"Retro-style" starter bike: Kawasaki W800 or alternatives?
Discussion
I'm taking a DAS training course next month, have picked up all my riding gear and am now starting to seriously look at bikes. My initial thought was to get a Suzuki SV650, as it appears to be the MX5 of the bike world! Decent power but not OTT, Suzuki reliability, looks good, interesting /entertaining enough to keep for a while and grow into, quite good value nearly new but it appears that many have thought similar and for some reason, the insurance appears to be quite high on them.
I have looked at a few alternatives. BMW G310 and Kawasaki Z400 look fairly decent for "small" bikes but still slightly "toy-like", I'm not a big guy (around 5'8", 150 pounds on a good day) but I am in my early 40s, so want something that looks like a proper bike and I'm concerned that if I went for the BMW/Z400, I would want to upgrade in a year or so, so it seems like a bit of a costly exercise in that respect.
A local bike shop to me has a 2019 Kawasaki W800 Street with low miles for around 6k, which seems fairly reasonable. I thought that being an 800cc the insurance might be quite high but to my (pleasant) surprise it was around the same as the BMW/Z400. I guess that although the engine is relatively big, it has a fairly low power output but plenty of torque. I could see it being a bike that I would be happy to keep for a few years. Would this be a good bike to start on? Are there any similar style bikes that would be good alternatives? I don't want a sports bike and like the retro-style bikes but don't want a cruiser. Taking a look around, other bikes that appear to offer similar are the Moto Guzzi V7, Triumph Bonneville/Street Twin, Ducati Scrambler etc, although I find the Bonneville/Scrambler ranges a little confusing. Do they do a 900cc and a 1200cc Bonneville, as I would imagine that the 900cc version would be sufficient?
Not looking to spend more than about 5-6k outright (no finance), I'm a little clueless about bikes, so would like something fairly new (but not brand new) and preferably with some driver aids like ABS/slip-and-assist clutch for safety. Any advice would be most welcome.
I have looked at a few alternatives. BMW G310 and Kawasaki Z400 look fairly decent for "small" bikes but still slightly "toy-like", I'm not a big guy (around 5'8", 150 pounds on a good day) but I am in my early 40s, so want something that looks like a proper bike and I'm concerned that if I went for the BMW/Z400, I would want to upgrade in a year or so, so it seems like a bit of a costly exercise in that respect.
A local bike shop to me has a 2019 Kawasaki W800 Street with low miles for around 6k, which seems fairly reasonable. I thought that being an 800cc the insurance might be quite high but to my (pleasant) surprise it was around the same as the BMW/Z400. I guess that although the engine is relatively big, it has a fairly low power output but plenty of torque. I could see it being a bike that I would be happy to keep for a few years. Would this be a good bike to start on? Are there any similar style bikes that would be good alternatives? I don't want a sports bike and like the retro-style bikes but don't want a cruiser. Taking a look around, other bikes that appear to offer similar are the Moto Guzzi V7, Triumph Bonneville/Street Twin, Ducati Scrambler etc, although I find the Bonneville/Scrambler ranges a little confusing. Do they do a 900cc and a 1200cc Bonneville, as I would imagine that the 900cc version would be sufficient?
Not looking to spend more than about 5-6k outright (no finance), I'm a little clueless about bikes, so would like something fairly new (but not brand new) and preferably with some driver aids like ABS/slip-and-assist clutch for safety. Any advice would be most welcome.
carinaman said:
The new Trident looks like a fantastic bike and very competitively priced but same issue on the insurance as the SV650.I did the same and passed direct access at the age of 62. I looked at all sorts and tried the Royal Enfield interceptor, which was okay but the seating position was not ideal.
I bought a New Street Twin which is great. Plenty about at around your budget I would suggest.
I like the cast wheels as cleaning chromed spokes unless you love cleaning is a tedious job and the street twin has them where as the Enfield is spoked
I bought a New Street Twin which is great. Plenty about at around your budget I would suggest.
I like the cast wheels as cleaning chromed spokes unless you love cleaning is a tedious job and the street twin has them where as the Enfield is spoked
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Hmm. Perhaps it's my area. I like the XSR700 too, it's a cool bike but I would suggest it's in that more powerful 650cc "sportier" naked bike class. Basically a "retro" version of an MT-07, so insurance comes out a lot higher on that for me. Which bike is she leaning towards at the moment?If you like the naked style of a Trident/SV650 you could see how much insurance is on a BMW f800R. I've been pleased with mine and insurance (for me at least) was half what it would be on a Street Triple/Ducati Monster/Kawasaki Z750 etc. Of your picks above I'd go for a Ducati Scrambler (in yellow) - feels like the best all rounder.
How much are your insurance quotes, just out of interest?
