Quick Versys Write up

[marc11]

Got in a little bit ago, change the oil and filter and wired in the battery tender and heated gear connector. Top case will be here tomorrow, wahoo.

So about the bike, well I had to trailer it home, which killed me, but as soon as I got it home, off the trailer, geared up and off I went for a 35 or 40 mile ride to break her in. Nothing major, took it easy the first few miles to warm it up, then some 1/2 throttle pulls to 6k, then some 1/2 throttle to 8k, then 3/4 throttle to 8 or 9k. Redline is near 11k, I didn't go there. Basically varied the throttle, didn't lug the motor, a lot of up hill rides, a lot of acceleration and then engine breaking, etc. No real metal in the oil that I could see. I'll change the next oil in a couple of hundred and be done with the break in.

About the bike, hmmmm where to begin?

Looks:

IMHO it looks FANTASTIC in person in the sun, the red is really nice. The fit and finish are really nice too, can't tell you how many people took double takes or just starred at me as I rode or waited at a light.

Riding position:

Damn it is awesome, hard to describe, up right for sure, but with a slight lean, enough so that you aren't on your tail bone. The bike is tall, getting a leg over will take a bit of practice and I am glad I went with a top case over side cases for now, I am sure I would kick the hell out of them getting on and off the bike.

Once underway it just feel so damn comfy and roomy, like a 1976 Cadillac! There is room to spare.

Controls and gauges:

Lots of nice little surprises, fully adjustable brake and clutch levers, adjustable bars, adjustable windscreen (4 positions) adjustable brake and shift lever too.

Has hazards and a flash to pass button, nice touches. Gauges are GREAT, big tach, clock, fuel gauge, digital speedo, left AND right turn signal flasher, dual trips and various idiot lights. Everything a bike should have, didn't feel like Kawi cheaped out on the gauge package.

The controls are ALL maladjusted for me, I need to adjust everything, nothing was just where I wanted it, so I need to tinker a bit, as to be expected and that is why they are adjustable. The throttle also had way too much play for my liking, especially on an FI bike where I like near zero play.

Motor:

Wow, it is there and it is there right now. You would never know it only had 44 ft pounds and 60 HP, feels like so much more. The FI is flawless, period, nothing else to say. I couldn't find a flat or dead spot or snatch at all. If is just a gas and go. The power seems to match the intended purpose of the bike perfect. Any less and it would really suck, too much more would be too much.

I never found a need to down shift, but to be fair I wasn't riding hard or looking to either. The motor being FI started right up and settled to a nice idle, it has a nice sound, without being loud, but you can hear it while riding. I loved the exhaust sound and location.

There are little to no vibrations from the engine, hard to explain, you couldn't really feel the motor, but you knew it was there and you knew it was a twin. It had a lot of characteristics of a v-twin, such as engine braking with some of an inline, nice balance. Did I mention how smooth and linear it was?

Brakes:

Not happy with them, but they are knew, so I will let them bed in. They stopped okay, but had no feel at all, felt wooden. The lever was firm, but just lacked bite and feel. If they do not improve some new pads may be in order.

Suspension:

It works, very well in fact. The front end felt great, I love long travel suspension. The rear was a little stiff over sharp edged bumps, but it never unsettled the bike, pushed me wide, but that could have been the tires too. I haven't adjusted it yet and it needs to break in, so time will tell, so far, I have no complaints.

Tires:

They are round, made of rubber and will be thrown in the trash never to be used again once they wear out. Dunlop 221's are another word for crap IMHO. There were also under inflated, so I am sure that didn't help.

Other:

I liked that Kawi put rear stand spool bungs on the swing arm; since the bike doesn't have a center stand this will make working on things much easier. I need to grab a set of spools.

Seat: Comfy, could use more thigh support, but livable.

Storage: Lots under the seat, and a great tool kit and two helmet hooks.

Wind Protection: Surprisingly really good from the little fairing. There are also larger screens from Kawi that would add a lot more, although I am not sure a larger one would be needed.

Next Updates: There are just WAY too many reflectors and stickers on the bike, I need to do something about that. And the rear fender seems to extend to about an inch off the ground! That needs to be taken care off at some point.

Well, that is about it for now, can't wait to ride it some more. Feel free to ask any questions.

[Rincewind]

Nice write-up.  I didn't know you were getting a Versys.  Great choice.  

I'm looking forward to the pics.  

[marc11]

It was literally a last minute decision.  Was waiting on a KLR and just before signing the papers changed my mind and purchased the Versys instead.

[kendenton]

Nice write-up, good luck with it.

[R Doug]

I'm a big fan of the idea of the Versys and would love to ride one someday.  Thanks for the feedback on your.  Congrats and keep reporting in w/ us as you put on some miles.

[JGreb]

Seems you have the same impression I had when I first brought mine home. Especially on the engine, it really is a nice mill.

