Post-Sale Update: After 27 bids on eBay, this Kawasaki W650 sold for $5,600.
The Kawasaki W650 is a retro standard that was imported to the US for only 2 years. Inspired by the Triumph Bonneville, this bike actually preceded the rebirth of the Bonnie and for a brief moment in time, 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 has just 860 miles, which is the lowest I’ve seen for one of these – I don’t think anyone bought these just to store them as a collectible. It’s in excellent shape, and still wears the original tires (so replace those first). The only cosmetic flaw is a faint scratch on the left side engine cover, but the seller does a good job documenting it with pictures.
Find this Kawasaki W650 for sale in Fishers, Indiana with bidding up to $5,300 and the reserve not yet met
