Sat on a Versys this weekend...

[Zerosum]

I was at a cycle show up in Carlisle PA, this weekend.  Kawasaki had a big tent there, with what looked like their entire model line available for demo rides, including the Versys!  Sadly, I was with other people who weren't interested in taking a demo ride, and it would have been rude to just leave them, etc... so I didn't try to go on a demo ride with it.  BUT, I did get to sit on it, start it and rev engine a little bit.   I'm pretty sure I was the only person there paying any attention to this bike.  

My impressions:  

Seating Position:
The seating position is about as comfortable as motorcycle could be, if you're into standards.  Strangely, the seating position felt a lot like the Triumph Speed Triple, but taller.  The bars are very wide and feel good.  The pegs feel low enough that you won't get cramped.  Compared to the V-Strom 650, the seat height is noticably shorter.  It felt good to me - I could flat foot the ground easily.  I'm 6' tall w/ a 32" inseam, FWIW.   I did notice a tendency to bark my shins on the foot pegs when putting my feet down... they're definately further forward than I'm used to on my VFR or my Hawk GT.

Design:
Design wise, it definately has a few advantages over the DL650.  I was surprised to see wave-type brake rotors and adjustable, inverted forks.  It's nice to see a standard bike that's using higher-end components.  It has the same exhaust as the new Ninja 650R, which I think is great.  It keeps the weight centered and low.  It makes me wonder why more bikes don't do this!  Unlike the V-Strom, it has normal street tires on normal-sized 17" wheels.  It definately seems that Versys is more purely a "street" bike than the V-Strom.  It also had a oil sight-glass on the side of the motor, which is cool.

Sound:
This is a QUIET bike.  Maybe there are strict noise standards in Europe that the muffler was designed for.  I was surprised at how quiet it was when I reved it.  Beyond that, it didn't sound that remarkable... it had that characteristic twin "pitter-patter" sound.  

Looks:
The intstrument cluster looks rather spartan, but I guess "spartan" is what Kawasaki was shooting for.  The body panels attached to the gas tank are a little weird, but very similar to the V-Strom.  One of the previous posters on this thread said that the bike dosen't look as goofy in person as it does in photographs, and I'd have to agree with that.  The headlight is strange looking, but I think it's cool.   It's like the V-Strom:  so ugly it's good-looking.    One thing that I thought looked cheesy was the gray plastic panels that extend down behind the crankcase... they have this circular pattern molded into them to make them look like some kind of component.  It's the kind of thing you'd expect to see on a kid's toy, not a motorcycle.

For me, the weirdest thing is the windscreen... it's so tiny and narrow that I can't imagine it deflecting much wind.  I would think that the V-Strom has much better wind protection than the Versys.  Like the V-Strom, the screen is adjustable and I'm sure there will be all kinds of larger after-market screens available.  The area around the windscren is wide open, so there dosen't seem to be much limit to how wide the replacement screen would be.   In fact, the brackets are removable, so you could ride without the windscreen at all if you so desired.  

So yeah, the Versys is a very interesting bike.  Finally, we're getting a few of these middleweight Eurobikes that we only get to read about on the internet!  I've always liked the V-Strom, and toyed with replacing both of my bikes with one, but this Versys is a worthy competitor!   And the great thing is that it's so different from the V-Strom... It seems to me that the Versys leans more toward the "street" end of the spectrum, while the V-Strom leans more toward the "dual sport" end of the spectrum.   I could see rural riders going more for the Wee Strom, and urban riders like myself going for the Versys.  Stick a luggage case on the back of this thing and you've got the perfect urban commuter bike.  

Here's my little subjective comparison between the Versys and the Wee Strom:

Versys:
+ Lower seat height,
+ Probably lower CoG.
+ Inverted, adjustable forks
+ Standard 17" front wheel (more tire choices)
+ Wave-type brake rotors

Wee Strom:
+ Higher ground clearance, better off-road capability
+ Stock luggage rack
+ Better wind protection ?
+ Available ABS
+ Cheaper (w/o ABS) than the Versys

So if anyone's interested, keep your eyes peeled for Kawasaki demo rides.  They ARE offering demo rides of this bike!  

[JoBu]

Cool...thanks so much for sharing.  I'm hoping to get a test ride in at Biketoberfest this year.  I think it is a cool little bike.  I'm looking forward to seeing it in person.

