When I was a kid in the 90's, I used to read books about the story of my favorite bikes. Now I got a 2023 W800 and your video is that "book" where I go to for a nice breakdown of the origins of the bike.
THANKS, Jeff! I had heard the names "Maguro" and "W1", and knew about the BSA heritage, but now you come through with the visuals! And some great atmosphere.
Excellent production. Well narrated. Should be on television for everyone to enjoy. My brother and I recently purchased 2 Z900 Kawasakis and I have to say the quality and attention to detail is superb. Every part of these machines is well finished. My last Kawasaki was in 1977 , a KZ 1000 that I'll always remember. The W800 is truly a great bike. I'd enjoy having one. Beautiful sound. Thanks for the video.
Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it. The Z900 is another great bike. You're old KZ1000 must've been similar to my KZ550 LTD. I absolutely love that bike, too
Fully agree with Frank’s sentiments but ironically if you were to get it aired on TV nowadays it would only be transmitted in relation to that TV station so it would actually massively limit the number of people seeing it and would also probably need to be in that areas language! Consequently a global platform (like RUclips) is a much bigger potential (global) audience 👍
@@philtucker1224 I appreciate the compliment! It'd be pretty amazing to get one of my videos on TV someday, but for now I'm just happy that people like you and Frank are enjoying them.
I've owned mine since 2016 from new, and being a rarity here in the UK I've had nothing but great conversations with fellow bikers about it. People online who like to call it a Bonneville copy only show themselves to be short of grey matter and I can almost guarantee none of them have ever actually ridden a W. Both are wonderful machines in their own right, it's not an either or argument. Also as you've stated the original Meguro was built on licence, ergo with BSA's permission, it was nothing to do with Triumph, they just see a parallel twin and swinging arm and pass judgement. But there were countless motorcycles being manufactured by almost every marque from that period with that same setup. People also forget the amount of ideas companies like Velocette introduced for example which were subsequently "adopted" (copied) throughout the British industry, even by Triumph. That's the nature unfortunately of business, and it's been going on long before Meguro existed. As for the W800, although it's subjective, to my eye it has one of the most beautiful engines ever made. The uniqueness of the bevel driven overhead cam is unrivalled. I've actually done some fairly long days on mine with a pillion and we tend to find after around 5-6 hours your cheeks do get a bit numb. I've done plenty of motorway riding too and it's quite happy to plod along in top gear for many many miles. I've made some aesthetic tweaks to my own personal taste, but as motorcycles go it's timeless! I only wish we had the Meguro branded version here in the UK!
Incredibly well said! I'm glad you noticed the part about Meguro building their bike with BSA's permission. That's the bit that a lot of people seem to ignore. Back in the day, as you said, a lot of companies did exactly that. I'm glad that you've been enjoying your W since 2016. It's definitely a bike that a lot of people outside Japan look past, and it's a real shame since it's such a beauty (In my opinion). Since I made this video, they've released a smaller Meguro bike as well. It's another looker. I believe it's a 250. I'm glad you liked the video, and most of all keep on enjoying that W of yours!
Amazing video. bike reviews on RUclips are usually just a guy with gopro on his helmet reading the spec sheet, your video was completely different, I really appreciate the way you told the history of the bike and I actually feel like I learned something after watching this video. well done.
You're very welcome. I'm glad that I could introduce you to Meguro's history. If you're interested in Meguro, I did another video on the new Kawasaki Meguro K3 that you might enjoy
@@jeffinjapan2549 yep that red is gorgeous. But i'm looking for a pre-owned unit to toy around and turn into something. Very educational video you got there sir i really enjoyed it. 👌👍
Thanks, BM! I'm glad you enjoyed that background bit of the video. I was hoping to find a younger picture of myself with the black four wheeler, but that's all dad could find
Thank you so much for this video. Your history of Meguro was the best I've seen (Black Eye!!). Brought back fond memories of my visits to that amazing country and it's many temples. Now on my second W800, which will hopefully be with me until the end.
Thanks Jeff ! Great video ! I am 67 with 50 years as a motorcyclist. I agree with you about its beauty. And yes, if I could own one I would. The history lesson was great. At 67 I learnt that BSA means Birmingham Small Arms. Well, well !!! Thanks again. Trinidad & Tobago. West Indies.
I'm so glad that you enjoyed the video and that you now know what BSA stands for lol. I have a new video coming out in a week that focuses on the new Kawasaki Meguro K3 that you might enjoy. I talk even more about Meguro's history in it.
Hello Jeff, that was a beautifully made and well presented episode. I also found the history of the company and it’s collaboration with BSA very interesting. Best regards to you and the camera person. 👍🇬🇧😊
Great review. Your love for the bike clearly shows through. You’ve captured the sound of the 800 far better than any other review. I had a w650 and dearly loved it but it didn’t like the freeways much and the seat was no bueno after just an hour or two.
Thank you so much! Of all the bikes I've ridden so far, I still keep going back to the W800 as my favorite. There's just something about it. Glad to hear I'm not the only one who feels a bit beat up after a couple of hours on that seat lol
Hi Jeff - thank you for sharing your thoughts on the bike and your adventures in and around Japan. I sense you spend a lot of time there and bet you have a genuine fondness for the people, history and culture. My wife and I try to visit at least once a year. Thank you for sharing a lot of good information about the W800. I’m planning to buy one here in sunny California very soon - can’t wait! Also enjoyed your review of the Meguro K3. Hmmm, wonder if that’ll ever make it stateside. Anyway, thanks again and cheers. Let the good times roll!
Thank you so much! I'm originally from upstate NY, but have been living here in Japan for about 10 years now and I'm still enjoying it. California's another place I'd love to be someday. I'm glad you enjoyed both of those bike videos. Let the good times roll, indeed!
I have over 12 bikes ( mostly dirt) including a nice W 650. It makes a great around town bike but the seat is not comfortable, low power and weak brakes. The pluses are great sound, easy to ride and lots of compliments! It’s a keeper for sure.
Beautiful bike. And thank you for the lovely ride-along tour of Japan. I admit I secretly check Kawasaki's website annually to make sure the W Is still in the model line up, alongside the newest frenetic Ninjas, etc. I bet I'm not alone in doing so. My only wish is for a return of a bona-fide kickstart like on the older W650...
lol I'm also often checking their website hoping that they'll continue offering the W back home. Their 650 was an awesome bike for sure! I wouldn't mind buying one here and bringing it back home with me someday
@@kdsowen2882 I'll definitely make a video about it if I ever get my hands on one someday. They'll probably turn into a popular classic bike in the future.
I have the W650, which was made before they switched to the 800. It’s essentially the same stylistically, but the 650 has spark plugs instead of fuel injection, and has both electric & kick start. It’s a great looking reliable bike. The seat is somewhat uncomfortable on longer rides.
Great video behind the model and the company history. I’ve owned my W800 for a year now and I have to say I love it. It does pretty much everything I want, so it’s going to be a keeper and I can’t think of any reason why I will sell it or trade for something else.
Thank you for this video! I lover the w800 but here in Australia the importers refuse to bring in the standard chrome model. It is just a gorgeous bike and to my eyes better than current triumphs and as pretty as a Guzzi v7. Was great to hear the history of Kawasaki. Also Japan is just beatific hope to be there again one day and follow up on my family history.
I'm glad you enjoyed seeing this version of the bike, and hearing about its history! When you do come to Japan next time you should think about renting one and seeing the country that way
I grew up in the late 70's and by the early 80's, my first Kawasaki bike was the 550LTD.. I've had a few other Kawasaki's like a Gpz1100, and a Vulcan.. I've had others from Yamaha and Honda but my Kawasaki's have always been my favorites. I love this video that you've made. I love and want a W800 for the last 5 years.. but life gets in the way, COVID... Anyway.. I love the upright position and that has always been a favorite.. the UJM. God Bless you man.
