Kawasaki W800 ride and summary after a long break and comparison to my BMW R nineT

My Kawasaki W800 is close to 30k miles now so it's a time for a short summary... It is a good time to do that especially that I mostly rode my newer bike - the BMW R nineT Urban GS which I instantly fell in love into. Therefore I stopped riding on W800 and when recently wanted to take short trip on it I realized that MOT is gone. So I went to MOT and got it with no issues as usual. Then I decided to go for a ride and I went on a short bimble around Warwickshire. That reminded me how good that bike is and why I always loved to ride it. So: why I changed it, why I ride the beemer more and what do I think about the W - stay with me and listen to that short summary and long term review of the mighty Kawasaki W800. Did it have any issues? How does it compare to the 9T - I will answer all that... or at least will try ;)

If you have any questions - feel free to ask.

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[jarin]

I agree, we don't need to go fast to enjoy riding and appreciate the bike the way it was built for.
W800 is and will be a classic bike in many hearts and souls

[christianmouraux]

Fully agree, one rider needs several bikes! 😉 Thanks for the video 👍

[jvl]

The W800 is really a gorgeous, old school bike. I would love to have this bike as you do, as a second bike. My GS does everything, but this here is pure love . If only I could convince my wife!

[reldwob]

Burton Dassett Hills! Although I now live in Yorkshire I grew up in Leamington and rode bikes all over Warwickshire back in the 1980's. Thanks for the beautiful scenery and I came to you video because I am looking at buying the exact same bike, even the same colour!

[slash]

the W moves your soul. Going fast is convenient but it does not make you travel on the inner dimension.

[frenchenstein]

Great to see you out on the W. My W is the same year model, 2011, and I adore it!

I'm in North Wales, I hope to see you around sometime.

[alwood]

ah bearded one i still have mine12000kms now i never had to clean as u did as australia is dry and hot and as you, everytime i ride it i love it but with xs650s and triumphs to choose it can be fun lol, dont need tools with the w800! always interesting to watch your vids mate

[Grumpy-Goblin]

For me the Kawasaki is a much more interesting bike than the BMW I don't know why I just can't warm to the looks of the r9t. I finally got around to getting rid of CBF1000 and CB500x and replaced them with a Bonneville T120 and after 5 weeks and 2700 miles my heart absolutely belongs to the Bonneville I can't stop looking at it and as soon as a ride is done I can't wait for the next one. I get why the W800 could get into your soul in a way that very few bikes can do so I look forward to seeing more of it back on your channel.

[thefrenchbullet]

I like the look of the BMW, but I could stare at the W800 forever. What a beautiful machine. Just got myself a 2001 W650. I had it for a week now and love it. I prefer the engine character of the 650 over the 800, but they share the same soul. You'll see it in @bulletwanderer upcoming videos, and I do have one on my channel. Just a casual ride around Normandy (where I'm from). Cheers 😁

I have been thinking of replacing my w650, for about on year now... every bike I choose I end up pointing one or other defect... my last choice is the z900rs. I love the way it looks in pictures and from some angles, but upclose and personal it feels ginormous and dangerous... because I like to "have fun" as you say... But then, I reide the W650 for about 20-30 minutes... trying to get a glimpse of me in some mirrored surface... and my heart just says to me: DAFUQ you are never selling it.
What you say is on point... it is a relaxed bike, it asks you to accelerate in a gentlemany fashion. The cool think of it is that, if you haven't tried a bigger more modern bike... you can also go "hoooligan in a suit" on it, and have a "ton" of fun under the amazed look of the ongoers... that seem to think it is an old lady.

[stanleylawson]

what is that lovely seat you have on W800, all round great bike

[dermur]

Funny - I've done the very same. Had a Kawasaki W800 for 3 years before getting a BMW R Nine T about two year's ago. Thought about selling the W800 but by changing insurer, insured both for the same price that the W800 used to cost on its own. That was all the justification I needed to hold on to the W800. W800 defintely beats the R Nine T in the comfort and reliability stakes but I love the R Nine T for that extra grunt.

[mikeflanagan]

what is that extra dial on the right?Great ride

[turbosteve]

I have the 2019 W800 Cafe (20, 000 miles or 32, 00 kilometers) and live in The States. Love the look, and it fits my riding style as I get closer to the grave. My concern is parts availability. Trying to find matching replacement tires is an all-day job. Rear sprockets? Can't find any in the aftermarket -- had to order OEM ($$$) from Kawasaki. It's been reliable, but the common service parts I had to order (cylinder cover gasket for example) always seem to be on delayed shipping (3 - 4 days) or on back order. So I worry about keeping this thing running in three of four more years. On a side note, my ABS light came on, and the bike is currently on its third day at the dealer service department.

[Robyzed]

Hi there, it seems to me you changed the original taillight with an aftermarket one, which I really like. Could you pls. tell me what brand it is and where you found it?

[korsal]

which part of England is this? It looks beautiful.

[nevillekettle]

Many reviews are critical of the vibrations that occur around 100-120kmhr. What do you think about this ??

[catherineducati]

I like the old school side of the kawasaki W800

[factsnchill]

Can I ask where you changed the exhaust? What brand?

[mikefrancais]

You are playing, Captain rambunctious, background music!