Cheers,

Joe

[Rincewind]

Nice write-up.  Too bad you weren't able to test ride it.

[BlueRidgeKat]

Did they offer any info as to when it may be at US dealers ? I would like to see one but am still leaning heavy toward the new KLR.

I really like the V-Strom but it always felt a little top heavy to me. I agree with you, from the pictures I have seen the V-Strom looks to have better wind/rain protection.

From what I gather the Versys does have a ABS option like the Strom.......... in Europe that is.
It pisses me off that the US either dont get the bikes at all or dont get all the options offered. We are lucky to get the Versys at all.  

[Zerosum]

 We are lucky to get the Versys at all.  

Exactly.  I hope it sells well here.  I have to think that Kawasaki did their market research before bringing this thing over here.  Hopefully the US market is starting to noticably shift away from the sportbike-or-cruiser mindset.  That's why I like Kawasaki and Suzuki... they cater to that growing market when Honda and Yamaha ingore it.

Just from my own oberservations, there does seem to be a small but growing market for these types of bikes here.  I never see left-over V-Stroms at dealers, and I see a V-Strom every now and then on the road.  And just about everyone has postive things to say about it in magazines and on the interweb.

[nanbil]

I understand the Kawasaki is going to release a 1000cc version of the bike.  Would be interesting if they do.

[cultureslayer]

Thanks for the write up.  I might end up with a 650r if I can find a good enough deal on one, but I'll see if I can get to a demo day and test ride the versys too.

[JamesG]

I have not read of anyone complaining about lack of wind protection or any wierd turbulence on the UK based Versys board.

I think the liter Versys is a rumor/wishful thinking. Looking at the frame, it would have to be a completely different fabrication to fit a bigger parrallel twin.  But then the Japanese have done wierder things...

Even if it were available, I think I would still opt for the 650.  Its "just right".

[maddjack]

I have not read of anyone complaining about lack of wind protection or any wierd turbulence on the UK based Versys board.

I think the liter Versys is a rumor/wishful thinking. Looking at the frame, it would have to be a completely different fabrication to fit a bigger parrallel twin.  But then the Japanese have done wierder things...

Even if it were available, I think I would still opt for the 650.  Its "just right".

+1 ,one of the reasons I am so intrested in this is that its under a liter

[Rincewind]

I understand the Kawasaki is going to release a 1000cc version of the bike.  Would be interesting if they do.

Here are some pics of a 1000cc Versys from Raptors & Rockets...  

[JamesG]

Here are some photoshops of a hypothetical 1000cc Versys from Raptors & Rockets...  

Fixed it for you.  

[Rincewind]

Fixed it for you.  

Yeah, I believe they said it was coming out last year, too.    Guess we'll have to wait and see.

[JamesG]

My local dealer had a Versys assembled and sitting on the show room today.

Its smaller than I'd thought/expected, but it does look better in person than in pics.
The only part about it I didn't like was the continuation of KHI insisting on putting chinzy plastic trim bits to cover up the frame on its street bikes.

[slowduc]

looks like it's time to start watching my local kawi dealers
what i can't figure out is the low exhaust... why make a bike practical in every way, then completely remove the option of a centerstand

[JamesG]

Thats why it has swingarm stand spool lugs.  

[slowduc]

Thats why it has swingarm stand spool lugs.  

centerstands are more useful, IMO, and definitely more portable than a swingarm stand

[xcsp]

centerstands are more useful, IMO, and definitely more portable than a swingarm stand

I agree, would make chain maintenance easier.   Buell did it right as they have the belt final drive.

[swimmer]

looks like it's time to start watching my local kawi dealers
what i can't figure out is the low exhaust... why make a bike practical in every way, then completely remove the option of a centerstand

I've got the 650R which is basically the same setup and I agree that it would be very nice to have a center stand.  I've looked into somehow adding one but it doesn't seem too possible.

