Please tell me about the w650

[s44678]

My neighbor is going to look at one on Wednesday at a dealer. Think it's an 02 (not sure).
I said I'd go along to offer a rational point of view because he's pretty obsessed with this style of bike, plus it's his first big bike after a 125. I've got a feeling he'll let his heart lead him (they do look the tits) so want to be able to provide a leveled view.

Take it these are re-makes of an old classic, like the bonnies?

And are they inline twins? Or one big single? What kind of mileage is high for these and how expensive are they to maintain.

Are parts expensive / readily available? I assume for a classic re-make they'll be pretty easy to maintain?

Anything we should be looking out for?

Thanks in advance.

[quacker_boy]

My old man had an Estrella 250, also made by Kawasaki and it's essentially the baby brother of the W650 I believe. Piss easy to maintain and a joy to ride and sensible (read as license keeping) speeds). I'd have a W650 in a heartbeat if I wasn't so set on an IL4 as my first own bike.
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wizzzard wrote: Imagine God just stopping by, tidying your front room up and then quietly letting himself out again. Statisticly more likely to happen than Korn being on here.

[stinkwheel]

They are a built-from-scratch take on an original triumph bonneville (650cc paralell twin) made by the Kawasaki.

Unlike a Triumph bonneville they do not leak oil and have an overhead cam. The things that look like pushrod tubes conceal a bevel drive for the cam.

They are odd for a Japanerse bike in that most, if not all of the parts were specifically designed for that bike. Totally over-engineered with a well thought out, robust design. I have no idea why they didn't sell better than they did.

The motor and drivetrain is very robust. Just watch for signs of rust on the tinwork as I've seen neglected ones corrode badly. I've always liked them and would have bought one (they were knockng them out brand new for £3,500 latterly) but decided they were a bit underpowered for my needs.

EDIT: I think one would be a superb bike for someone who just passed their test and they are very pleasing on the eye. They look more like an old T140 Bonneville than a modern Triumph Bonneville does and a T140 was always regarded as a good looking bike.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[s44678]

Cheers fellas. Sounding good so far. Think he originally wanted a Bonneville but they are pretty expensive. The w650 is actually sounding like a better bike.

[The Shaggy D.A.]

Real Classic has a few reviews for them :-

https://www.realclassic.co.uk/profiles.html

I'd love one.
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Chances are quite high you are not in my Monkeysphere, and I don't care about you. Don't take it personally.
Currently : Royal Enfield 350 Meteor
Previously : CB100N > CB250RS > XJ900F > GT550 > GPZ750R/1000RX > AJS M16 > R100RT > Bullet 500 > CB500 > LS650P > Bullet Electra X & YBR125 > Bullet 350 "Superstar" & YBR125 Custom > Royal Enfield Classic 500 Despatch Limited Edition (28 of 200) & CB Two-Fifty Nighthawk > ER5

[map]

Bear in mind not in current production and as pointed out above not sold in vast numbers. I mention this for any parts that maybe required in the future, although basic servicing bits should be well covered.

As also said, if you like the look and feel of a naked retro then it's an ideal choice.


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...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
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[kawashima]

Hi, I have an 05 W650.

There's a dimension change from 01 model(Is this only domestic models??).
=change from 01model=
seat : plain type to tack roll type.
tank pad : 2 piece type to soft 1 piece urethan type
KLEEN system : (I think this is only for Japanese model)
Caster/Trail : 26.5/105mm->27/108mm

*99 and 00 models had wobble at high speed, so kawasaki changed caster and trail from 01 model.

*oversea model have more smooth exhaust than japanese model and it has better power and exhaust note.

*Petrol consumption
about 22km to 28 km/ litre.(30km/L more at gentle ride) Petrol tank size is 14L(but you can pour 15L in it)
W has acceleration pump and if you widely open, 30km/L goes down to 22-24km/L.

*Gear ratio
3500rpm at 62.5mile(5th gear)

*Max speed
about 110mph

*Feeling of engine
Strong at Low range, and revs a little bit better than cruisers.
(W has larger crank mass than Valcan1500.)

Red zone start about 7-8k but it's useless over6k. I usually up shift at 2500 - 3000. Or at 4500-5000 when I go quicker.

*Handle bar
Japanese model has 2 types(Up handle and Low handle)
Oversea model has Up handle only.

*Good point
Cheap maintain cost
Parts are cheap (in japan)
Relaxed position
Tyres are cheap
*Weak point
Front brake : Front disk is single 300mm size. W weigh 195kg and this is too poor. And normal pad doesn't bite at all. You can attach GPZ1100 genuine pad(Same shape and size) to improve it.
Bonneville has far better front brake than W.
Rear brake : Drum brake. but not so bad.
Power : Powerless compared to Bonneville.
Under seat space : you can put nothing but tool bag. There's air intake under the seat so you cant put anything on it.
Tube tyre : You can't have radial tyre on it.
Weak Frame : You can't ride fast with good stability.
Poor genuine suspensions : Too poor suspensions. Most W owners change them. I changed to WP ones.

If you go to winding road, you can enjoy more on Bonneville for its power and brake.
What W is better than Bonny are Petrol consumption/ If you drop Bonnie, the steps easily brakes, but W is usually ok.

W is good for pootling on a country road at about 40-50mph. With Up handle bar, 110mph is nothing but penance.

In Japan, Bonneville costs far more than W, but you can buy Bonnie cheaply in UK, So I think Bonnie is better choice if you find a good condition one. I would have bought bonnie if I could buy it cheaply like you in uk.
Bonnie : 1,333,500yen(￡8950) in japan
W650 : 720,300yen(￡4834) in japan
more than 1.8times expensive than W here
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own:2020 Serow 250
owned: 2012 YB125SP, 2008 TDM900, 2005 W650, 2002 LS125R, 2002 CB400SF, NS50F, C50 / Trip to UK(2009), Hokkaido touring(2013)

[s44678]

Kawashima you legend

Can you explain more about the suspension upgrade? What is WP? How much does it cost etc.

[kawashima]

[motobiker]

I was told by a W650 owner that the bike was originally a german design FOR Triumph who turned it down. The design was the sold to kawasaki who saw the sense of it and have had enough success from the design to produce and over time further improve it.

Personally I think they're a great bike. I particularly like the 'bobber' versions produced in Australia by 'deus ex machina'

heres just 2 examples - more on the site

https://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w40/motobiker/deus-ex-machina-swing-bobber.jpg

and

https://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w40/motobiker/50_stck.jpg
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Sooner or later opinions fade and the name on the tank matters not. I think that happens somewhere between 3rd and 4th gear. Enjoy the ride... everything else takes care of itself.