Thank you! I appreciate it. It's a bit ironic that your first Kawasaki, and my first bike ever is the Kawasaki KZ550 LTD. I still held onto mine, and ride it whenever I'm back home. I actually made a video about it on here called 'A Ride in My New York'. I feel the same...no matter how many bikes I ride, I still find myself coming back to Kawasaki. I hope your busy life will allow you to find a way to ride the W
Gorgeous bike, big Kwaka fan, I have the Vulcan s but left dead when it comes to the W 800s stunning looks and detail. Nice vid and concise, interesting history.
It's always nice meeting another Kawa fan. The S is definitely another looker! I'm glad you enjoyed the video. The W's history is fun to talk about. You might also enjoy the video I did on the Kawasaki Meguro K3
I had a W650, the previous iteration of this bike. I agree 100% on the seat being in need of some improvement cushion wise. Other that that, I concur on the W being a fantastic motorcycle.
I'm glad that I'm not the only one who feels that way. Besides that, I absolutely love the W. I haven't been lucky enough to ride a 650 yet, but I hope to some day.
Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it. I have another one coming out later this week about the new Kawasaki Meguro K3 that will dive into more history
@@jeffinjapan2549 are you still based in japan, they should be allowing access to that statue, just about to get my W800 street such a beautiful bike it is , they have stopped importing these bikes into UK due to euro5 but can in europe so crazy , would love a meguro
@@stanleylawson9015 I'm still living in Japan, and I agree that it's a shame hiding that statue. I'll see if I can get my hands on a Meguro at some point. If I do, I'll be sure to make a video on it. I hope you'll enjoy your new W!
@@jeffinjapan2549 that would be brilliant Jeff thank you, deposit down so just a matter of time now but no rush as the weather here is dreadful but spring is not far off now
@@stanleylawson9015 I totally understand dreadful winter seasons as I'm originally from upstate New York lol It'll just make you appreciate the W that much more when you can finally ride it in the spring
Honestly, I understand what you said about it being the most beautiful bike in Japan. The ride seems so smooth ! A shame for the sit conforte but hopefully it could be mod ?
Yeah, It's a real beauty for sure. There must be something that can be done about the seat. If I end up purchasing this bike someday, I'll be sure to let you know if there's a better seat option
No Doubt ! It’s a BEAUTIFUL bike ! I have a red 2021 W . And I love it and don’t forget it has a center stand. But to say Japan most beautiful bike ! That’s another topic ! Thank you for the video
lol Yeah, it's always tough saying which bike is truly the most beautiful, but at least of all the bikes I've seen over here this one's the winner in my eyes so far. That red color on the 2021 is also really nice. Have fun on that beauty!
thanks for the video, I've got 7.5k on my 2021 and am very happy with it. It has a wonderful power curve and is cheap on gas (4.0L/100). You can enjoy town or country roads at the speed limit and it leaves you smiling when you get off it. Everywhere I stop people walk past bikes 3x more expensive and come over to ask about it, so it seems to have an universal appeal. The stock tires are not good in my estimate the rear is worn out already and you cant drive over 80kmh on highways that have rain grooves because the bike will wobble violently. Any tips on replacement tires welcome....
The W definitely looks and feels great. Kawasaki did a great job with its updated, yet classic, styling. Sorry to hear about the tire issue. I'm not sure what to recommend there.
Hi Mark. There are quite a few Facebook forums for the W800. I joined one called Kawasaki W800 & Meguro K3 group. There’s always help for questions about the bike and I’ve seen some recent comments about some alternative tyre choices. Seems like there is a Michelin classic tyre that seems popular.
Notice the lower case G in place of the correct Arabic numeral 9 on the plate!! I've been pointing this out for 40 years or more and do not (never did) expect a change? I rode a '56 Cabton in Fukuoka back in 1960. There is an example on youtube that is started after 37 years??
I've never noticed the shape of the ''9'' before. That's pretty interesting. Did you also notice how they use half arrows for most signs here? That Cabton is a pretty nice looking ride, too. I've never heard of that company before.
Thank you! As a first bike I'd say the W is definitely a good option. Not overly heavy, and the throttle response isn't overly powerful. It's a great all-around bike!
Great bike ..past kawasaki owner nearly bought w800 in 2012 but went for triumph bonneville ...now own royal enfields .... they are killing the style now.. and very affordable....w800 still cracking bike .....
Thank you! I've seen Royal Enfields at the annual bike shows here so they must be available, but definitely not common. The 350 does look pretty similar for sure. Another great looking ride
I've wanted a W800 for some time now. Unfortunately my local dealership doesn't get them in, we are remote, and my garage is full with 5 other bikes, two of them being Kawasakis.
You can never have too many bikes! Hopefully your local dealership will make an exception so that you can get your hands on a W800 in the not too distant future :)
@@jeffinjapan2549 that’s true! lol It would be great if they did. I think the W800 would be the perfect keeper bike. I’m in my late 50’s, it could be the bike I ride into my 70’s, maybe 80’s… if I’m lucky. 👍
Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for pointing that mistake out. Not sure where I found 14 billion from. It's closer to 37 million www.macrotrends.net/cities/21671/tokyo/population
BSA had it all, lost it, and Kawasaki picked it up, made it better (where have we heard that before?) and continue to sell this beautiful retro machine....
I had the 1972 Kawasaki H2. That was the pinnacle of Japanese motorcycles. I would take one of those over any of the new models. It had a more comfortable ride than my current 2005 Honda Shadow.
I haven't had the opportunity to ride the 1972 H2, but that looks like another great one! Hopefully someday I'll get the chance first hand to see how it is
When I was a teenager my friend's mom had a boyfriend who would ride down our whole street on the rear wheel of his H2 in a cloud of blue smoke, so performance was never an issue, but it also vibrated and the handling was pretty awful, having been introduced before the Japanese learned how to make frames and suspension to match their engines. I never personally rode the 750 (though I did later ride the 250 and 500 triples), but the magazines of the time, of which I still have a large collection, always mentioned the vibration, the dangerous handling on the limit, and the shameful fuel consumption, the H2 being one of the few bikes that could be made to dip below 20mpg. Unlike Suzuki's 750 2-stroke triple, the H2 was not a comfortable machine for long distances, so your Shadow must be pretty awful for the H2 to have been better. Either that, or you are displaying the common human trait of rose-tinted glasses, no disrespect intended (anybody who owned an H2 is worthy of respect in my book).
@@CaptHollister Good point, my H2 got 10 MPG! I couldn't afford to ride the thing in 2022. It had a lot of mods, so it handled ok. Had a steering damper which I assume was not stock. I replaced all the engine internals with race parts, so was probably making about 100 HP on a 400 lb bike. Bought it for $175 and someone had chromed everything including the tank and custom high performance expansion chambers.
Thanks for your review and history, nicely put together.I own a 2019 W800 and agree with your assessment, including that seat, which can result in some regular butt shifting, especially on longer rides (Australia). Safe Riding.
I'm glad you enjoyed the review, and that you can sympathize with me on the seat situation lol Eventually, I'll try to get my hands on the Meguro K3 model
@@myrtlelittle4130 Hi Myrtle, thanks for your reply. You have assumed a lot, and I have noted your opinion. I also ride a pushbike so no need to get fitter. If I was looking for comfort I would have purchased a fancy luxury motorbike. The W800 Will not be getting a new seat, never even considered it. Thanks for your point of view, though miguided, was amusing. I wish you well. No better bike for me than the W800. Kind Regards.
I have a new W800, owned it for a year now. It’s not vibration free, those two big pistons going up and down together don’t let you forget that, but at least Kawasaki had the good sense to use a balance shaft to smooth some vibes out. If you want a silky smooth engine, then probably the Z900 would be better for you. But I’ve never been bothered by severe vibration, and we’ve been up to 70 mph and beyond!
Why so many photos, at the onset, that avoids the motors most interesting feature--the tower bevel camshaft drive? Otherwise, a beautiful bike and enjoyable video.