[slowduc]

I've got the 650R which is basically the same setup and I agree that it would be very nice to have a center stand.  I've looked into somehow adding one but it doesn't seem too possible.

it's not really a deal-breaker for me... i'm just sayin' that's all  
for those in the mid-atlantic (since some of you other chumps already seem to have them in your dealers), i stopped by a dealer here in baltimore tonight to ask about them.  the assistant manager said he's been told he should get one around aug-september, but, to him, that means september.  kawasaki is supposedly giving each dealer one for now, then more will be available early next year.  looks like i'll be waiting until at least early 2008 to think about buying one.  does anyone know where to look to see when the kawsaki test truck will be around next?  i gotta see if i can actually stand over on'na these things!

[highside]

It has the same exhaust as the new Ninja 650R, which I think is great.  It keeps the weight centered and low.  It makes me wonder why more bikes don't do this!  

It's a terrible feature on any bike that even pretends to have an offroad or "adventure" application. It precludes the use of a centerstand, which should be a standard feature on chain drive bikes of this nature, and it is a point of fragility, not to mention easy to submerge. We learned about 50 years ago that bikes like this should have high exhaust exits.

[vitaminC]

From the spec page:

*Not available in California  

I don't get it. At least the KLX250S is available here now...

[Zerosum]

I think it was something to do with the design of the tank... fuel vapor recovery or whatnot.  Kawasaki didn't have time to create a California model for this model year.  I've heard that there will be a Cali-model for the next model year.

it's not really a deal-breaker for me... i'm just sayin' that's all  
i stopped by a dealer here in baltimore tonight to ask about them.  the assistant manager said he's been told he should get one around aug-september, but, to him, that means september.

Which shop did you go to? Pete's Cycle or Cycle World?  Personally, I think the guys at Cycle World are jerks.  They'll litterally ask you to leave if you walk in there without the intention of buying a bike that day.  The guys at Pete's are great... they'll let you walk around and sit on anything.

[slowduc]

Which shop did you go to? Pete's Cycle or Cycle World?  Personally, I think the guys at Cycle World are jerks.  They'll litterally ask you to leave if you walk in there without the intention of buying a bike that day.  The guys at Pete's are great... they'll let you walk around and sit on anything.

pete's

[maddjack]

It's a terrible feature on any bike that even pretends to have an offroad or "adventure" application. It precludes the use of a centerstand, which should be a standard feature on chain drive bikes of this nature, and it is a point of fragility, not to mention easy to submerge. We learned about 50 years ago that bikes like this should have high exhaust exits.

But it isn't being sold as an off road machine or even one which can occasionally be used as one, its a Street machine like the new  Triumph Tiger.Although a center stand is some thing I like ,if it means giving up a soft luggage option for a higher side pipe,no thanks.I am happy they didn't do the underseat thing  

[nanbil]

Let's see…an inline twin with long travel adjustable suspenders and quality brakes, packaged in an off-road styled roadster…sounds like a Yamaha TDM.

[Zerosum]

Let's see…an inline twin with long travel adjustable suspenders and quality brakes, packaged in an off-road styled roadster…sounds like a Yamaha TDM.

Kinda like how Hawk GT people feel about SV650s!  There are no new ideas anymore...

[nanbil]

  There are no new ideas anymore...

I didn't mean to imply that this was a bad thing; just that the TDM was/is a great idea that was 15 years ahead of its time—at least in the US.

[BlueRidgeKat]

Finally got to see and check out a Versys at Kingsport Cycles in Tennessee.

Like the look of it alot, its different in a European kind of way, still its got alot of 650R look in it.

Seat height and riding position was great for me but as someone else had mentioned on here the foot pegs stabbed me directly in the calf no matter what I did when I put my feet down. If I was taller it probably would not be a problem but I couldnt stand this.

The only other thing I didn't like was that there just does not seem to me to be enough wind protection in the front end  for my style riding (year round commuter). Theres at least a one inch space all the way around the windscreen that would appear to give you a blast of air all the time, the screen just kind of "hangs" out there. May be wrong but it looks like a great warm or hot weather bike to ride but not very practical for Southern Virginia late fall and winter months.

All in all it looks to be a great bike and a good price. We all know the inline twin engine is a winner and you get a decent adjustable suspension here for the money. For my personal use however, between the two, I would have to go with a V-Strom 650 instead.

[nanbil]

Finally got to see and check out a Versys at Kingsport Cycles in Tennessee...

For my personal use however...I would have to go with a V-Strom 650 instead.

Me, I think that I will wait for the baby Tiger.