Kawasaki W800 Thread...

[Oz Nutter]

So this bikes on its way...
Bigger version of the W650?
Anybody know any details?

[[Red]]

Originally Posted by Oz Nutter

So this bikes on its way...
Bigger version of the W650?
Anybody know any details?

Only what I've read on MCN.

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/Ne...-w800-is-real/

I guess they're possibly going after the retro bonnie / guzzi deus coffee types

[scram1]

want!

[SubLo]

http://www.kawasaki.eu/W800

No kick! Fail... And why introduce an even classic bike like this in 2010 with a rear drum?

[clockworked]

My girlfriend rides the w400 (L)

The whole family of w bikes share the same architecture, the variation being in cams and conrods to produce the different capacities.

The w400 is just a shorter stroke w650. And in Japan they've been making 730cc kits for the 650 for ages, which is pretty much what this bike is.

I love ours, its just a really quality bike. And as soon as the is confident enough - 730cc!

But other than that i think the w800 is just more of the same, not that thats a bad thing

[TouringDave]

Originally Posted by clockworked

the variation being in cams and conrods to produce the different capacities.

How does a different camshaft effect the capacity of an engine?

I understand conrod length will change the stroke but cam?

Not having a go at you clockworked, just curious is all.

[Pezz_gs]

Great to convert into a dirt bike

KX forks and longer swingarm

[TouringDave]

Being a Kwaka nut, I WANT ONE!!!!!

[woafa]

saw the initial pictures about a month ago and wondered if they'd bring it out here.

I hope DEUS get their hands on one.
That'd be something GOOD to see


daniel

[rosscoact]

Originally Posted by Pezz_gs

Great to convert into a dirt bike

KX forks and longer swingarm

That's a pretty bike

[boingk]

Originally Posted by SubLo

No kick! Fail... And why introduce an even classic bike like this in 2010 with a rear drum?

Uh... because calssics didn't have discs at the rear, or at all in most cases if you go back far enough.

Besides, its rediculously easy to lock up the rear on most rear-disc systems under hard braking. Using a drum won't exactly hurt your stopping power, and they're also cheap to make and reliable to use. Not that discs aren't reliable, but mechanical actuation will trump hydraulics for service life & ease of maintenance time after time.

Anyway, looks like a good bike, and the vital statistics behind it don't sound too bad at all...

- boingk

EDIT:

Clockworked - I don't think the W400/650 engine would take too kindly to being stretched as much as the 800. It has a 77mm bore and 83mm stroke. Chances are that this wouldn't have been aceived with the original block & cylinders. It may have been, but bottom end redesign in the case of something that major isn't a bad idea, not to mention rebalancing and the addition of fuel injection to help boost usability/power and get the thing through emissions. I reckon they've played it smart - why redesign the 650 with fuel injection when you could go that extra yard and have a real, 800cc competitor for the hugely popular Triumph Bonnevilles?

[Mezo]

Looks nice but ill make my judgment when i hear one with proper pipes on it, if it hasn't got the Bonnie sound there's no point in making it.

My mates missus has got the 650 & it sounds fantastic.

Right now this sounds like a Honda generator.



Mezo.

[davorallyfan]

I like.

I like simple no fuss air cooled bikes like this (soon everything will be watercooled) Whats wrong with drums - absolutely nothing? Kwak almost always make good engines.

This style of bike is also practical. Bikes that can do the commute, tour and do the odd good dirt road - they look nice too. The original W was a dog bought by a few local police forces and quickly discarded.


This bike is way different.

Sometimes its good to forget about the power race, the spec sheets, the hypo shit and just get out on a bike like this and cruise.

[mcfear]

drums are just as good as disks stopping power wise when set up properly the only advantages that disks have is that they are lighter and can cool down quicker when being ridden.

[AL-58]

Originally Posted by TouringDave

How does a different camshaft effect the capacity of an engine?

I understand conrod length will change the stroke but cam?

Not having a go at you clockworked, just curious is all.

Conrod length doesn't alter stroke either.

Only two factors can change capacity, stroke(the crankshaft) and bore.

Al