The Brakes do suck, I need steel braided lines and better pads, the lever has no bite or feed back, sometimes I feel like I pull, okay, pull some more, ......a little more, okay now I am stopping.  

I am not sure why you don't like the dunlops, I haven't had a problem with them. My front end did step out once on some gravel in a right hander, but I contributed that to the gravel, not the tires.

Good to see another Versys owner out there, congrats on a fine choice.

[marc11]

I think the tires were just under inflated, they just felt like crap, pushed me wide and didn't seem to want to turn in as I expected.  I will try them again once I set the pressures right.  As for the brakes, yeah, new pads for sure, SS lines couldn't hurt either, but I am afraid there is only so much you can do with sliding pin calipers, it is one area Kawi cut corners where I wish they didn't.

[maddjack]

A versys is going to be my next ride I am stopping by the dealer today in fact

[1moreroad]

I think you had a ZX6R and an ST4 before, right?  How does the Versys compare with these (I've ridden both)?

[marc11]

Yes I have owned both before, and there really is no direct comparison that would be fair.  Both those bikes would eat the Versys in handling, acceleration and braking.  The ST4s is a better ST maching due to its fairings and comfort and the ZX6 will eat the ST4 and Versys for lunch at the track....but you pay for that on the street.

But, for a commuter, daily rider and general purpose bike, the Versys can beat both of those.  It is what it is, hard to describe really and a lot comes down to cost and purpose I suppose.

If I wanted to do track days, I would prefer the ZX6 over the Versys.  If I wanted to ride across the country the ST4s with its luggage, comfort and fairings could be a lot more fun.  But the Versys could do track days, it could go across the country and would do it with better fuel economy and less maintenance costs.

For me, I wanted to slow down, change my riding style, have something I could leave at work and not worry too much about, I couldn't do that with either of those bikes.

[1moreroad]

Thanks  

[marc11]

In thinking more, I guess I would say the Versys is not a purpose built motorcycle, maybe it is the new gen of the UJM?

[maddjack]

In thinking more, I guess I would say the Versys is not a purpose built motorcycle, maybe it is the new gen of the UJM?

That is what I have been calling it,well I went to the dealer and both the ones they have are sold,will call me as soon as they get more in ,maybe a week

[DJStevieB]

I really really like the Versys, but I'm getting ready to jump into a offroad traveller (KLR or Vstrom). All the forums and bits of info that I have garnered (including Kawasaki) don't recommend the Versys for offroad.

[marc11]

Versys is an off road poser.  The KLR makes a better adventure bike, the Versys makes a better road bike. Pick your poison.  I am also not convinced the Strom in stock form is ready for off roading either....

[Rincewind]

In thinking more, I guess I would say the Versys is not a purpose built motorcycle, maybe it is the new gen of the UJM?

No I think the new gen UJM would be the Euro-only ER6N model.  



The Versys is an adventure-sportsbike - it's tall seat height and suspension keep it from being a 'Universal' bike, and it's got a 1/2 frame-mounted fairing.  

I'm still hoping for pics, Marc11.  

[spinalator]

Can you live with the seat, or would you get aftermarket one for big mile days?

Do you mind telling the class how much under MSRP you snagged it for? THe dealers around here are asking full MSRP and I hate them for that.

[maddjack]

Can you live with the seat, or would you get aftermarket one for big mile days?

Do you mind telling the class how much under MSRP you snagged it for? THe dealers around here are asking full MSRP and I hate them for that.

Around me you will pay MSRP as they are selling them as fast as they get them, so no need to discount

[marc11]

Sorry, I'll get pics tonight.  I just installed my Givi top case, I wanted that on so I could take pics with it.  

I paid $7150 OTD, this included state tax of 8.125%, state registration fee of $90 (plates and title), doc fee of $27 and all other charges.  So I wrote them a check for $7150 and the bike was mine, nothing else to pay anyone at all.  Essentially a few hundred under MSRP.

[JGreb]

Sorry, I'll get pics tonight.  I just installed my Givi top case, I wanted that on so I could take pics with it.  

I paid $7150 OTD, this included state tax of 8.125%, state registration fee of $90 (plates and title), doc fee of $27 and all other charges.  So I wrote them a check for $7150 and the bike was mine, nothing else to pay anyone at all.  Essentially a few hundred under MSRP.

I paid 7100 OTD in NC, I thought this was an okay deal. I just wanted the bike. I talked them down from a ridiculous first offer.

[1moreroad]

Around me you will pay MSRP as they are selling them as fast as they get them, so no need to discount

The local shop has had the same one sitting for 4 or 5 months now.  Right next to a 2007 FJR that's been sitting there since before Memorial Day last year (brought in for a buyer who bought a Connie 14 at the last minute).  They end up with inventory that would make an STNer drool while every Vulcan and Ninja (from 250 to 1000) turns over in days or at most a few weeks.  They can't keep R6s, R1s, and the bigger Roadstars in stock.