Regulars Rides: Ashley Watson's Kawasaki W650 Custom

[@Spazza42]

I love the emphasis of riding with a map instead of a Sat Nav. He's intending on getting lost and having to pay attention to your surroundings and having some actual knowledge about where you are. It's so easy today to rock up at the front door of a place you've never been to before and forget the journey. This bike is all about the journey. Places A & B are irrelevant. I Love it.

[@zezinharias]

He's just a hipster mate. Don't read too much into it, it's just for aesthetics.

[@ianconnor3937]

Sounds poetic, but just use a GPS or not

[@napalmglop1]

You can also just ride, get lost, look for a nice terrace to get a drink and enjoy it while looking at google maps to figure out where you are and your way back.....

[@smaller_cathedrals]

@@zezinharias Amen to that.

[@billghli]

@@napalmglop1 I went for a ride Sunday just gone, got about 60 miles in but went along the coast, took a wrong turn that had me all over the place with nowhere to turn around and THEN a thunderstorm, was horrible and took me two days to dry my gloves and jacket since it didn't say there was going to be rain but I loved it and just googled my way back after the wrong turn and went from there, getting lost is fun. 😅

[@Expertpixelpusher]

That bike wants to be dirty. It wears it well. I love the look and dual-use design!

[@harrisonmathew5001]

instablaster...

[@swannyisnumberone]

Its great to see a bike built passionately with a down to earth performance in mind rather than the eye on a prize. The beauty still shines though its function over form and a make do approach. The luggage is great. Looks like a solid and reliable slugger.

[@nickjames205]

This may be my favorite of all the regular rides bikes. Just awesome

[@diggoryrayment1429]

this dude has one of the nicest bikes we have seen on this show

[@esuohdica]

Don't usually like this type of bike, but hearing this guy talk through the build I totally get it now! I would make space for that in the garage no problem!

[@DriversSide]

That is the coolest looking scrambler ever! I’d use that as an adventure bike any day!

[@yahoodlums]

I really like a lot of the handmade touches, especially the brass tail light and the muffler. Good job. Plus, it looks well used which is the best way for bikes to look!

[@jimmypopp2695]

I just found out about the Triumph clone bike from Kawasaki and I love it!! I have a Kz750 chopper and I got rid of my Triumph bobber and I sold my one off 1650 VW/BMW Ural Hybrid so now I have room for a couple of these bikes. Thanks Ashley!!

[@treerat6959]

What a inspirational young man self employed riding cycles defiantly living a dream. And the cycle so utilitarian for work and play and covers both with equal amounts of class.

[@david555montez9]

I think I love!!!!! Woooow Amazing machine buddy!!! Congratulations 👏👏👏😉🤘

[@thepracticalman5905]

Looks brilliant...what a great build!!!!!

[@kingldm]

What a cool looking bike and great story 👍

[@kennymacm3031]

That’s an absolutely cracking bike

[@olrenison]

Nice. Looks great all loaded up ready for adventure. 👍

[@garykyle5750]

Bloody brilliant mate.

[@jhhd1]

Awesome bike, always loved the W650, great job

[@markbarber7839]

Great presentation. The low idle is nice on the carbureted W. Fuel injection model is 1250rpm

[@ivanmondragon2735]

im gonna use this bike as my prime inspiration for my first build, i love it. cheers from canada

[@ronhipwell5543]

Well done! Love what you’ve done here. Bravo!

[@konstantinosmaounis798]

Fantastic build

[@MrPablojack]

that detail in that backpack. I love it!

[@stephenallen3683]

Really nice bike,needs to be ridden and used love the build.

[@christiancartmale1150]

Nice, very admirable. I always thought the w650s were neat bikes, we don't have them in Canada. Very cool to see one modified to this extent.

[@jakenuas6282]

I really love this kind of bike!!!

[@JamesCouch777]

Awesome job on the build 👍

[@howlingdog77]

My word, that is a cool bike!

[@Kirchert919]

wow this bike is SICK !

[@dnzrdm]

Looks fantastic. Also very well done with the bags.

[@AshleyWatson_FromTheRoad]

Thank you - glad you like the look of the panniers.

