There was a valuable opportunity to get on the W1 on the other day's KAWASAKI's test ride event. I think many people have heard the name of "W1" somehow. But I think that there are only a few people who actually got on that motorcycle. Furthermore, if it becomes the first model...
"W1" was born as a prototype of "MEGURO".
The first model of "KAWASAKI 650-W1" was released in 1966. But there is a story behind it. At that time, the British Motorcycles was thriving, and it was “MEGURO” that imitated a large sport model of the Straight-twin 2-cylinder Engine also known as a Vertical-twin, which was the representative of BSA. It is surprising that the "MEGURO" had already commercialized a heavy motorcycle in the 1950s when Japan manufacturers such as HONDA were still making small displacement motorcycles.
▲ KAWASAKI 650 -W1
▲ KAWASAKI 650 -W1
▲The catalogue photo at the time of the W1 was targeting the North American market.
It is packed with fighting aircraft manufacturer technology
As I heard from the authorized people at this test ride event, the MEGURO at that time was making fighter aircraft in World War II. From an engineer at KAWASAKI Heavy Industries (aircraft maker at that time), the engine manufactured by MEGURO was "very messy". But I think that would be so. This is because many of Japan's motorcycle manufacturers started from the city's garage and made motorcycles by looking at British motorcycle design. At that time, KAWASAKI Heavy Industries thoroughly investigated the weaknesses of MEGURO and seems to have improved one after another.
Nowadays, the ultra-fine machine such as the Ninja H2 is said to be feedback from aircraft technology, but they have been doing the same thing for more than half a century since now. And think about it, KAWASAKI is amazing, isn't it?
The max speed from Kiyo is 181km/h!
As a former factory rider of KAWASAKI, at the test ride event, legendary Akihiko Kiyohara a.k.a Mr. Kiyo, who played an active part in major races both in Japan and overseas, also appeared. In fact, he was also involved in the development of W1 as a test rider.
At that time, W1 was developed aiming for the world's fastest motorcycle. Mr. Kiyo himself, it is a surprise because the top speed was recorded at a whopping 181 km/h. I tried to ride on the perfectly restored W1 which KAWASAKI prepared for this event, but the motorcycle body was heavy like iron chunks, it didn't turn well in the corner and also the brake is not working well the way it is (sorry for my words) because of the strength. If you are an ordinary person, you will not be able to keep opening the throttle as far as possible.
That's why old-fashioned professional riders are amazing! Recently, although it is similar to a dead word, the expression of "Inochigake" sounds realistic. By the way, Mr. Kiyo was showing us a healthy figure, such as starting W1 with a single kick.
▲Mr. Kiyo who puts a soul in W1. The ability to have been active in the world as a development rider in KAWASAKI and a factory rider is truly amazing.
The Mechanical Vehicle Made of Iron
By the way, preliminaries became long, but the riding taste of W1 similar to a stubborn father was really the best. Twist the fuel cock, turn on the main switch hidden in the lower left of the tank, pull a chalk lever as beautiful as a handicraft attached to the handle, and take an empty kick... It takes time and effort to start the engine like that, but the ritual makes us feel like, "Let's get on"!
The idling noise is like a steam locomotive engine, and when it starts running, a heavy crankshaft turns around like a flywheel and accelerates well. The unique Air-cooled Straight-twin 2-cylinder sound closer to the "Batabata" rather than the "Dokodoko" is also intense, and the layout of the MEGURO's overhanded 4-speed step-down shift pedal on the right side and the rear brake on the left side is all new to me. And it was a friction damper when I thought that the steering wheel had an unfamiliar "handle". In other words, the old steering damper which suppresses the movement of the steering wheel by the frictional force by tightening it (laugh). And so on it's packed with hard work and well design at that time.
W1 Engine Sound
Following the CB750FOUR and Z1, the W1 is a forerunner of a large domestic sports model. It was a wonderful mechanical vehicle made of iron that shakes the rider's soul. Everybody is sure to reflect on the fastest machine half a century ago!
See KAWASAKI Moto Index Page
See HONDA Moto Index Page
See Accessories for KAWASAKI W1
See Accessories for HONDA CB750 Four (CB750K)
See Accessories for KAWASAKI Z1 (900 Super Four)
