W650 owner

[Bonez]

Hi, I have just brought a new W 650 after a long time looking. What a great bike to ride. I had an old guy come up to me and ask how long it took me to restore the old trumpy, and what a great job I had made of it I had a scot oiler fitted and a pack rack 'cos I intend to trip 'round abit. Also had a screen fitted.
I've only done 1750 k's on it, but then I've only had it a couple of weeks. Does that tell you how much I like it?

Welcome to KB.

[w650 fan]

there was a w 650 on trademe, '99 model with 23.000 k;s going for 6,200 the other day

[SpankMe]

Does anyone sell aftermarket parts for the W650 to turn it into more of a cafe racer? (besides VD Classic)

[Dcati]

Cool bike. I agree with others that these are better than the original Triumphs.

I was in Aussie recently and went to the coolest bikeshop (see link below) owned by the guy who started Mambo clothing. He builds bikes and uses the W650 motor as a basis for some of the bikes. Have a look at the site and if you can ever get to the shop you will be amazed!

http://www.deus.com.au/

[w650 fan]

yes there is aftermarket parts available. If you do a google search on w650 you will find a link to a discusion group that will have links to many after market parts such as scrambler pipes, gun fighter seats and cafe racer style tanks and other stuff. Sorry, I can't think of the name of the site. Hope this helps.

[Motu]

A W650 is an easy bike to personalise,they are a natural to make more ''British''.The ability to make a bike your own is very lacking in modern bikes,and bikes like the W650 will always appeal to someone who likes to change their handle bars,seat or exhaust.

When all the Yamaha XS650's are used up,then the customisers will move onto the W650.The XS650 has a big cult following,not for what the bike is,but what it can be made into.There are restorations,cafe racers,choppers,streettrackers and street scramblers....engines are modifiued to 270 cranks,big bore kits,carb changes,modified ignition systems,exhaust systems.The XS650 is the perfect bike for people who like to pull bikes apart and put them together a different way.

The W650 is built in the same mold.

[oldfella]

Hi, I have just brought a new W 650 after a long time looking. What a great bike to ride. I had an old guy come up to me and ask how long it took me to restore the old trumpy, and what a great job I had made of it I had a scot oiler fitted and a pack rack 'cos I intend to trip 'round abit. Also had a screen fitted.
I've only done 1750 k's on it, but then I've only had it a couple of weeks. Does that tell you how much I like it?

Hi,
Great to see another owner. You bought a brand new one huh. I have done about 1,000kms since just after Christmas and loving every minute of it. I picked up a workshop service manual for it - the information is good. Have had 6 bikes and a total of 34 "cages" now and have never taken any of them to a garage *(yet).

How do you rate the screen? Was it a genuine part or an off the shelf type? Sounds like it might be a good idea.

Cheers, Oldfella

[mitchilin]

Don't have a w650 but wish you luck on yours.I used to have a z750 twin which was a lot of fun when I was a lot younger and have thought of the w650 as a good sensible fun kinda bike but didn't know much about them.Might seeya around if when I'm out for a hoon around KKK and the old north rd.Peak Rd is a bit of fun as well,eh?Good luck onthe kawasaki(my favourite)and keep the shiney side up.Mitch(another noob)

[w650 fan]

Hi Oldfella, I put a GIVI screen on mine 14.5 inches high and it is sitting at abbout 55 degrees, but it is abit too upright. I am going to tilt it back to about 45 and try that. It does add a lot of noise, but keeps the wind off the chest although it does get you in the shoulder tips, but not too much that it's a hassle. I have found at it present setting, the bike does tend to wobble at around 130 k's, so might need to be set lower to get more weight on the front wheel. I have had the fork oil changed to 30 weight, as I am around 100 kg's and it tended to dive too quickly under braking two up, but it is now a little too hard, so might back that off to 20 weight when it gets it's 5k check up in a couple of weeks. I got the bike on the 2nd Jan so have been steadily putting on the miles. Really pleased with it.
My partner has a GN250, and wants a screen on hers, so I thought I might give her mine and try a smaller one on mine to get rid of the noise. We are going to Havlock North 3rd weekend of march and taking both bikes, so it will be a good try out for them.

[Paul in NZ]

I don't know which version of the W650 you have but there was a low bar kit option that might be more suitable if you want to put more weight on the front?

[surfer]

The XS650 has a big cult following,not for what the bike is,but what it can be made into.There are restorations,cafe racers,choppers,streettrackers and street scramblers....engines are modifiued to 270 cranks,big bore kits,carb changes,modified ignition systems,exhaust systems.The XS650 is the perfect bike for people who like to pull bikes apart and put them together a different way.

Absolutely gotta agree with you about the XS650, big fan base and spare parts are easy to come by at mikesxs and 650society. The w650 would look really nice customised; I hope it goes this way for the w650 too.

Welcome to the site oldfella. Nice bike.

[oldfella]

Hi Oldfella, I put a GIVI screen on mine 14.5 inches high and it is sitting at abbout 55 degrees, but it is abit too upright. I am going to tilt it back to about 45 and try that. It does add a lot of noise, but keeps the wind off the chest although it does get you in the shoulder tips, but not too much that it's a hassle. I have found at it present setting, the bike does tend to wobble at around 130 k's, so might need to be set lower to get more weight on the front wheel. I have had the fork oil changed to 30 weight, as I am around 100 kg's and it tended to dive too quickly under braking two up, but it is now a little too hard, so might back that off to 20 weight when it gets it's 5k check up in a couple of weeks. I got the bike on the 2nd Jan so have been steadily putting on the miles. Really pleased with it.
My partner has a GN250, and wants a screen on hers, so I thought I might give her mine and try a smaller one on mine to get rid of the noise. We are going to Havlock North 3rd weekend of march and taking both bikes, so it will be a good try out for them.

Hi W650fan,

Thanks for the information. I will check out a screen. Have no real problem with the front forks diving (I weigh around 82kg) but found the rear a bit squishy (the bike not me) when I bought it. The workshop manual says to adjust the rear spring compression to the second step for riders weighing 68kg (who are they kidding?) I set them to the 3rd step - being a bit heavier and that sorted things.

Also found the foot lever on the side stand scrapes on hard left turns- but sorted that with some grease (to free the stand up a bit) and a big pair of polygrips - to bend it up a bit.

Hassle free and very enjoyable riding so far. Have had 4 people ask "what year is the Triumph - it's in good nick aye"...........

Cheers

[w650 fan]

Mine has the low bars

[w650 fan]

I have just tried adjusting the rear springs up a notch, and it has helped a lot with the steering. I'm really impressed with the way it just goes through the corners with no frame flex. I have also been told to keep the yre pressures within a couple of pound of the factory settings as this is crucial on the w650's.
Cheers.

[oldfella]

I have just tried adjusting the rear springs up a notch, and it has helped a lot with the steering. I'm really impressed with the way it just goes through the corners with no frame flex. I have also been told to keep the yre pressures within a couple of pound of the factory settings as this is crucial on the w650's.
Cheers.

Hi,
Yeah had the same situation with tyre pressures. Pumped 'em up to the right value and it made the ride heaps better. My workshop manual says 28 psi / 200 kPa (cold) for the front and 32 psi / 225kPa (cold) for the rear, but increase the rear tyre pressure to 36 psi / 250 kPa if the rider weighs more than 97.5 kg or if carrying a pillion for more than a short run.

Oldfella.