Kawasaki W800
Verified12 reviews
It does not fail in any area and delivers in all – Kawasaki delivers on it's intended purpose, a modern golden oldie. The closest comparison probably an 850 Norton. Handling is solid and good enough. Performance is as expected but with more low rpm torque than expected. Brakes. Progressive with good feel and power. Riding position near perfect (pegs 25mm forward ) Seat comfort very good even… Read more
after 5 hours riding. Vibrations, well probably best described as pulsations. No numb fingers. Headlight good in spread and range. Love the twin analogue instruments. If one wanted to be picky, the rear shocks could have more damping, compressive & rebound, but ARE not an issue. For the market/owner Kawasaki targeted, they have in my opinion "nailed" it. If your used to sports/cruiser/adventure bikes this will be different. Just a nice, nice, machine.
2019 Kawasaki W800 – I purchased this bike once I sold my Spyder as I was looking for a light motorcycle that I could still carry a passenger that was not a cruiser. I enjoy the neutral riding position it provides although I would prefer a flat seat to allow me to move around a bit more. The 2020 + models do have a different seat so it may be better. There are also… Read more
aftermarket options available. I added a small windshield available on Amazon to cut some of the wind and a passenger backrest purchased on Aliexpress. The bike performs very well on backroads at 90 - 100 km/h and is definitively not a sports bike. There is a noticeable vibration but it makes the bike feel retro and is not annoying at all.
I'm surprised to read some reviews about underwhelming performance about the bike given it's an air cooled twin (what were you expecting?). If you're looking for more performance with a retro look check out the Z RS series or another brand. My advice would be to try a used one before purchase since this bike might not be for everyone.
I know Royal Enfield makes a competing bike but I just couldn't get myself to purchase one. Like passenger vehicles, I purchase Japanese brands for increased reliability and quality.
Soo good I brought another – Just another update - February 2023 - on my 2019 Kawasaki W 800, & if you can name a bike, well I call her ‘summer’ as she brings back all the Perth memories of summer 77 thru to ‘82. - have 20,00 km on her now & just past 11,000 km she ‘opened up’ & runs more freely, like I think I’m doing 80k & I look at the speedometer & it’s 100! Like wow! … Read more
Was fortunate enough to purchase a Corbin seat for her, ( & as mentioned prior the stock seat is just fine) but for quarter of the new price I brought a very comfortable seat & the same with a ‘MC performance exhaust’ in stainless steel for $400 off , she has a nice sound to her now, but the stock exhaust was fine also. At 185 tall I added 2•5 cm bar risers which make the mirrors work a treat & are all day comfortable. Was also fortunate to purchase a set of Nonfago Panniers for $50 & with a small front fairing she’s become a little tourer when required. Great bike ? So much so I purchased another ‘pre-loved’ Green w800 for my daily ride as ‘ a thing of beauty IS a joy forever. Highly Addictive & Recommended.
W800street2020- exhaust failure at 13,000km – Bike has been fun to ride since purchasing from Brisbane Australia dealer in June 2020 Bike was shop demo with 110km in clock Sadly the exhaust system cracked out of warranty and Kawasaki Australia advised in writing that while it was unusual they don't think it is manufacturing defect so are not interested in helping with cost to replace part … Read more
The bike is stock standard, only used on sealed roads and was returned for factory recall regarding exhaust nut issue when advised I am writing this review in the hope that other owners may be able to inspect their exhausts prior to end of warranty and save themselves a $1900 replacement bill Any questions feel to PM me Cheers Tony
W800 cafe - underwhelming – A year ago I bought this bike because I'd always wanted to try a W650 or W800 and riders I spoke to seemed to like their bikes. I bought it interstate and made the mistake of not having a test ride first. I have a Moto Guzzi 750 and an SV650 and these two bikes are more fun to ride. I've decided that I don't particularly like 360 degree twins. I… Read more
did 1200kms in the first month and since then it has sat unused and up for sale. The finish is extremely good. Nothing else I can say.
