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- The time machine
- Four years after the discontinuation of the W 650, Kawasaki is relaunching an updated 800cc version "up to date", if we can call it a retro model. Back to the roots of the myth.
- Discovery
- In the saddle
- Contact
- In the city
- National
- Departmental
- Highway
- Braking
- Comfort
- Consumption
- Convenient
- Conclusion
- Test conditions
- Competetion
- Problem encountered: Fallen….… .. Lovers!
The time machine
Four years after the discontinuation of the W 650, Kawasaki is relaunching an updated 800cc version "up to date", if we can call it a retro model. Back to the roots of the myth.
Discovery
Vertical twin, spoked wheels, rear drum, two shock absorbers, fork gaiters and knee flu…. The Kawasaki W800 takes up the lines of its predecessor, the late W650. Appeared in 1999, it was itself inspired by the W produced from 1966 to 1973. (on the photo a W1S 1968 model, then the last W3 version from 1974 with its double AV disc!)
To be quite exact, this W1 was derived from the Meguro 650, a Japanese brand bought by Kawasaki some time earlier during the regrouping of Japanese manufacturers in the sixties..
Let’s end this family tree by adding that Meguro drew heavily on BSA A7 when designing this model. In summary, this W800 is the worthy descendant of an English motorcycle and it shows!
However, in addition to the lines of the recent 650, the 800 also incorporates the mechanics. In fact, we find the same engine with only the bore increased from 72 to 77 mm, bringing the displacement to 773 cm3, or 97 cm3 more than before. Despite this development, the 800 remains a "long stroke", meaning that the piston stroke (83mm) is still greater than the bore. A characteristic that speaks in favor of a well-filled engine at low revs. We will see later if this is confirmed during driving. The engine retains its superb distribution to a bevel-driven ACT.
Under its classic airs, the cylinder head still contains 4 valves per cylinder. Since we’re talking about modernism, let’s finish by pointing out that the two 34 carburettors fitted to the 650 have given way to an injection equipped with double butterflies of the same diameter. The injectors are 12 holes for optimal spraying. This should ensure good flexibility to the engine, confirmed by a maximum torque delivered from 2500 rpm.
In the saddle
With only 790 mm in height, the saddle offers a welcoming seat to the rider who easily puts both feet on the ground regardless of his size. The handlebars fall well under the hands…. and the footrests under the feet! Simple motorcycles are sometimes good. We do not ask questions, everything is obvious. The bust is straight.
The brake and clutch levers are adjustable in spacing. Before your eyes, the dashboard with round dials and white hands is retro, but even if it means nostalgia, we would have preferred a more classy style: the central plastic part that connects the two dials is not very happy. . On-board clock, trip, reserve indicator, are on the menu in addition to the union minimum. It’s perfect and readable. We are not asking for anything more. The rev counter shows a red zone at 7000 rpm…. Down by 500 rpm compared to the pre-series exhibited at the Intermot fair in Cologne.
Contact
Surprise, the kick is gone! Or, let’s press the starter. The four-valve twin begins to purr in the two “sausage” pots equipped with catalysts. The noise is nice, but we would have liked it even more cavernous and hoarse. It’s over, we expected more manly, but the standards are not there. We will not break the ears of the neighbors.
In the city
And here we go! The first passes easily, like the other four gears. The clutch is smooth and above all the engine very smooth for a twin. You can go down to very low speed on all gears. At sixty in fifth, it purrs gently at 2000 rpm. Narrow, agile, relatively light (216 kg with full tank), the kawa handles smoothly. You could even say that she is in her element here. Those who take it to work will not be disappointed, it will hold its role well and will do more than an ordinary scooter. On its handlebars you will even look "very classy", because apart from a few small details (the injector connectors and their wires a little too visible, or the front brake band not very design), this W 800 is a beautiful object. that we admire and possess with pride.
She is naturally beautiful, without ostentatious artifice. The class we tell you!
National
Easy going, little Kawa can adapt to any situation with happiness. Trips on the main roads are not at all an ordeal. Comfortable, little or no vibrating, it is perfectly at ease and so are you. Its 48 horses (2 less than the 650, but 500 rpm lower) are always available to exceed a retarded, whatever the gear engaged. It must be said that by gaining 101 cm3, the beautiful saw its maximum torque rise by 0.6 mkg, but above all drop by 3000 rpm! A detail that matters, even if you have to take into account a very flat curve, which puts this gap in perspective. We still would have liked a little more frankness under the acceleration and feel a real kick in the ass. A 270 ° degree setting would have been more "sensational".
