Over fifteen years ago, before the cafe racer, scrambler fad I was reviewing the W600 vs w800 for general easy going transportation. The Kawasaki w600 and w800, including the Honda CB's are often used for customization projects. The w600 is both an electric start and kickstart, but for some reason the kickstart does not come with the w800. I came across an English review of the w800 and it was deemed subpar compared to the Triumph T100, but I know English reviews are biased and always put domestic vehicles above the competition like the show Top Gear always does. I plan to do a demo ride of the w600 and w800 in the near future and trust Kawasaki to produce good quality lower powered brat cycles I believe they are called or general motorcycles. I am glad you did this review Illustrator. Thank you. One more thing. An 82 year old friend before he passed in 2015 told me the vibration is the best thing about the motorcycle when you plan to have a lady passenger. Get the bike! =)
They never made a W600 , I guess you mean the W650 which is actually 670cc, carbed . A bit-less torque than the 800 but more Hp at 50hp , mine doesn't vibe much and goes-great if you thrash-it .
This is for purist who wants to not kick start everytime. The z900rs/Cafe is for dudes who wants to drag knee, go to Cafe meet up and then park it next to their r1/zx10 track bike in the garage.
I have always been into Cafe racers and think the bike looks cool. I have been noticing the prices going down on them. I recently saw a new 2019 going for 6k. I would buy one if I got a good deal, however I wouldn't pay 9-10k for one.
@@Theillestrator1050 I own the W800 Street and I find it quite smooth with no objectionable vibrations. It's also faster than I thought it would be. Its very manueverable as well. Not a twitchy sport bike feel but well planted roadster feel.
They are cool old-style-bikes . I have the W650 (actually 670cc and carbed) , higher hp, less torque than the 800 . It goes-well if I thrash the-nuts off it and I've opened the mufflers-up a little so it sounds better . Mr 'stop-go' in front of you on the vulcan was a pain in the ass .Just discovered your channel , have an XV1000 (TR1) chain-drive that I'll be tearing-down at some stage . Dave NZ
Yup, a 'fatboi' ex/lifelong-Harley/Tractor rider on the Vulcan, used to riding slow because of bad brakes, bad handling, floorboards and being almost 1/5th the weight of that bike, ...and wobbling around on the inside of the lane, perhaps scared of the Vulcan's abilities over his usual Hardley Rideableson?
I rode a w650 briefly. It couldn't get out of its own way. The dealerships were giving them away and still sales were poor. Now you pay top dollar for a used one.
@@pbourdon231 No, the Bonnie is water cooled with a 270 degree crank as apposed to the W800s air cooled 360 degree engine. The W also has a distinctive bevel drive top end as apposed to the Bonnie's chain driven top end and a long stroke engine rather than an undersquare short stroke engine. These differences make for differing personalities and soul. Both bikes have slipper assist clutches.
360° firing interval parallel twin, the most vibration prone configuration ever. Both pistons move up/down together. I've been on a dozen demo rides over the years and the WORST riders ever are those people that hold the group back, leaving a huge gap in front of them, and never using the throttle. So frustrating.
Girl I knew, buying her first, classic two-stroke scooter: "OMIGOD... I just bought a $3000 vibrator!" Full appreciation to come maybe in your next life, Ill'. (And then there's horseback riding: khe-tum, khe-tum, khe-tum, khe-tum, khe-tum, khe-tum, khe-tum, khe-tum... ooo...)
Lol you ever see those 'foot massagers' (footsie wootsie?) at county fairs? You sit down on this chair, and put your feet on these intense vibrating platforms, and well it vibrates a lot more than just your feet. I noticed it was almost always girls using them.
I almost rode that but I figured it would just be too similar to the fz1... liter class naked bike with 4 bangers. So I just went with something more different
@@Theillestrator1050 I'm surprised your test ride was giving you a lot of vibes. Like I said, my W800 Street is just a little Vibey but nothing too disconcerting at all because most of the time the bike is very smooth . . . my nuts are serene.
@@dougfielding8215 I rember reading a Bike Magazine (UK) article about riding two-up/with a pillion, on some then new BWM KR tourer twin in the late 90's; The female pillion said that when leaning forwrds against the rider on motorways/highways, that the seat foam/design had a certain spot that reverberated just 'nicely so' for her. ..so much so she hoped the rider couldn't see her blushing in her helmet and back-off/slow down until she had to sit properly when she was 'sated' enough to 'quench the drench' within her leathers*. (*2-piece suit, ..not those homo-erotic cruiser 'chaps' thinking they're a cowboy and have to highlight there denim stained crotch with crotchless leather overpants ahem, forgive me).
The test rider here is tryin to convince us all that he is a superbike rider. Yeah yeah we know its in your blood yeah. You're in the wrong bike, rossi.