ETA - ER6-N may be worth a look? Either way enjoy the test rides - it'll be your first big bike so what's not to like?!
How much are your insurance quotes, just out of interest?
ETA - ER6-N may be worth a look? Either way enjoy the test rides - it'll be your first big bike so what's not to like?!
Edited by _Neal_ on Tuesday 6th April 22:20
_Neal_ said:
If you like the naked style of a Trident/SV650 you could see how much insurance is on a BMW f800R. I've been pleased with mine and insurance (for me at least) was half what it would be on a Street Triple/Ducati Monster/Kawasaki Z750 etc. Of your picks above I'd go for a Ducati Scrambler (in yellow) - feels like the best all rounder.
How much are your insurance quotes, just out of interest?
Thanks. 500-1000 pounds.How much are your insurance quotes, just out of interest?
I have an Interceptor 650 and it would be great as a first big bike.
Enough power to be interesting, comfortable, super easy to ride, handles well and looks great. Plus they are great value for money (I paid £4000 for mine, 2019 with 5000 miles)
The only real criticism I have is that I also have a Bullet Classic 500, and in comparison the Interceptor lacks character and I don't 'love' it in the same way despite being better in every way
Enough power to be interesting, comfortable, super easy to ride, handles well and looks great. Plus they are great value for money (I paid £4000 for mine, 2019 with 5000 miles)
The only real criticism I have is that I also have a Bullet Classic 500, and in comparison the Interceptor lacks character and I don't 'love' it in the same way despite being better in every way
I had a 2018 Triumph street scrambler scrambler that was great, pretty much the same bike as the street twin but with upswept exhausts. The street twin/scrambler had a power and brake upgrade from 2019.
They seem to hold their money well, kept it for 14 months and sold it for 100 quid less than I paid for it from a main dealer.
They seem to hold their money well, kept it for 14 months and sold it for 100 quid less than I paid for it from a main dealer.
Wacky Racer said:
Royal Enfield Interceptor, around 6k, 100% reliable, nice range of colours, cheap insurance, owners love 'em look up reviews on Youtube.
Great fun to ride. I had a deposit on one, my first ever properly new bike then had to cancel and buy a house. 
Don't confuse them with the Enfield of the 90's early 2000's which were just bikes that were out of date in the 60s, built in India with worn out tools. These are new ground-up designs, following massive investment with an eye to the worldwide market. Frames by Harris and they have a UK development centre. Built to a budget, so not super-modern to notch everything, but good where it counts.
HalfManHalfJaffaCake said:
W800 is fine, but have you looked at Royal Enfield? Brand new Interceptor 650s are around your budget and seem well-regarded.
Another vote for Royal Enfield. Enough power for a first bike and much more interesting than the SV650 which is as OP says, dead boring. Another option for retro looking newish bikes, with more grunt, is the Honda CB1300 or 1100.
Iminquarantine said:
Another vote for Royal Enfield. Enough power for a first bike and much more interesting than the SV650 which is as OP says, dead boring.
Another option for retro looking newish bikes, with more grunt, is the Honda CB1300 or 1100.
SV650's may be as common as MX5's but I wouldn't describe them as boring. I bought one as a commuter in 2001 and I enjoyed riding it much more than the 900SS I also had. I still have it because it's not worth selling and I still enjoy riding it.Another option for retro looking newish bikes, with more grunt, is the Honda CB1300 or 1100.
Now F800GT's they're boring
I was looking at similar bikes recently (not my first bike though) and settled on a Honda Rebel 500. I'm 5'8 and around 12stone
I've previously had a Street Triple and a Gladius (sv650) and either of those would also be great for a first bike.
The Royal Enfields look great, but didn't have a good experience with a couple of dealers when looking
I fell in love with a moto guzzi V7ii but the Rebel is something I've wanted for a while so took the plunge
I've previously had a Street Triple and a Gladius (sv650) and either of those would also be great for a first bike.
The Royal Enfields look great, but didn't have a good experience with a couple of dealers when looking
I fell in love with a moto guzzi V7ii but the Rebel is something I've wanted for a while so took the plunge
GadgeS3C said:
Iminquarantine said:
Another vote for Royal Enfield. Enough power for a first bike and much more interesting than the SV650 which is as OP says, dead boring.
Another option for retro looking newish bikes, with more grunt, is the Honda CB1300 or 1100.
SV650's may be as common as MX5's but I wouldn't describe them as boring. I bought one as a commuter in 2001 and I enjoyed riding it much more than the 900SS I also had. I still have it because it's not worth selling and I still enjoy riding it.Another option for retro looking newish bikes, with more grunt, is the Honda CB1300 or 1100.
Now F800GT's they're boring
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