2024 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:13
The wait for the successor to Kawasaki's W 650 is over: the W 800 has a classic English appearance. But behind the nostalgic appearance there is modern technology with Japanese perfection.
Friends of classic retro bikes by Heiko P. Wacker were shocked when Kawasaki took the W 650 off the market in 2005. Half a decade later, the W 800 is now taking over the legacy: modern on the inside, yet stylish in the design of the 1960s. The successful vertical shaft machine starts at 8190 euros - and tempts you to slow down everyday life.
With the Kawasaki W 800 casual to the oldie meeting
The 800 demonstrates a love for detail: shiny handles for pillion or pillion, lots of sheet metal and lots of chrome. In addition, bellows on the standpipes, knee cushions, balloon mufflers and in the middle the wonderfully upright parallel twin. You can take the W 800 to the classic car meeting: Even experts often need a second look, while inexperienced people tend to ask about the duration of the restoration of this air-cooled gem, which only reveals the brand name on the back of the saddle.
It was similar with the W 650, which however still had a kick starter. That, however, was retired together with the carburetor system: the two-cylinder, measuring exactly 773 cubic meters, is now fueled via injection in keeping with the times. Although this is reasonably hidden behind chrome panels - the clearly visible cables could have been hidden better, or at least colored a little more discreetly.
Kawasaki W 800 with exemplary drinking habits
The engine is a further development of the W 650 machine, which has been given more cubic capacity by being bored out. However, this is not reflected in increased performance: a maximum of 35 kW / 48 PS is achieved at 6500 tours and 62 Nm at 2500 rpm. The drinking habits, on the other hand, are exemplary: even brisk rides on the motorway do not drive the value above an average of 4.8 liters. In combination with the 14 liter tank, distances of almost 300 kilometers are realistic - but if you try a little, you can get a lot further.
The long-stroke character of the 650s, however, was lost because of the less pronounced bore-to-stroke ratio. No longer stomping as classically, but also not really easy to turn, the twin gains relaxed and unexcited starting from 1500 revs until the red area begins at 7500 revs. However, anyone who ventures into these regions has not understood the principle of the theoretically 170 km / h fast W 800 - and lets the unique vertical shaft rotate vigorously. By the way, there should have been people who bought the W 650 simply because of this wonderfully complex type of valve control. With the four-valve W 800 it should hardly be any different.
Hustle and bustle is a foreign word for the Kawasaki W 800
Swinging lightly over the slopes is their true profession - even on poor asphalt. Accompanied by the pleasurable babbling from the two end pots, hectic rush loses all meaning. The Kawasaki marches forward merrily and quickly puts a smile on your face. It has only lost the characteristic exhaust slap in push mode.
Of course, the W doesn't win any country road races - it doesn't even need to. It is agile and it doesn't want to be more than that. A leisurely, enjoyable gait is the order of the day, as the sitting position makes clear. Upright, feet at right angles on the rests, hands loosely on the wide handlebar - it is so comfortable to sit enthroned over the vertical shaft. The brakes alone are likely to be more snappy: ABS is not available for the 217 kilo Kawasaki.
With the Kawasaki W 800 stress-free through everyday life
Apart from that, it's all sunshine: the W 800 looks both grown-up and complete. It celebrates the renaissance of classic details, largely hiding modern technology behind a time-honored exterior, without appearing artificial. The old was skilfully transformed into the new - which resulted in a harmonious whole that seems wonderfully suited to pulling the sting out of the stress of everyday life. The Kawa costs 8,190 euros, but it should actually be available on prescription. (mid)
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