kawasaki versys road test

[TouringDude]

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/11october07_kawasaki2008versys.htm

[Berserker]

up close and personal yesterday. Nice bike, kind of an upright sport bike.

[bill l]

I think he liked it. Kawaski is really kicking out the 650's lately. They're definitely beefing up the middle weight selection. I'm guessing that gas and insurance prices are creating a market for that size bike and Kawasaki wants to cash in. More is better! Here's hoping we hear from Honda and Yamaha on this in the USA.

Another Versys road test and a May 2004 DL650 road test:

http://www.mcnews.com/mcn/model_eval.asp

[bycharlie]

First of all, I miss my deceased Vee a lot. She was gone after being hit by a car.
But life goes on and after shopping around for something that could fill the gap; I gave up and decide to try something else. Bought a 08' KLR 650, Great bike if you are going around the world, off road of course, but it didn't do much for me so I let it go for good yesterday.
Since last Saturday I have a Versys sitting on my garage. I only had the chance to ride it twice. I'll tell you guys that: It is not a Vee but it is for sure a hell of a fun bike to ride. Not much of wind protection with the standard windshield but enough. Suspension a bit stiff for my taste but it has plenty of set up to play with. Cockpit is, let’s say, versatile? I'm 5'8" and all I have to do is to move around to find the right posture for my riding mood. You want to ride sporty? Will do it! You want to ride dirty? Will do it! It seems that it will take just about anything. Engine is sweet but peppy if requested with a pleasant sound. It rides firm and grounded wit a slight tendency of straightening if applying brakes a bit harder on a curve.
It has been fun so far but I still have to try it on longer trips. I keep wondering about it wearing a pair of dual sport tires and a softer suspension set up. I guess I have to try it.

[bycharlie]

First of all, I miss my deceased Vee a lot. She was gone after being hit by a car.
But life goes on and after shopping around for something that could fill the gap; I gave up and decide to try something else. Bought a 08' KLR 650, Great bike if you are going around the world, off road of course, but it didn't do much for me so I let it go for good yesterday.
Since last Saturday I have a Versys sitting on my garage. I only had the chance to ride it twice. I'll tell you guys that: It is not a Vee but it is for sure a hell of a fun bike to ride. Not much of wind protection with the standard windshield but enough. Suspension a bit stiff for my taste but it has plenty of set up to play with. Cockpit is, let’s say, versatile? I'm 5'8" and all I have to do is to move around to find the right posture for my riding mood. You want to ride sporty? Will do it! You want to ride dirty? Will do it! It seems that it will take just about anything. Engine is sweet but peppy if requested with a pleasant sound. It rides firm and grounded wit a slight tendency of straightening if applying brakes a bit harder on a curve.
It has been fun so far but I still have to try it on longer trips. I keep wondering about it wearing a pair of dual sport tires and a softer suspension set up. I guess I have to try it.

[Newfoundlander]

Another one of my riding buddies has just bought a Versys. That's two so far.

Here's a few shots from my ride with Dave on the weekend...


http://www.ridetherock.com/gallery2/d/6331-1/IL05.jpg

http://www.ridetherock.com/gallery2/d/6334-1/IL06.jpg





And a few shots from a ride with Doug, earlier this season...


http://www.ridetherock.com/gallery2/d/6003-1/August2508.jpg

http://www.ridetherock.com/gallery2/d/6018-1/August2505.jpg

http://www.ridetherock.com/gallery2/d/5982-1/August2506.jpg

[Rider_of_the_Strom]

I like it with the black frame.....not so much with the silver. In just sitting on it at the dealership it sure feels lighter than the Wee, probably holds the weight lower. Anyone have pics of one with luggage?

[JONNYREB]

Gonna be a good one for team green i think. Looks to be more offroad worthy than the vee due to the lighter weight and shorter wheelbase. I heard it was designed as a street only ride but with some knobbies and a raised front fender...
...once the aftermarket kicks in on these they would be a viable choice. Wouldnt make me happy on the interstate i don't think but other than that...nice bike

[msheron]

Newfoundlander-
Did you ride the bike and how would you rate it against the Suzuki?

[Newfoundlander]

Newfoundlander-
Did you ride the bike and how would you rate it against the Suzuki?


I've sat on Doug's Versys, but haven't ridden either one. But I have spend a lot of miles riding with them as my wingmen, watching the bkies in action, and talking to the owners about what they like and don't like.

Doug had a Bandit 600 S he sold to buy the Versys. His primary concern was the riding position. He found the Bandit gave bim a lot of neck pain, with it's more forward lean. The problem is solved now that he rides the Versys. No more neck pain.


Dave's complaints about the Versys were...

"The screen sucks, the highbeam is useless, the low exhaust is a liability off pavement and it spews crap on the rear brake disc, and you can't buy a Metzeler Tourance to fit the rims."

Doug's only complaints were...

"No under-seat storage tray, and helmet-lift at higher speeds, thanks to the less than adequate screen".

Both Doug and Dave don't like the cheezy silver frame paint and silver plastic pieces.

From what I have observed...

I could be almost as happy with the Versys, as I am with my DL650.

The V-Strom is more stable at higher speeds, a little better off pavement, and has slightly more range. And at the moment there is more in the way of farkles available for the Stroms.

The Versys is a better urban jungle bike, and it carves the tight stuff a little more like a sportbike. Plus it has a nice naked and uncluttered feel, from the cockpit.

Both give you nearly identical performance and fuel-economy.


Guess I'll have to get around to riding one, just for curiousity sakes.


Here's a few close ups of Doug's bike...


http://www.ridetherock.com/gallery2/d/5722-1/04Versys.jpg

http://www.ridetherock.com/gallery2/d/5728-1/05Versys.jpg

[hunting1]

I love my Versys and almost got the Weestrom. The Versys is just a blast to ride. I think they are both great bikes, but neither is a off road bike. I think if you ride one you will want one. I think it feels lighter and less heavy in the front. This was why I went with the V instead of the Wee.
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b343/hunting1/Bikes/100_1997.jpg
Mine is still in the works. Great site here!

[Newfoundlander]

In my opinion the Versys is right up the middle, between the 650 Strom, and the naked SV650.

If I wanted a more sporty version of my Strom, I'd buy an SV650. If I owned an SV650, and wanted something better suited to long-distance riding and touring, I'd buy a DL650.

So although I do like the Versys, there are two Suzuki options I would choose first, and which are better and more sharply focused bikes in my opinion.