2010 Kawasaki Versys Review [ashonbikes.com]

[Uncle Leo]

I got to ride the Versys at a Kawasaki Ticket to Ride event in Tampa last month and thoroughly enjoyed the bike, except...

the seat. The stock seat won't let you move fore and aft if you're a taller rider, 6 feet or more, and for me, unfortunately, it's a deal breaker. On short rides you won't notice it, but as the miles start to stretch out, it's a killer. But the ride was nice, the engine very tractable and pretty smoothe, the tranny was quick and positive and the brakes were fine. But that darned seat!!!

[Davy F.]

Well, the first viewer came, saw, bought and took the Fazer thou' away. So after stashing the cash in the bank, I had some serious thinking to do as whether to go all out and buy the Tiger 800 or go for the Versys. Funny thing is, about two days after riding the Tiger, I was back to thinking that the Versys was such a fun bike to ride. It's a lot cheaper and even though it doesn't have the horsepower I'm used too, it is a superb middleweight bike with lots of low to mid range real world usable power. Also, since selling my BMW 12GS, both bikes I've had since just haven't given me that fun factor a motorcycle should.

So, I pick up my new (2010 model year) Kawasaki Versys on 20th April in England and ride it up to Scotland before getting on the ferry for Northern Ireland. I've gone for the yellow (because you guys can't get them and the 2011 models only come in crappy black or wino red  ) and got a killer deal. Only three sleeps to go.................  

[DogBoy]

Congrats Smeggy! The yellow looks great.

[Davy F.]

Congrats Smeggy! The yellow looks great.

Thanks.  
I love the yellow. My 12GS was yellow, so it must be a primary colour thing.  

[Orson]

It's a lot cheaper and even though it doesn't have the horsepower I'm used too, it is a superb middleweight bike with lots of low to mid range real world usable power. Also, since selling my BMW 12GS, both bikes I've had since just haven't given me that fun factor a motorcycle should.

 

I pity da fools who think horsepower numbers are the preeminent number  

[Roadscum]

 

I pity da fools who think horsepower numbers are the preeminent number  

Yep, the only thing that matters is the size of the grin on your mug!!

[Davy F.]

I concur with the the posts above.  

Already, people who know me have asked why I'm 'going down' to a small bike ? After owning in more recent times a few VFR's, the BMW 12GS and the 1000 Fazer I've just sold, they wonder will I be happy with something that doesn't have 100+ horsepower. I find it difficult to convince them that this bike is pretty fast point to point and then remind them it isn't what you ride, but how you ride it.  

[maddjack]

Well, the first viewer came, saw, bought and took the Fazer thou' away. So after stashing the cash in the bank, I had some serious thinking to do as whether to go all out and buy the Tiger 800 or go for the Versys. Funny thing is, about two days after riding the Tiger, I was back to thinking that the Versys was such a fun bike to ride. It's a lot cheaper and even though it doesn't have the horsepower I'm used too, it is a superb middleweight bike with lots of low to mid range real world usable power. Also, since selling my BMW 12GS, both bikes I've had since just haven't given me that fun factor a motorcycle should.

So, I pick up my new (2010 model year) Kawasaki Versys on 20th April in England and ride it up to Scotland before getting on the ferry for Northern Ireland. I've gone for the yellow (because you guys can't get them and the 2011 models only come in crappy black or wino red  ) and got a killer deal. Only three sleeps to go.................  

    You'll love that bike