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

[@DriversSide]

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

[@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!

[@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 👍

[@markbarber7839]

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

[@jhhd1]

Awesome bike, always loved the W650, great job

[@kennymacm3031]

That’s an absolutely cracking bike

[@garykyle5750]

Bloody brilliant mate.

[@olrenison]

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

[@ivanmondragon2735]

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

[@konstantinosmaounis798]

Fantastic build

[@ronhipwell5543]

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

[@MrPablojack]

that detail in that backpack. I love it!

[@jakenuas6282]

I really love this kind of bike!!!

[@stephenallen3683]

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

[@dnzrdm]

Looks fantastic. Also very well done with the bags.

[@AshleyWatson_FromTheRoad]

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

[@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.

[@Kirchert919]

wow this bike is SICK !

[@JamesCouch777]

Awesome job on the build 👍

[@howlingdog77]

My word, that is a cool bike!

[@Psycrow11]

Bike and Bags are beautiful

[@AshleyWatson_FromTheRoad]

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

[@rajb5595]

Less is more !! Your bike looks splendid!

[@adilllllllllll]

U r gem of a person bro

[@allanlloydlim9801]

This is ultimate!, people should realise !

[@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.

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

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

[@captainaverage721]

How about an 865 bonnie?

[@poncesean]

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

[@utesbikes63]

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

[@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

[@kdsowen2882]

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

[@doylehurt2014]

Well done!! Have fun!!

[@samiulhuda4134]

Absolutely love the bike

[@WanderingElkFlutes]

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

[@anthonybaiocchi3028]

Really awesome 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.

[@Davolas46]

I love that MT500 side luggage

[@abbaby555]

So cool, thanks for sharing

[@Flaming360Spider]

Nice good looking motorcycle 👍

[@coffee11970]

Beautiful bike!!!!!!!!

[@thomaswoodall5732]

Love this bike!

[@jimmylincoln4082]

Very nice, thanks for sharing

[@dkmu6]

This bike is made for riding!

[@henrifischer1119]

what a lovely motorcycle

[@nabilzulkefli6094]

does anyone where can i get the bracket(?) that hold the bag?

[@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!!

[@philski2589]

Excellent build, some lovely touches 👌👌👌

[@mraz5812]

Cool bike makes the rider look cool.

[@paulonline123]

That’s one of my favourites.

[@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

[@maxschwabenthal3790]

Still waiting for the package system to go for sale…

[@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.

[@sajan7700]

Where can I find that handlebar???

[@vaudiw1]

can i ask the size of k70s you chose ?

[@auliarahman7820]

no one? k. the idle sounds is amazing!

[@mebeasensei]

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

[@angrymancunian]

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

[@primalfitnesstraininguk8619]

Whats the headlight buddy?

[@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!

[@ixiknivesixi1058]

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

[@sandipbiswas766]

The exhaust reminds me of the Enfield Bullet

[@Rom1990pod]

Cool bike! Nice helmet!

[@KingstonLaneWorkshop]

Love it great bike

[@azizalaliq8]

Looks sick

[@josephconradbaker]

Superb

[@calemarlow2283]

is there no paint on the tank?

[@921CustomWorks]

beautiful!!!

[@handyman7297]

love the bike only rpms are kinda low

[@SiopaoSauc3]

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

[@kencward]

Love that bike@

[@TheGreatestBeyonder]

air cooled bikes rock! His sounds cool! 👍

[@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!

[@Cezhiyan07]

What is the name of starting music?

[@marz444]

this is awesome

[@JasonPatz]

This is the best motorcycle.

[@1990-t1j]

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

[@georgeknox]

Will you have the bags for sale at the bike shed?

[@AshleyWatson_FromTheRoad]

If all goes to plan. Fingers crossed!

[@danilocapellan1316]

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

[@martincdmastercarter2468]

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

[@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.

[@splodge57]

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

[@AshleyWatson_FromTheRoad]

It's in the pan under the seat.

[@lucaaiello9340]

good job hasley

[@GTFour]

That's a lovely bike

[@stuartmccloud307]

Loving this bike, what a romantic classic look.

[@AlNikoros]

What is a rough price for such a beauty?

[@shapeShashwat]

Motivational 👍🏽

[@henryhartley9993]

Nice bike Ash...

[@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

[@thomaswaldorf9141]

would like to listen to it run.

[@BikeShedMotoCo]

Thomas Waldorf Watch the video then....

[@garyb2392]

She’s a beauty

[@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.

[@MrGentileg]

Who built this for you? Lovely bike.

[@AshleyWatson_FromTheRoad]

It's a workshop called Maven Industries.