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Triumph Kawasaki

7K views 52 replies 22 participants last post by  W_Edwards 
#1 ·
#3 ·
Lazy writing by Motorcyclist. The bike clearly does not have a "dual ... disc setup" on the front brake.
 
#5 ·
The price does not make sense to me. The RS for 1.2K more offers so much more value.

8k should be the max price point, IMO. Compared to the RS is it severly underpowered, single disc, air cooled, 0 suspension adjustability, no mono shock, etc, etc. who will pay 10K when the RS is 11.2? Well, not me.

That’s surprising for KAWA that does usually offer features no one else offers for the price point. Ninja 1000 with IMU and cornering ABS comes to mind for 12K.
 
#14 ·
The price is not surprising since the W series was overpriced when the 650 came out. Don't know about international sales, but the W650 was a poor sell in the US due to the pricing. And rear fenders cracking. I would assume much larger production numbers for the RS vs this W800 so the pricing would be different.
 
#18 ·
I had a '01 W650 for ten years - great bike, although not the fastest I've had. Very popular in Japan, in fact not only a W800, but a W400 as well.
My W650 had Ikon shocks, progressive front springs, I put on the W low bar kit that seems like standard to me. Braided stainless steel brake hoses.
 

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#19 ·
Owned both a 1970 Triumph TR-6R (low pipes with single carburetor) and 2000 Kawasaki W650 for a short while. Kawasaki did a good job in duplicating the looks and "bicycle with an engine" feel of the Meriden Triumph. Difference was the feeling that the Kawasaki would run forever. IMO, the W650 engine looks very traditional but has a touch of flair with its bevel drive. Ended up fitting better suspension and tires to the W650 which really helped the handling. Still need to install the European low bar kit. Glad to see that Kawasaki is introducing the W800 to the USA, but wish it had a brighter more classic paint scheme. Kawasaki may be fighting an uphill battle considering the competition it will face against the new Triumph Street Twin and Royal Enfield's new 650 cc twins.
 

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#20 ·
If I am going to buy the knock-off, I would expect to pay less for it. According to Rider Magazine, it cost a few $$$ more than the 900 Bonnie. I'd buy the Triumph. Everybody that sees it is going to know it is a knock-off. ...J.D.
 
#21 ·
Due to the similar prices, I think the new W800 will have a tough time competing against the new Street Twin. Unfortunately for Kawasaki, the Triumph (air-cooled) Bonneville was introduced in the USA shortly after the W650. IMO, the Kawasaki had the more authentic ride and was the better looking machine, but it didn't have that magic "Triumph" name on the gas tank. I'm guessing a similar fate is in store for the W800, especially since the new Street Twin is such a nice motorcycle.
 
#22 · (Edited)
#23 · (Edited)
With the W800 you are getting less for your money. The most glaring shortcoming with the Kawi is it is still air-cooled. The Street Twin is liquid cooled. The article I read on the W800 does not mention anything about electronic rider aids. The Street Twin has dual rider modes. Both have ABS. They are priced at $9550 & $9799, with the Street Twin being the cheaper of the two. My money is still on the Triumph. ...J.D.
 
#25 ·
The most glaring shortcoming with the Kawi is it is still air-cooled.
To some of us, that's a benefit, not a shortcoming. It's authentically classic, and simpler to operate. When I bought my current Triumph, I briefly considered the Street Twin but being water-cooled was a major downside compared to getting a used air-cooled Bonneville.
 
#27 ·
I think liquid-cooled engines have lots of functional and performance advantages, but comparable air-cooled engines are simpler and have a more pleasing appearance. IMO an air-cooled engine seems appropriate in a classic / retro style of motorcycle. Triumph did a great job in hiding the plumbing on their LC twins, but it would be impossible to hide it all.

For me, riding modes are neat but I don't miss them on simpler motorcycles that have been properly jetted or calibrated (FI).

Glad we have choices.
 
#28 ·
Riding modes are fine for high powered sport bikes and high powered ADV bikes for off road riding. For anything else, it's not needed. I have two modes on my Ninja1000. Full power and 70%. Not as many modes as for most other bikes. I've never tried the 70% and don't intend to. ABS and even TC are okay, but the dumbing down of a rider's ability or training with all these aides is not in my view a panacea for poor training and practice. Back in the day, a bike's power was modest so learning the hard way was not necessarily fatal. Unless you rode a crazy two stroke. With loony HP figures and low weight for some of these bikes, the aides are probably a good thing if the rider doesn't turn them off. I really don't see the need on these Triumph twins. I guess it's a sign of the times to get more new riders on bikes and marketing has pressured buyers into wanting everything including the kitchen sink. Not so sure about advances in safety for a street rider. If you don't know what you're doing, then even the aides won't save you.
 
#34 ·
I like the headlamp.:hmmmmm
 
#42 ·
You guys are die hard british bike guys !
I have no such allegiance. I look at all the bikes available and choose one that suits me. Usually they are from japan although I rode BMW from 1973 to 1982 and BSA in 1966.
I got my bike by default. I wouldn't have picked it. I like it but it sure is hard finding farkles for it.

JJ
 
#50 · (Edited)
Not all Hinckley models use plastic. My 2002 T100 has metal fenders, metal
body sidecovers, metal chain guard, etc. As to the 270 crank, I think just what
you said is why some of us don't like it.....: "sensible and much nicer". Sounds
about right if you're speaking of a Honda, but, not when talking of a Triumph !
Sensible, ...maybe. Much nicer,.....no thanks!
Also, I wouldn't characterize the Hinckley Bonneville as an "imitation" of the
Meriden Bonneville but rather as a logical evolution of that bike. The new water-
cooled Bonneville is pretty much the same evolution continuing. However, for some
of us old codgers, too much evolution is just, well, too much ! I'm glad however,
that many like the new type engine because I want to see Triumph to continue to
succeed and grow. In todays' world, you can't stand still for a minute in the motorcycle
business. The new bikes seem to be selling like crazy and that's good !
 
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