1st Ride, Kawi Versys: Motorcycle.com

[Schneegz]

Yet another test of the Versys at Motorcycle.com.  Fear not, subscription is no longer necessary.

[vitaminC]

This sounds like a great bike, but:

But the real bug in the ointment for this bike is that it’s a 49-state machine. Yep, while the Versys meets Euro 3 emissions regs, it lacks the carbon-canister vapor recovery system required by CARB for Californian certification. Unfortunately, the Versys fuel tank was simply not designed to accommodate an afterthought modification.

Hopefully they'll at least have one at the moto show this year, as I'd like to try it out.

[GS1100GK]

I just saw and sat on one at my local dealer.  The riding position is straight up and comfy.  Unfortunately, my dealer does not offer test rides, so I cannot comment on how it feels to ride one.  They had it parked next to the Ninja ZX650R and it looked big compared to that.

I'd like to see how it will compare against the V-Strom DL650.

[Zerosum]

Man... the more I think about it, the more I think I should replace my Hawk with one of these.

[chornbe]

I just find it amazing how many people (including myself) are jonesing for lighter and/or smaller and/or smaller-displacement bikes. I'm giving my friend's FZ-6 back today and I'm kind bumming I can't keep it. I told him to buy the hard bag setup for it and an aftermarket seat and I'd trade him up for the FJR. Fortunately for me, he knew I was kidding.  

[Stray Cat]

But the real bug in the ointment for this bike is that it’s a 49-state machine. Yep, while the Versys meets Euro 3 emissions regs, it lacks the carbon-canister vapor recovery system required by CARB for Californian certification. Unfortunately, the Versys fuel tank was simply not designed to accommodate an afterthought modification.
So despite how well this $6,899 bike is suited to lane-splitting on the freeway, Sunday canyon strafing and long rides in the country, it’s being sold only outside California.

So when they can't meet their sales quotas, Kaw will pull the plug instead of using their heads in the first place and making a California model. Unless it's already in the works.
Anyone know the percentage of California bike sales compared to the rest of the country? I'm betting it's pretty high.

[JamesG]

The noise is that a Cali model is in the works (reduced capacity tank to house the emissions crap).  It will just be a year late to market.
Donno why they choose to introduce a 49 state only one first. Excess capacity at the factory and an executive decision to send em to the States?

You Kalaiphornians have had all the cool gray-market and exotic stuff to yourselves for a long time.  See what it feels like?  

[Schneegz]

I like the Versys, but I don't like it in red; black is much nicer.  Canada gets black and red, but the US only gets red, for some odd reason.  Would there be a problem with buying a bike in Canada and bringing it to the US?

[JamesG]

Besides the paperwork and dealing with the border bureaucrats? I don't think so. The old got'ca used to be that Canuck bike's speedos were in KMs and thus not DOT approved. Now with the modern digital speedo, switching between miles and kilometers is just a couple toggles of the mode switch (see http://www.versys.co.uk for the how too).  

Since the Versys really only has 5 pieces of bodywork and a tank, it might be less of a pain to just buy a red one and swap out the parts off a Euro one. Then ebay the stock prices to those who will inevitably crack theirs up.

[swimmer]

The noise is that a Cali model is in the works (reduced capacity tank to house the emissions crap).  It will just be a year late to market.
Donno why they choose to introduce a 49 state only one first. Excess capacity at the factory and an executive decision to send em to the States?

You Kalaiphornians have had all the cool gray-market and exotic stuff to yourselves for a long time.  See what it feels like?  

Strange.  When the 650R came out it was legal everywhere.  Considering how similar they it seems bizarre they wouldn't have a CA legal version.  I think my AZ model is CA legal.

[JamesG]

There is no "AZ model" and its not legal for registration in CA (until it has 2000 miles).

[chornbe]

There is no "AZ model" and its not legal for registration in CA (until it has 2000 miles).

hah. Buy it in the mid-west some where, take a winding route home, problem solved. 2000 miles is a nice weekend break-in ride

[DogBoy]

There is no "AZ model" and its not legal for registration in CA (until it has 2000 miles).

7,500 miles.


I hope the Versys does well. Great bike at a good price.

[slowduc]

Man... the more I think about it, the more I think I should replace my Hawk with one of these.

let me know if you see one anywhere near bawlmer.  i'd like to be able to sit on one... i'd stopped at pete's a few weeks ago, but didn't think to have them call me when one came in so i could look at it  

[bizarro]

Man... the more I think about it, the more I think I should replace my Hawk with one of these.

If you decide to sell the Hawk let me know.  

[Zerosum]

If you decide to sell the Hawk let me know.  

Yeah, I'll ride it out to you from Baltimore.  I have a few friends in Seattle!  :P

[highside]

Strange.  When the 650R came out it was legal everywhere.  Considering how similar they it seems bizarre they wouldn't have a CA legal version.  I think my AZ model is CA legal.

As the article explained the 650R was designed to include the US Market, the Versys was not built with the US in mind so no thought was given to California emissions.