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A Fine Looking Retro Motorcycle
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Cormanus Offline
Moderator

Queensland, Australia
Posts: 20,660
Joined: Dec 2013
Post: #1
A Fine Looking Retro Motorcycle
I understand this Kawasaki W800 is not imported to the US. You can still get the 2016 SE model in Australia, but that looks like it.

In my view, this is a better looking bike than the SE—see here.

İmage

The 2016 SE

İmage
(This post was last modified: 10-10-2017 11:44 PM by Cormanus.)
10-10-2017 11:39 PM
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Wisedrum Offline
High Mileage

Germany
Posts: 1,063
Joined: Feb 2015
Post: #2
RE: A Fine Looking Retro Motorcycle
The green one shown in the first picture is the model I own and ride for 6,5 years. In Germany it was sold the first 2 years after the W800 entered the market in 2013.
Then Kawasaki always changed colors and outlook of the W, which I don't like that much. The blackend models looks way too much like a rat bike in my eyes, as if someone has sprayed the bike over with cheap mat black, not my style. The Kawa is a very lovely bike and maybe it is the best looking retro bike, but now disappeared from the German market and prices for used ones a still rising, which start round about by 6.000€. Used first CB models are nearly starting in the same price region..... I will keep both.

Wisedrum
(This post was last modified: 10-11-2017 01:20 AM by Wisedrum.)
10-11-2017 12:53 AM
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Cormanus Offline
Moderator

Queensland, Australia
Posts: 20,660
Joined: Dec 2013
Post: #3
A Fine Looking Retro Motorcycle
A new SE would cost AU$13,000 or about €8,500. The CB1100 was priced around AU$15,000 or nearly €10,000 in 2010 and 2011.
10-11-2017 03:15 AM
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Cormanus Offline
Moderator

Queensland, Australia
Posts: 20,660
Joined: Dec 2013
Post: #4
RE: A Fine Looking Retro Motorcycle
Speaking of fine looking retro motorcycles, I came across this picture of a couple of fine looking retro motorcyclists who, one way and another, had a bit of influence on the business ...

İmage
10-12-2017 03:54 AM
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bigsheep Offline
Running Like a Top

Hamilton, ON
Posts: 407
Joined: Nov 2016
Post: #5
RE: A Fine Looking Retro Motorcycle
I like the look of the W800 but I would spend the extra $$ to get the CB1100. 48 ponies on an 800 isn't my thing. Being over 700cc is the next tier for insurance around here so if I'm forking out extra $$ for 800cc I want the zip it should come with. Honda's 500 cc rebel would be similar in power.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pPlNYc2wmw

1968 CB350
1981 CB125S
2002 CBR600F4i
2013 CB1100
2014 Honda CTX700N (sold)
10-12-2017 11:21 AM
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Wisedrum Offline
High Mileage

Germany
Posts: 1,063
Joined: Feb 2015
Post: #6
RE: A Fine Looking Retro Motorcycle
The W800 is a bike in its own class, outstanding look and with a good torquey feel, I think not to compare with the smaller Honda. 48HP are not always 48HP in the same way. The W offers them very nicely with not much revs. But bikes are always a very personal thing. And mostly special bikes will only come to honor when they are put out of the market. The W is such a bike in Germany and I'm happy to have one.

Wisedrum
(This post was last modified: 10-12-2017 01:44 PM by Wisedrum.)
10-12-2017 01:41 PM
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bigsheep Offline
Running Like a Top

Hamilton, ON
Posts: 407
Joined: Nov 2016
Post: #7
RE: A Fine Looking Retro Motorcycle
Wisedrum you're right 48hp can be applied very different ways. The fact that it was never available in Canada and I was looking to move up from my 700cc 50hp bike to something with a little more pep means it wasn't what I was looking for. But if I ever had the opportunity to take one for a ride and just for myself I'd jump at the chance.

1968 CB350
1981 CB125S
2002 CBR600F4i
2013 CB1100
2014 Honda CTX700N (sold)
10-13-2017 05:14 AM
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Wisedrum Offline
High Mileage

Germany
Posts: 1,063
Joined: Feb 2015
Post: #8
RE: A Fine Looking Retro Motorcycle
Do so, you won't be dissapointed. Ir's not the HP alone, it's the whole package a motorbike offers. In my opinion it's a satisfying one, in its way overwhelming this kind of retro up to a certain degree of perfect imperfection, which is not to be found in the CB and need its comparison, but can't be found elsewhere. Very entertaining. And a motorbike should do that in its own sweet way. The W does it.

Wisedrum
10-13-2017 12:53 PM
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Cormanus Offline
Moderator

Queensland, Australia
Posts: 20,660
Joined: Dec 2013
Post: #9
RE: A Fine Looking Retro Motorcycle
I’ve not ridden one either, but I’d like to. They are beautiful looking motorcycles, I think. Had I not found a CB1100, the W800 was on my list of possibles.
10-13-2017 02:27 PM
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rotor Offline
Running Like a Top

Western Canada
Posts: 342
Joined: Apr 2015
Post: #10
RE: A Fine Looking Retro Motorcycle
I buy motorcycles with a firm idea of the intended use for it.

CB1100 is for me a motorcycle intended primarily for long-distance, multi-day touring. If I was looking for a lighter, "around-town" and/or commuter bike, W800 would have been on the list. But then, the only advantage of W800 over CBF500 would have been "the looks". For everything else...
10-14-2017 01:16 AM
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