W650 owner

[Drum]

Welcome to the site mate. A beautiful bike, the W650.

[Pussy]

Welcome. Yep, gotta agree, the W650 is more Bonneville than the Bonneville. had a test ride on one in 1999....loved it

[Ixion]

I was looking at one off them in the dealers a while back. caught my eye because it looked so lean and lithe amongst the sprotsbikes.

In that respect it is very much more akin to the T120 than the Hinckley Bonneville, which is a large almost bloated thing. The thing with the old T120 was that it was a light skinny thing for its size. The W650 is about the same size.

[Paul in NZ]

When I first saw a W650 I wondered if triumph were going to make something as nice? But no - they made something else that is far uglier but much more popular as far as sales in NZ (and i suppose world wide?).

The only reasons i can think of are that most people buying a new bonneville came from T140's or have never ever seen a 'real' Bonnie OR it just seems like more bike for the money? Dunno... People expect a large bike these days (people are bigger) and the W650 looks small like a 250. (who cares - nice bike)

There are a few W650's trundling about with 1960's triumph mufflers and handlebars and they sound / look even better. Blindfolded you would be pressed to tell them apart from the real deal. Nice bike and on my wish list.

[V4ME]

Welcome Oldfella - Hey love the bike. Was reminiscing with my friend in Auckland over the weekend - My first bike was a Zundapp 50cc - loved it. then moved onto a BSA 350cc and about the same time also got a DT350 Yamaha. Loved all of them.

[Motu]

If they don't make a scrambler/streettracker soon I'll just have to do it myself.There has been a rumour of a 750 too.

http://www.letop.fr/scrambler.php

[Paul in NZ]

If they don't make a scrambler/streettracker soon I'll just have to do it myself.There has been a rumour of a 750 too.

http://www.letop.fr/scrambler.php

My feeling has always been it will be one of those bikes that eventually slips out of production and becomes a cult hit... Too late...

[oldfella]

Hi,
Well - it was either "oldfella" or "grumpy", so I chose the one I felt more like on the day. Hey it's my 30th (wedding) anniversary this year too!
A Young - oldfella

[oldfella]

Hi,

Mine has after market pipes - good and lound and sounds cool when accelerating. It will never keep up with my son's 636 Ninja, but what the hell. My last bike was a 1965 Tiger 100 SS (500 twin). It was hotted up and went well, cost me a fortune in tickets and I enjoyed it.
But the W650 doesn't leak and it starts first kick (yes I bought it 'cause kick starting is how a bike should be started).
Cheers, oldfella

[Edbear]

Hi,
Well - it was either "oldfella" or "grumpy", so I chose the one I felt more like on the day. Hey it's my 30th (wedding) anniversary this year too!
A Young - oldfella

Hey! Congrats, too!

[oldfella]

Hi V4me,

Never had a Zundapp, but did have a 1955 Matchless G80s, a '54 LE Velo (water cooled horizontal twin "noddy bike" a 49 Enfield 350 Bullet and a '65 tiger 100 ss. All very British - hence why I like the looks of the W650 - it's a great bike.

Oldfella

[Edbear]

a BSA 350cc

Me too! A '51. Sounded mean with the gutted Dunstall megaphone! Often by the time I got it started I was too sore, (ankle/foot) and too stuffed to ride it!

[Edbear]

Yes Edbear, am thinking it does count. It's longer than I managed so . . . definitely it counts. Good on you.

Yeah, we somehow muddled through! I often think though, of the saying, "There but for the grace of God..." We had our moments but we've learned a lot. I figure if she can put up with me, I can certainly put up with her! (She's still hot! )"Sides, we're too old and tired to be bothered bickering and arguing now, we just wanna have fun!

Sorry, off topic again! Back to bikes, lest we get kicked off to another thread or something!

[w650 fan]

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?

[V4ME]

Me too! A '51. Sounded mean with the gutted Dunstall megaphone! Often by the time I got it started I was too sore, (ankle/foot) and too stuffed to ride it!

Man!! you are ever so right about the sore ankle/foot - bloody thing kicked back like a mule. - And it was always when you were trying to impress the ladies too - funny that!