I'm glad you enjoyed the video! lol it's because of the way the bike leans on the kickstand that I focused more on the other side. I did show the opposite side at 8:47. Briefly, but it's there. Now I'm working on a video about the Meguro K3 where I have more shots of the ''beautiful'' side
I have driven the Xt 500 and the Sr 500. Fine machines. And allways loved the Triumph Bonneville 650 and the Yamaha Xs 650- Because of their beautifull classic looks and sounds. And with a full respect to the Birmingham Small Arms too. But why did you not make a fine maschine as the he Kawasaki W650 og W800? I know the idea came from Ducati and earlier from the flying maschines industri and now i am talking about the fine Kawasaki W650 and W800 motor with the bewel drive.. It is a brilliant motor and fine sound and fine torque and so fine to drive - and dear people - they can drive fine 100000 to 150000 km without problems!! Really love maschines - Easy easy I drive BMW R100/7 and Triumph Thtuxton 900 too! But I like the W models from Kawasaki too!!
@@mebeasensei Oh, very nice! I'm living on the outskirts of Tokyo. Kyushu is a nice place to ride. I was there earlier this year, and particularly enjoyed driving in Kagoshima and Miyazaki. Not much traffic, and some amazing mountain passes.
Love the new Meguro K3, if only they sell it in Melbourne Australia, always love a smooth and we'll mannerism ride. More Japanese motorcycle review thanks!
The K3 is another beauty. I'm planning on renting it this coming spring at some point. I'll be sure to make a video about it when I do. I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed this video!
I had one of the original W650's. Well, the engine anyway. I bought the engine and put it in a rigid frame chopper style bike. It was a bitch to kickstart, the gearshift was on the right, and it leaked oil like an Arab sheikh's big oil leaking thing. It was nearly impossible to get parts for it in the early '70's, luckily a lot of parts were interchangeable with a BSA 650. Still, it was my first bike at the age of 16, and even though I spent more time fixing the thing than riding it, I loved it. The raw "mechanicalness", and also the fact that even though it broke down a lot, I could still nurse it home.
@@jeffinjapan2549 The most important lesson was to go over the bike on a weekly basis, and tighten every nut and bolt. And those "banjo bolts" were right bastards. Just a little too much, and they'd break, so I'd have to replace yet another one. I learnt to keep a fairly good stock of them. The reason I decided it'd be a good idea to make sure everything was torqued up was due to a catastrophic event. One evening on the way home, the whole exhaust system, from the headers back to the "dragpipe" silencers, fell off. The engine continued running, and it looked very impressive with two foot long blue flames shooting out the front of the engine. I turned around in the hope of retrieving the exhaust system, just in time to see it get flattened by a huge truck! I was not a happy chappy. So I had to fork out for a whole new system. And that, boys and girls, is why , when you own a twin cylinder engine based on a British twin, mounted in a rigid frame, you make damn sure that every thing that can possibly need tightening, is.
@@zwastiunburzy3688 Wow! Luckily you weren't harmed at all when that happened. It's a fun story to talk about now when you think back on it at least. Hopefully your current bike is a bit more maintenance free
@@jeffinjapan2549 Yeah, most certainly is. Being an old fart now, I ride a Harley Softail. At various stages I owned the typical 70's bikes, a Kwaka Z900, well, two really, a Yamaha XS1100, a brilliant, bulletproof 1988 Yamaha FJ1200, and a few others. Then, realising that my job as a professional driver required that I keep my licence, I decided to slow down and get my first new Harley, a '91 Heritage Softail Classic, which I rode all over Australia. That was such a great, comfortable mile-eater, never once let me down, rode it through vast tracts of fire and flood, I loved that bike. Eventually I updated to my current ride, an 06 Softail Standard, which isn't so "standard" anymore. Don't ride as often as I'd like, two full knee replacement surgeries and various other injuries have slowed me down, but not totally. I try and get out there as much as I can, and you know, I still to this day miss my first ever bike, that W650 chop that I bought myself for my 16th birthday. I wish I could've afforded to keep ALL my bikes, they each had their unique attributes (and faults), every one of them I rode and loved.
@@zwastiunburzy3688 Wow! You've owned a lot of bikes. It's great that you've had the opportunity to experience all of those different rides. Good for you that you're still riding after all these years, even if it's not as often as you used to ride. I hope I'll be able to say the same thing in the future
Thumbs up! Great review. Love the Story behind. Well done! Please more about your journey wiht Kawasaki W 800 in Japan. By the way, what's the meaning of "W". Thanks and great regards from Switherland.
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it. I've tried researching the reasoning behind the name ''W'', but I couldn't find a clear answer. One possibility is that when it was a Meguro bike, the emblem was an ''M'' over a ''W'' for ''Meguro Works'', so maybe Kawasaki decided to use the W from that emblem. Another possible answer is that ''W'' - double U, is used since it has double the cylinders.
@@jeffinjapan2549 The "W" reflects the setup of the cranckshaft with the two pistons side by side moving simultainiously in 360 firing order. nice review BTW !
Funny you should mention the K3. I have a video about that bike coming out in a couple days. I hope you'll enjoy that one, too! I agree the K3 is also a beautiful bike
1965 jumps to 2022? The WISA was around until 1974, with somewhat more modernised styling and technology including disc brakes. The contemporary 650's 47Hp doesn't seem much...I agree. It isn't much, and having a wet weight of 500 lbs does absolutely nothing to offset this. The 650 BSA it was modelled off was around 370- 390 lbs dry with similar horses. Oil and petrol wouldn't be anything like 110 lbs. Has it got a truck battery? I saw a comment below about valve gear similar to a desmo duck...that had me shuddering. WTF, and only 47 horses @ 6K?? A quick internet sniff suggests it has a bevel driveshaft to the camshaft, but no desmo. FFS... it could have pushrods instead of a cam chain, let alone the bevel drive! However, just to spice the story up - 4 valves per pot ... fuel injection... slipper clutch.... ABS . I dunno....maybe it's just me, but I wonder why why why? "Contemporary Retro" design philosophy seems to involve using the heaviest materials possible as if great weight is an asset like a ship anchor, and in this case as much high tech as possible in the lowest achievable state of tune. This thing could probably run on kerosene, and without a performance drop. 4 valves a cylinder and bevel drive to the camshaft on an engine with peak power @ 6K must give a lot of engine designers stomach cramps from hysteria. And why a slipper clutch? Have they used the design papers from the early old WISAs and copied the poms, so that unwary riders jammed it back a gear when they thought they were braking? They did end up adopting the japanese convention of which side for which pedals in the end. At least early mid Yamaha engineers squeezed some benefits from high tech design, when they extracted relatively considerable performance from their screaming 4 valve twin TX500s @ 8.5K. Unfortunately their dabble in high tech also gave them the omni phase balancer things which reduced vibration on a sliding scale from minimal to nil when they finally died. In other words... they put the technology to use, rather than adding the technology just for the sake of it being there. Coincidentally Wikipedia tells us that the late 60s/ 70s original WISAs were oil tight and reliable, but their low level of performance and vibration brought about their sales demise. I think their power/ weight ratio is similar to the retro jobs.... I reckon ABS is a worthwhile feature, being an enhancement on many of the earlier era bikes. Pre disc suzuki 500s had no need of ABS. They simply didn't have enough front braking to lock the wheel up, even though the drum size was fine. So I am being positive about the bike...honestly. Now....onwards to ponder the reincarnation of the BSA Gold Star. I actually reckon I'm quite clever - using the word reincarnation like... I had a sneaking suspicion, so when I had a look at the website of BSAcompanyUK and saw Mr Mahindra's name I had a good giggle. Don't get me wrong... I'd love to see a successful BSA marque arise, and if TATA can lift Jaguar far higher than ford could, and sell aero engine components to rolls royce, then I reckon Mahindra will pull it off. Dunno what it is, but India's ability to reinvigorate stuff from extinction seems to be magic. From waving the magic wand over the old morris oxford to create the mighty hindustan ambassador, to reviving the croaked royal enfield into the immortal enfield of india, they have demonstrated and enhanced their reputation. The new beezer may be playing the high tech game, but with a single 650cc pot with 11.5:1 there is some justification for 4 valves and two plugs. If you look more closely at that sexy big pot there is something a bit sneakily transvestitic about the fins.... but you can't really call it deceptive when it has that fugly big radiator right in front of it. Gawd...is that the time? oh...PS... horses for courses, but kwaka wise for me you can't beat the original Z1 for beauty. (not, of course, that horrible yellow and green colour)
lol thanks for all that information. You know a TON about bikes. I think you should start up your own RUclips channel with that kind of knowledge. I know I'd enjoy it
Good question! From what I found, it seems that all or at least most of this bike is made in Kawasaki's Akashi Works factory in Hyogo prefecture, Japan
i like it but me i would like a drume rear brake like the early 650 my be could retro ps i did 70 thousand miles on mine beforehand i sold the seat was not the best i replced mine with a modified bsa 65 seat
Good video mate, thoroughly enjoyed it...have a spiritual connection with Kawasaki's myself so I understand. Tokyo does not have 14 billion people though.