Heading at high speed is impeccable (even at 160 km / h) and braking a bit fair, but well suited to the performance and especially to the spirit of this very nice bike.
Departmental
Designed to stroll with the nose in the wind, the W 800 is here on its ground. With its narrow tires, it swings easily from turn to turn. The grip of its Dunlop TT 100 (K 81 style of the Belle Epoque) is not a problem. The 19-inch front wheel smooths out small bumps. For the bigger ones, the suspension does the job properly. We are talking about suspension here, but not amortization because on this side, it is a bit the absent subscribers. The fork is soft and the rear springs must have been crossed with a bicycle pump. It’s okay with normal use, it’s even comfortable, but when you pick up the pace and there are bumps, it skips a bit. In fact, we hear loud noises when the footrests scrape the ground in bends. Because in this game, the ground clearance is a bit tight. However, the W800 never breaks up and it even allows a very correct driving pace, especially for a classic whose goal is not to drag it into a bloody arsouille. She’s not a sportswoman, but by no means not "a trap" either. She prefers the ride, sure, but on her handlebars you will never have the feeling of dragging yourself and not all bikers will tease her limits..
Highway
These are probably the kind of places where you will avoid laying the wheels with this type of machine. This is going against his beliefs. On his handlebars we are not trying to save time, but on the contrary to make the most of the moment. That said, with a top speed close to 170 km / h, a handlebars not too wide, the W800 is ready to face this test, without failing..
Braking
The simple 300mm front disc does its job well as long as the pace remains reasonable. If you want to delay braking and get back into corners quickly, then it shows its limits. It is then necessary to pull very hard on the lever, which makes the dosage difficult. When you think that in 73 she already had a double disc…. The rear drum is completely forgotten…. He is perfect! We would almost regret his disappearance on other bikes with difficult dosages, as this role suits him so wonderfully..
Comfort
While flexible suspensions show their limits in sports use, they are doing very well in terms of comfort. The vibrations are well filtered, the position not tiring and the controls are smooth … so here we have all the ingredients for a pleasant motorcycle. Still a little doubt about the padding of the saddle for long stages. This remains to be confirmed during a longer test than this press presentation. The passenger meanwhile is very well installed, with legs not folded, a wide seat. It has crutch handles to hold onto. However, the handles are very low and not far enough back. No doubt, this bike can very well be lived for two.
Consumption
We were unable to measure fuel consumption, however first impressions lean in favor of a fuel-efficient motorcycle. The tank identical to the W650 loses a liter of capacity (14 liters now) probably due to the fuel pump imposed by the injection.
Convenient
A feature that has become rare, the W800 offers a standard center stand. The crutching is easy thanks to the handles. The side stand is stable. It also offers two helmet hooks under the saddle, where you can also accommodate a small U-lock. The rider footrests fold up to improve ground clearance when cornering..
Conclusion
Undoubtedly the W 800 is a successful motorcycle. We take as much pleasure in driving it as in watching it. From certain angles its front axle evokes an old Honda, while following it you think you are seeing a Yamaha 650 XS1 from 1972. Yet it is the Triumph Bonneville that you think of when you see it. It is now its main contemporary competitor. The Triumph is also sold € 9 less in its basic version. This is not cheap compared to the price and technological content of a water-cooled ACT double 4-cylinder roadster, equipped with 2 discs + radial calipers and an adjustable inverted fork. However, chrome and beautiful pieces are also very expensive and the quantities produced are not the same…. But this is not the only paradox of this Japanese girl who flies in the English way. Because finally by surfing the retro wave, Kawasaki offers us here one of its models most suited to modern traffic conditions. A machine to go back in time and take pleasure, without taking any risk, for your health and your driving license. Driving rested and serene, but devilishly enthusiastic. Go and meet her in the concessions and you will fall under the spell of this "so British" Geisha.
Strong points
- Smooth and friendly engine
- Neat finish
- Healthy and efficient road behavior
- Chromes !!! Comfort and duo
Weak points
- Engine not "sensational" enough
- Fair AR damping
- Braking when driving fast
- High price
Test conditions
Itinerary: small and varied roads (departmental, national, with a little town)
Competetion
Ducati 1000 GT, Harley Davidson Sporster, Moto Guzzi V7 Classic and Cafe, Triumph Bonneville, Thruxton and Scrambler + “real collection motorcycles”…. sold without the brakes and with the authentic tips!
Problem encountered: Fallen….… .. Lovers!
The technical sheet of the W800
Read also the customs comparison Kawasaki VN 900, VN 1700 and W800
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