Another Machine in the Garage
Anyone following my blog or YouTube channel knows I’ve been thinking about getting some sort of motorcycle for cruising the backroads of Central Pennsylvania. The Triumph Bonneville has long been in view. But after riding a Bonneville and a Street Twin I ruled them out. Don’t get me wrong, they are fine motorcycles. But they just didn’t trigger the feelings while riding that I was after.
I had pretty much focused on the Royal Enfield Classic 350. It had the classic standard motorcycle look I was after, had a subdued engine, and seemed perfect for the meandering I liked to do. Speed and power were just not a concern.
So, how did I end up with a 2001 Kawasaki W650 motorcycle?
Serendipity
The Kawasaki W650 was not on my radar. I only had a vague recognition of its existence based on a suggestion in a comment that I should consider it. How I came to buy one is a story of chance, serendipity, and a coincidence of good fortune.
I had taken my Royal Enfield Himalayan to the Kawasaki dealer a few miles down the road from my house to have them do the annual Pennsylvania Safety Inspection. After the mechanic took it for a test ride she told me it was an interesting motorcycle. She had never seen one before. While talking I told her I was looking at possibly buying a Triumph Bonneville to cruise the backroads but wasn’t entirely comfortable with the weight and power.
And then she says she has a 2001 Kawasaki W650 that she’s planning to sell if I’m interested. She showed me a few pictures on her phone and I told her I would think about it. At this point I was still leaning towards a Triumph and I didn’t really know anything about a W650.
Falling for a Motorcycle
About a month later, a few days before my 69th birthday, I texted the mechanic asking if I could take it for a test ride. Arrangements were made for her to ride it to work and I could stop by and take it for a spin.
When I arrived she was busy replacing the wheel bearings on a big Indian motorcycle so she tossed me the keys and said have fun. A few miles later I was winding down the backroads toward Coyler Lake with a big grin on my face. The Kawasaki W650 was exactly what I was looking for.
This motorcycle ticked the boxes for the things I was interested in — simplicity, styling, performance, and that elusive feeling I’ll call the “Zen experience.” From the analog gauges to the dual carbs the W650 exuded simplicity. I loved how much the motorcycle looked like a 1968 Triumph Bonneville. And on the road it was calm, subdued, but had plenty of power for any situation I could imagine. And most importantly was the “Zen experience.” I felt immediately at home riding it.
This was the motorcycle.
Happy Birthday to Me
I told the mechanic, Julia, that I would have to think about it. I’ve learned to not immediately jump on decisions that I knew were right. Mainly because experience has shown that they aren’t always what I think they’ll be.
My wife knew I wanted another motorcycle. Not being a rider, and generally not interested in scooters and motorcycles, she didn’t really understand why I need another. But she knew it was important and said if I wanted it then buy it.
A few hours later, on my birthday, we were at AAA transferring the title and before I knew it I had added a 2001 Kawasaki W650 to my small fleet of scooters and motorcycle.
Along with the motorcycle came a couple rear racks, the original headlight, and a few other odds and ends including the Kawasaki service manual for the bike. And I purchased a LongRide Small Traveler bag to carry food, water, tools, and cameras.
I’m ready for adventure!
The video below will give you an idea of how it sounds and what it’s like to ride.
That bag is a perfect fit for a “perfectly Steve” motorcycle.
I’ve always admired the LongRide bags. This motorcycle gave me the opportunity to buy one!
As I said on the Youtube channel, congratulations! It really is a sweet-looking machine. No dirt or gravel for this baby, I take it. Just cruising the pavement. I think what I will be most interested in hearing about is the difference you feel between this and the Vespa. Safe and Zen-ful riding!
Yeah, this is a pavement only motorcycle for me. It is a very smooth ride. Not unlike the GTS but the difference in handling and power makes it completely different. Where the Vespa is nimble and flickable this motorcycle is steady and focused. Nothing bad with either of the machines just a different riding character.
