Retro vs. Retro Sport - W800 vs Z650RS - Kawasaki's retro bikes compared in detail! 

The W800 is a work of art. It almost feels wrong riding it to work every day. But really, it feels SO right. The purr of those pea shooter exhausts accompanying the whole trip. Oh, man.

I got into motorcycling as a teenager with a Kawasaki dual purpose bike. Then I upgraded to a used KZ650, set up in the cafe style. A year ago, after a 25 year hiatus, up pops the Z900RS Cafe bike in my video feed, I was gobsmacked! That bike brought me out of my riding hiatus. I really enjoy my '22 model. :) (I don't recommend staying away from riding for 25 years though.)

Great review! Many thanks, couldn't agree more with your comments. Having ridden a Z900rs for years, I switched over to a W800 when I turned 50, guess I just became nostalgic and was looking to relive the olden days while really appreciating Kawasaki's reliability. These are both really amazing motorbikes and your review is spot on. Thanks.

It would be a pleasure to own either of these bikes. Thanks for this. You’re right, there really are not that many bikes to choose from that have the neutral riding position. But that seems to be changing as the old-school nakeds are getting more popular. 👍

Another great video, Peter. I have a W800 and it's a sublime motorcycle that I wouldn't trade for anything. Don't buy it if you want tech or if you buy motorcycles based on specs that are on paper. There is no way to describe the riding experience and character of the W800 this way. It also has one of the most beautiful engines around today, in my opinion. I think the Z650RS is a sweet machine, but I have not ridden one yet. I will absolutely add a Z900RS to my fantasy moto garage if my bank account is up for it, as that is another gorgeous bike. Kawasaki is making nice bikes these days. They are kind of hammering people with parts prices (I know from my friend's moto shop), but their products are nice. I would also add that the W800 is made in Japan, which I think is cool since I was always a fan of Japanese QC. Also, Kawasaki positive neutral is a pretty amazing engineering feat. Cheers from NYC 🥂

I like the balance between retro style, and modern safety. Sometimes wonder how we survived the 1970s and 80s.

i love them both. I am anew rider, have a Z400 to learn on for 2 years now, will be upgrading to one of these. impossible to decide and i sure will miss the Z400. It is absolutely perfect to learn on. I am old too. Learning to ride on two wheels is a bucket list item for me. A life challenge. I have learned so much. Primarily that driving a motorcycle is a completely different skill set tan driving a car. Oh, as a retired aircraft mechanic I love the sound of the Z400 engine that everyone else seems to hate. It is as smooth as a sewing machine, which is a good thing as ar as i am concerned. Like a turbine engine. The quality and reliability. it is also light and faster than hell as far as i am concerned. would lie something a little bigger for highway speeds, dealing with cars, etc. thnks all ya all !

Thank you for this review. I was really taken by the looks of the Z650RS, but as an older beginner rider, I think the W800 might work better for me.

Another great video. I feel so fortunate to have you doing these in my neck of the woods (PEI). I'm still torn between the two. Be interesting to see someone shorter than average like myself sitting on each of these.

One of those W800 passed me while cruising through BKK, it's a pretty awesome retro bike, I must admit. The bloke complemented my Z900 RS, I returned the favor in return, of course. Nevertheless, keep up the grind for reaching the next milestone ahead, Peter!

I had a Ninja 650. K's 650s are awesome. Aging now, I'm going for the nostalgia so I just purchased a W800. I've also slowed down considerably from the 650.

Loving the W800 and Z650 and Z900RS

I have the 2018 W800 with drum brake in the rear and halogen headlamp. Perfect enough for someone who started riding in 1965. I just wish the kick starter was retained.

Thanks for your videos. For my interests, they are some of the best on the subject. Here are my two cents: I am a late MC returner. A few years ago I bought the bike of my childhood dreams, circa 1975. This happened to not be a Kawasaki, but the original Z1 and the Z650, along with the big two strokes, were the super bikes of my teenage years. Now, my original is a strong runner but will at some point need restoration to again look its best. But even with a full, expensive and expert restoration, it will have a frame, suspension, brakes and riding performance that dates to 1975. If I were to start over again, I would buy one of the Kawasaki RS models. I am now thinking of selling my vintage original and then buy an RS.

Very good analysis. Many (most) people are not aware of these facts. Well done 👍

It is interesting to watch. I think I need to see an unlikely pair comparison between the Ninja 650 and 636 as well.

does w800 tyres tubeless?

Nicely done. I'd like to see another review from you as you ride the W800. I've heard them run and they make beautiful music. The Z650rs? Not so much.

I wish you made these videos 6 months ago! I was thinking about these then got a Versys 300 and not sure I got the right bike.

I think in your next video, you need to compare the 883 Sportster and the 1000 Ninja.

It’s a drag when you’re old school speedometer gets condensation on the inside of the glass.

I own the z650rs. Absolute awesome. Feel free to ask me any questions.

Hi

I own an older W800 with rear drum brakes from 2012. After eight years of happy W driving in 2021 I bought a Z900RS. I have to confess, since I have the RS, the W has made only a few Kilometers. I fully agree that the W gives you the old feeling. Not long ago I drove an original Z650SR from the end of the 70th and it felt bery similar to the W, even a bit more stable. But with the Z I achieved a new level of corner driving, stable at 150 km ore more, it gives you a stable, solid, even heavy feeling while being around 13 kg lighter than the view. My son calls the W bycicle feeling compared to the Z or our HD 883 Sporty. I just can‘t sell the W because it is too nice, but when I go out for a serious or longer ride, rhe Z is my choice. And with its 111 hp compared to the 48 of the W, it is just more fun. Actually, driving more than 140 with the W is not so fun, as it begins to wiggle. It makes no problem, you can push it to 170 and just ignore the wiggling, but with the Z you just go as on a railway, if there are no big holes, you feel somehow disconnected from the street. So I take the W out when I want this old feeling and get some compliments, but more fun is the 900RS

Bevel drives can't rev? Remember the old Ducati's? They're noisy, heavy, hard to align, but last forever.

The Z650 is a non-insect motorcycle, thats all. There is nothing retro about it. The bevel drive valve train has not gone out of fashion because it does not allow high revs (the opposite is the case!), it is simply expensive to produce. But it is extremely reliable and requires little maintenance to operate.

1st

Don't compare a modernbike made of shoddy materials with a W800. Because viewers are not blind !!