I think the bike is nice looking, especially if you are into the whole cafe racer thing, however being almost 10 grand is way overpriced. I'd rather pay a little more and get the z900rs cafe.
Damn, would have loved to know about that demo ride. EDIT: No worries, just found out there are demo rides every weekend for the next month in my area... www.kawasaki.com/Experience/Events
It's a plush suspension, which some people enjoy. Obviously if you're driving like it's a race that might not be great. But for a casual drive through some twisties and through the city it's great. Especially for me since I'm like 140lbs
@@FroggyCrimes I'm a light weight like you and find the suspension just right with the rear shocks set to the lightest setting. I found that it was very important to the ride quality to not overfill the tires even a pound or two from Kawasaki's recommended air pressure 36 psi rear, 32 psi front (otherwise I could feel every road irregularity).
Over fifteen years ago, before the cafe racer, scrambler fad I was reviewing the W600 vs w800 for general easy going transportation.
The Kawasaki w600 and w800, including the Honda CB's are often used for customization projects.
The w600 is both an electric start and kickstart, but for some reason the kickstart does not come with the w800.
I came across an English review of the w800 and it was deemed subpar compared to the Triumph T100, but I know English reviews are biased and always put domestic vehicles above the competition like the show Top Gear always does.
I plan to do a demo ride of the w600 and w800 in the near future and trust Kawasaki to produce good quality lower powered brat cycles I believe they are called or general motorcycles.
I am glad you did this review Illustrator.
Thank you.
One more thing. An 82 year old friend before he passed in 2015 told me the vibration is the best thing about the motorcycle when you plan to have a lady passenger.
Get the bike! =)
They never made a W600 , I guess you mean the W650 which is actually 670cc, carbed . A bit-less torque than the 800 but more Hp at 50hp , mine doesn't vibe much and goes-great if you thrash-it .
@@kdsowen2882 Sorry for the typo. I meant the W650. Thanks for the reply.
Because of the fuel injection a kick start won't work I read somewhere
This is for purist who wants to not kick start everytime. The z900rs/Cafe is for dudes who wants to drag knee, go to Cafe meet up and then park it next to their r1/zx10 track bike in the garage.
I have always been into Cafe racers and think the bike looks cool. I have been noticing the prices going down on them. I recently saw a new 2019 going for 6k. I would buy one if I got a good deal, however I wouldn't pay 9-10k for one.
I dig it, but I don't think I'd be able to fall in love with it as a primary bike. I'm looking constantly, but the FZ is so hard to get rid of.
Yeah no this is not a worthy FZ replacement. Especially considering you won't be used to the buzz
@@Theillestrator1050 I own the W800 Street and I find it quite smooth with no objectionable vibrations. It's also faster than I thought it would be. Its very manueverable as well. Not a twitchy sport bike feel but well planted roadster feel.
Great review - nice and quick. Thanks for posting.
They are cool old-style-bikes . I have the W650 (actually 670cc and carbed) , higher hp, less torque than the 800 . It goes-well if I thrash the-nuts off it and I've opened the mufflers-up a little so it sounds better . Mr 'stop-go' in front of you on the vulcan was a pain in the ass .Just discovered your channel , have an XV1000 (TR1) chain-drive that I'll be tearing-down at some stage . Dave NZ
Bro I was like "pass that mofucka " the whole ride. Lol
They were like "wehhh wehhh no passing"... but towards the last half I just passed him anyway
Yup, a 'fatboi' ex/lifelong-Harley/Tractor rider on the Vulcan, used to riding slow because of bad brakes, bad handling, floorboards and being almost 1/5th the weight of that bike, ...and wobbling around on the inside of the lane, perhaps scared of the Vulcan's abilities over his usual Hardley Rideableson?
Their doing their Kawasaki tour a couple hours from me, might have to check that out !!
About the vibration, what if we compared with sportster 1200? Is it worse or better?
Can you recommend a bike that does not buzz as much and the engine is more responsive? Thanks.
I rode a w650 briefly. It couldn't get out of its own way. The dealerships were giving them away and still sales were poor. Now you pay top dollar for a used one.
blipco5 You do pay top dollar for top quality. The attention to detail is outstanding and the W series is a proven design that is indestructible.
Good ol W800 - a little bit abused...but great video!
Nice vid. Keep em coming! You should come out to Detroit so we can ride. My best friend lives an hour from me and it's a pretty decent ride.
Liking these 2-fers man
Parallel twin? Sounds like a Rebel or Bonneville.
Yeah it sounds more like the Bonneville though, the rebel sounded a little more "tinny"
That's because a Bonne runs basically the same engine...