Hey mate is the bike too quite? Does it have character, like does it feel special to ride? My ninja 300 is getting kinda boring it lacks character and i have to ride in high rpms in the highway.
Good question. I think it has character, but it's very different from something like a Ninja. It has a nice, low rumble so it's good for coming home late at night and not waking up the neighbors, but I suppose you could always change the pipes on it if you feel it's too quiet.
Love this bike and really want one... Called my insurance agent and to my surprise it was $ 13.45 a month more to insure than my XSR 700!!! It's even more a month than a Ninja 650!!!! (only a $1.02) but still more... I am confused they are both parallel twins and both cost about the same. The XSR has more power and is WAAYY faster than the W and is a much "sportier" bike. Yes the W 800 is a "bigger" motor but they said they don't go by engine size...???? Weird it cost more than much faster bikes that will definitely be ridden hard... It's a put-put cruiser bike go figure
@@jeffinjapan2549 that was an excellent video I appreciated and enjoyed learning the history of the bike and where it came from very cool !!! Out of all the retro styled bikes Kawasaki has nailed it.
@@thecamdenyard Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed the video. With so many retro styled bikes out there, this one really stands out to me. I think they've hit it right on the head for sure.
I totally disagree! I have the W650 and the W800. The W800 is a disappointment! The exhaust has two o2 sensors sticking out of them and totally takes away from the bike. The side covers have plastic pins holding them in place at the top. Very cheap! It has less HP then the W650 and the two tank emblems are not appealing because they stick out to much. (Always buy a bike in person and not pictures) The only things I do like is the fuel injection, the color, and the smaller knee pads. If I had ridden the 800 prior I wouldn't have bought it. The W650 is much more retro looking and more HP. Just my opinion.
Copy of a British bike. Kawasaki’s most beautiful bike was the KZ900 from the 1970’s. Streamlined tank and matching tail fin, powerful in line 4, twin disc brakes up front, black sport mirrors and twin upswept exhaust.
When I was a kid in the 90's, I used to read books about the story of my favorite bikes. Now I got a 2023 W800 and your video is that "book" where I go to for a nice breakdown of the origins of the bike.
lol As a fellow 80's/90's kid I'm glad I was able to help bring that ''book'' to you
THANKS, Jeff! I had heard the names "Maguro" and "W1", and knew about the BSA heritage, but now you come through with the visuals! And some great atmosphere.
I'm so glad I could help you piece all that history together! If you find yourself in Japan sometime, you should think about renting a Kawasaki Meguro
Not likely, unfortunately. At 75, I'm just concentrating on riding my early W800 as much and as long as I can, right here in CH.
@@wordsmithgmxch Good for you! I hope you'll keep enjoying those rides for a good long time yet
I have one and love it. It's a Japanese work of art. Great video.
''Work of art'' is spot on! I'm glad you enjoyed the video
I have one too Steve , they are a beautiful looking bike.
@@tomkitchen2764 Yes indeed with such cool character. Cheers from NYC USA.
Back at you Steve from Vic. Australia.@@SteveBlancoMusicianWarrior
Excellent production. Well narrated. Should be on television for everyone to enjoy. My brother and I recently purchased 2 Z900 Kawasakis and I have to say the quality and attention to detail is superb. Every part of these machines is well finished. My last Kawasaki was in 1977 , a KZ 1000 that I'll always remember. The W800 is truly a great bike. I'd enjoy having one. Beautiful sound. Thanks for the video.
Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it. The Z900 is another great bike. You're old KZ1000 must've been similar to my KZ550 LTD. I absolutely love that bike, too
Fully agree with Frank’s sentiments but ironically if you were to get it aired on TV nowadays it would only be transmitted in relation to that TV station so it would actually massively limit the number of people seeing it and would also probably need to be in that areas language! Consequently a global platform (like RUclips) is a much bigger potential (global) audience 👍
@@philtucker1224 I appreciate the compliment! It'd be pretty amazing to get one of my videos on TV someday, but for now I'm just happy that people like you and Frank are enjoying them.
I've owned mine since 2016 from new, and being a rarity here in the UK I've had nothing but great conversations with fellow bikers about it. People online who like to call it a Bonneville copy only show themselves to be short of grey matter and I can almost guarantee none of them have ever actually ridden a W. Both are wonderful machines in their own right, it's not an either or argument. Also as you've stated the original Meguro was built on licence, ergo with BSA's permission, it was nothing to do with Triumph, they just see a parallel twin and swinging arm and pass judgement. But there were countless motorcycles being manufactured by almost every marque from that period with that same setup. People also forget the amount of ideas companies like Velocette introduced for example which were subsequently "adopted" (copied) throughout the British industry, even by Triumph. That's the nature unfortunately of business, and it's been going on long before Meguro existed.
As for the W800, although it's subjective, to my eye it has one of the most beautiful engines ever made. The uniqueness of the bevel driven overhead cam is unrivalled. I've actually done some fairly long days on mine with a pillion and we tend to find after around 5-6 hours your cheeks do get a bit numb. I've done plenty of motorway riding too and it's quite happy to plod along in top gear for many many miles. I've made some aesthetic tweaks to my own personal taste, but as motorcycles go it's timeless! I only wish we had the Meguro branded version here in the UK!
Incredibly well said! I'm glad you noticed the part about Meguro building their bike with BSA's permission. That's the bit that a lot of people seem to ignore. Back in the day, as you said, a lot of companies did exactly that.
I'm glad that you've been enjoying your W since 2016. It's definitely a bike that a lot of people outside Japan look past, and it's a real shame since it's such a beauty (In my opinion).
Since I made this video, they've released a smaller Meguro bike as well. It's another looker. I believe it's a 250.
I'm glad you liked the video, and most of all keep on enjoying that W of yours!
Amazing video. bike reviews on RUclips are usually just a guy with gopro on his helmet reading the spec sheet, your video was completely different, I really appreciate the way you told the history of the bike and I actually feel like I learned something after watching this video. well done.
Thank you! The W has a pretty unique history that I thought would be fun to dive into. I'm glad you enjoyed it
Great video! I own a W800 from 2014 to 2017 - and I loved it. The W800 2022 in red is one of my actual favourites.
I'm glad you enjoyed the video! That new red on the 2022 W is a great color
Dear Jeff,
I own a W800 but i didn't know anything about Meguro before your report. Thank you.
You're very welcome. I'm glad that I could introduce you to Meguro's history. If you're interested in Meguro, I did another video on the new Kawasaki Meguro K3 that you might enjoy
I just posted a video why i regret selling my w800 and here comes your video making me miss my bike even more. 😔
lol Well, the good news is that if you really miss it, they're still making them. The 2022 comes in a really nice red
@@jeffinjapan2549 yep that red is gorgeous. But i'm looking for a pre-owned unit to toy around and turn into something. Very educational video you got there sir i really enjoyed it. 👌👍
Your clip is so peaceful and the music complements well💚💙❤️
I apologize for responding to your message so late. Thank you for your kind comments. I'm glad that you enjoyed both the video and music!
I like the background of why you got into Kawasaki :). Great video and credits, BM!
Thanks, BM! I'm glad you enjoyed that background bit of the video. I was hoping to find a younger picture of myself with the black four wheeler, but that's all dad could find
I have a 1966 B8S and a Z H2, but would love to find a W1.
