And so the spending begins (or, How to make my Versys even better !)

[Davy F.]

I've had the Versys for two weeks now and the urge to improve/protect has started. What is it about motorcycles that we go out, buy a perfectly good machine and immediately start to buy stuff for them ?

I suppose the easy answer is, it's FUN !!!!

Anyway, I started off with something that is always the first thing I buy for any new bike I own, a front fender extender.


Next, I wired in the Zumo 660 cradle and fitted a ram ball to the handlebar clamp.



A Stebel Magum replaced the crap oe effort. I also relocated the position to behind the left body panel.



Now I've added an EvoTech radiator grill and for the life of me, I can't figure out why Kawasaki do not have one fitted as standard.
It's not like they make one for you to buy as an accessory, but I know that the guys at EvoTech are very happy that the Big K don't !!



I also cut out of 3M clear paint protector sheet pieces to cover the heel plates and lower part of the tank where my legs rub.
I'm now waiting on some swingarm bobbins coming and I have a host of other ideas that will more than likely get fitted as funds allow.

I remember spending over £2k on my 12GS and the Versys looks like going down a similar route (but hopefully not so expensive).

Between riding and farkling............this is fun fun fun.  

[DogBoy]

Sweet. Glad you're having fun with the V.  

[stromgal]

Veddy nice. I really like that color combo. The Versys (used) may be my next bike in a year or so.

[camaroz1985]

If they offered that color here I probably would have bought a new '10 last year instead of a leftover '09.  I know it could be painted, but I couldn't justify paying more initially, and then also paying to have it painted.

Looks good, I know what you mean about the parts adding up.  I have a pile that I still haven't even installed.

[Davy F.]

I've also just fitted a pair of crash/paddock stand bobbins from EvoTech too. As per the rad guard, they are very nicely made. I also am getting (another) Arai TourX 3 as that style of lid goes so well with this type of bike.  

[spinalator]

I heard a panini press will be the accessory most people will add for 2011.

[swimmer]

I heard a panini press will be the accessory most people will add for 2011.

Are speaking of versys owners or owners of all motorcycles?

[maddjack]

I heard a panini press will be the accessory most people will add for 2011.

Tose are standard on all BMW=s aren't they , along with the fantastic switch gear  

[motociclista]

The best farkle I've done on my '09 Versys is about a dollar's worth of foam weatherstriping strategically cut and placed to eliminate the fairing buzz that develops after a few thousand miles (maybe not on the 2010+ models) because that tiny expenditure kept me from going crazy over the annoying sound and selling (no doubt at a loss) an otherwise fine bike.

[Davy F.]

Now added an auxiliary socket.  Rather than having the Zumo 660 cradle permanently hard wired to the battery, I also cut the Zumo cable which enabled me to do away with all the unnecessary spaghetti under the seat (I have the Interphone F4 Bluetooth comms system so don't need the extra wiring).  





I also took delivery of a new rear sprocket which is two teeth smaller than the 46t oe one. By all accounts, this helps with motorway cruising and also looks much nicer than the stock one.  




Next on my list of must haves is an SW Motech Alu Rack and maybe a pair of hand guards.

[stromgal]

Dang, I keep liking your bike.  Have you taken any longer trips on it? My concern is that there might not be enough wind/weather protection for long-distance traveling.

[Davy F.]

Yes, I've done a couple of 250+ days so far. I'm just back from Scotland and each day was a minium 230 miles. Considering I wear a TourX lid and have the screen still on its sttandard setting, I have had no real problems with wind turbulence. Only on the gustiest of days do I get a bit of a head shake going, but lets face it, you're on a motorbike, it isn't a GoldWing, what do you expect ?    In all honesty, the main concern is that the seat gets a bit uncomfortable after 150 miles or so. I'll buy a Sargent saddle when they become available later in the year. Y'know, I am quite happy to say that this bike is like a mini R1200GS beemer, but without the reliability worries I had with that machine. It is just as fast cross country and as I only ride solo, I don't miss the extra power or lugging capability of something bigger. Taking into account that in the past year and a half, I've gone from the 12GS to a VFR750, to a Fazer 1000 (FZ1) and now the Versys, I can't for the life of me think I'd have been better spending way more cash on something bigger or different. A happy bunny am I.  

[stromgal]

Thanks for the reply, o happy bunny.  I like partially-faired bikes, and the Strom has enough weather protection to make all-day travels during rainstorms reasonably comfortable. Hence my wondering 'bout the Versys, which appears to have smaller fairing/windscreen.

[Davy F.]

A wee update.

Latest mod is the fitment of s/s brake lines. I had a 1200RT beemer out for a demo ride (do this and you get a free six month subscription to one of four bike mags in the UK  ) and getting back on the V made me realise just how 'soft' the brakes are. It's not like they don't stop you, just needing a good pull into the bars to get them to bite harder. So on getting home, I went to see my local HEL distributor. He also had an offer on, buy front lines, get the rear free. So I duly asked for a complete set and he made them up there and then. Went home and got the spanners out and within an hour, all done and dusted.

The difference is very pleasing. Gone is the initial woolie response and they now bite with authority. Heck, I even did my first ever stoppie with ease.    I now have much more confidence and feel from the lever and I'm really pleased with the results. They look cool too.  

Oh, I also removed the rear scaffolding/footpegs as I never carry a pillion and I think it cleans the back of the bike up nicely.

