Kawasaki W650

The Kawasaki W650 is a retro standard motorcycle marketed by Kawasaki for model years 1999-2007 and superseded by the Kawasaki W800.

Kawasaki W650
ManufacturerKawasaki
Production1999–2007
ClassStandard
Engine676 cc (41 cu in)
Top speed180 km/h (110 mph)[1]
Power50 hp (37 kW)@7,000 rpm[1]
TransmissionChain
Wheelbase1,455 mm (57.3 in)
Weight195 kg (429 lb)[1] (dry)
Fuel capacity15 l (3.3 imp gal; 4.0 US gal)
The right side of the motorcycle reveals the Ducati Desmo style cover for the bevel drive system that operates the camshaft.The color scheme is called "Galaxy Silver/Luminous Boralis Blue" (2000).
The W650, model year 1999

The "W" in "W650" refers to Kawasaki's W1, W2 and W3 models, manufactured between 1967 and 1975.[1] The "650" refers to the engine displacement.

In 1999, superseding the Zephyr series, Kawasaki introduced the W650, resembling British motorcycles of the early 1960s, notably the Triumph Bonneville.[1] In contrast to British twin-cylinder motorcycles of the period, which featured pushrod engines, the W650 features a shaft-driven bevel-gear overhead camshaft, similar to those found on 1970s Ducati singles and V-twins.[2]

The W650 has a long-stroke engine of 72 mm bore x 80 mm stroke with an anti-vibration balance shaft and modern electronics. In 2006 Kawasaki added a short-stroke W400 model, in Japan. Kawasaki simply combined the same 72 mm bore with a short-throw crankshaft to give a 49 mm stroke and 399 cc (24 cu in) displacement.[3]

In the United States and Canada the W650 was imported for model years 2000-2001. With weak US and Canadian sales and the introduction of the competing "retro" Bonneville by Triumph, Kawasaki concentrated sales in Europe and Japan.[1] It was the last full-size motorcycle sold in the United States with a kickstarter.

Production of the W400 and W650, unable to meet new emissions standards, ended in 2008.[4] In 2010, the 50 hp (37 kW) W650 was succeeded by the W800, which had a displacement increase to 773 cc (47 cu in) and fuel injection.

2000 W650

References
  1. "2000-2001 Kawasaki W650: Brit Done Better?". Motorcycle Classics. 8 (3). January–February 2013. Retrieved 30 January 2013.
  2. "Motorcycle Museum". Corporate Kawasaki. Canadian Kawasaki Motors Inc. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
  3. Spannerman (13 December 2011). "Test: Kawasaki W400". Motorcycle Trader. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 2 August 2013. By changing the crankshaft and conrods, Kawasaki converted the 650’s 72 x 83mm bore and stroke to an engine with the same bore but a stroke of just 49mm.
  4. "W400" (in Japanese). scs-tokyo.co.jp. Archived from the original on 22 January 2013. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
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