Absolutely beautiful.
Adding a W1 would be like the cherry on top of your already great collection!
Thank you so much for this video. Your history of Meguro was the best I've seen (Black Eye!!). Brought back fond memories of my visits to that amazing country and it's many temples. Now on my second W800, which will hopefully be with me until the end.
I'm glad you enjoyed the history of ''Black Eye'' lol. I hope you'll enjoy riding your second W for many years!
Thanks Jeff ! Great video !
I am 67 with 50 years as a motorcyclist. I agree with you about its beauty. And yes, if I could own one I would.
The history lesson was great. At 67 I learnt that BSA means Birmingham Small Arms. Well, well !!!
Thanks again.
Trinidad & Tobago. West Indies.
I'm so glad that you enjoyed the video and that you now know what BSA stands for lol. I have a new video coming out in a week that focuses on the new Kawasaki Meguro K3 that you might enjoy. I talk even more about Meguro's history in it.
@@jeffinjapan2549 Great ! I look forward to it.
Nice review Jeff and thank you for the history side of things. I have a 2016 model and it's one of the nicest bikes I have owned.
I'm glad you enjoyed the history section! The 2016 model was also a Beauty. I hope you'll continue enjoying it for a good, long time
Hello Jeff, that was a beautifully made and well presented episode. I also found the history of the company and it’s collaboration with BSA very interesting. Best regards to you and the camera person. 👍🇬🇧😊
Thank you! I've got another video coming soon about the Kawasaki Meguro K3 bike. Hopefully you'll enjoy that one, too
Thank you! I've got another video coming soon about the Kawasaki Meguro K3 bike. Hopefully you'll enjoy that one, too : )
Great review. Your love for the bike clearly shows through. You’ve captured the sound of the 800 far better than any other review. I had a w650 and dearly loved it but it didn’t like the freeways much and the seat was no bueno after just an hour or two.
Thank you so much! Of all the bikes I've ridden so far, I still keep going back to the W800 as my favorite. There's just something about it. Glad to hear I'm not the only one who feels a bit beat up after a couple of hours on that seat lol
Hi Jeff - thank you for sharing your thoughts on the bike and your adventures in and around Japan. I sense you spend a lot of time there and bet you have a genuine fondness for the people, history and culture. My wife and I try to visit at least once a year. Thank you for sharing a lot of good information about the W800. I’m planning to buy one here in sunny California very soon - can’t wait! Also enjoyed your review of the Meguro K3. Hmmm, wonder if that’ll ever make it stateside. Anyway, thanks again and cheers. Let the good times roll!
Thank you so much! I'm originally from upstate NY, but have been living here in Japan for about 10 years now and I'm still enjoying it. California's another place I'd love to be someday. I'm glad you enjoyed both of those bike videos. Let the good times roll, indeed!
I have over 12 bikes ( mostly dirt) including a nice W 650. It makes a great around town bike but the seat is not comfortable, low power and weak brakes. The pluses are great sound, easy to ride and lots of compliments! It’s a keeper for sure.
Yeah, I love how easy it is to ride. Just a nice, all around bike that looks good
and over 12 bikes is impressive!
Beautiful bike. And thank you for the lovely ride-along tour of Japan. I admit I secretly check Kawasaki's website annually to make sure the W Is still in the model line up, alongside the newest frenetic Ninjas, etc. I bet I'm not alone in doing so. My only wish is for a return of a bona-fide kickstart like on the older W650...
lol I'm also often checking their website hoping that they'll continue offering the W back home. Their 650 was an awesome bike for sure! I wouldn't mind buying one here and bringing it back home with me someday
@@kdsowen2882 I'll definitely make a video about it if I ever get my hands on one someday. They'll probably turn into a popular classic bike in the future.
I have the W650, which was made before they switched to the 800. It’s essentially the same stylistically, but the 650 has spark plugs instead of fuel injection, and has both electric & kick start. It’s a great looking reliable bike. The seat is somewhat uncomfortable on longer rides.
I've never ridden the 650, but it looks like a fun machine to ride on! I hope it lasts you a good long time
I own a 2019 w800 cafe model and I absolutely love it, the only thing I wish they did on the cafe was leaving the mirrors rubber mounted
I didn't realize they took the rubber mounts off the cafe mirrors. It's nice having them take up some of the vibration
@@jeffinjapan2549 yeah they're hard mounted on my bike, can't really use them too much cruising at 60 mph
Nice video, with a retro look and history, if i ever gonna get my bike this one is on my #1 list.❤
I bet you'd absolutely love it like I do
Another great video Jeff!
Thanks, bro! I'm glad you enjoyed it
Great video behind the model and the company history. I’ve owned my W800 for a year now and I have to say I love it. It does pretty much everything I want, so it’s going to be a keeper and I can’t think of any reason why I will sell it or trade for something else.
Kawasaki's doing a great job with this model. Let's hope they'll keep on making it for a good long time. I'm glad you're enjoying yours!
Thank you for this video! I lover the w800 but here in Australia the importers refuse to bring in the standard chrome model. It is just a gorgeous bike and to my eyes better than current triumphs and as pretty as a Guzzi v7. Was great to hear the history of Kawasaki. Also Japan is just beatific hope to be there again one day and follow up on my family history.
I'm glad you enjoyed seeing this version of the bike, and hearing about its history! When you do come to Japan next time you should think about renting one and seeing the country that way
I grew up in the late 70's and by the early 80's, my first Kawasaki bike was the 550LTD.. I've had a few other Kawasaki's like a Gpz1100, and a Vulcan.. I've had others from Yamaha and Honda but my Kawasaki's have always been my favorites. I love this video that you've made. I love and want a W800 for the last 5 years.. but life gets in the way, COVID... Anyway.. I love the upright position and that has always been a favorite.. the UJM. God Bless you man.
Thank you! I appreciate it. It's a bit ironic that your first Kawasaki, and my first bike ever is the Kawasaki KZ550 LTD. I still held onto mine, and ride it whenever I'm back home. I actually made a video about it on here called 'A Ride in My New York'. I feel the same...no matter how many bikes I ride, I still find myself coming back to Kawasaki. I hope your busy life will allow you to find a way to ride the W
@@jeffinjapan2549 thanks and I sub'd your channel
@@robertyoung7027 Thanks! I'll try to bring more bike content onto it after I finish up my current traveling miniseries
Gorgeous bike, big Kwaka fan, I have the Vulcan s but left dead when it comes to the W 800s stunning looks and detail. Nice vid and concise, interesting history.
It's always nice meeting another Kawa fan. The S is definitely another looker! I'm glad you enjoyed the video. The W's history is fun to talk about. You might also enjoy the video I did on the Kawasaki Meguro K3
Very nice review I’m planning to make this my next bike
Thanks! I bet you'll love the W as much as I do
I had a W650, the previous iteration of this bike. I agree 100% on the seat being in need of some improvement cushion wise. Other that that, I concur on the W being a fantastic motorcycle.
I'm glad that I'm not the only one who feels that way. Besides that, I absolutely love the W. I haven't been lucky enough to ride a 650 yet, but I hope to some day.
Well done, fabulous production quality …. Informative … well written!
Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it. I have another one coming out later this week about the new Kawasaki Meguro K3 that will dive into more history
Awesome review 😊
Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it
Much thank for vid.. Pls keep on posting in Japan..
I'm glad you enjoyed it! I'm slowly chipping away at the next bike video here in Japan now
Really enjoy great information on history, thank you
Thank you so much! I'm glad that you enjoyed the history section
@@jeffinjapan2549 are you still based in japan, they should be allowing access to that statue, just about to get my W800 street such a beautiful bike it is , they have stopped importing these bikes into UK due to euro5 but can in europe so crazy , would love a meguro
@@stanleylawson9015 I'm still living in Japan, and I agree that it's a shame hiding that statue. I'll see if I can get my hands on a Meguro at some point. If I do, I'll be sure to make a video on it. I hope you'll enjoy your new W!
