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The W650, in most tests, ranks as a better Triumph that a real Triumph. Kawi just updated it to a W800 and it too is getting rave reviews.

This type of bike, as a do it all bike, makes me smile. I love them.
If only someone would make one with 85-100 hp.
It can be done with the Triumph with a big bore kit, pipes, ECU calibration, and some other bolt on work, but by then, I am pretty sure you'd discover the inadequacies in suspension and braking.
I would love someone to come out with this look, using a bigger parallel twin (like the Yamaha 1200 Tenere), 17" laced alloy wheels, and modern brakes with hidden ABS.
Then I'd make a retro sport tourer out of it, and it'd look like this:

171F0C6E-1.jpg
 
TwistedKestrel said:
Was the W650 a bomb? I see them come up every now and then and they seem to sell pretty easy.
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It was a poor seller not due to it's relatively high price on par with the ZX6R. Also a bit too early for the vintage-look trend. Since they are scarce on the used market, few pop up for sale.

omnivore said:
The W650, in most tests, ranks as a better Triumph that a real Triumph. Kawi just updated it to a W800 and it too is getting rave reviews..
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W650 even had a kickstarter unlike the new Bonnevilles or W800

omnivore said:
If only someone would make one with 85-100 hp.
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If you want that much HP with reliability, say goodbye to the air-cooled motor which makes these bikes look good. Stick on a big, ugly radiator and it looks like crap. You can't have everything.
 
The w800 has some pretty awesome JDM cafe style trim packages: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n25pr3ynKF4

I've heard rumours that the 2000 w650s were imported to the US and even fewer were sold between 1999-2000. They were built until 2008 apparently, then replaced by the w800.
 
Meh. Retro vs. classic. You wear jeans don't you? And yet nobody accuses you of dressing up in period costume.

British engineering has always been spectacularly poor. It was charming, but we live in the future now, and along with having indoor toilets and a lot less polio, we ride bikes that don't bleed oil like stuck pigs.

A remade classic triumph is like a tuxedo, a good pair of jeans, or a plain old claw hammer. Elegant, fit for purpose, and is just what it does. The decorative carbs are just tradition at this point, useless but nice to look at, more like cufflinks.

I get how the lack of pure mechanical movement reduces the autonomy on a bike, but in terms of being able to ride one through south america, the lack of parts and servicability is balanced by better parts that are just less likely to fail, and a distribution network that could get you a new battery overnighted at any roadside stop on the planet. It's different.
 
I feel like a bad person for saying this, but whenever I see a new Bonneville, Thruxton, Scrambler, etc., I have a hard time telling it from the real thing. They sound pretty 'authentic' as well.

To me, it's a no-brainer... $4-5k for a Bonneville, or $6-7k for a Commando, that won't be running half the time, versus $10k for a new one, I know which I'd pick every single time. I'll be the one riding, not topping up leaking oil and tracing electrical shorts.
 
honduhmatic said:
I feel like a bad person for saying this, but whenever I see a new Bonneville, Thruxton, Scrambler, etc., I have a hard time telling it from the real thing. They sound pretty 'authentic' as well.
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Which is entirely the point that Triumph was hoping to make, really.
 
honduhmatic said:
I feel like a bad person for saying this, but whenever I see a new Bonneville, Thruxton, Scrambler, etc., I have a hard time telling it from the real thing. They sound pretty 'authentic' as well.

To me, it's a no-brainer... $4-5k for a Bonneville, or $6-7k for a Commando, that won't be running half the time, versus $10k for a new one, I know which I'd pick every single time. I'll be the one riding, not topping up leaking oil and tracing electrical shorts.
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In fairness to the original builders, newer gasket material and sealants exist that didn't 40yrs ago. Electronic ignition refits and modern wire harness replacements make the bikes actually pretty reliable and non drip. IF you want to make a daily runner out of a 40yr old bike. I know some pretty well sorted British bike , but at 40yrs old even the big 4 Japanese crowd can tell you about CB's that have wiring issues galore.

I really liked Kawi W series bikes, making a throwback style was a bold move for them.

I especially like the irony of after killing the British industry with fast reliable affordable bikes, 25yrs later they produce a "British style" bike. Those Japanese engineers are a truly vengeful lot.....
 
crankcall said:
I really liked Kawi W series bikes, making a throwback style was a bold move for them.

I especially like the irony of after killing the British industry with fast reliable affordable bikes, 25yrs later they produce a "British style" bike. Those Japanese engineers are a truly vengeful lot.....
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You've obviously forgotten that Kawasaki started their foray into the motorcycle market by copying Brit bikes of the era...


Kawasaki W1-1965.jpg
 
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The 2012 Moto Guzzi V7 Series Cool ad. Fun bikes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=kE4pJxguD5k

These updated models with improved motors should arrive in the Fall and have just been released in Europe


First review: Translated from an italian website... :

http://translate.google.com/transla...oto-guzzi-v7-stone-test-anteprima-moto-51214#

Basically states that engine is much more lively and seat and suspension comfort has been improved. Also mentions
possibility of future factory big bore kit.
 
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STARSHIP said:
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The 2012 Moto Guzzi V7 Series Cool ad. Fun bikes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=kE4pJxguD5k

These updated models with improved motors should arrive in the Fall and have just been released in Europe


First review: Translated from an italian website... :

http://translate.google.com/transla...oto-guzzi-v7-stone-test-anteprima-moto-51214#

Basically states that engine is much more lively and seat and suspension comfort has been improved. Also mentions
possibility of future factory big bore kit.
Click to expand...

I like the Guzzi even better than the Triumph...but the power defecit put me of. Nice to see a cast wheel model...and big bore huh? That'd be sweet....maybe 1000cc, 90hp, and 65+ ft lbs of trq? If I were wishing that is,LOL
 
honduhmatic said:
I feel like a bad person for saying this, but whenever I see a new Bonneville, Thruxton, Scrambler, etc., I have a hard time telling it from the real thing. They sound pretty 'authentic' as well.
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Old timer: "Wow, beautiful bike, I had one just like it ages ago. It sounds just a bit off though. Have you synced your carbs?"
New timer: :neutral: :confused:
Old timer: "You youngins! Always expecting someone else to take care of things for you! I'll get my tools and we'll fix 'em up right..."
 
x86ect said:
Old timer: "Wow, beautiful bike, I had one just like it ages ago. It sounds just a bit off though. Have you synced your carbs?"
New timer: :neutral: :confused:
Old timer: "You youngins! Always expecting someone else to take care of things for you! I'll get my tools and we'll fix 'em up right..."
Click to expand...

Had a very similar exchange years ago when riding my '95 Triumph Thunderbird. Almost had to mash the guy's face into the radiator before he finally realised that it wasn't the same machine he'd ridden down to Woodstock with his hippie girlfriend so many, many years ago.
 
An old timer was admiring my '11 Thruxton last year. He went on about the Triumphs he used to ride. At the end of the conversation, he sheepishly asked: "So, does Triumph still make bikes?" :p
 
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