Kawa's retro W800 or Honda's NC700

[peterlim34]

Hi all,i am confuse on choosing among these two.W800 is good looking retro bike,NC700 is a budget bike.

Your kind advise is important to me,thank you!

[tiku]

nc700 wil be better for me... looks like BM.. fc claims by honda is 60mpg aka 25km/l very gd for class2 bike... front tank is actually a 21litre storage... fuel tank is at the seat similar to BM... can read up nc700 thread

[736cc]

i myself riding w650. very good and easy to maintain bike.

3 bottle engine oil and 2 plug. bullet prove engine.

[kinwei]

Personally if the price for both are the same, I will go for something that is more technologically advanced. Or rather something with more updated styling. It individual's preference. Buy something which will put a smile on your face everytime you ride. I can sense you prefer W800 though.

[kevinlimcool]

W800... I am finding excuses to ride again and taking the long way round going home .....

[whitepomfret]

hahaha! It's a funny question, Peter. The two are so different. You get a very different feel and sense when riding the two.

 

I've driven/ridden new and old. retro and technical. At the end of the day, both bikes are good for what they were made to do. The W800/650/400 were bonnie replica-styled bikes WITHOUT the leaking oil and really, they are technically superior for what they look like. The vibrations of the heydays have been handled but Kawasaki's done enough to preserve the soul of a parallel twin... and here's what connects it to the NC700. Parallel twin. The difference is phenomenal apart from the two pistons.

 

The ride position differs. The look you get when straddling and riding the two is different. From my experience. the w800 will give you street fred from old timers, racers, retro-lovers, old bike riders, and the little old lady across the street who eagerly awaits for you to help her cross the road just to get a glimpse of you trusty steed. Chick magnet? You'd probably get chicks who have more character if they are the ones who get attracted to the W800. If that's who you are, that's who you are.

 

If you're in for practical ride, economical commuting, clever design. the Lack of soul doesn't' bother you. You're one who is happy to use any computer, any phone that works well, then this is it.

 

There's nothing out there like it and at that class 2 category, I think it'll become a very popular bike on the street. But you might not be able to find it in the bike lot as easily.

 

As for me... I use a fountain pen, wear a mechanical watch, commute on a touring bicycle with Nitto handlebars, listen to the blues, to cream, hendriks, so for me, while I like practical, I love soul more. The W800 would be my choice if I had the opportunity.

 

For me right now, I am blessed with 2 opportunities - to ride the cult bike that Honda made in the late 80s - the Pacific Coast PC800 (check out the worlds largest internet forum for a single retired bike model - it's made up of friendly hardcore riders. ) the ultimate practical bike! and the marque with real soul - a Moto Guzzi. Both have loads of character and history in their own ways.

 

Hope that helps! Let your heart lead the way!

 

Cheers!

[bob123]

Wa these 2 bikes are very different. I would go for the w800 because I ride not only to commute but also to have fun. If you really want a budget bike why buy a new bike? Might as well get a spec 1 and use all the money saved for petrol and servicing.