Bob, yes, I have done the valves on the W800. About the hardest part of the job is taking the fuel tank off - towels/rags to protect the paintwork, plus dexterity or assistant to unclip the fuel pump wiring. Then it's straightforward - the rockers push to the side to give easy access to the shims. Needs a long, narrow socket to get to the plugs - they're buried deep in the head, so you do them while the tank is off.
Never changed the battery, not difficult but you have to be ready for a fair bit of dismantling including those lovely metal side panels to get at the battery.
Marty, had an FXR twenty years ago, a good Harley. As for the W800 and owning a bike so similar to the XS? Well, I had the W800 first, since 2014, and it is a keeper. So really the question is, why did I buy the XS650? Still can't answer that one . . .
Although they are clearly in the same class, they are nonetheless very different bikes. The W800 sets a high bar. East to ride, good torque, smooth, handles well within the performance range, etcetera.
But I love the XS650, probably because I've had so much involvement. Much more
visceral than the W. If the 800 is a good girl, then the XS is a
bad one.
So, I'll probably keep both bikes - the W 'coz it's too good to get rid of, the XS because I've done too much work/spent too much money to part ways. Then there's the wee Honda NX250 - technically, it's for sale but I haven't made strenuous efforts in that direction. And it's the most
eager bike in the garage - like a puppy jumping up and down just
demanding to be taken out.
This is the dilemma I face when I open the garage doors. Aren't I lucky?
BTW I don't own a car.