, and not needed for a modern-day bike this size. Thank you 😊
@daviddale4237 ай бұрын
Inner tubed wheels should be banned by law as dangerous.
@lordjesussavehealus.35057 ай бұрын
@@daviddale423 .... 🤣👍
@bfarm447 ай бұрын
I wish the emerald green was an option
@janjosephblasco74307 ай бұрын
Pete, is it good to buy this bike as my first big bike? I mean i already own a GSX-S 150cc..i am looking to upgrade bikes...just torn between w800 and z650RS
@PeterLoweOne7 ай бұрын
You could buy this as a big bike, it's not giving you the latest and greatest, but that's part of the charm with it. From a power perspective, it would still be good for a newer rider, but I tend to recommend the Z650RS more than the W800. The W800 buyer usually knows that this is exactly what they're looking for, where I feel like the Z650RS is better suited to a wider variety of riders. But that's just my opinion, don't let my opinion change yours if you feel differently than me. You're buying a bike to make YOU happy, not me!
@janjosephblasco74307 ай бұрын
@@PeterLoweOne thanks man...I think I might test ride these bikes...
@TucoDog-ho6fw7 ай бұрын
Is it actually made in Japan? If so, I would buy that before thinking about something built in India.
@barrybarnes968 ай бұрын
This is so much nicer than the new Triumphs which all have that carbuncle of a car radiator hanging off them now. The W8, the Moto Guzzi Speciale, and the Royal Enfield 350* are all authentic classic bikes. *The RE Interceptor isn't too bad but would have been so much nicer without the large oil cooler. Hey, Indian can make a completely air cooled 1800cc, so why not Royal Enfield and others?
@charlesbrowne44187 ай бұрын
Nice bike I’ll still take my Triumph Bonneville T120 400cc more for only 25 pounds more
@DavidParker-jr5bd7 ай бұрын
Driveshaft or chain drive?
@PeterLoweOne7 ай бұрын
Chain driven.
@dougfielding82157 ай бұрын
I don't think the person doing this video wants to actually sell these. He makes it sound like it is a real dog, acceleration wise. I'll tell you, my W800 Street model, when you get on the throttle IT REALLY MOVES !! It doesn't dart it gallops.
@truenorth57872 ай бұрын
Rode my 2022 from Houston to Padre Island a month or so ago. Highway all the way. What a blast. Btw, I came back to riding after almost 25 years at 66 y/o. It was like I was 30 something. Great bike.
@camillusbunghuliorojus96114 ай бұрын
I am sure Grandfathers will love the pre 2017 Version at the most. This tank is? Small? Where are the drumbrakes? But this ugly lightreflectors määäh at the backlight?? I have the 2016 black edition with chrome exhaust. That looks foggging great :-)
@craigpennington12516 ай бұрын
Those bikes were not around here & still aren't. This is Harley country & 10 to 1 ride them. Plus, they forgot the kick start pedal.
@oldogshudnobetter4987 ай бұрын
Kawasaki should come out with a scrambler version of the W800
@PeterLoweOne7 ай бұрын
I hear you, but I don't think it would be competitive with what's in the market right now. I can see them considering using the 650 twin engine that they use in every style of motorcycle in a scrambler. That would receive more mass market approval than this engine.
@novaslan7 ай бұрын
it's a shame it doesn't have gear indicator
@Jonathan-L7 ай бұрын
I just wish Kawasaki made this bike with a belt drive.
@harryshaw37607 ай бұрын
Why?
@harryshaw37607 ай бұрын
You are selling H D sporties ?
@UncleWally38 ай бұрын
It’s more than a styling exercise, but how is “more” measured? I admire the aesthetics and real world history of the W, but not so much its top-heavy handling and (ironically?) the sounds it emits and commuter-like character. Also, am I wrong that W owners battle with surface rust on chrome and some parts are easily sun-damaged? Still . . . the bike has a certain appeal.
@PeterLoweOne8 ай бұрын
I wouldn't say that they "battle" with surface rust on Chrome. It's chrome.. it needs to be maintained. There's a reason that modern bikes aren't built like this anymore. The weight distribution is different, chrome, if left alone will eventually rust (but can be easily maintained especially with modern chrome polishes) This bike isn't going to be for everyone, but that's part of the appeal to those who love it.
@dougfielding82157 ай бұрын
My W800 is 5 years old and has never had so much as a speck of even surface rust including wire spokes.
@petemccarry23267 ай бұрын
No gear indicator
@douglasburt16228 ай бұрын
GAS MILEAGE?
@zteburner58822 ай бұрын
Are you sure that is a 2024 and not a 2022? 2024 only came in dark blue.
@zteburner58822 ай бұрын
Ah... Canadian colour was different than USA.
@quidly2592 күн бұрын
Bought one 2 years ago found it worse than my A10 soon sold.
@raybrensike428 ай бұрын
160 MPH speedometer? Why do they do that? You will only use 1/3 of the meter. That sort of thing would drive me nuts. What is the point of doing that? Shouldn't it only go to 120? The numbers are easy to read, so that is nice. I wish every bike had a fuel gauge. I have never had a bike with one, except for one that worked for just a little while, but it sure was nice.
@douglasmckinley-sr15077 ай бұрын
Speedo was in kilometers so middle of speedo is 100 kilometers (62 mph)
@Makul-rt4sz6 ай бұрын
Too expensive compared to Royal Enfield..if the price was closer to Royal's price it would sell great probably
@truenorth57872 ай бұрын
It has much better feel and quality than RE.
@Makul-rt4sz2 ай бұрын
@@truenorth5787 not as much as the difference in price is..
@williammuir6387 ай бұрын
Im a grandad. Always liked this machine. However i want Wire spoked tubeless rims and tubeless tyres & Fully enclosed chain As standard or as optional accessories at time of purchase.