My blog is still active though I don’t post as often as I once did. More of my time is spent on my Scooter in the Sticks YouTube channel. You’ll find a variety of W650 videos I’ve made.

I was not aware of the W650 either until about a week before I bought mine. So my information level is small. They are rare and not exactly easy to find.

I wish I could offer more information. I did have a close look at a new Kawasaki W800 last night. It’s a modern version of the W650 and has a remarkable visual similarity. And fuel injection, disc brake in the rear, and bevel drive. If you can’t find a W650 you may want to have a look at the W800.

2021 Kawasaki W800 Review

I can see my W650 as a forever bike. But then I can also see myriad reasons to sell it. For now though it’s just a dream to ride and have no plans to change.

Like you, my W650 gets comments from other motorcycle riders. Most think I’m riding an old Triumph. Even when staring at the Kawasaki badge. I never kickstart mine. Maybe that’s something I need to do. You just never see anyone kickstarting a motorcycle anymore.

So far no mods on the bike. I’m just riding!

To get this bike I did something I said I’d never do again. I sold a vintage BMW. ’77 R60/7 a certified one owner, 2,400 miles on it the time of sale.
The ’84 R100RS I sold still haunts me. The R60/7, one not so much. This Kawi is my go to bike for any day ride of less than 100 or so miles. It looks right, sounds right, feels right and is a ball to ride in the CO mountains. It starts conversatios wherever it’s parked, especially when you kickstart it.

A few minor mod, factory low-bar kit from the UK, Progressive fork springs and shocks, Dart Flyscreen. Now it’s time to leave it alone and just ride the wheels off of it…

The W650 is a lot of fun to ride. I definitely made a good choice buying this motorcycle.

My fingers are crossed that it will be trouble free!

Thank you! I will!

I don’t buy motorcycles on a whim. And I definitely can appreciate living in a bubble. I was so satisfied with the rides I was making with the Vespa that I was not open at all to any other machine. And even when I was reviewing motorcycles for Kissell Motorsports and almost continually had a motorcycle in the garage for a few years I never got past the novelty of a new machine to the point where I actually wanted one. The Vespa remained my go to machine.

When I bought the BMW K75C is fulfilled a desire more than provided me with something I really needed or wanted. As much as I enjoyed riding it that motorcycle just wasn’t right for me. As you say, the Himalayan is my kind of bike and it filled a need for riding off-road and not continue to tear up my GTS doing it.

The W650 fills another need albeit more emotional than practical. I want to experience the on pavement cruising of a classic looking motorcycle. An evolution or just a childish craving to have what I want?

Either way, I’m happy with the choice. And as far as my Vespa scooters go — when the motorcycles are gone they will still be here. And when my GTS dies, another will replace it. They are my first choice and I am still in love with them.