@@jeffinjapan2549 that would be brilliant Jeff thank you, deposit down so just a matter of time now but no rush as the weather here is dreadful but spring is not far off now
@@stanleylawson9015 I totally understand dreadful winter seasons as I'm originally from upstate New York lol It'll just make you appreciate the W that much more when you can finally ride it in the spring
Incredibly beautiful and a great sound right from the factory.
I couldn't agree more. Kawasaki's done a great job with this bike.
Love your video man! Make some more! W800 is a beautiful bike indeed!
Thanks! I'm glad you liked it. I'll see what bike I can get my hands on next
Wonderful video. I agree that this model is Japan’s most beautiful bike. I prefer it in the cafe dress.
The cafe version is definitely another stunner
Great video. Really appreciate the history you provided as well as the real world review 👍
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it. I hope to make some more videos like this one
Superbly compiled video review... arigatou! What a wonderful motorcycle...
Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it
It is one of the best looking bike kawa has made. But than again i love the classic twin cilinder bikes
Same here! Just a great, simple design that's timeless.
Honestly, I understand what you said about it being the most beautiful bike in Japan. The ride seems so smooth ! A shame for the sit conforte but hopefully it could be mod ?
Yeah, It's a real beauty for sure. There must be something that can be done about the seat. If I end up purchasing this bike someday, I'll be sure to let you know if there's a better seat option
2 things: (1) I want one and (2) will it outrun Godzilla? 😂
lol I have faith that it would
Loved the history lesson on this.
I'm glad you enjoyed it! I'm in the middle of making a kind of part 2 of this video where I drive the new Kawasaki Meguro K3
@@jeffinjapan2549 looking forward to it
No Doubt ! It’s a BEAUTIFUL bike ! I have a red 2021 W . And I love it and don’t forget it has a center stand. But to say Japan most beautiful bike ! That’s another topic ! Thank you for the video
lol Yeah, it's always tough saying which bike is truly the most beautiful, but at least of all the bikes I've seen over here this one's the winner in my eyes so far. That red color on the 2021 is also really nice. Have fun on that beauty!
@@jeffinjapan2549 ! That beauty sits inside my living room !
@@josedieguez8754 That's a good way to keep it clean : )
A Review by an Australian youtuber named Marlon sums up all my favorite ups and downs with the W800. Beautiful bike indeed not just in Japan...
Thanks! and thank you for that video recommendation. It's always interesting seeing the different takes everyone has on the W
thanks for the video, I've got 7.5k on my 2021 and am very happy with it. It has a wonderful power curve and is cheap on gas (4.0L/100). You can enjoy town or country roads at the speed limit and it leaves you smiling when you get off it. Everywhere I stop people walk past bikes 3x more expensive and come over to ask about it, so it seems to have an universal appeal. The stock tires are not good in my estimate the rear is worn out already and you cant drive over 80kmh on highways that have rain grooves because the bike will wobble violently. Any tips on replacement tires welcome....
The W definitely looks and feels great. Kawasaki did a great job with its updated, yet classic, styling. Sorry to hear about the tire issue. I'm not sure what to recommend there.
@@craigmichaelgrice213 Sounds like some nice upgrades! Thanks!
Hi Mark. There are quite a few Facebook forums for the W800. I joined one called Kawasaki W800 & Meguro K3 group. There’s always help for questions about the bike and I’ve seen some recent comments about some alternative tyre choices. Seems like there is a Michelin classic tyre that seems popular.
cool bikes great video 👍
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it
Thank you love this bike I will buy one real soon
That's great to hear! I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I've enjoyed riding on the different W800 models over the years
This is an amazing video could you do more like this about Japanese cafe bikes
Thanks! I'm glad you liked it. I'll see if I can get my hands on a cafe bike sometime
Nice video and great motobike.
Thank you so much!
Notice the lower case G in place of the correct Arabic numeral 9 on the plate!! I've been pointing this out for 40 years or more and do not (never did) expect a change? I rode a '56 Cabton in Fukuoka back in 1960. There is an example on youtube that is started after 37 years??
I've never noticed the shape of the ''9'' before. That's pretty interesting. Did you also notice how they use half arrows for most signs here? That Cabton is a pretty nice looking ride, too. I've never heard of that company before.
Great video! How would a bike like this be as a first purchase (i.e. a newbie user)?
Thank you! As a first bike I'd say the W is definitely a good option. Not overly heavy, and the throttle response isn't overly powerful. It's a great all-around bike!
Great bike ..past kawasaki owner nearly bought w800 in 2012 but went for triumph bonneville ...now own royal enfields .... they are killing the style now.. and very affordable....w800 still cracking bike .....
It's a good time to live with all these retro bikes on the market. You can't go wrong with a Triumph or Royal Enfield either
This was a great video. Are Royal Enfields available in Japan? I guess the Classic 350 would come closest to the looks of the W....
Thank you! I've seen Royal Enfields at the annual bike shows here so they must be available, but definitely not common. The 350 does look pretty similar for sure. Another great looking ride
I've wanted a W800 for some time now. Unfortunately my local dealership doesn't get them in, we are remote, and my garage is full with 5 other bikes, two of them being Kawasakis.
You can never have too many bikes! Hopefully your local dealership will make an exception so that you can get your hands on a W800 in the not too distant future :)
@@jeffinjapan2549 that’s true! lol It would be great if they did. I think the W800 would be the perfect keeper bike. I’m in my late 50’s, it could be the bike I ride into my 70’s, maybe 80’s… if I’m lucky. 👍
@@pinkiewerewolf I hope I can get one someday and do exactly the same!
Top vid, great bike, just 1 thing you said 14 billion people i thnk you mean million..all the best from Portugal
Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for pointing that mistake out. Not sure where I found 14 billion from. It's closer to 37 million
www.macrotrends.net/cities/21671/tokyo/population
Thanks for this, I came scrolling down the comments for this so I don't state the same thing.
BSA had it all, lost it, and Kawasaki picked it up, made it better (where have we heard that before?) and continue to sell this beautiful retro machine....
They sure have! I hope to see BSA make a comeback in the near future
I had the 1972 Kawasaki H2. That was the pinnacle of Japanese motorcycles. I would take one of those over any of the new models. It had a more comfortable ride than my current 2005 Honda Shadow.
I haven't had the opportunity to ride the 1972 H2, but that looks like another great one! Hopefully someday I'll get the chance first hand to see how it is
When I was a teenager my friend's mom had a boyfriend who would ride down our whole street on the rear wheel of his H2 in a cloud of blue smoke, so performance was never an issue, but it also vibrated and the handling was pretty awful, having been introduced before the Japanese learned how to make frames and suspension to match their engines. I never personally rode the 750 (though I did later ride the 250 and 500 triples), but the magazines of the time, of which I still have a large collection, always mentioned the vibration, the dangerous handling on the limit, and the shameful fuel consumption, the H2 being one of the few bikes that could be made to dip below 20mpg. Unlike Suzuki's 750 2-stroke triple, the H2 was not a comfortable machine for long distances, so your Shadow must be pretty awful for the H2 to have been better. Either that, or you are displaying the common human trait of rose-tinted glasses, no disrespect intended (anybody who owned an H2 is worthy of respect in my book).
@@CaptHollister Good point, my H2 got 10 MPG! I couldn't afford to ride the thing in 2022. It had a lot of mods, so it handled ok. Had a steering damper which I assume was not stock. I replaced all the engine internals with race parts, so was probably making about 100 HP on a 400 lb bike. Bought it for $175 and someone had chromed everything including the tank and custom high performance expansion chambers.
Thanks for the gekokujo music , its beautiful.
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it
How is this on freeway speeds, can it keep up with traffic?
Definitely! I didn't have any issues keeping up with traffic on it
You didn't mention that the fuel injector light keeps coming on and that it a fault on the w800.
I've been lucky enough not to have that experience. Hopefully they'll get it sorted out soon on yours
Thanks for your review and history, nicely put together.I own a 2019 W800
and agree with your assessment, including that seat, which can result in some regular butt shifting, especially on longer rides
(Australia). Safe Riding.
