The Standard Motorcycle Might Be The Most Underrated Choice For Everyday Riders
For riders who just want a comfortable, versatile bike without paying for performance or features they don’t need, the humble Standard has a lot going for it. Its biggest strength is its ordinary, middle-of-the-road character. They aren’t built to be the biggest, baddest, or fastest machines on the road, and they don’t need to be. For riders who want a comfortable, manageable motorcycle for commuting, errands, and the occasional back-road escape, that lack of specialization can be a real advantage.
Why Standards Make Sense For Everyday Riding
Comfort Without The Touring-Bike Bulk
Not every rider needs a dead-fast sport bike, an adventure machine, or a touring rig loaded with luggage and creature comforts. Some of us just want to get our fists in the wind, maybe a few bugs in our teeth, and enjoy the ride without making a production of it. That’s where the Standard makes its case, especially when fuel prices make the cost of everyday transportation harder to ignore.
The last Sportster 883 I bought was during the previous fuel crunch, and gas prices were a huge factor in choosing an engine that small. A smaller-displacement motorcycle can use less fuel than a larger machine, although the actual savings depend on the bike and how you ride it. There’s also something to be said about not paying for performance or equipment you rarely use.
Standards In A Variety Of Forms
Plenty Of Choices, Different Personalities
One advantage of the Standard category is that nearly every major manufacturer has something that could qualify. The trouble is that the category covers a wide range of motorcycles, and not all of them appeal to the same rider.
The Kawasaki Z650RS and Yamaha XSR700 lean toward a sportier interpretation of the Standard, with modern roadster proportions and performance-oriented styling. They’re worth considering for riders who want traditional ergonomics with a little more contemporary attitude, but I tend to gravitate toward the classic European and American look instead.
Classic Roadster Appeal Without The Premium Price
The Triumph Bonneville T100 is a natural fit for that preference. Its traditional styling, parallel-twin engine, and upright riding position make it a compelling everyday roadster, although its familiar name and heritage give it a little more recognition than some alternatives. It demonstrates what a classic Standard can do well, without necessarily being an overlooked choice itself.
Then there’s the Royal Enfield INT650, which makes a strong case for riders shopping on a shoestring. With a 648 cc parallel twin and a starting MSRP of $6,149 for the 2026 model, it delivers classic roadster styling without demanding a premium-bike budget. These motorcycles show how much variety the Standard category offers, from contemporary roadsters to traditional machines that wouldn’t look out of place decades ago.
The Kawasaki W800 Deserves More Attention
A Classic Look That Never Went Out Of Style
Among the many Standards available today, one motorcycle stands out for how thoroughly it captures the traditional roadster formula without feeling like a relic. Kawasaki’s W800 channels the spirit of the 1960s almost as convincingly as the Triumph Bonneville itself, yet it remains a thoroughly modern machine.
The styling is the easy part to appreciate. Wire-spoke wheels, chrome accents, a sculpted tank with classic knee pads, and twin pea-shooter mufflers give the W800 the kind of presence that doesn’t depend on sharp bodywork or aggressive graphics. Those low-slung exhaust pipes look right on a traditional roadster, although they aren’t what I’d want underneath me when the pavement gives way to rough ground.
Old-School Looks, Distinctive Engineering
The engine is just as interesting. Its air-cooled, 773 cc parallel twin uses a distinctive bevel-gear drive for the overhead camshafts rather than the chain arrangement found in many modern engines. That mechanical detail helps distinguish the W800 from other retro-styled motorcycles, while its traditional appearance hides modern essentials such as fuel injection, ABS, and an assist-and-slipper clutch.
Kawasaki rates the engine at 51 horsepower and 46.5 pound-feet of torque, with peak torque arriving at 4,800 RPM. That’s enough output to make ordinary roads entertaining without making the motorcycle’s entire personality about acceleration. An upright riding position, a tuck-and-roll seat, and a passenger seat with frame-mounted pegs round out a package that can handle everyday riding without pretending to be a dedicated touring machine.
Why The Standard Still Makes Sense Today
A Different Kind Of Value
Motorcycles have become increasingly specialized, with manufacturers offering everything from track-focused sport bikes to adventure machines built for crossing continents. There’s nothing wrong with that, but it can make a straightforward roadster like the Kawasaki W800 seem almost out of step with the times. In reality, its simplicity is part of the appeal, especially for riders who want to enjoy motorcycling without buying into a particular riding identity.
The W800 isn’t inexpensive transportation, and it doesn’t pretend to be. At its 2027 starting MSRP of $10,699 before destination charges, it’s a considered purchase rather than a budget commuter. But for someone who appreciates traditional styling, mechanical character, and an upright riding position, it offers something that a spec-sheet comparison won’t necessarily capture. You’re buying a motorcycle that makes an ordinary trip feel like a reason to ride, rather than just another way to get somewhere.
Know What You Want From A Motorcycle
Of course, the W800 won’t suit everyone. Riders who regularly cover long highway distances may want more wind protection, while those looking for aggressive acceleration or sharp sport-bike handling should shop elsewhere. Riders who prefer the same classic Standard styling in a smaller package can also consider Kawasaki’s W230, which delivers similar retro character with a more modest 233 cc engine. The beauty of a Standard is that it doesn’t have to excel at every task to be useful across a wide range of everyday riding.
That’s why the category deserves a closer look. A motorcycle doesn’t need a huge engine, elaborate touring equipment, or race-inspired performance to make a compelling case for itself. The Kawasaki W800 demonstrates that a traditional roadster can still offer plenty of character and everyday appeal in a market crowded with specialized alternatives. Sometimes, the most underrated choice is the one that remembers what makes riding enjoyable in the first place.
Source: Kawasaki, Triumph, Royal Enfield, Yamaha
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