New Kawasaki?

[oledawg]

http://s2.images.proboards.com/cool.gif http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oM49-q5kSZ4&feature=share

[medicaldawg]

personally no. But its cool

[jims]

I liked the W650 I had but it just didn't have the legs to run on the highway, maybe the 800 will have the extra juice needed. The W650 didn't do well here in the US but was very popular in Europe and Asia, probably won't come to the states. Did you hear anything about it being imported?

[sneedvegas]

Its a nice looking bike. Its hard to compete with the Triumph in the retro look tho.

[Yellow Jacket]

That's a nice looking bike. Reminds me of my first bike, a '65 Triumph 650.
If it was available here, and I had some extra change, I would buy it.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

Nice looking bike and especially liked the two tone green.

[Jared]

Nope. They're going the wrong direction imho.

[Loafer]

I like it.

[ccmjr77]

I personally don't like that retro look. I don't like the triumphs either, but that is my taste.
I don't mind seeing the real bike from that time, but I prefer the old harleys and old indians over this type bike.

[leadbelly]

Nice bike, fit & finish look immaculate; but way too small for my frame & girth.
Looks like it would make a great first bike, or "training" bike for someone that just commutes to and from work or little day jaunts around the country-side.

[ringadingh]

I like it too, I love the old traditional looking bikes.

[socwkbiker]

Very old school.

[audiogooroo]

Doesn't really float my boat, as I prefer the cruiser type motorcycle that one sits in, rather than on.
I used to ride similar back in the 60s/70s, and they were less than comfortable for a longer ride. Fun for short jaunts though.
But there is a market for old school bikes with updated technology. When Triumph re-released the Bonneville, they sold a lot of them. I have a friend who bought one because a Bonneville was the first bike he had back in the day, and he loves it.

[wompus]

Reminds me of a BSA I had in 65...
Personally I don't like Kawasaki having a bike like that.
Talk about going back to the 60's!

[rickyboy]

I like it! Very cool retro look. Reminds me of my Yamaha 650, damned if I can remember the yr. though. I'd buy one just to scoot around town on. Wouldn't consider a long trip on it, but short hops ... for sure.

[glwilson]

Interesting reactions.

It seems like some of the "older" crowd likes the look of it because it reminds them of bikes they had when younger. I would fall into that category... and like the look.

Wouldn't want to ride it too far though; but around town on short jaunts... could be fun.

The 800 certainly would move a bike of that size.

[Loafer]

I thought the remarks were interesting. Our Nomads are a step back in time, with modern tech. For those of you that may have forgotten or never saw one. Kawasaki made a 650 twin in the mid 60's. And although I haven't seen or ridden one since those years. I believe it is not to different from the modern W800. If you look at it, it has one disc brake up front and a drum brake in the back. The motor is looking good.
I think the Triumphs are more modern, tech wise, and depending on the price of the W800, it will need to over come some obvious drawbacks. JMO

[redjay]

If you take out the engine it looks like a Bonneville from the 60's.

[glwilson]

The motorcycle market overseas is a lot different than here. A bike like that (priced-right) will likely sell.

Likely Kawa knows they would have a tough sell here; thus the reason they are not offering it in the U.S.A.

[dakota7557]

Also like the retro look, takes me back to a simpler time...Would be a kick in the pants for short rides.

[wiz]

It looks nice, but I have no use for the chain drive. I have cleaned and lubed enough chains... Put a belt drive and a rear disc brak instead of a drum and it might be a little better for me.
Non-US markets seem to tend toward smaller engined bikes that get much better fuel economy and lower cost.

[Loafer]

Triumph is having success, Harley is doing well. I believe it is called chase the leaders. Some companies are good at it, and others seem to go thru the steps, and really never get that far ahead. Lets hope that Kawasaki is successful and continue making the bikes we would want to own.

[usranger74]

Looks good but feel bad http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[skiman]

Did it look like the cam was shaft driven? If it is I bet it is quiet
Duh should have read the text it says bevel driven how cool is that

[bokobob]

Looks like grasping at marketing straws to me....Nice bike and all that, and I especially like the smoothness of a parallel twin engine..
Only saying..