The original W1 was a copy of a BSA not Triumph. The W650 is a brilliant bike, the wife bought hers new in 99, it's done over 80K miles is still going strong and a part from the usual rotting away exhaust and the rear mudguard splitting in half has had no issues.
Cool, I've got an '04. Over 70,000 km. Rides well. Tried to change the exhaust to a 2-1, threw out airbox etc. , but couldn't tune the carbs to match the setup, so rebuilt the airbox and reinstalled the original exhaust. (the exhaust has some rattles/rust inside but other than that it is sweet. Would love to go back to my 2-1 titanium pipe and some CR carbs but just cant jet it right for all speeds and conditions. (Live and learn..) Love the bike and will keep for ever.
Just test drove one of these and the torque on this thing is INSANE for a 650 because it's so light weight. Soon as I put it on 2nd at about 4000 rpm and twisted the throttle I was like "Shiiiiiii.....!"😆 Very fun, light, and beautiful
It's a good choice for a starter bike you can hang onto to enjoy. They don't sound threatening and violent which I love to hear only because I'm not a beginner anymore. Nice and clean too, not just the cosmetics it's also the way its setup.
is a threatening and violent sounding bike okay with you now that you are more experienced? Whenever I hear some bike a mile away coming toward my home I want to go out and throw a rock at them! I've had my children woken from deep sleeps to the terrifying sound from some harley revving up at a light. This is not Manly. It's pathetic.
Almost everything including tank paint except tank badges like mine, and my turn indicators installed on the frame. Firstly I didn't like silver tank paint, but further in warm weather it became very practical
yep, as below, the kawasaki W1 & W2, as well as the earlier megura (which kawasaki bought out in the early 60s) 650s were a good japanese version of BSAs 650s, megura did a 500 too. great content as ever. 🏴☠️
very nice bikes they sound to us just like a triumph the early japanese ones of these wot were made in the 70s are selling for obscene amounts off money they are sought after even the new ones
Anyone seriously concidering a new Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 bucause of it's price point should BUY THIS BIKE instead! Better looks, better performance, more reliable...just an all around better value! This bike will go up in price in the comming years while the RE 650 Interceptor will fall precipitously. The W650 and W800 are the absolute Quintessential BRIT-BIKE; more than any bike to ever come out of Britain (and this from a proud owner of a new T120).
Jerry and Nancy- Ecactly what I was thinking and there's a few up for sale where I live here in NC. I've always worried about parts since it was here for ONLY 2 years. Cleans ones go for 3500 to 5000 which seems like a good deal since they go 100k miles!!!! Enfield will only go down in value like you say.
Jerry and Nancy, I agree totally. If you look closely at the W650 or W800s, the finish is real quality, not so much on the Royal Enfield. These are already becoming collector bikes, with good reason. A year ago I bought a new W800 Street model and absolutely love it. 😍
I’m very late on this thread , but I’d decided to buy the Interceptor650 and was all squared away with my choice…not always easy. But became privy to these a few days ago and now I’m torn again ! Ok , the Int doesn’t have kickstart option but the W doesn’t have fuel injection … But I just found a W650 near me , 2001 with only 1,400miles on it for $4,999 from a private seller. THAT seems like an excellent deal. It’s the green with cream tank and it’s been stored inside. They must have never ridden it , I guess . Any opinions ? Thanks !
Saw your great video here in England and just bought a 12year old w800 a beautiful bike great engine dead reliable but l also love the 650.have l done the right thing?
@@Spartansrule118 No Rajer - I am lucky to know a man who also know something about both - Bevel drive and adjustment - then he also make the valve, but mostly the valveadjustment has not to be done because of shims and I seldom drive over 4000 rpm
Kawasaki KH triple rider here from way back before i was married. I bought a Vulcan 1500 but didn't like the cruiser style, sold it. I'm looking a a 2001 W60, on the bubble financially and just stupidity wise at my age, 62. 6'1 225# My heart says to get it! I want the guy in the video to be my neighbor, we'd have fun.