I'm glad you enjoyed the review, and that you can sympathize with me on the seat situation lol Eventually, I'll try to get my hands on the Meguro K3 model
@@myrtlelittle4130 Hi Myrtle, thanks for your reply. You have assumed a lot, and I have noted your opinion.
I also ride a pushbike so no need to get fitter. If I was looking for comfort I would have purchased a fancy luxury motorbike. The W800
Will not be getting a new seat, never even considered it. Thanks for your point of view, though miguided, was amusing. I wish you well. No better bike for me than the
W800.
Kind Regards.
@@ballsteven4926 Excellent response!
Great to get the historical background and context. We in the West know so little about Japan. I would have liked a little more riding footage.
I'm glad you enjoyed it! I have a lot more riding footage here in Japan in my other videos on the channel. Hopefully you'll enjoy those, too!
A beautiful modern classic. I heard that there is severe vibration from the engine at around 70 mph though.
It sure is a beauty! I didn't really notice any kind of extreme vibration with it on the highway. Maybe only certain models suffer from that
I have a new W800, owned it for a year now. It’s not vibration free, those two big pistons going up and down together don’t let you forget that, but at least Kawasaki had the good sense to use a balance shaft to smooth some vibes out. If you want a silky smooth engine, then probably the Z900 would be better for you. But I’ve never been bothered by severe vibration, and we’ve been up to 70 mph and beyond!
@@peakrider4886 I agree. That vibration adds to the character of the bike for sure
Why so many photos, at the onset, that avoids the motors most interesting feature--the tower bevel camshaft drive? Otherwise, a beautiful bike and enjoyable video.
I'm glad you enjoyed the video! lol it's because of the way the bike leans on the kickstand that I focused more on the other side. I did show the opposite side at 8:47. Briefly, but it's there. Now I'm working on a video about the Meguro K3 where I have more shots of the ''beautiful'' side
Beautiful bike ❤️
Looks like it 😎 was designed for me,, Awesome
It's a great all-around bike for sure. I think most people would enjoy riding this model
I have driven the Xt 500 and the Sr 500. Fine machines. And allways loved the Triumph Bonneville 650 and the Yamaha Xs 650- Because of their beautifull classic looks and sounds. And with a full respect to the Birmingham Small Arms too. But why did you not make a fine maschine as the he Kawasaki W650 og W800? I know the idea came from Ducati and earlier from the flying maschines industri and now i am talking about the fine Kawasaki W650 and W800 motor with the bewel drive.. It is a brilliant motor and fine sound and fine torque and so fine to drive - and dear people - they can drive fine 100000 to 150000 km without problems!! Really love maschines - Easy easy I drive BMW R100/7 and Triumph Thtuxton 900 too! But I like the W models from Kawasaki too!!
Kawasaki really did a great job improving those models over the years. I hope they'll continuing making the W for many more years to come.
I live in Japan too and I have a W650, from 2004.
That's great! The W650 is another beauty for sure. Whereabouts in Japan?
@@jeffinjapan2549 Kyushu, where are you?
@@mebeasensei Oh, very nice! I'm living on the outskirts of Tokyo. Kyushu is a nice place to ride. I was there earlier this year, and particularly enjoyed driving in Kagoshima and Miyazaki. Not much traffic, and some amazing mountain passes.
Excellent vidio..the W is like an old Triumph clone...only better ,very modern and an excellent bike very high quality.
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it. I absolutely love this bike
Love the new Meguro K3, if only they sell it in Melbourne Australia, always love a smooth and we'll mannerism ride. More Japanese motorcycle review thanks!
The K3 is another beauty. I'm planning on renting it this coming spring at some point. I'll be sure to make a video about it when I do. I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed this video!
I had one of the original W650's. Well, the engine anyway. I bought the engine and put it in a rigid frame chopper style bike. It was a bitch to kickstart, the gearshift was on the right, and it leaked oil like an Arab sheikh's big oil leaking thing. It was nearly impossible to get parts for it in the early '70's, luckily a lot of parts were interchangeable with a BSA 650. Still, it was my first bike at the age of 16, and even though I spent more time fixing the thing than riding it, I loved it. The raw "mechanicalness", and also the fact that even though it broke down a lot, I could still nurse it home.
Sounds like a great starter bike! I bet you learned a lot while fixing it up each time
@@jeffinjapan2549 The most important lesson was to go over the bike on a weekly basis, and tighten every nut and bolt. And those "banjo bolts" were right bastards. Just a little too much, and they'd break, so I'd have to replace yet another one. I learnt to keep a fairly good stock of them. The reason I decided it'd be a good idea to make sure everything was torqued up was due to a catastrophic event. One evening on the way home, the whole exhaust system, from the headers back to the "dragpipe" silencers, fell off. The engine continued running, and it looked very impressive with two foot long blue flames shooting out the front of the engine. I turned around in the hope of retrieving the exhaust system, just in time to see it get flattened by a huge truck! I was not a happy chappy. So I had to fork out for a whole new system. And that, boys and girls, is why , when you own a twin cylinder engine based on a British twin, mounted in a rigid frame, you make damn sure that every thing that can possibly need tightening, is.
@@zwastiunburzy3688 Wow! Luckily you weren't harmed at all when that happened. It's a fun story to talk about now when you think back on it at least. Hopefully your current bike is a bit more maintenance free
@@jeffinjapan2549 Yeah, most certainly is. Being an old fart now, I ride a Harley Softail. At various stages I owned the typical 70's bikes, a Kwaka Z900, well, two really, a Yamaha XS1100, a brilliant, bulletproof 1988 Yamaha FJ1200, and a few others. Then, realising that my job as a professional driver required that I keep my licence, I decided to slow down and get my first new Harley, a '91 Heritage Softail Classic, which I rode all over Australia. That was such a great, comfortable mile-eater, never once let me down, rode it through vast tracts of fire and flood, I loved that bike. Eventually I updated to my current ride, an 06 Softail Standard, which isn't so "standard" anymore. Don't ride as often as I'd like, two full knee replacement surgeries and various other injuries have slowed me down, but not totally. I try and get out there as much as I can, and you know, I still to this day miss my first ever bike, that W650 chop that I bought myself for my 16th birthday. I wish I could've afforded to keep ALL my bikes, they each had their unique attributes (and faults), every one of them I rode and loved.
@@zwastiunburzy3688 Wow! You've owned a lot of bikes. It's great that you've had the opportunity to experience all of those different rides. Good for you that you're still riding after all these years, even if it's not as often as you used to ride. I hope I'll be able to say the same thing in the future
Thumbs up! Great review. Love the Story behind. Well done! Please more about your journey wiht Kawasaki W 800 in Japan. By the way, what's the meaning of "W". Thanks and great regards from Switherland.
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it. I've tried researching the reasoning behind the name ''W'', but I couldn't find a clear answer. One possibility is that when it was a Meguro bike, the emblem was an ''M'' over a ''W'' for ''Meguro Works'', so maybe Kawasaki decided to use the W from that emblem. Another possible answer is that ''W'' - double U, is used since it has double the cylinders.
@@jeffinjapan2549 The "W" reflects the setup of the cranckshaft with the two pistons side by side moving simultainiously in 360 firing order.
nice review BTW !
@@Rifleman61 Thank you! And thanks for the info on what the ''W'' represents
I really like the looks of the W800, but I would argue the the Meguro K3 version of this bike looks even better.
Funny you should mention the K3. I have a video about that bike coming out in a couple days. I hope you'll enjoy that one, too! I agree the K3 is also a beautiful bike
a low deep rumble that doesn’t annoy the neighbours!! I would reject it straight away
lol To each his own : )
1965 jumps to 2022? The WISA was around until 1974, with somewhat more modernised styling and technology including disc brakes.
The contemporary 650's 47Hp doesn't seem much...I agree. It isn't much, and having a wet weight of 500 lbs does absolutely nothing to offset this.
The 650 BSA it was modelled off was around 370- 390 lbs dry with similar horses. Oil and petrol wouldn't be anything like 110 lbs. Has it got a truck battery?
