A very satisfying bike to own. Well made and with a genuine feeling of character. It can run poorly in damp/cold conditions but using 4 star petrol seems to cure this. On motorway trips the rear pegs make for a more comfortable flatter postion. The engine oil struggles to get up to temperature in the winter, I used some thick black cardboard zip-tied to the Kawasaki crash bars which worked a treat. The original tyres look old fashioned (there supposed to) but work well. You don't need to be old to enjoy it, I'm not and I've had 2.
Sixties style with nineties technology.An excellent bike for the more advanced of years. Light,easy to manhandle, responsive and fun. For the sports bike generation an enjoyable reminder of how it all started. I am in the 60 plus bracket and my last three bikes were in turn, a 600 Fazer, a Deauville and a Yamaha XJR. The W650 reminds me of who I was forty years ago and tells me I haven`t changed at all. cierail.
I bought a 2002 W650 as an alternative to finding a vintage British bike. I wanted the look, the sound, the image of an old Brit bike, I did not want the oil leaks, vibration, electrical problems, etc... It was a good move. The W650 has exceeded my expectations in all areas and is a great bike around town. No wind protection and the bolt upright seating position and wide handlebars make it a parachute on the highway but for in town riding it's terrific. I have 5 other bikes including a ZRX1200R and a 2001 Triumph Tiger 955i but, more often than not, I'm on the "Flying W". I pretend I'm Steve McQueen in the "Great Escape" or Warren Beatty in "Shampoo" as I'm flying around town with my jacket, tie, and open faced helmet. Plus, it's obvious this bike is on it's way to being a collectible as it's getting a reputation and is no longer available in North America. If you find a good one at a reasonable price, buy it!
A great bike. What the new Bonneville should have been. Great fun to ride in the real world. The retro style may not be everybodies taste but if you always wanted an old Brit bike but couldn't face the hassle then this is for you.
The bike hasn't sold too well which means that there are some serious bargains to be had. I got mine (new) for £3500.
I recently noticed my "W" was running on one cyclinder. So I decided to replace/inspect the spark plugs; seemed simple enough per the owners manual. NOT! Removing the gas tank is a real chore; since the bike is new and only has 64 miles on it, I will take it to the dealer this time. I want to observe them removing the gas tank. This chore should not have been so difficult as it is something you would want to do yourself. However, overall this is a very capable and exciting bike to ride. Very responsive, plenty of power, and comfortable and easy to ride. I have been riding since 1963 and find this bike perfect for my skills and age; fun but not overwhelming. I traded a Concours for this bike to avoid going to jail for speeding/reckless driving(over 80 mph is considered reckless in Alabama).
Owned for 3 months.
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed May 2002.
Performance
Reliability
Parts Availability
Overall Value for Money
A great bike. What the new Bonneville should have been. Great fun to ride in the real world. The retro style may not be everybodies taste but if you always wanted an old Brit bike but couldn't face the hassle then this is for you.
The bike hasn't sold too well which means that there are some serious bargains to be had. I got mine (new) for £3500.
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