Kawasaki W800 ride and summary after a long break and comparison to my BMW R nineT

My Kawasaki W800 is close to 30k miles now so it's a time for a short summary... It is a good time to do that especially that I mostly rode my newer bike - the BMW R nineT Urban GS which I instantly fell in love into. Therefore I stopped riding on W800 and when recently wanted to take short trip on it I realized that MOT is gone. So I went to MOT and got it with no issues as usual. Then I decided to go for a ride and I went on a short bimble around Warwickshire. That reminded me how good that bike is and why I always loved to ride it. So: why I changed it, why I ride the beemer more and what do I think about the W - stay with me and listen to that short summary and long term review of the mighty Kawasaki W800. Did it have any issues? How does it compare to the 9T - I will answer all that... or at least will try ;)
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[@jarin8464]

I agree, we don't need to go fast to enjoy riding and appreciate the bike the way it was built for. W800 is and will be a classic bike in many hearts and souls

[@christianmouraux7269]

Fully agree, one rider needs several bikes! 😉 Thanks for the video 👍

[@slash502]

the W moves your soul. Going fast is convenient but it does not make you travel on the inner dimension.

[@UncleLongbeard]

Both move my soul, just into different directions 🤣

[@jvl4832]

The W800 is really a gorgeous, old school bike. I would love to have this bike as you do, as a second bike. My GS does everything, but this here is pure love . If only I could convince my wife!

[@UncleLongbeard]

Don't try to convince her, just buy it and say that you had to :D

[@jvl4832]

@@UncleLongbeard 😂 Brilliant , why didn’t I think about that! For the moment, watching many videos about this beauty. Feels like I am in love 💕 .

[@frenchenstein]

Great to see you out on the W. My W is the same year model, 2011, and I adore it! I'm in North Wales, I hope to see you around sometime.

[@UncleLongbeard]

We should possibly set the W meeting somewhere in Wales

[@harolddavis4138]

Great fun to watch

[@reldwob22]

Burton Dassett Hills! Although I now live in Yorkshire I grew up in Leamington and rode bikes all over Warwickshire back in the 1980's. Thanks for the beautiful scenery and I came to you video because I am looking at buying the exact same bike, even the same colour!

[@UncleLongbeard]

Good bike ... And a good place to ride 😀👍

[@Grumpy-Goblin]

For me the Kawasaki is a much more interesting bike than the BMW I don't know why I just can't warm to the looks of the r9t. I finally got around to getting rid of CBF1000 and CB500x and replaced them with a Bonneville T120 and after 5 weeks and 2700 miles my heart absolutely belongs to the Bonneville I can't stop looking at it and as soon as a ride is done I can't wait for the next one. I get why the W800 could get into your soul in a way that very few bikes can do so I look forward to seeing more of it back on your channel.

[@UncleLongbeard]

I always thought the same as you. I was never a fan of the nineT's until Urban GS came to light. Since then I loved it. It's quirky and fantastic. And now I love both of those bikes. But with all honesty if I would have to choose only one, it would be the beemer. At least for now ;)

[@STIjojoSTI]

I never liked the r nine t. Also have a T120, but also thinking of getting a W800 to add to my collection. Just dont like the colors available. Wish they sold the K3 Meguro which I would buy in a heartbeat!

[@thefrenchbullet4246]

I like the look of the BMW, but I could stare at the W800 forever. What a beautiful machine. Just got myself a 2001 W650. I had it for a week now and love it. I prefer the engine character of the 650 over the 800, but they share the same soul. You'll see it in @bulletwanderer upcoming videos, and I do have one on my channel. Just a casual ride around Normandy (where I'm from). Cheers 😁

[@UncleLongbeard]

The beemer is definitely more fun but I agree with all the rest you said. I prefer to stare at my bsa A10 though 😁 I chosen w800 over w650 for sidecar use, other than that I would go for 650 all the day

[@kdsowen2882]

I have a 2003 W650 23k's, almost run-in (they apparently 'free-up'more @30k's-ish) . Getting-older and a bit-broken in places (haha) so I find the W easy to move-about and great-fun if I cane-it the 50-odd-miles into Town on very-twisty-roads . I also have an old 82 Yamaha TR1 XV1000 that is putting-out a bit-over 70hp . It's a heavy-beast to move-about , but once it's on the road it's great , throaty-open-exhaust and set-up for a more cafe' riding-position . The torquey-motor is such-fun , very-reminiscent of my old Ducati GT750 . I will ride them both until I 'can't'. Dave NZ

[@alwood9148]

ah bearded one i still have mine12000kms now i never had to clean as u did as australia is dry and hot and as you, everytime i ride it i love it but with xs650s and triumphs to choose from..... it can be fun lol ,dont need tools with the w800! always interesting to watch your vids mate