I’ve been riding it as much as I can but haven’t made any videos yet. I’ll have to wait until I get past the novelty of the new ride so I actually have something to say other than “Yippee!”
The W650 (actually a resurrection of an older Kaw bike, copying the Bonnie) was touted as the “Better Bonnie”. But at 540 lbs is definitely only for the street. The RE Classic can be outfitted for fire trails (especially in the matte signals paint) but the W650 is better on the highways. The reasons you stated are why I’m looking forward to testing the Triumph X400 Scrambler.
I can’t picture me riding the W650 off the pavement. It doesn’t weigh 540 pounds though. The owners manual clocks it at 429 pounds. It definitely feels light to ride. But even with aggressive tires I don’t think it would be a fire trails machine. I have the Himalayan for that kind of riding.
Triumph makes some great machines. I’ve always wanted one but they just didn’t feel right to me now. The X400 Scrambler looks like a great addition to their line. I was looking for the classic Bonnie look though that the W650 and the Classic 350 both have.
I like it that it has a kick starter. :- )
It really works too!
Nice
It is nice Mike. I’m enjoying it.
IMHO, the W650 is the best all round Bonnie knockoff ever. Dare I say better than the original? Love that deep exhaust note. Enjoy.
The 2001 W650 is definitely superior to the original in terms of electrics, mechanics, and overall performance and reliability. And it sure does look like a Triumph. Lots of other riders have already commented on my new Triumph.
Cool looking bike, I didn’t know anything like that was available.
I was lucky to stumble upon it. It was only made in 2000 and 2001 for the US market and not many were sold. I’m happy to have it in my fleet!
I prefer your posts and activities on Vespas.
I have to agree. The original ethos of the SITS blog has been eroded with all these motorcycle purchases. They contradict the many reasons why you chose the Vespa GTS over a conventional motorcycle.
I’ll have to think about your ethos comment. I’ve always considered the “culture” I’ve found myself in was a riding one. I just happened to be riding a modern Vespa scooter. Over time I’ve added motorcycles to the mix and they’ve definitely helped differentiate the difference characteristics between one of my Vespa scooters and the motorcycles I happen to be riding.
I have three posts and a video in progress that fall into the “Vespa” category. Time will tell how far afield of the Vespa ethos I stray.
Yeah, I’m sort of diverging from my scooter roots. A natural evolution maybe. But I’ll still have plenty of Vespa content. Especially as the colder riding season comes. That’s where the Vespa shines for me!
That is one seriously gorgeous machine. Congratulations Steve!
Thanks. It sure is purdy…
It’s like the old ’68 Bonneville feel but with modern reliability and parts availability. Instead of spending the time tinkering on a 1968 motorcycle you can just ride the thing and probably nothing unexpected will break. Paul
I hope that’s how things shake out Paul. So far so good!
As one who has been riding for 61 years I’m enjoying the evolution of Steve’s understanding of the differences between a scooter and a motorcycle. I find that too many motorcycle and scooter riders, by what I see on the road and in forums, live in their own bubble not accepting that there’s more than one way to enjoy two wheels. I have a pair of scooters and a pair of motorcycles. Each functions well at what they were meant to do.
I owned a W650 for ten years and 20,000 miles. It was a fun bike and reliable as the day is long. It attracted attention every place I stopped. Like the Himalayan it’s Steve’s kind of bike.
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.
Excellent choice! Enjoy!
Thank you! I will!
Late comment here…she’s a good looking motorcycle! Congratulations and manyany many happy and trouble free miles!
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!
I have the twin to your bike. It’s a forever bike for me. Like you said, it hits all the right notes and seven years on it make smile every time I ride it.
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…
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!
Don’t know if your site’s still operative. Suddenly, I too am looking for a 2001 (?) Kawasaki
W650 Retro motorcycle. Never knew they existed ’til now. If you have any possible info. re
leads etc., I would like to know of same. However, I am up in Canada, in Kelowna, British
Columbia, a fair distance from eastern U.S., if that is your location. Thank you … Eric Nelson
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