Expensive but worth it – I have the 2011 W800 and I have done around 30000 kms on it. I ride it daily, all year round, in all sorts of weather in southern Tasmania. I have modded the exhaust, put gold emulators in the front shocks and Hagon shocks on the rear effectively lowering the bike by about 20mm. I am 6,1". The bike has been super reliable with regular oil and… Read more
filter changes, and recently a new chain and tappet spacers. I've dropped it twice, both times going at less than 15kms/h on slippery surfaces (my own fault). I just picked it up and rode it home. With 39K on the clock it starts first time every time.
I'd recommend the Bridgestone Battalax BT45 tyres - they're the best I've used so far. Wet and dry handling have been good even with 'spirited riding' on the stock set-up. Having said that - putting gold emulators in the front shocks was a great upgrade! I live on a dirt road, and commute on sealed roads of up to 100km/hr speed limit. While it's not a dirt bike, the ergonomics of the bike make it easy to handle on slippery roads - unless your silly like myself.
It has enough power and handling for all legal road riding, and a fair bit more that is best saved for private roads or tracks. The bike has probably picked up a few hp from stock with a freer flowing exhaust and fuel controller but It's not a race bike. It's fun enough but not scary fast.
The suspension upgrades I've made add a sporty feel to the bike and makes it an excellent commuter and tourer. I pillion my 9 yr old son on it - it does that without problems.
I'd recommend it to anyone that is after a sensible road / commuter bike. It fulfils that role perfectly, and the quality of the finish and reliability make the price tag sensible. It's a quality bike.
I haven't ridden the Royal Enfield 650 - but thats' also worth a look.
I was lucky enough to find a cheap second hand one with 9K on the clock.
Great Retro Bike – I have owned my W800 for a couple of years and done a few k's on it now. Mine is not the latest model. The newer model has ABS and slipper clutch + a few other goodies. Even without this, mine is a great bike. It is a bike that you can fall in love with. It isn't the fastest. Nor am I. Having said that it is more than capable of losing your… Read more
licence for you if you chose to ride over the speed limit. Importantly however, the bike feels great to ride at the speed limit. The bike is comfortable, reminiscent of older brit bikes. But unlike a older brit bikes it doesn't leak oil and (touch wood) mine has never broken down. Like an older brit bike it is easy and no drama to do the servicing myself. The bike does have a lovely vibe through the bars to let you know you are riding a 60's technology inspired twin. The older models do not have the ABS of the latest ones, however the single disk front/drum rear stop sufficiently without savage braking of some bikes that make ABS more relevant. One criticism is the lack of fuel guage, or even a reserve switch, however a light on the dash warns that fuel is running low, and a trip meter means that I have never had issue with running out of fuel. I have read thad fuel range from the 14 litre tanks is approaching 280km however I usually need to stop, fuel and stretch my legs before that distance. The W800 doesn't have a name starting with T on the badge, however a little bit of reading about this bike and the new bonnevilles, you realise that this one is more true to original models heritage than the other one. The bevel drive has a lovely whine to let you know that it is there. Aesthetically the bike is beautiful. It is possible to (lightly) tour on the bike, a seat bag works perfectly for an overnight trip. There are even hook down points built on the bike. I love mine and can see it sitting in the shed under a cover for many years to come, taken out for a leisurely ride through the country on a nice day. For this, the bike is perfect.
Excellent to modify – One of the easiest bikes to modify to improve look and handeling. Great comeback of the classic W. This bike will give anyone who enjoys a project a lot of options. Easy tune ups and installations of improved parts. I have replaced mudguards, food pegs, mirrors, speedo, handelbar, leavers... You name it. It's looking now better than one of these… Read more
customs that you buy in a shop. Great project bike for someone who once to get into it... and yes it rides well too.
W800 : a realistic assessment – I read a lot before I got this bike. However, the problem with motorcycle reviews is that the riders tend to go into la-la land as soon as they turn on the ignition. You ask a guy about an old Ducati and he waxes lyrical about it. However, in reality, the electrics never work. "It's the romance of the bike" as the saying goes. Obviously,… Read more · 4
there's little romance about the W800 but there is a little. It is a semi-retro bike which is in the process of going out of production. It's based on a pretty popular W650 which was fundamentally just a smaller bike and has been pretty successful in the earlier part of this century.