[@UncleLongbeard]

Good to hear, I'd like to get one XS as well

[@alwood9148]

@@UncleLongbeard lot of fun see if u can find Old Biker he is a xs nut and in england

[@kdsowen2882]

@@alwood9148 I think Old Biker sold both of his . I have aTX650-cafe' project-bike , just have to re-wire it and sort the charging-system etc, bit of a beast with crazy-compression . My go-to-rides are a W650 (03 ,stock with 'opened-std-exhaust' ) and a taste-fully-modded 82 yamaha XV1000 (loud like my old Ducati's were ) my Triumph-days are long-gone now but neither of these bikes have ever left-me stranded and I ride them both hard . The W seems to loosen-up more the harder I push-it which is interesting , hopefully it doesn't loosen-up completely . Dave NZ

[@alwood9148]

@@kdsowen2882 lol ah i have a w800 2012 model also and will sell my 2 trumps 750 and 650 but will keep my 4 xs.s unless.... and AL from oz

[@stephenradke164]

Excellent

[@mikeflanagan825]

what is that extra dial on the right?Great ride

[@dermur68]

Funny - I've done the very same. Had a Kawasaki W800 for 3 years before getting a BMW R Nine T about two year's ago. Thought about selling the W800 but by changing insurer, insured both for the same price that the W800 used to cost on its own. That was all the justification I needed to hold on to the W800. W800 defintely beats the R Nine T in the comfort and reliability stakes but I love the R Nine T for that extra grunt.

[@UncleLongbeard]

100% with you

[@kdsowen2882]

I have a W650 also (03 ), beautiful machines to own and ride . My 'grunty-bike' is an old 82 Yam Tr1 XV1000 with a few-mods . I can't really justify both-bikes but I love them both . Dave NZ

[@dermur68]

@@kdsowen2882 W650 is a very nice bike too! I can understand you not wanting to get rid of it.

I have been thinking of replacing my w650, for about on year now... every bike I choose I end up pointing one or other defect... my last choice is the z900rs. I love the way it looks in pictures and from some angles, but upclose and personal it feels ginormous and dangerous... because I like to "have fun" as you say... But then, I reide the W650 for about 20-30 minutes... trying to get a glimpse of me in some mirrored surface... and my heart just says to me: DAFUQ you are never selling it. What you say is on point... it is a relaxed bike, it asks you to accelerate in a gentlemany fashion. The cool think of it is that, if you haven't tried a bigger more modern bike... you can also go "hoooligan in a suit" on it, and have a "ton" of fun under the amazed look of the ongoers... that seem to think it is an old lady.

[@UncleLongbeard]

All true

[@Fallen608]

I had the exact same feeling with the Z900RS. I love the looks of it but meeting one in real life and sitting on it... my god it's a gigantic, wide inline 4 beast. Intimidating.

[@catherineducati6696]

I like the old school side of the kawasaki W800

[@turbosteve84]

I have the 2019 W800 Cafe (20,000 miles or 32,00 kilometers) and live in The States. Love the look, and it fits my riding style as I get closer to the grave. My concern is parts availability. Trying to find matching replacement tires is an all-day job. Rear sprockets? Can't find any in the aftermarket -- had to order OEM ($$$) from Kawasaki. It's been reliable, but the common service parts I had to order (cylinder cover gasket for example) always seem to be on delayed shipping (3 - 4 days) or on back order. So I worry about keeping this thing running in three of four more years. On a side note, my ABS light came on, and the bike is currently on its third day at the dealer service department.

[@UncleLongbeard]

That's why I prefer no electronics ;) Safetywise - ABS is not a bad thing. We don't have problems with parts here in the UK, but in fact there is no aftermarket for that model.

[@tvdinner325]

Having own both brands over 40 years, the fit and finish has to go to Kawasaki.

[@UncleLongbeard]

Probably yes, however it's close enough

[@timothybrockbank7474]

That seat looks great

[@UncleLongbeard]

And it's really comfy

[@rinosys]

@@UncleLongbeardwitch brand?

[@UncleLongbeard]

@@rinosys local upholsterer

[@jackwatson3944]

👍

[@stanleylawson9015]

what is that lovely seat you have on W800, all round great bike

[@UncleLongbeard]

Local upholsterer

[@stanleylawson9015]

@@UncleLongbeard brilliant job

[@stanleylawson9015]

What’s your view on cafe version as quite a few on offer currently

[@Robyzed57]

Hi there, it seems to me you changed the original taillight with an aftermarket one, which I really like. Could you pls. tell me what brand it is and where you found it?

