1999 Kawasaki W 650

Meguro are a brand most bike enthusiasts wouldn't have heard of, but for a period, they were one of Japan's leading manufacturers. Starting out by producing 500cc singles, Meguro thrived thanks to contracts to supply motorcycles for the Imperial Japanese Army. After World War II, they diversified into bikes of varying capacities, mostly singles, but ventures into scooters and more modern, overhead cam versions of their existing lines brought the company to the brink of bankruptcy by the late 1950s. Enter Kawasaki, who started producing motorcycle engines in 1949, with their first complete motorcycle - sold under the 'Meihatsu' name - debuting in 1954. Kawasaki bought out Meguro in 1960, inheriting their decades of four-stroke development in one fell swoop.

Prior to their purchase by Kawasaki, Meguro had been producing 500cc singles and 650cc twins, known as 'Senior' models, for both the Japanese police and the general public. There's conjecture over how closely, if at all, Meguro copied British designs, but the 'K' model single that debuted in 1960 is generally agreed to be a close copy of BSA's A7. The K was part of Meguro's attempt to modernise their range with overhead cam engines, but they sold poorly, forcing Meguro to revert to their old pushrod-engined models, and eventually to sell out to Kawasaki. By 1965, Kawasaki were producing these motorcycles under their own name. In the same year, an enlarged, 624cc twin version of the K was released, known as the W1. While popular in Japan, the new twin was a sales disaster overseas. A 'Street Scrambler' variant and twin front disc brake model, retrospectively known as the W2 and W3, failed to halt the slide in export sales. Overseas sales stopped around 1971, and by 1975, the W models had been discontinued in Japan, too.

Fast forward two decades and the positive reception to the 'Zephyr' range of classically-inspired naked bikes (introduced in 1991) convinced Kawasaki to up the retro ante even further and revive the W Series roadsters. The first new 'W 650' debuted in 1999, looking little different from its 1960s predecessor. The overall design was arguably even more 'British' than the original W1, looking like a modern Triumph Bonneville, even though the W 650 predated the release of the new Bonnie by a couple of years. From slimline chrome guards to front fork gaiters, rubber tank pads, sausage-style exhaust silencer and more, all the retro styling cues were there, right down to the appearance of the switchgear and gauges.

Despite the unashamedly retro appearance, the W 650 packed some modern features in the form of a ventilated front disc brake and electric starting, although a kick starter was still provided. A Ducati-style bevel gear driving the overhead camshaft was a notable feature on the offside of the 676cc engine, as was the use of an overhead cam itself. A pair of Keihin carbs continued the retro theme, but the inclusion of a throttle position sensor and accelerator pump was a more modern touch which aided engine response. Undersquare at 72 x 83mm, the engine was designed more for torque and smooth running than screaming top speed, reflecting the W's positioning as a commuter/cruiser. An internal balance shaft reduced the vibration inherent in most parallel twin engines like these, making the W 650 comfortable to ride at low and mid speed. Crank the throttle and the high riding position and lack of wind protection became apparent, though. Compared to modern sportsbikes, you definitely sit 'on' the W 650, rather than 'in' or 'around' it. However, that's part of the trade-off in choosing a bike with this sort of styling, one that given the W 650's success in Japan, most riders were willing to accept.

Exported to a number of overseas markets, initial W 650 sales were good, but the Kawasaki retro bike couldn't compete with the relaunched Bonneville from 2001. Triumph took a similar retro route with the redesign of the Bonnie, to great effect. As it was much better known and had more 'history', the Bonneville's success soon forced Kawasaki to withdraw the W 650 from the important US market.

The W 650 continued to be produced, with few variations apart from annual colour changes, until 2008. More stringent emissions regulations meant the W 650's engine had hit the end of its development curve. As such, the W was dropped from Kawasaki's range, while work began on a new, larger capacity, fuel injected version that made its Australian debut early in 2011. The fact that Kawasaki are even bringing the W 800 retromobile to the local market proves not only that they had hit upon a winning formula with the earlier W 650, but that the appetite for all things retro shows no sign of abating anytime soon. The release of the W 800 will likely re-ignite interest in the smaller capacity versions like the 650 and 400, but these will be much harder to find, as they're much rarer, most brought in here as private or grey imports. If you can find one, the W 650 offers an appealing blend of retro styling and modern reliability with good performance. For a commuter with a difference, the W 650 is a standout machine.


Specifications - 1999 Kawasaki W650

Engine: 676cc 4 stroke SOHC 8V parallel twin
Bore/Stroke: 72 x 83mm
Compression: 8.7:1
Power/Torque: 50hp@5000rpm / N/A
Fuel system: 2 x Keihin 34 mm carbs
Cooling system: Air
Transmission/Drive: 5 speed manual/chain drive
Starting: Electric (w/K-TRIC ignition)/kick
Electrics: 12 volt
Front Suspension: 39mm telescopic forks
Rear Suspension: Swingarm / adjustable twin shock
Front Brake: 300mm ventilated disc w/2-piston caliper
Rear Brake: 160mm drum
Front Tyre: 100/90-19
Rear Tyre: 130/18-18
Weight: 195kg
Seat Height: 800mm
Wheelbase: 1455mm
Ground Clearance: N/A
Fuel Capacity: 15 lt
Top Speed: 170 kph (approx)


TRIVIA
Some of the original W650s were supplied to a select number of Australian police forces. As they were close in specification, size and performance to the British twins they usually replaced in local Police fleets, they were easy to adapt to.
At the time of the new W 650's release, Kawasaki unveiled another retro model in the form of the Vulcan 800 'Drifter'. Mechanically the same as the regular Vulcan, the Drifter added deeply-valanced guards, a custom seat and other items designed to mimic the classic Indian v-twin cruisers of the 1940s and 50s.
The popularity of the W 650 in the local market convinced Kawasaki to broaden the range in 2006 with a 398cc version, dubbed the W 400. Using the same basic engine layout as the W 650, the 400 reduced the stroke by almost half - to 49mm - and featured a different compression ratio and smaller carbs, but dispensed with the W 650's kick starter.