@@pbourdon231 No, the Bonnie is water cooled with a 270 degree crank as apposed to the W800s air cooled 360 degree engine. The W also has a distinctive bevel drive top end as apposed to the Bonnie's chain driven top end and a long stroke engine rather than an undersquare short stroke engine. These differences make for differing personalities and soul. Both bikes have slipper assist clutches.
I ride weird (slow) when I test drive too.
I can't imagine getting stuck behind me.
I only slow down in group rides to give myself some room to then crank on the throttle lol
Ayyyee two vids lets go
Please leave a link to your gloves.....thanks
Alpine stars Rayburn
Hey man you should do a video about cbr954rr.
Where did you get that information about the demo from?
2J knew about it, but it's the Kawasaki good times tour so you can look up the dates on it still
360° firing interval parallel twin, the most vibration prone configuration ever. Both pistons move up/down together.
I've been on a dozen demo rides over the years and the WORST riders ever are those people that hold the group back, leaving a huge gap in front of them, and never using the throttle. So frustrating.
Girl I knew, buying her first, classic two-stroke scooter: "OMIGOD... I just bought a $3000 vibrator!"
Full appreciation to come maybe in your next life, Ill'.
(And then there's horseback riding: khe-tum, khe-tum, khe-tum, khe-tum, khe-tum, khe-tum, khe-tum, khe-tum... ooo...)
Lol you ever see those 'foot massagers' (footsie wootsie?) at county fairs? You sit down on this chair, and put your feet on these intense vibrating platforms, and well it vibrates a lot more than just your feet. I noticed it was almost always girls using them.
Two words: flying brick! 😎
What gloves?
Alpine stars Rayburn
You need to try a moto guzzi v7 racer
I'll try anything, I'd love to
I was just thinking about the Kawasaki z900rs cafe...
I almost rode that but I figured it would just be too similar to the fz1... liter class naked bike with 4 bangers. So I just went with something more different
Who doesn't enjoy a good ball tickle now and then?
LMAO, atleast in those instances you expect it coming
This
I think the fat guy was trying to swerve on you to keep you from passing
Second week of dual video awesome my friend I'm weak he said it only tickles your nuts a little bit haha
I swear man, this thing makes a serious buzz between 3 and 4k
@@Theillestrator1050 I'm surprised your test ride was giving you a lot of vibes. Like I said, my W800 Street is just a little Vibey but nothing too disconcerting at all because most of the time the bike is very smooth . . . my nuts are serene.
@@dougfielding8215 I rember reading a Bike Magazine (UK) article about riding two-up/with a pillion, on some then new BWM KR tourer twin in the late 90's;
The female pillion said that when leaning forwrds against the rider on motorways/highways, that the seat foam/design had a certain spot that reverberated just 'nicely so' for her.
..so much so she hoped the rider couldn't see her blushing in her helmet and back-off/slow down until she had to sit properly when she was 'sated' enough to 'quench the drench' within her leathers*.
(*2-piece suit, ..not those homo-erotic cruiser 'chaps' thinking they're a cowboy and have to highlight there denim stained crotch with crotchless leather overpants ahem, forgive me).
The test rider here is tryin to convince us all that he is a superbike rider. Yeah yeah we know its in your blood yeah. You're in the wrong bike, rossi.
I think the bike is nice looking, especially if you are into the whole cafe racer thing, however being almost 10 grand is way overpriced. I'd rather pay a little more and get the z900rs cafe.
Z900 is a different bike, you want a retro bike, get this w800, you want fast naked bike, get z900!
For fucks sake GO 🤣🤣🤣
That dude was getting me so annoyed! He even cut me off like twice going into the dealer lot lol
Damn, would have loved to know about that demo ride.
EDIT: No worries, just found out there are demo rides every weekend for the next month in my area... www.kawasaki.com/Experience/Events
Yeah I didn't even know about it till the night before when he told me
W800 nut-tickler special 😂
THAT'S WHAT IT FELT LIKE 😭
If I had been you, I would have chosen a different route to enjoy not to follow others like a sheep....and get exasperated by the Vulcan guy , lol
Lost me at "the suspension is amazing"
It's a plush suspension, which some people enjoy. Obviously if you're driving like it's a race that might not be great. But for a casual drive through some twisties and through the city it's great. Especially for me since I'm like 140lbs
@@FroggyCrimes I'm a light weight like you and find the suspension just right with the rear shocks set to the lightest setting. I found that it was very important to the ride quality to not overfill the tires even a pound or two from Kawasaki's recommended air pressure 36 psi rear, 32 psi front (otherwise I could feel every road irregularity).
"It only feels slightly good"
Little boy blew... He needed the money.
2:02 hahaha
Zzzzzzzz bike!!!