[@electricfringe]

I like that. I'm not really a biking enthusiast, I just just use it riding to from work (88 miles a day). But I do like the look and sound if that bike

[@thorkellthetall4827]

That's a very handsome engine. Always was a fan of visible rocker arms.

[@Stuntman175]

That is not a rocker arm, it's a bevel drive. The cams stay in the head instead of being on the block and a bevel driven rotating assembly takes the power from the crankshaft to the cams up top. This system was made famous by Ducati.

[@mebeasensei]

New W800 has been released for 2019. New injection. 52 bhp. Looks great. Still no kick start and plastic guards, (who cares, we'll change those soon enough) Great news.

[@allanlloydlim9801]

This is ultimate!, people should realise !

[@adilllllllllll]

U r gem of a person bro

[@doylehurt2014]

Well done!! Have fun!!

[@rajb5595]

Less is more !! Your bike looks splendid!

[@anthonybaiocchi3028]

Really awesome bike!

[@Psycrow11]

Bike and Bags are beautiful

[@AshleyWatson_FromTheRoad]

Thank you - glad you like the look of the panniers.

[@coffee11970]

Beautiful bike!!!!!!!!

[@samiulhuda4134]

Absolutely love the bike

[@mraz5812]

Cool bike makes the rider look cool.

[@abbaby555]

So cool, thanks for sharing

[@angrymancunian]

Like the bike! Sounds rougher than a bus full of Valley Commandos though!

[@jimmylincoln4082]

Very nice, thanks for sharing

[@Flaming360Spider]

Nice good looking motorcycle 👍

[@dkmu6]

This bike is made for riding!

[@Davolas46]

I love that MT500 side luggage

[@robertwoodliff2536]

"Well Officer....., i think I was doing 60 "

[@Unfunny_Username_389]

I don't understand why the light and the clocks etc. are superior to the originals. I'd be extremely surprised if the light is brighter than the OEM one. In other words, I lose patience with people who claim to be creating a more practical machine when really it's about achieving a look. NB I have no problem whatsoever with creating a look. My point is simply this: don't try to tell me it's tougher, more practical and functions better - because many of these modifications do not. I owned a W650 for five years and considered several modifications. I quickly realised that none of them could improve on original fitments - the only thing I did do was to fit a mud flap to the front mudguard.

[@diaryofawanderingboot]

Custom made is the word.

[@Johan-og4ru]

when he started talking shit about the map I couldn't believe his level of pretentiousness. XD

[@greyghost1101]

Because he likes it. I doubt he cares if you do. Plus it's his to trick out his way not ours.

[@Unfunny_Username_389]

@@greyghost1101 My point is that many of these changes are for aesthetic not practical reasons. Be honest about that. That's all I'm saying.

[@Southwestcatfish]

His bike his opinion yours isn't necessary

[@SiopaoSauc3]

One of my favorite parts is actually the bicycle storage on the wall.

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Great fun - like that one....must get meself a project bike......

[@captainaverage721]

How about an 865 bonnie?

[@philski2589]

Excellent build, some lovely touches 👌👌👌

[@henrifischer1119]

what a lovely motorcycle

[@auliarahman7820]

no one? k. the idle sounds is amazing!

[@thomaswoodall5732]

Love this bike!

[@kabeemer]

It's pretty sad Kawasaki discontinued this fantastic machine, with present 600cc market today's, it would be quite interesting if W650 re-introduce again.

[@paulonline123]

That’s one of my favourites.

[@ixiknivesixi1058]

Almost sounds like an old prop plane. Great, or brilliant as our cousins would say.

[@azizalaliq8]

Looks sick

[@blogusvox]

One thing I like about your bike concept... few people will have the interest of stealing it.

[@keyboarddancers7751]

There was I thinking it was a requirement when doing adventure bike trips of several weeks that you needed Ohlins electronically adjustable suspension, a nav tower and Kriega Overlander panniers!!

[@kdsowen2882]

Nice One . What did you do to the-carbs to make pod-filters work ? Dave nz

[@umaxen0048]

This bike is as super-sweet as Pamela Anderson circa her Playboy era, 1998...

