In 1999, superseding the Zephyr series, Kawasaki introduced the W650, resembling British motorcycles of the early 1960s, notably the Triumph Bonneville.

[3] The engines of the British motorcycles used pushrods, but the W650 has an overhead camshaft, driven by bevel gears, in the same way as 1970s Ducati singles and V-twins.

[7] In the United States and Canada, the W650 was imported for model years 2000–2001.

[3] Production of the W400 and W650, unable to meet new emissions standards, ended in 2008.

[7] In 2010, the 50 hp (37 kW) W650 was succeeded by the W800, which had a displacement increase to 773 cc (47 cu in) and fuel injection.