2011 Kawasaki W800

After a three-year hiatus, Kawasaki has brought the W650 retro back to production.
[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAl5DO8BcuE&feature=player_embedded[/video]

It's good to see what was old is new again. Just a good looking all around standard motorcycle. And being a Kawasaki, it will go forever. This is the direction the "new" Norton should have gone, instead of the hypermotart machine. Make something retro, reliable and affordable. Look at all of the new smaller retro styled Harleys that have come out in recent years. More affordable, and easier to ride. Personally if I had the money right now I would seriously be looking at a new Royal Einfield.

Still ugly.

lol, dave, I think it's more plain than ugly. I see some product placement in that vid- belstaff and davida. It's probably reasonably priced, and hey if it can get me a woman like that I'm all in......not!

I think it looks great, they have out-triumphed Triumph especially the new ones.

Jean

I rode the 650 version a few years back, it was surprisingly nice to ride and compact as well, sounded nice too. I prefered it to the Triumph which I think is porky, bland and the motor somewhat unispired in appearance. But still, Kawasaki somehow have put the "timing" cover on the "primary" side. Surely they could have styled the left side a bit better.

Be interested to hear how the 800 version goes.

Mick

I always thought they were nice looking, but not quite nice enough to buy. The word copy always comes to mind, but I'd rank it the same as the new bonnies after all most of em are asian in some way or another anymore.