I've also done a few trips over to Scotland with 300+ miles involved. It's actually proving to be just as capable as my old 12GS and I'm firmly convinced that it is as close to a mini GS as you'll get.







 

[Orson]

I've also done a few trips over to Scotland with 300+ miles involved.

whut??  

no trip reports???

 

[Davy F.]

whut??  

no trip reports???

 

My trips to Scotland are just day returns. Catch the ferry at 07:30, arrive in Scotland at 10:30. Then hoon around for all my worth for a few hundred miles before getting the 20:00 ferry back to Northern Ireland. I've several more in the planning before the end of the summer, so maybe I could join them all up to make a decent ride report.  

[Orson]

Catch the ferry at 07:30, arrive in Scotland at 10:30. Then hoon around for all my worth for a few hundred miles before getting the 20:00 ferry back to Northern Ireland.

That's hard core  

whut are you...like 18 years old?

I used to be like that  

[Davy F.]

That's hard core  

whut are you...like 18 years old?

I used to be like that  

No, a seasoned 51 going on 52,  but I do get a solid nights sleep after I get home.  

 

[Davy F.]

Here's the latest add on. An SW Motech Alu Rack. I think it suits the bike nicely. Just need to decide what topbox (and therefore, mounting plate) I want to buy. However, I'll maybe wait 'till nearer the end of the year and see if there are any bargains in the winter sales.

[stromgal]

Good gawd, man, even your license plate matches the colour scheme!  Nice rack, by the way.  

[Davy F.]

Latest 'farkle' is replacing the H7 dip bulb with a HID set-up.

I love HID's.  

[ChrisZRX]

I like, very much!  

[Davy F.]

Fitted a Powerbronze flip screen. Taller by about four inches with a nice dark tint.  It's not so tall as to look ridiculous like some screens I've seen.






Quality is very good and comes with edging to fit round then screen, tho' I've chosen not to fit that as it looks fine without.
 

[Davy F.]

Now sporting KTM 990SMT hand guards.  

[AzItLies]

Smeggy that's awesome stuff

Just bought a 2011 Maroon here in the states. You've given me some great ideas

The 2012 we'll get here is yellow also but all of your silver parts are blacked out here. Didn't really want that myself...

Just looked and think I can mount my stebel nautalius in the same place you mounted the magnum. It would have to be sideways, but have done that before and it was okay for as long as I owned the VFR. Research indicates other sideways installs work no issues.

Gonna do a lot of the same things you've done, so thanks! Right now I'm very happy with the Versys

[mugwump58]

Gonna have to watch this thread, just in case.

[Davy F.]

Thanks for the nice comments all.  

Oh, and this isn't a modification, more...............therapy !!!





Soon be spring time.  

[AzItLies]

I'm sorry... I couldn't see anything in that picture... those shiny pipes were blinding me!!  

[mugwump58]

The one great downfall to these underslung exhausts is no center stand. There was a gentleman designing a center stand for the other 650.

Should the decision lead me to the V I'll hafta get over my aversion to those little stick things uses to lift the rear wheel. Last I saw of the centerstand design it was to clunky and large even for me to forgive.

[Davy F.]

The one great downfall to these underslung exhausts is no center stand. There was a gentleman designing a center stand for the other 650.

My last five bikes have all had center stands, so I know where you are coming from. The guy who designed the center stand for the Versys, well, lets say it had 'challenging looks'. TBH, it now doesn't bother me so much. I don't notice the lack when I'm out and about and the paddock stand in the garage does the job.  

[Davy F.]

Keis heated grips now fitted. Mmmmmmmmm, warm hands.  

[DogBoy]

Thanks for the all the Versys porn, Smeg.

[veefer800canuck]

The motorcycle is just a down payment on accessories.  

Good work Smeggy, nice tasteful, functional farkles!  

Those katoom handguards look sano.

[Hotbrakes]

Ever consider suspension upgrades?  My gf has a 650R and even as a beginner rider she complained about the suspension being crappy.  A crash resulted in new stock forks with RaceTech gold valves sprung for her weight.  And just the other day an Ohlins shock was installed.  The bike turned in nicely with the fork upgrade, but midcorner on was very vague and sketchy.  The shock should cure that and make the little twin a force to be reckoned with on track.

Seeing your beautiful Versys fills me with lust for the next do it all bike.  The only thing I'd really miss is the wheelies out of turns.  Owning one of these would definitely reunite my wallet with some missed green paper.  Very nice bike and well thought out mods.

[Davy F.]

Hopefully coming to a garage near me soon.  

http://www.sargentcycle.com/kawwsversys.htm

[Davy F.]

SW Motech monolock adapter plate and Givi 34lt now got for sandwich carrying duties (and somewhere to keep my lid when off the bike) this summer.  

[Fourstring]

Why does your bike have a TP dispenser?  

[Davy F.]

Why does your bike have a TP dispenser?  

That's the anti-wheelie device.  

Or else it's to make sure I don't scratch the door of my car should I open it too far and hit the rear guard reflector.  

[Rincewind]

Why does your bike have a TP dispenser?  

 

Nice job, Davy.  I love my Sargent seat - hope you like yours.  

[Davy F.]

Fitted a pair of SW-Motech (height adjustable) footrests. I mounted them on the lower setting and they've made a nice difference. A bit less stress on my aged knees and the wide footbed is a nice place to have my feet on.

OE


SW-Motech


Spot the difference.


All done.