By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Retro Classic
Kawasaki W800 Cafe (MY2019) vs Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 (MY2018)
Short-shift the Kawasaki W800 Cafe and its engine settles into a soft thrum that won't hurry you. Each upshift on the Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 lands in a fruitier beat, and it's soon pulling hard again. It's begging you to rev it out.
So which one do you buy?
The W800 Cafe has the edge if…
Daily commuting & city riding
Narrow edge: W800 Cafe
Your daily ride leans slightly toward the W800 Cafe. Thank simpler maintenance for that. Fit and price can easily outweigh that.
Keeping running costs low
Edges it: W800 Cafe
Day to day, the W800 Cafe works out slightly cheaper to own. The saving is small.
Character, looks and sound
Small edge: W800 Cafe
The W800 Cafe has a bit more presence and character. It's down to a better engine note. This one still comes down to taste.
The Continental GT 650 has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Inches ahead: Continental GT 650
Through a string of corners, the Continental GT 650 feels a little more eager. That comes from lighter steering and a sportier chassis. The gap is small, so ride both.
Which one's the smarter buy
No clear advantage
The price gap doesn't produce a clear winner.
What makes each one tick
W800 Cafe
There's an even pulse from the W800 Cafe's air-cooled twin at cruising speed that coaxes you into a relaxed pace on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The throttle answers with leisurely drive, and it's out of breath up top. The clubman bars reach low, yet the padded seat narrows at the front. Both boots plant flat at lights.
Continental GT 650
Clip-ons fold you forward over the Continental GT 650's long tank, and its slim chassis changes direction at the slightest push on the bar. By afternoon, the crouch isn't kind. Then it's tipping into the next gap.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Continental GT 650 has the lower wet weight: 445 lb (202 kg) vs 492 lb (223 kg).
- The W800 Cafe makes more peak torque: 46 lb-ft (63 Nm) vs 38 lb-ft (52 Nm).
- The W800 Cafe has the larger engine: 773 cc vs 648 cc.
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Neither one fits
Neither one is built for long-haul comfort. For big miles, look at a proper tourer or sport tourer.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
W800 Cafe
What owners say
Strengths
- Authentic retro styling and high build quality
- Comfortable ergonomics for a cafe racer
- Smooth, characterful engine
Trade-offs
- Limited performance and power
Continental GT 650
What owners say
Strengths
- Authentic café racer styling
- Excellent value for money
- Lively, characterful engine
- Lightweight and nimble handling
Trade-offs
- Budget‑grade switchgear and finish
- Compromised comfort for café racer ergonomics
Known problems to check before you buy
W800 Cafe
- Improperly tightened exhaust pipe nuts (safety recall 21V-819) Recall 21V819000 Exhaust pipe nuts may not have been torqued correctly, potentially causing a collar to detach and become a road hazard. Recall involved replacing gaskets and collars.
- Horn harness failure (safety recall 22V-122) Recall 22V122000 Engine vibration can damage the horn harness, causing horn failure. A recall replaced the horn assembly, bracket, and harness with an improved damper.
Continental GT 650
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
What they cost used
These prices compare a 7-year-old W800 Cafe with a 7-year-old Continental GT 650.
- W800 Cafe
- about $5,500
- Continental GT 650
- about $3,800
At seven years old, the Kawasaki W800 Cafe sits around $5,500 while the Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 lands near $3,800. These are US market estimates, not live listings.
What they share
- Engine
- Parallel twin
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Telescopic
- Front tire
- 100/90-18
Where the spec sheets split
| W800 Cafe | Continental GT 650 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 31.1 in (790 mm) | 31.2 in (793 mm) |
| Wet weight | 492 lb (223 kg) | 445 lb (202 kg) |
| W800 Cafe | Continental GT 650 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 773 cc | 648 cc |
| Cooling | Air-cooled | Air/oil-cooled |
| Power | 48 hp (35 kW) | 47 hp (35 kW) |
| Peak power at | 6,100 rpm | 7,150 rpm |
| Torque | 46 lb-ft (63 Nm) | 38 lb-ft (52 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 4,700 rpm | 5,250 rpm |
| W800 Cafe | Continental GT 650 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 4.0 US gal (15 L) | 3.3 US gal (12.5 L) |
| W800 Cafe | Continental GT 650 | |
|---|---|---|
| Gearbox | 5-speed | 6-speed |
| Rear tire | 130/80-18 | 130/70-18 |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| W800 Cafe | Continental GT 650 | |
|---|---|---|
| Heated Grips | Option | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