[@jimmyb4982]

That's probably the best compliment he's likely to hear.

[@utesbikes63]

Bloody nice bike well done where can we see more pic of it?

[@mebeasensei]

..love it. I also have a W I've cut and customed and wanna travel, but getting compliance with the custom bits might be a nightmare. Maybe Euro is better. Sticking carb floats seem to be a W650 quirk. Carry a hammer!

[@RigelThomas]

personally, I like my bike to be a lit bit dirty. awesome bike.

[@Rom1990pod]

Cool bike! Nice helmet!

[@JasonPatz]

This is the best motorcycle.

[@TheGreatestBeyonder]

air cooled bikes rock! His sounds cool! 👍

[@KingstonLaneWorkshop]

Love it great bike

[@mebeasensei]

I finally returned my w650 to stock airbox and exhaust after ten years of failure trying to jet the carbs for pod airfilters and a pretty open 2-1 exhaust. It was so sad to have to add all the extra weight of the stock chrome pipes and airbox - even though I don't mind the look. But after spending hundreds and hundreds of dollars paying mechanics...countless heartache moments out on the road with it spluttering along I just gave up. The best I could get was fantastic high speed and mid range but just shocking jolting and spluttering at low around town riding in traffic. I give up. I tip my hat to all who have managed to nake their w650s rideable and enjoyable to ride at ALL speeds and conditions, with pods and a 2-1 exhaust.

[@marz444]

this is awesome

[@poncesean]

Is it okay to use mushroom filter rather than air box?

[@abhiramchintangal7654]

Hey those pannier frames thingies, it looks like you folks used the rear shock mounts. Was it a straightforward install? I would love to install them. Hopefully I can find em stateside. Cheers and its a dope build!

[@danilocapellan1316]

Beautiful motorcycle original excellent work, I love it . 👍🏽

[@kencward]

Love that bike@

[@921CustomWorks]

beautiful!!!

[@glennoc8585]

Looks like something stevev mcqueen would ride.

[@henryhartley9993]

Nice bike Ash...

[@GTFour]

That's a lovely bike

[@WanderingElkFlutes]

I want to know about those headlight brackets, custom job maybe?

[@lucaaiello9340]

good job hasley

[@stuartmccloud307]

Loving this bike, what a romantic classic look.

[@wiredmoto]

I want it!

[@shapeShashwat]

Motivational 👍🏽

[@johannesvanderwesthuizen6906]

I'd put a quilted leather seat on it instead but apart from that it's perfect

[@michaelhayward7572]

Er, whatever floats your boat man...

[@garyb2392]

She’s a beauty

[@josephconradbaker]

Superb

[@martincdmastercarter2468]

Saludos !!!desde mexico bro tengo una similar ala tuya es 1990

[@mebeasensei]

Sticking carbs? Welcome to the W World....but a great engine anyway. ..and I want that panier carrier frame...Where is it available?

[@kevinh4910]

This is bad ass

[@maxschwabenthal3790]

Still waiting for the package system to go for sale…

[@sandipbiswas766]

The exhaust reminds me of the Enfield Bullet

[@hippomanthe1]

How come he can use a black and white plate? The bikes are from the early 2000’s roughly and in the uk vehicles need to be 40 years old to classify for them. Is there a loop hole to use them?

[@digbypowell6208]

Just do it man ! Paint it black then file back the numbers to silver allgoods ! But to be safe on the road make sure you have a loud Pipe to compensate for the modification #loudPipesSaveLives

[@handyman7297]

love the bike only rpms are kinda low

[@sajan7700]

Where can I find that handlebar???

[@splodge57]

Nice bike, I have a standard W650 love it. Where's your battery?

[@AshleyWatson_FromTheRoad]

It's in the pan under the seat.

[@jerryhelm5118]

Oh a kawy ..best made bike in the world..yeah I said ...owned many of them..my

[@1990-t1j]

Is that a 130 or 140 section on the rear? Great bike. I love it.

[@michaelhayward7572]

Like it. Tank is not T140, more than likely unit '63-70 T120/TR6.

[@Taita8744]

do you actually at least search it before saying these things? mah