The Versys Thread

[County Tar]

I haven't seen a Madstad on a Versys so I can't comment.  The Lip would direct a little more air flow up and over I would think.  You could always fill in part of the area below the Madstad, but again, it doesn't seem to be a problem on the DL650.  Come to think of it, the Lip would allow you to lower the stocker a bit which should fill in that area some.

[marc11]

I haven't seen a Madstad on a Versys so I can't comment.  The Lip would direct a little more air flow up and over I would think.  You could always fill in part of the area below the Madstad, but again, it doesn't seem to be a problem on the DL650.  Come to think of it, the Lip would allow you to lower the stocker a bit which should fill in that area some.

I am looking at a few ideas to fill in the bottom, but you are right, if I had the lip I could straighten and lower the screen which would eliminate the wind from underneath.  

[BradleyRas]

I never really considered the Versys until I read this thread... I think I'm  

[Rincewind]

How about underseat storage?  The seat is key-locked?

I don't hear people whinging about the suspension - sounds like it's pretty good stock?  Adjustable forks work pretty well?  The MCN article (http://www.mcnews.com/mcn/model_eval/200711-versystest.pdf) suggests that an upgraded rear shock would help, especially considering the non-linkage set-up - is a premium shock a typical upgrade?  Necessary upgrade?

How is this bike if you are riding the piss out of it?  Handles accelerated back-road barn-storming kind of riding well?  Do you ever say to yourself - I wish this were a Versys 1000?

Is the FI pretty smooth, or snatchy?

This is a "bike of interest" to me, but the low alternator output (112W per MCN article above) and carry capacity figure (398lbs) raise some caution.  Anyone have comparisons to the F650/800GS, or Ulysses?

[marc11]

For "me" the stock suspension is fine.  Not great, not bad, but fine, for my use and weight which is mostly commuting with side and top bags and I am 168 pounds.  It will push a little wide in turns and the front end dives a lot when on the brakes, but then again it does have a lot of travel.

I heard Ohlins and Penske are making shocks for it and I may upgrade as my rear shock is getting tired, but again, I have no major complaints about the suspension, but feel it can be better.  I am planning a shock upgrade this winter and a fork oil change.

As for riding the snot out of it, well it isn't a sport bike and it doesn't have 160 HP, but if you accept it for what it is, and ride within the limits of the suspension AND keep it in the power band it will put a smile on your face, the bike is eager to pull between 4K and 8k after 8k it starts to sign off power wise and just makes more noise, however the gear ratios keep the bike in the power band and so it feels like it makes a lot more power than it does.  

Again, you need to remember it is a tallish bike with longish suspension travel, so handling is different, not bad, but different.  IMHO the weakest link are the brakes, they aren't great.  I upgraded pads and lines, but there is only so much you can do with sliding pin binders.  I am 99% sure the 4 piston Z1000 brakes will bolt right up and may give that a try.

FI is very smooth, a little touchy at 20 MPH and just cracked throttle, but otherwise very smooth, no flat spots I can find.

Again, you need to accept the bike for what its intended purpose is and the price point, to those two items the bike is a huge bang for the buck and performs very well.  If you plan to scratch the back roads with gixxers and R1's and your skills are the same as your buddies, you will be smoked.  But that isn't the point of the Versys.

[Rincewind]

Again, you need to remember it is a tallish bike with longish suspension travel, so handling is different, not bad, but different.

Yes I am familiar with this style of bike already - it is like a fuel-efficient lightweight version of the Tiger1050.

Thanks for your thoughts.  How about the underseat storage?

[marc11]

Oh, well I have my Audiovox cruise in there, so it is big enough for that, its wiring, a fuse box and two relays.  It won't hold your lunch if that is what you want.  

[Rincewind]

Oh, well I have my Audiovox cruise in there, so it is big enough for that, its wiring, a fuse box and two relays.  It won't hold your lunch if that is what you want.  

I'd just be looking for room for an Autocom, tire pump and plugs.  Sounds like they'd fit, thanks.

[marc11]

Yep, no problem fitting those things at all.

[Rincewind]

If possible I will check out you and madjack's Versi at ESTN  

[marc11]

If possible I will check out you and madjack's Versi at ESTN  

If so, feel free to take mine for a spin.

[Rincewind]

If so, feel free to take mine for a spin.

Very generous, thanks

[camaroz1985]

Sounds like there are enough of us in PA that are interested.  Maybe we could get a good deal if we bought 3 or 4 at a time

[BradleyRas]

Sounds like there are enough of us in PA that are interested.  Maybe we could get a good deal if we bought 3 or 4 at a time

OMG, you're from the HUGE metropolis of Bressler??? I lived in Oberlin for several years. I'm sure we never ran into eachother in such big cities though..  

[camaroz1985]

OMG, you're from the HUGE metropolis of Bressler??? I lived in Oberlin for several years. I'm sure we never ran into eachother in such big cities though..  

I just moved there last year, so I'm sure not, though it is pretty big so it would be easy to miss each other

[maddjack]

I'll be bringing the Versys to Placid instead of the Speed triple so you can check it  out there.Riding a 500++ mile to Placid on the S3 would beat the crap outta me,guess I am old

[Giaka]

I'm really digging mine. Other than the seat needing major modification to make my butt happy,  I wish it had a V-Twin but oh well. LOL Here is is in commute mode and cross country mode.

Commute


Got bags will travel.

[Rincewind]

Nice Rotundal!  

[Giaka]

Nice Rotundal!  

"What kind of a BMW is that?"  Got that three times last week.  

Did a SuperMoto fender conversion last night. I like the look but I dont like this fender. I ordered a shorter Acerbis Supermoto Fender to try.



Im gonna work on that front end a little more tonight and go for this look.

[Poweranger]

"What kind of a BMW is that?"  Got that three times last week.  

Did a SuperMoto fender conversion last night. I like the look but I dont like this fender. I ordered a shorter Acerbis Supermoto Fender to try.



Im gonna work on that front end a little more tonight and go for this look.

Very Nice Versys! I have been lusting over one of these for a long time. I need to stop looking at this thread now. The wife will kill me if I get another bike!