w800

[viper]

what do we all think to the kawasaki W800, would you have one? ive never seen one in the flesh

are the triumph retro bikes, like the bonneville a more attractive option.

if kawasaki can make the w800, how come they never went for a z1 look a like, i think we would all have one !

[O.C.]

Viper I used to own this, which is a W650, its was a very nice bike, and in so many ways I now think/know that I should have kept it instead of buying an original 1959 BSA A10 650 which was a pile of crap.

At least with the W650 you had a reliable bike that worked, and had brakes, plus an electric and kick start, it looked and sounded the 'part' too

I P/xd it with a GS to get my Green GTR

I'm sure that the W800 which also available in a Special edition format is even better 



BTW a Z1 is just that ......a Z1, they aren't all that they are cracked up to be, give me my H2c any day     

[coman37]

The Zephyr 1100 is the closest that Big K have come to replicating the Z900. The manufacturers actually have no interest in helping you(us) relive your youth.

The actual number who would buy a replica/re-engineered Z900/Z1B (RD 400/LC 350) etc is a lot less than you think and it is only worth doing if there is sufficient demand. I am sure that Kwak, Honda and Yam have all done their projections and know that 100% of people asked would like these remade, less than 2%(?) would actually buy them. A new Z900 or LC350 would cost approx £10k ( the Zed would need big ugly exhausts to meet new emission regs and the LC could not be made to meet regs). You can get a fully restored "real" Z900 for less than £10k and still get LC's for less than £4k so why buy a"fake"

Coman

[Charlie747]

The Zephyr 1100 is the closest that Big K have come to replicating the Z900. The manufacturers actually have no interest in helping you(us) relive your youth.

The actual number who would buy a replica/re-engineered Z900/Z1B (RD 400/LC 350) etc is a lot less than you think and it is only worth doing if there is sufficient demand. I am sure that Kwak, Honda and Yam have all done their projections and know that 100% of people asked would like these remade, less than 2%(?) would actually buy them. A new Z900 or LC350 would cost approx £10k ( the Zed would need big ugly exhausts to meet new emission regs and the LC could not be made to meet regs). You can get a fully restored "real" Z900 for less than £10k and still get LC's for less than £4k so why buy a"fake"

Coman

But with the proviso that Triumph know what they are doing and have brought to main stream market the Bonnie with rich rewards .......................the W800 is a fine looking bike in the flesh (check out Lloyds Cooper M/C for a deal) and Honda's CB750 retro as you say will only sell to a very niche market

Doing my dealer calls for Lintek (remember them?) in the early nineties it used to put a smile on my face when the dealer tells you that when they add the 8 spark plugs to the service cost of a Zephyr 1100 it doubled the bill..........................especially as NGK were wholesaled in a box of 10 and I supplied them 
 
Charlie

[viper]

The Zephyr 1100 is the closest that Big K have come to replicating the Z900. The manufacturers actually have no interest in helping you(us) relive your youth.

The actual number who would buy a replica/re-engineered Z900/Z1B (RD 400/LC 350) etc is a lot less than you think and it is only worth doing if there is sufficient demand. I am sure that Kwak, Honda and Yam have all done their projections and know that 100% of people asked would like these remade, less than 2%(?) would actually buy them. A new Z900 or LC350 would cost approx £10k ( the Zed would need big ugly exhausts to meet new emission regs and the LC could not be made to meet regs). You can get a fully restored "real" Z900 for less than £10k and still get LC's for less than £4k so why buy a"fake"

Coman

thanks thats a good answer. just thought if they made the w800 why not make it a bit more like the z1 as its the most desirable kwak in styling terms

how did they avoid the stupid euro exhausts on the w800 ( pea shooters)

[coman37]

Low noise and performance levels, I guess the redline will be about 7000rpm, if you want 10-14000rpm you need to stifle the decibels with ugly exhausts

Coman

[doebag]

I always thought the W650/800 would make a great second bike [ third in my case ]I see no reference to the bike having a catalytic convertor fitted, is this right ?

I particularly like the Cafe style model, but I dont think the UK get this version. The 2012 Black and Gold colour scheme is very nice.

http://www.kawasaki.eu/Product/Details/3409C770AA5