The biggest difference between the two bikes is the W800 is fuel-injected and it is a big difference, as I found out. Fuel injection is digital which means that the fuel is on and off. Carburettors are analogue, which is far less binary. Crucially, acceleration is also analogue. It's a steadily increasing thing. So is deceleration and you dont want a motorcycle to suddenly stop when you back off the throttle.
Now obviously the fuel injection has been made to be progressive to some degree by various feedback systems around the bike that smooth out the on-off nature of the throttle response. However, the problem remains and is most apparent when the bike is decelerating, accelerating and just meandering around in low revs.
The problem would seem to be worse if you put some loud unbaffled exhaust pipes on the bike. I can only say "seem" because I've never ridden a W800 with original pipes but I assume that the restrictive nature of the original exhausts richens up the mixture when the throttle is backed off or if the bike is coasting, and this smooths out the ride.
As I've subsequently found out post-buying the bike, there is a significant industry involved in addressing the fuel injection problem of the bike. The "fixes" revolve around modifying the mapping of the fuel injection or the less invasive approach of fiddling with the temperature feedback to the ECU.
So after all of that, what is the bike like? Well after the fix, it's great. It's an upright seating position that is perfect for legal riding i.e riding under the speed limit. The motor is pretty smooth, although there will always be people who want some sensory feedback to tell them that they are legends.
Personally, I dont like the original tyres which remind me of how old car tyres used to react when they came into contact with melbourne's tramlines.....well not that bad.
I like it. I'm old and I dont jump off planes or surf wild breaks. It's very relevant to know these things when you're reading a review of a motorcycle. I was originally a little disappointed about the rideability of the bike when I got it because of the fuel injection issue. However, it has been sorted out about 70% by the cheaper less-invasive mod and I can live with it now. I can always put the original pipes back on and it will probably ride like a dream and sound like a sewing machine. It's a question of balance, of priorities.
Great, authentic 'classic' bike – I have owned mine for about 6 months now and am loving it. Ill admit, I was very nervous laying down a large sum of money on a new bike but I have not had any regrets thus far. Its very reliable, comfortable and well made. Unlike a new Bonnieville, every think is chrome and metal as it should be! Its not the fastest out there but it is very… Read more · 1
capable with lots of torque and the ability to pull away in any gear. Its not about speed with this - its all about the look and feel. I've had many strangers come up to me and have a chat about it.
Ive used it literally every sunny day since Ive had it and have had no issues what so ever. Gets about 180 klm in city traffic to a 12 litre tank (leaving more left over for reserve).
Buy this bike if your like me and would love a classic but dont have time for the repairs and maintenance. Style, quality, reliability, solidness (very few plastic parts), easy to enjoy Quiet exhaust,
Simply gorgeous – Bought one in NZ, sept 2012. A simple bike for simpler times. Works best at a unhurried speed, with no destination in mind. Screen, panniers will spoil the look in my opinion and there are better suited bikes around. But if you just want something that makes you smile everytime you ride it and have strangers stop to compliment you on your bike,… Read more
this is it. A keeper. Useful torque means no need to constantly change gears around town. Not built for speed or touring in comfort.
The best executed retro ever! – I have had my W800 since January and it is the most enjoyable bike I have ever owned.Kawasaki got the retro look and feel almost perfectly,the only dissappointments are the overly quiet mufflers hiding that beautiful 360 degree parallel twin sound and the cheap looking cover on the left side injector body but both these problems are easily fixed… Read more · 2
with after market replacements.
They managed to get maximum torque down to 2500 RPM which makes this one of the easiest to ride bikes ever and if you're doing at least 70 KPH there is no need to drop out of top gear so you can relax like you would on a cruiser but if you feel like a bit of spirited riding it's relatively light weight and good handling mean you can keep up with most bikes on a winding road so you get the best of both worlds in one bike.
The build quality for a bike in this price range is outstanding and I think Kawasaki went out of their way to give retro enthusiasts a high quality product. The authentic retro look and feel and build quality, great fuel economy, if it's any thing like theW650 - good resale value. Overly quiet mufflers.
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