I wouldn't mind having one of these, but I'm cautious about it. I fell in love with the look of the British-style twins the first time I saw a W650. I ended up getting a 1972 Yamaha XS-650 to tide me over while my Kawasaki triple was down, and to finally scratch that Brit-twin itch. I absolutely HATED that XS. Hated it. The engine looked and sounded great but compared to the 2-strokes I'm used to it shook like a dog and had the personality of a washing machine. I still love how this kind of bike looks, but I would have to ride a W and ride it for a while in order to decide if I'm ready again for the novelty of owning a 4-stroke motorcycle again. For sure, the balance shaft would be a game-changer compared to the XS.
The original W1 was a copy of a BSA not Triumph. The W650 is a brilliant bike, the wife bought hers new in 99, it's done over 80K miles is still going strong and a part from the usual rotting away exhaust and the rear mudguard splitting in half has had no issues.
Start it up!! And your right - It was back in the 60 - BSA copy.
The W650 frame is very similar to a BSA A10. Hence they actually look like a classic bike unlike any of the modern Triumphs.
Cool, I've got an '04. Over 70,000 km. Rides well. Tried to change the exhaust to a 2-1, threw out airbox etc. , but couldn't tune the carbs to match the setup, so rebuilt the airbox and reinstalled the original exhaust. (the exhaust has some rattles/rust inside but other than that it is sweet. Would love to go back to my 2-1 titanium pipe and some CR carbs but just cant jet it right for all speeds and conditions. (Live and learn..) Love the bike and will keep for ever.
I love that 650 what a beautiful classic looking bike.
Me too!
Just test drove one of these and the torque on this thing is INSANE for a 650 because it's so light weight. Soon as I put it on 2nd at about 4000 rpm and twisted the throttle I was like "Shiiiiiii.....!"😆 Very fun, light, and beautiful
It's a good choice for a starter bike you can hang onto to enjoy. They don't sound threatening and violent which I love to hear only because I'm not a beginner anymore. Nice and clean too, not just the cosmetics it's also the way its setup.
is a threatening and violent sounding bike okay with you now that you are more experienced? Whenever I hear some bike a mile away coming toward my home I want to go out and throw a rock at them! I've had my children woken from deep sleeps to the terrifying sound from some harley revving up at a light. This is not Manly. It's pathetic.
You were describing a scrambler, with dual tyres, high mudguards and pipes. It can be done easily and beautifully to these bikes.
Fantastic bike, bet it sold for good money. They are getting sought after in England. Great review.
I was just watching a video wondering when you would upload damm perfect timing
Wow - A foreigner IT-man - or am I wrong - Made one of the finest motorcycleauctions of the World!! Fine man!!
Love that bike. I remember when it came out but I can't believe it was 20 years ago! Great trade in!
Super!!
I just purchased one!
Almost everything including tank paint except tank badges like mine, and my turn indicators installed on the frame. Firstly I didn't like silver tank paint, but further in warm weather it became very practical
The original W 1 Kawasaki was a replica of a BSA twin.
But didn’t leak oil
@@donbrashsux And started every time.
Lighter crankshaft to rev higher and faster as well.
yep, as below, the kawasaki W1 & W2, as well as the earlier megura (which kawasaki bought out in the early 60s) 650s were a good japanese version of BSAs 650s, megura did a 500 too.
great content as ever.
🏴☠️
I started to like W650 when I saw The Mighty Garage's video of the lady owner of this model. It's really tempting to get this or the W800.
Me too, but for one thing..- the kick start!
did you get either?
very nice bikes they sound to us just like a triumph the early japanese ones of these wot were made in the 70s are selling for obscene
amounts off money they are sought after even the new ones
Nice bike. I love the lines on this retro
Awesome Ken I love Kawasaki
Sounds rad!
Anyone seriously concidering a new Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 bucause of it's price point should BUY THIS BIKE instead! Better looks, better performance, more reliable...just an all around better value! This bike will go up in price in the comming years while the RE 650 Interceptor will fall precipitously.
The W650 and W800 are the absolute Quintessential BRIT-BIKE; more than any bike to ever come out of Britain (and this from a proud owner of a new T120).
Jerry and Nancy- Ecactly what I was thinking and there's a few up for sale where I live here in NC. I've always worried about parts since it was here for ONLY 2 years. Cleans ones go for 3500 to 5000 which seems like a good deal since they go 100k miles!!!! Enfield will only go down in value like you say.
Jerry and Nancy, I agree totally. If you look closely at the W650 or W800s, the finish is real quality, not so much on the Royal Enfield. These are already becoming collector bikes, with good reason.
