Old Steve
21st April 2011, 19:18
I had the luck to have the new Kawasaki W800 overnight, had a ride around town up some favourite roads for an hour or so on Tuesday night, then took it for an early morning ride up the Kaimais and back ( by early, I mean going through Tauriko at 6.30 am as soon as the sun was up) on Wednesday morning.
Was mainly amased by the differences between my cruiser and this "retro-classic". Noticeably having straight bars, the lack of rear vision because the mirrors are much further in, having the foot pegs, the gear shift lever and rear brake levers further back, and having such a high seat (I was able to touch the ground only on tip toe).
However, wonderfully smooth, not pull your body back acceleration but sufficient to hurry you into speed ticket problems before you know it, and it didn't seem to have to lean over as much as my learner cruiser to go around the same corners at slightly higher speeds. Such a positive gear change, and able to pull away in fifth gear from down near 1500 rpm.
And the looks! Dark British green metallic paint which fades into the silver tank-side highlight. Classic looks, a number of viewers asked if it wasn't in fact a Triumph.
Was mainly amased by the differences between my cruiser and this "retro-classic". Noticeably having straight bars, the lack of rear vision because the mirrors are much further in, having the foot pegs, the gear shift lever and rear brake levers further back, and having such a high seat (I was able to touch the ground only on tip toe).
However, wonderfully smooth, not pull your body back acceleration but sufficient to hurry you into speed ticket problems before you know it, and it didn't seem to have to lean over as much as my learner cruiser to go around the same corners at slightly higher speeds. Such a positive gear change, and able to pull away in fifth gear from down near 1500 rpm.
And the looks! Dark British green metallic paint which fades into the silver tank-side highlight. Classic looks, a number of viewers asked if it wasn't in fact a Triumph.