IS THERE ANYONE ELSE ON THESE BOARDS THAT HAS A W650/EJ650,OR AM I THE ONLY ONE?

:hzs got a zrx1100.... :kawas

YEP,I MUST BE!! :693

no indeed you are not the only one
W650 1999 owner for 1 year now
Loving it!
Had many bikes thru the years but the W is the best so far
Currently cruising the streets and back roads of Sydney and NSW

AH,G'DAY TO YA. :332
ONLY GOT MINE IN AUGUST,YEAH I LOVE IT TOO,THOUGH I'LL CHANGE THE BARS ON IT.THEY'RE OK FOR MOTORWAY RIDING BUT NOT SO GOOD ON THE TWISTIES.
MINE WAS REGD. IN 2002,BUT I THINK ITS A '99 MODEL.

:333 yes me too, I am looking at new bars, braided brake and clutch lines and possibly a new seat as my $%£" gets v sore on long rides. Maybe the new bars will help in that area as I will be not sitting so upright.
W650s are quite rare here in Oz and now they stopped making them.

I DON'T THINK THEY'RE TOO THICK ON THE GROUND OVER HERE.
I'VE HEARD THAT LOWER BARS MAKE IT A MUCH MORE COMFORTABLE RIDE.

I'M THINKING OF GETTING "JOTA" BARS AS THESE ARE FULLY ADJUSTABLE,BUT TRIUMPH OR BSA TYPE BARS MAY GET THE NOD.

Just changed the bars at the weekend.
I bought 7/8" BSA bars,slightly narrower,lower rise and reduced pullback;2 sets of handlebar shims and (for now) a bar-end mirror. You need one set of shims for the clutch and brake lever clamps.
Still to try them out but I think they make the bike look leaner.

Let me know if the ride is much improved.
Still thinking of changing over bars and cables but job will cost $700 so I need to find the hole in my budget somewhere first.
:099

Its better,I'm more confident going through bends than before. Body is slightly over the tank,but still upright,a bit more weight on the front end.
I'm using the original cables,with just a little adjustment. I'm amazed at what it will cost you to do the same.
Here's my outlay:
handlebar shims:- £12 (inc. p&p)
BSA type bars:- £15
bar-end mirror:- £9 still to get another
TOTAL:- £36 (£45 inc other mirror)
The shims can be made up from 1 inch pipe with a thickness of 1/16",cut into 1 1/2" segments,then cut in half into "C" shapes.
Its an easy job,needing only the toolkit that came with the bike.It took an hour to an hour and a half to do.

most of the cost is labour as I'm none to good with a spanner...........if it's easy I might give it a go .
What about the throttle barrell? Easy?

:441 Had a brand new 02 in champagne -man it looked the canine's conjones in the sun.Had one bloke compliment me on my restoration(completely overlooking the 02 plate!)Would have kept it forever but lusted after an ER6F and couldn't afford 2 bikes.I must say the ER6 is very much like the W650 to ride:lighter tho' and rather quicker!

yes I've had a couple of people comment on the great condition of my W1!!
I also looked at the ER but wanted to move away from sport style bikes. I find I always ride way too fast when I'm on a sport bike. My W650 encourages a more relaxed speed and attitude when I'm riding but still can go like the clappers when I want. The only bike that has really made me think about reconsidering this is the Triumph Daytona........

Have now changed over to low bars. Much better position although find it harder to steer at low speed. Can't see a thing in the mirrors so will need new ones.
Now thinking of what next to modify.......would love a new seat but they are expensive. :nut

I've heard that progressive springs work wonders on the handling.
BTW Longlost,are you using stock tyres?

stock on the rear but changed over front to slightly softer Bridgestone.
Riding in the wet is very hazardous but then I hardly ever ride in the rain. (it hardly ever rains here in Sydney...) Might look at new springs and still considering replacing the cables as I don't have much of a feel for the front brake. She does stop when I want her to though.....

The next thing for me is a braided hose for the front. I go on a w650 owners website a lot,many don't rate the stock front tyre especially in wet conditions - retro bridgestone tyre for a retro bike! The majority have ditched the accolades for BT45's front and rear.

I had a bad experience not so long ago with front and rear wheel wobble on a wet road, well damp really hardly wet. Hit a black patch of some unknown substance right in the middle of a bend and both wheels decided to wobble. Luckily I was not flat out so could control it. Slowed down somewhat after that and kept her as upright as I could till road dried out.