Sat on a Versys this weekend...

[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.