A year ago I bought a new W800 Street model and absolutely love it. 😍
Jep - I have the 2006 Thruxton carb-model!! Beatifull design but I better love to drive my W650!! And I am not mental retired!
I’m very late on this thread , but I’d decided to buy the Interceptor650 and was all squared away with my choice…not always easy. But became privy to these a few days ago and now I’m torn again ! Ok , the Int doesn’t have kickstart option but the W doesn’t have fuel injection … But I just found a W650 near me , 2001 with only 1,400miles on it for $4,999 from a private seller. THAT seems like an excellent deal. It’s the green with cream tank and it’s been stored inside. They must have never ridden it , I guess . Any opinions ? Thanks !
It’s never been dropped and looks super clean and straight.
i wish your store was close to me dude,but i live in Greece...keep on rocking
They can make these forever.
It sounds sweet!
I love this bike. There's one here for sale. Do you think it's a good beginners bike?
A pretty cool bike
Saw your great video here in England and just bought a 12year old w800 a beautiful bike great engine dead reliable but l also love the 650.have l done the right thing?
The W650 and W800 are fine classic bikes - I love to drive my 1999 W650. They can drive 100000 to 150000 km without problems!!
Do you do valve adjustments and such?
@@Spartansrule118 No Rajer - I am lucky to know a man who also know something about both - Bevel drive and adjustment - then he also make the valve, but mostly the valveadjustment has not to be done because of shims and I seldom drive over 4000 rpm
Cool bike
Kawasaki KH triple rider here from way back before i was married. I bought a Vulcan 1500 but didn't like the cruiser style, sold it. I'm looking a a 2001 W60, on the bubble financially and just stupidity wise at my age, 62. 6'1 225# My heart says to get it! I want the guy in the video to be my neighbor, we'd have fun.
Just beautiful
It really looks like a Triumph Trident
No it doesn't
@@timwrigley2807 triumph t160 is the original trident, not that ugly new thing your probably thinking about
@@Mafketels T150 no?
Nice sound 💯
It would make a great Scrambler
Yes your right it would
🤘😷 VAS Y MON KAPLAN 🔥
T'ES GÔÔD GÔÔD GÔÔD 💪🧔
🏍 🏁 🏍️ 🏁 🏍️ 🏁 🏍️ 🏁 🏍️ 🏁 🏍️
Reminiscent of my Norton, I wonder if Triumph badging will fit on the 01.
Is 16K low mileage on one? Is 4,000 dollars a fair price?
Yep and Yep..
I wouldn't mind having one of these, but I'm cautious about it. I fell in love with the look of the British-style twins the first time I saw a W650. I ended up getting a 1972 Yamaha XS-650 to tide me over while my Kawasaki triple was down, and to finally scratch that Brit-twin itch. I absolutely HATED that XS. Hated it. The engine looked and sounded great but compared to the 2-strokes I'm used to it shook like a dog and had the personality of a washing machine. I still love how this kind of bike looks, but I would have to ride a W and ride it for a while in order to decide if I'm ready again for the novelty of owning a 4-stroke motorcycle again. For sure, the balance shaft would be a game-changer compared to the XS.
How tall is biker?
W1 was a bsa copy
get back on that bike the test ride isn't over without a wheelie god dam it lol
I have this model 😊.
It is 360 degree fiting order twin
Yo guys are the best but dam I wish yinz guys would wear helmets...
Actually it was a replica of a BSA A10 650, not a Bonneville, Kawasaki made the W1 under licence from BSA...:-)
Good to know
Scrambler material
Nicee mennn!!!!
Japans Triumph :)
👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻
This is not similar to any of A7 or W1 but JAWA 500 OHC... See bevel shaft/ drive in the right
Cool starter bike for anyone.
Test rider just make hd, not small bike
Kawasaki should change W650 crankshaft to 225 or 270 degree . it'll improve torque curve and exhaust sound .
Are you stupid? If you want 270°, get a Triumph.
@@fredtracy3931 gee lovely way to address people . thanks but Kawasaki looks better to me and may be more durable than Triumph .
@@egotripband some of us love a 360° crank, the Brit sound. 🇬🇧
I don't like a parallel twin that sounds like a v-twin!
just no.
looks like a wanna be fckd up triumph
kind of a fugly looking bike