I saw a comment below about valve gear similar to a desmo duck...that had me shuddering. WTF, and only 47 horses @ 6K?? A quick internet sniff suggests it has a bevel driveshaft to the camshaft, but no desmo. FFS... it could have pushrods instead of a cam chain, let alone the bevel drive! However, just to spice the story up - 4 valves per pot ... fuel injection... slipper clutch.... ABS
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I dunno....maybe it's just me, but I wonder why why why? "Contemporary Retro" design philosophy seems to involve using the heaviest materials possible as if great weight is an asset like a ship anchor, and in this case as much high tech as possible in the lowest achievable state of tune. This thing could probably run on kerosene, and without a performance drop. 4 valves a cylinder and bevel drive to the camshaft on an engine with peak power @ 6K must give a lot of engine designers stomach cramps from hysteria. And why a slipper clutch? Have they used the design papers from the early old WISAs and copied the poms, so that unwary riders jammed it back a gear when they thought they were braking? They did end up adopting the japanese convention of which side for which pedals in the end.
At least early mid Yamaha engineers squeezed some benefits from high tech design, when they extracted relatively considerable performance from their screaming 4 valve twin TX500s @ 8.5K. Unfortunately their dabble in high tech also gave them the omni phase balancer things which reduced vibration on a sliding scale from minimal to nil when they finally died. In other words... they put the technology to use, rather than adding the technology just for the sake of it being there.
Coincidentally Wikipedia tells us that the late 60s/ 70s original WISAs were oil tight and reliable, but their low level of performance and vibration brought about their sales demise. I think their power/ weight ratio is similar to the retro jobs....
I reckon ABS is a worthwhile feature, being an enhancement on many of the earlier era bikes. Pre disc suzuki 500s had no need of ABS. They simply didn't have enough front braking to lock the wheel up, even though the drum size was fine. So I am being positive about the bike...honestly.
Now....onwards to ponder the reincarnation of the BSA Gold Star. I actually reckon I'm quite clever - using the word reincarnation like... I had a sneaking suspicion, so when I had a look at the website of BSAcompanyUK and saw Mr Mahindra's name I had a good giggle. Don't get me wrong... I'd love to see a successful BSA marque arise, and if TATA can lift Jaguar far higher than ford could, and sell aero engine components to rolls royce, then I reckon Mahindra will pull it off. Dunno what it is, but India's ability to reinvigorate stuff from extinction seems to be magic. From waving the magic wand over the old morris oxford to create the mighty hindustan ambassador, to reviving the croaked royal enfield into the immortal enfield of india, they have demonstrated and enhanced their reputation.
The new beezer may be playing the high tech game, but with a single 650cc pot with 11.5:1 there is some justification for 4 valves and two plugs. If you look more closely at that sexy big pot there is something a bit sneakily transvestitic about the fins.... but you can't really call it deceptive when it has that fugly big radiator right in front of it.
Gawd...is that the time?
oh...PS... horses for courses, but kwaka wise for me you can't beat the original Z1 for beauty. (not, of course, that horrible yellow and green colour)
lol thanks for all that information. You know a TON about bikes. I think you should start up your own RUclips channel with that kind of knowledge. I know I'd enjoy it
and the Z1 is definitely another beauty!
Is this bike made in Japan? Like the z900 and other big bikes of Kawasaki.
Good question! From what I found, it seems that all or at least most of this bike is made in Kawasaki's Akashi Works factory in Hyogo prefecture, Japan
cool video
I'm glad you were able to enjoy this one, too, even though you're not really into bikes
i like it but me i would like a drume rear brake like the early 650 my be could retro ps i did 70 thousand miles on mine beforehand i sold the seat was not the best i replced mine with a modified bsa 65 seat
A modified BSA seat on it sounds interesting
I need a w400. Something that can carry me (200lbs) on highways up hill at 55mph.
The w400 is also a great looking bike! It should have enough power to do that easy enough
Good video mate, thoroughly enjoyed it...have a spiritual connection with Kawasaki's myself so I understand.
Tokyo does not have 14 billion people though.
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it. Yeah, I put one too many zeros in there for the population lol
I own w250, and that is the best motorcycle i have ever own
A w250 must be a really efficient bike I imagine. I'm glad you're enjoying it! Hopefully sometime I can test drive that model, too
@@jeffinjapan2549 this one is almo build up from Japan and it cost more than 6000 usd brand new, i got mine used, and only has 2000km on it
@@faridelfadani6748 sounds like a great deal on a really nice bike
Hey mate is the bike too quite? Does it have character, like does it feel special to ride?
My ninja 300 is getting kinda boring it lacks character and i have to ride in high rpms in the highway.
Good question. I think it has character, but it's very different from something like a Ninja. It has a nice, low rumble so it's good for coming home late at night and not waking up the neighbors, but I suppose you could always change the pipes on it if you feel it's too quiet.
The Kawasaki Vulcan 900cc Cruiser is even better!
Another nice ride for sure!
i loved my 2019 W800 until the clutch started slipping so i cut my losses and traded for a CB1100. miss the light weight of the W800
That's a shame, but the CB1100 is another sweet bike! That extra weight is nice on the highway
A wonderful machine. What BSA could have been....
Hopefully BSA can make a proper comeback someday
are you sure it is not a triumph 650?
Certainly looks similar to one. Both bikes are works of art for sure
❤️
it is a good looking bike!
It's one of my favorites for sure!
14 Billion? Is that correct?🤔
Sorry, that my was my mistake. It should've been 14 million. I'm glad you enjoyed the video!
with every video we see a little more of your apartment, when will you make the typical youtuber room tour?😆
Showing it all at once isn't as much fun lol
nice video✨👍＆🔔
I'm glad you enjoyed the video, and thanks for hitting the thumbs up and bell notification! Much appreciated
有難うございます！
The Honda CB650 SC is Japan's most beautiful bike.
Another beauty for sure!
I wonder what the right side looks like.
At 8:47 you can see it : )
Love this bike and really want one... Called my insurance agent and to my surprise it was $ 13.45 a month more to insure than my XSR 700!!! It's even more a month than a Ninja 650!!!! (only a $1.02) but still more... I am confused they are both parallel twins and both cost about the same. The XSR has more power and is WAAYY faster than the W and is a much "sportier" bike. Yes the W 800 is a "bigger" motor but they said they don't go by engine size...???? Weird it cost more than much faster bikes that will definitely be ridden hard... It's a put-put cruiser bike go figure
Yeah, that's really odd. Not sure what angle they're tying to justify that price hike from. I'm sorry to hear that
@@jeffinjapan2549 that was an excellent video I appreciated and enjoyed learning the history of the bike and where it came from very cool !!! Out of all the retro styled bikes Kawasaki has nailed it.
@@thecamdenyard Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed the video. With so many retro styled bikes out there, this one really stands out to me. I think they've hit it right on the head for sure.
ITs a home run
lol I'm glad that you enjoyed it!
14 million
Thanks! I caught it days after I posted the video...of course : )
Um das meiste aus dem Video zu holen empfehle ich die ersten 5 Minuten zu sehen und dann 2 Monate später den Rest!!!
Nur wenn du ein Idiot bist : ) Danke, dass du dir endlich den Rest des Videos angesehen hast, Kumpel!
I totally disagree! I have the W650 and the W800. The W800 is a disappointment! The exhaust has two o2 sensors sticking out of them and totally takes away from the bike. The side covers have plastic pins holding them in place at the top. Very cheap! It has less HP then the W650 and the two tank emblems are not appealing because they stick out to much. (Always buy a bike in person and not pictures) The only things I do like is the fuel injection, the color, and the smaller knee pads. If I had ridden the 800 prior I wouldn't have bought it. The W650 is much more retro looking and more HP. Just my opinion.
I haven't driven the W650, but from what I see of them on the roads around here they're also great looking bikes. Thanks for the comment!
Copy of a British bike. Kawasaki’s most beautiful bike was the KZ900 from the 1970’s. Streamlined tank and matching tail fin, powerful in line 4, twin disc brakes up front, black sport mirrors and twin upswept exhaust.
The KZ900 was definitely another beauty!