The Kawasaki W650 is a retro standard that was imported to the US for only 2 years. A reference to the Kawasaki W1, itself a copy of the BSA A7, the newer bike is also inspired by the Triumph Bonneville. The W650 actually preceded the rebirth of the Bonnie and for a brief moment in time in the early 2000s, it was the best option for someone looking for classic British looks with dependable reliability.
An odd combination of England and Italy, the Kawasaki W650 combined British styling with a bevel-gear OHC, like what you’d find on 70s Ducatis. The 676cc engine pumped out 50 horsepower, which was enough to move the 429 pound bike out of its own way, but not very quickly. But if you ignore the badge on the tank, this bike actually looks more like the original Bonneville (especially when you look at the exhaust pipes) than the remade Bonnie does. Once Triumph brought back their classic, Kawi decided to ignore the American market. The resulting short sales period combined with retro good looks and excellent reliability have turned this bike into a bit of a cult classic. Want to learn more? Check out Motorcyclist, which did a great comparison between the W650 and the Bonneville back in 2003.
This specific Kawasaki W650 looks great despite the 27,338 miles, and it’s in my favorite silver/blue scheme.
Find this Kawasaki W650 for sale here at Motoworks Chicago for $4,400 in Chicago, Illinois.