Kawasaki W650

Kawasaki W650

My, that's a nice Tri...

Like all motorcyclists of certain age, I have a bunch of friends who are vintage-bike buffs. Some are dilettantes; others can quote the correct cylinderhead torquing sequence for an Ariel Square 4. All, however, are enthusiastic about old Triumphs. And virtually all of them were flat-out fooled by Kawasaki’s new W650.

Impersonating a 1960s-era Britbike is an illusion the W650 carries off well. The fork gaiters, shorty exhausts and white seat piping all shout early Bonneville. In fact, my dog-eared copy of Triumph Motorcycles in America says that ’61 Bonnies had a sky blue/silver color combo, similar to that of the W650. It’s only when you get close enough to distinguish the 676cc parallel-Twin’s single overhead camshaft, not to mention the Kawasaki badge on the gas tank, that you realize this isn’t some immaculately restored trailer queen.

Surprisingly, even diehard aficionados don’t mind the engine trickery. For one thing, the W650 has its own pedigree, Kawasaki having first manufactured the 624cc W1 (relying on BSA A7 technology) in 1966. While W1s were faithful to BSA’s overhead valves and pushrods, the W650 sports a bevel-gear-driven overhead cam operating four valves. There’s an electric starter, too, though to maintain authenticity, the W650 also has a kickstarter.

Unfortunately, the modernizations don’t result in much more performance. Usable power starts at 2500 rpm, and the W650 has about the same punch as a mid-’60s

Trumpet. Thanks to a balance shaft and relatively tall gearing, though, the undersquare, 360-degree Twin will cruise relatively tingle-free at an indicated 90 mph, spinning a leisurely 5000 rpm.

For anyone used to a modern sportbike crouch, the elevated perch will feel positively archaic. Jump from a Yamaha YZF-R6 onto the W650 and you’ll swear you’re riding a scooter. The thickly padded seat and short-coupled riding position lend the impression that you’re perched on top of, not in, the motorcycle. On the other hand, re-entry riders and women looking for a sportbike alternative will likely find the sit-up-and-beg riding position to their liking.

Like the engine, the brakes and suspension are semi-modern. The rear shocks may not be the latest Öhlins piggybacks, but they’re miles ahead of the Girlings that adorned Triumphs of yore. Hustled through the twisties, the chassis cooperates until the skinny Bridgestone tires run out of grip. Nevertheless, it’s worth remembering that the W650 isn’t a modern motorcycle with a few retro styling touches. Engine vibration may not loosen your fillings and the suspension may be better damped, but the bike still feels very much like something long since consigned to the history books.

The irony, of course, is that despite the resurgence of Triumph and several long-lost American brands, Kawasaki has most authentically turned back the clock. The W650 really is a blast down memory lane. It’ll be in U.S. dealerships early next year. -David Booth