[@UncleLongbeard]

Search for Lucas tail lights on eBay. I'm pretty sure you can find one on AliExpress as well

[@Robyzed57]

Thank you so much!@@UncleLongbeard

[@UncleLongbeard]

@@Robyzed57 but it require grinding it a bit as the radius is a bit different than the fender's. Also the holes in the fender don't match so it requires some fiddling

[@mikefrancais]

You are playing, Captain rambunctious, background music!

[@korsal4133]

which part of England is this? It looks beautiful.

[@UncleLongbeard]

Warwickshire plus a bit of Oxfordshire

[@fiend4mojitos]

Uncle, is that gauge next to the tach a GPS?

[@UncleLongbeard]

Here's the full answer ;) kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJK2hXeLq5J4gs0

[@christosswc]

W800 is the bike for me, suits my pimp-cruising riding style and also my age and taste in looks. I feel modern bikes look almost as bad as modern cars. But that BMW's sound at the mid range is intoxicating.

[@UncleLongbeard]

that is true about the modern design... BMW is... well, it is different and that's why I like it. But I wouldn't call it a beauty, definitely not in the classic meaning :D

[@christosswc]

@@UncleLongbeard Oh yes, it does not have classic beauty but when it comes to appearance they gave it it's own unique character, which is rather rare. Nothing like the "Transformers" that everything else looks like, pretending to look futuristic. It is a truly commendable attempt at modernizing tradition in appearance, and very dynamic. Don't shoot me for this but,in a sense, it makes classic looking motorcycles a lazy proposition if you catch my drift, beautiful and everything but that beauty already existed.

[@factsnchill168]

Can I ask where you changed the exhaust? What brand?

[@UncleLongbeard]

I made it myself, there is a video on my channel with that

[@nevillekettle1823]

Many reviews are critical of the vibrations that occur around 100-120kmhr. What do you think about this ??

[@UncleLongbeard]

Before the W, I was riding mostly old school bikes with no counter balance shafts or rubber mounted engines. Compared to those bikes, the W vibrations are really mild and it doesn't bother me at all. You feel that the bike is running and the mirrors are a bit blurry but I never found it annoying, even on long distance rides. But compared to modern mellow bikes it vibrates.

[@bukkaker66]

If we have different clothes and jeans,why should we have just one bike? I have a '84 Vespa 200,BMW 800 GT for touring and BMW 650 Xcountry for trail rides Cheers

[@UncleLongbeard]

amen to that ;)

[@pointdoc1]

What helmet are you wearing in this vid? Thanks...

[@UncleLongbeard]

Arai sz-ram x

[@himydad1499]

True, the W800 is relaxing COMPARED to the BMW. But if I truly want to relax I take my RE 350 CLASSIC (thumbthumbthumb..) Having multiple bike does you appreciate the bikes MORE Having multiple wifes (no... I am not going there)

[@UncleLongbeard]

haha, I love the multiple wife idea... hopefully mine's not reading that :D Back to the bikes... Sure you can say that RE350 will be even more relaxing but the reason I still prefer the W is it's better reliability and the fact that it's easier to follow faster traffic on one. Not that you cannot do it on 350 nor that it's particularly unreliable but the W is simply better in that respect. All depends what you reckon as a 'local bimble' I guess. Will it be 60 miles around home, or the 500 miles trips to the Lakes and back. Of course doable on 350 but as a long term owner of 500 old bullet I know how painful it can be on a longer trips when you hit a faster traffic, when you have to keep constant 65 to keep with a flow. Not pleasurable anymore but totally fine on a twin.

[@himydad1499]

If I HAD to choose I'll go for the W. Lucky for me I have them both. It all boils down to how much time you have and whether you travel alone... No one to keep up with 😉

[@UncleLongbeard]

@@himydad1499 100% agree

[@stephenradke164]

What seat do you have on your Kawasaki w800, is it comfortable for your wife?. Cheers Stephen

[@UncleLongbeard]

Custom made from w800 stock seat. 2cm extra foam and gel. It is comfy for both of us

[@stephenradke164]

Thanks, replacement seats are expensive. I think I will modify the seat on mine. Cheers Stephen, South Australia

[@UncleLongbeard]

@@stephenradke164 local upholsterer did that for me for £150 with a new cover

[@2woofs784]

Hey Uncle Longbeard, the best bike for your wife is her own so she can ride faster than you.... Prayers Flying for safe travels

[@UncleLongbeard]

Probably you're right but she doesn't seem to be convinced 🤣

[@alwood9148]

a few more ?? lol is 10 too many ?? nah

[@UncleLongbeard]

10 sounds about right to me 😎👍

[@kdsowen2882]

Keep the 800 , keep the wife ?......or..... Dave NZ

[@UncleLongbeard]

Both have pros and cons 🤣

[@niedzwiedz667]

Best for your wife I Think is HD

[@UncleLongbeard]

And the sidecar 🤣