Kawasaki W800 (Cafe) - Complete In Depth Review!

[@DonJ.]

This may not be anyone first bike, but it's definity should become part of anyone collection. The w800 retro DNA from Meguro and BSA from the 1960's styling with that great sounding exhaust note and bevel shaft drive! You can't beat that feeling and enjoyment just cruising around town or the back roads... Just be careful leaning it around corners, even thought you're in a sport riding position you'll grind your pegs real easy. I really enjoy my W800/CR, Excellent video!

[@SteveBlancoMusicianWarrior]

I have the regular model from 2020 and love every inch of it! Cheers from NYC. That bevel gear is so cool!

[@PeterLoweOne]

I really want to see the model you have, I think that would be the W800 for me. Thanks for watching!

[@madcat5965]

I have this exact bike and love it more every day

[@PeterLoweOne]

That's awesome! The more time I spend with it, the more I like it. For me, I'd prefer the more standard riding position, but the look of this is pretty cool, and the overall riding characteristics of this... cruising on a weekend with a true classic bike with just the right modern components... it's just cool. Thanks for sharing!

[@a.a.5386]

@@PeterLoweOne Iv seen some Cafe version of W800 with the "original" handlebar as it said on a website. It can work well if someone is planning on riding it on long journeys

[@fiend4mojitos]

A year ago I never heard of a W800. Now, I own 2. I may be dating myself, but back in the day they were known as Z1s, and Z900s; not Zed. Zed was in Pulp Fiction. He owned a chopper…

[@theprodigymotovlog2070]

This is actually a good bike for riders going up from below 200cc to 800cc. Its direct competitor would be the triumph speed twin 900.

[@PeterLoweOne]

It's certainly less intimidating from a power perspective, compared to a modern 800 cc bike. I think this bike really suits riders who want a true vintage bike experience, without the oil dripping on their driveway, and without the constant reliability issues. In this Cafe form, it's just a really unique bike.

[@theprodigymotovlog2070]

@@PeterLoweOne I actually prefer the body position on this bike than the others with higher handle bars. I own a lower cc bike before with semi agressive position and a bike with a higher handlebars, I love the lower handlebars more.

[@stevek7614]

Yes -- the W800 Cafe has a Slipper Assist Clutch, or simply a Slipper Clutch. The bike is crying for rear sets to complete the Cafe package. Dunlops are horrible. Replace both ASAP if you buy one. Since you're more likely to buy this used than new now that the Cafe is discontinued, hopefully the previous owner has replaced the tires. Like Peter said -- this bike is NOT for everyone. You know who you are.

[@Baleur]

I just feel like those extremely inward facing handles will be a nightmare in right corners, how the heck are you supposed to get the proper finger grip on the throttle?

[@PeterLoweOne]

I think sometimes they look worse on camera. It's not the setup that I would choose, but in regular riding, I think it would be fine. Only in the tightest slow speed manoeuvres could I see it being an issue. But again, they're not for everyone.

[@fungi6140]

hello again peter i discovered by taking the gear lever off completely to discovered what i was to be expected which was a fully splined gear lever to match its fully splined gear shaft was smiles all around .If i didn't mention before it's a 2021 kawasaki W EJ800B variant C1 but version B. what or how many versions does this machine have and what does a variant C1 mean the model is an EJ800 CKF CAFE and the info is coming off the V5 log book and in the order given . call me thick or stupid but it's becoming a little confusing to me and any more of your time finding out would be a great thing on this variant C1 malarky would be greatly appreciated .

[@patrickfitzgerald2861]

I may have missed it, but I don't think you mentioned that this has a five speed transmission rather than six, a significant downside when riding at freeway speeds.

[@krhump]

Pretty sure they are 5

[@krhump]

Very interesting

[@jacksonb8114]

I’m new to this world, is it possible to replace the handlebars with traditional styled ones? And I’m assuming the front fairing is removable

[@PeterLoweOne]

The 2023 model isn't available as this "Cafe" model. The new one has a more traditional riding position which is much more comfortable for me. Here's a video of that bike. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nnTGdJ6clK-JgdE

[@jacksonb8114]

@@PeterLoweOne I’m actually looking into getting one second hand, it only has 500kms and is a third of the price now.

[@PeterLoweOne]

@@jacksonb8114 that's a great deal!! If it has such low kilometers, it's worth more than 1/3 the price of new. Sounds like you have a great solution! Enjoy!

[@AJ-nf6gf]

Turn that front to the right when filming from right side!!! Please

[@MrWhitelightning73]

I’ve heard different complaints about excessive vibration 😢

[@PeterLoweOne]

I think that's a lack of understanding of what they're buying. This bike is built LIKE the older bikes. By modern standards, it's going to vibrate. You're going to experience a less refined motorcycle by not having a bike with the latest technology. So yeah, it will vibrate more, and have a unique sound, and a less precise handling experience than a modern bike. That's the charm of this bike, more than the faults of this bike.

[@paulski6436]

@@PeterLoweOne That is spot on explanation! I have just came back from a test ride of a low mileage 2019 example and I loved the little buzz across the whole frame, nice sound - live - all youtube reviews soundtracks cannot do justice to the sound of this motorbike and yes, steering isn't as razor blade sharp and precise, but when you get used to it, you can have lots of fun on this bike, and sometimes it even pops from downpipes when downshifting. I do not know if it was only the bike I rode, but my concern was that at speed range between 30-50 mph front was little wobbly, when let go of bars it would wobble gently, you can feel that it makes some wobbly movement whilst holding on the bars too, but it is not something what would rip the bars out of your hands, just a gentle, phlegmatic wobble...

[@millygeorge4124]

Nice bike!

[@PeterLoweOne]

Almost first... but just a tad too slow!

[@1stfrompuertorico568]

Oops, another fan!😄😄🎉🎊🎉🎊💐💐💐

[@bobwheeler8517]

It was based on the BSA a7

[@jn1982]

Km/h? Ah you're in New Brunswick

[@PeterLoweOne]

Not everyone is American.

[@herrtomas6729]

hi - three of us, 14 seconds apart......

[@PeterLoweOne]

Yeah, this was VERY close between you all!

[@herrtomas6729]

@@PeterLoweOne I just wish you had many more viewers - given the effort you put into your reviews. Thanks again for all you do Peter.

[@PeterLoweOne]

@@herrtomas6729 it will happen in time. The last channel took years to build, but it was growing exponentially when I left. This channel will grow in time. I'm in a better place for me now, so even if the channel doesn't look as successful yet, know that I'm having far more success overall right now. I have a great life!

[@fungi6140]

hello ive just bought myself an 2021 kawasaki W800 CKF cafe which has a fully splined gear shaft and was wondering why the gear lever dos'nt have the same as exspected to fit the splines on the shaft and no one seams so have a straight answer for me and clearly just being fobbed off the gear lever thats on there is compleataly smooth with a nut and bolt for tightening to the shaft frustrating to me as you can imagine. can you put me out of my misery?

[@bobwheeler8517]

Triumph copy

[@PeterLoweOne]

It's a replica of a Kawasaki bike that was built in the sixties. But I hear you, Triumph is likely the most direct competitor to this model.

[@1stfrompuertorico568]

First!!!

[@PeterLoweOne]

Just squeaked it out with a new competitor! Nicely done!

[@1stfrompuertorico568]

@@PeterLoweOne 😄😄😄 more supporters, that's great!