Like the Kawasaki W800? - Watch This! 1st Season Honest Review of Kawasaki W800

Full first season honest review of owning the 2020 Kawasaki W800 (purchased NEW in June 2022)

[Blair]

My first street legal bike was a 1972(?) Honda 450 and then I stepped up to a 1971(?) Yamaha 650. Hence my nostalgia for the spoke wheel, air cooled twins. Had a rocket for some unknown reason, and then a Goldwing before I hung it up. I picked up the 2023 Guzzi V7 Special in 2024 for $1000 off for new old stock. And at a Guzzi event day that got me another $500 discount. So very good deal at $8490. Now at almost 500 miles I'm starting to get my sea legs back and am head over heels for the thing. Just brought back the old magic of riding a simple machine. Your bevel gear drive overhead cam is beautiful but gotta love a two valve push rod motor. Doesn't get much simpler.

The V7 Special came with the Michelin Road Classics and I will say I'm amazed at how they really don't track at all compared to the old days IIRC. I never cared for speed but this makes me want to lean into the curves. Moto Guzzi does offer both high and low comfort seats with heated as an option.

Fellow New Englander from Connecticut. One reason I was reluctant to get back on a motorcycle was that I have hit three deer. Never on a motorcycle. But in an auto is bad enough. I try to completely avoid driving around dusk in the fall.

For pure aesthetics I will say the W has the Special beat. Love that chain drive too.

[dartswinger]

I too had a R75/5 ('73) I feel the same way you do about this bike. Bought one last week, the cafe model. Love the thing. Bummer you have a riding season, I plan on riding this thing through the NW winters as long as the roads aren't frozen.

[MinhVu-iniz]

I want this w800 as a second bike, I love the retro look and feel of this bike, it stay so true to old British charm!! The engine is so beautiful!!

[BlakesPipes]

I own the 2020 cafe version and put 8k on it. I love this bike. You did a great review as I will be getting new tires this next year. I like the cafe seat for a good ride. But that is personal. I own a 2021 Concours for my long rides to Tennessee or Jersey. Luggage rack I put on and foam grip covers. Needs a center stand as the cafe doesn't come with one. 200 dollars! Any way, to any that come across this video, it all depends on what you are looking for. I didn't know when I bought it, but it has worked it's way into my most favorite bike I have ever owned. Love it. But it's getting cool and winter is around the corner and the Concours will be up to the challenge, as I am 100 percent motorcycle living in Virginia.

[rafaelfernandez]

I bought a 2022 W800 and I find it fantastic for me. I used to ride a Harley Davidson Heritage that was too heavy and causing back pains.

[johnkestly]

I picked up my 2022 W800 and drove it home 200 miles, I thought the seat was bad. I now have 8200 miles on it in 3 months, a few days of close to 400 miles and I like the seat now, so I got used to it, or it broke in.

[jetmechB]

Awesome bike. I got to test ride during a Kawasaki event. I really enjoyed. I looking around for second bike. The W800 maybe my next bike. Great photography. You have good eye.

[fiendmojitos]

Great review.
In New England also. I recently test rode a 2020 W800. Were it not for the gas nozzle dings in the tank, it would now be in my garage.
I'm also 5'8" (with a bit more heft) and I concur about the bar risers. It'll be the first mod I do when I get one. After riding a Harley FLH, a Gold Wing, CB750 and currently a VStar950 Tourer, it's definitely a 'compact' bike, such as my former CB350 but taller..

[Bob-xcus]

My W800 does well on the 70mph four lane but is is not a Goldwing or other brand heavy weight cruiser. For occasional high speed jaunts it does just fine. The Dart flyscreen is a little higher than the aluminum one you have and it makes quite a difference above 60mph. It is, however, not a full touring fairing .

[dcjr]

Great summary of the W800. My Kawasaki's were built in Thailand, but I have heard the W800 is being built in Japan. Can you confirm this?

[bluesysaxman]

I just bought the Kawasaki Z650rs as I am most comfortable on this style of bike a felt it would be a good starter bike since I haven't turned a throttle in 40 years.

[icedidi]

Great vid, I have the street version, very happy with it except the tyres are a bit iffy and the lack of aftermarket support

[mebeasensei]

I have a 2004 W650…I guess you put the front shield on to hide the plastic base to the speedo..I did same but it ended up changing lights and headlight anyway. Wonderful bikes. The W800 is gorgeous and will hold its value and increase in the future…

[SinnerSince]

Corbin makes two styles of seats for this bike.

[Bob-xcus]

If I keep my tires a t 28psi front and 32psi rear when riding alone I don't notice much, if any, seam tracking. Some people are installing radial tires with radial tire approved inner tubes. I am not sure that's a good idea for long hot touring rides but may be ok for day trips. Has anyone done this?

[marksutherlandjr.]

I'm shopping bikes the W800 is first one on my list.

[Soulburn]

I have owned a W800 for three years pulling a Cozy European sidecar I love the bike and being 70 years of age, it will be my last bike but that said i absolutely love my machine I have a video of it on my YouTube site Soul2Burn