The Versys Thread

[OnlyVees]

Since my "can a Versys ever be cool" thread is dying... Here's a chance to show off my freshly-painted Givi luggage. Now, about this 105 degrees for the next 3 months...

Next on the list is a Kaoko throttle lock and a 16-tooth front cog.

[marc11]

Got my 16t front sprocket on order and really want the throttle lock.  I am off for a four day 2000 mile ride tomorrow morning at 4 AM, this is followed by a 2 day 1000 mile ride two weeks ago as a "test".

[1KPerDay]

Rocky Versys Sasquatch

Hillary Versys Jack Bauer

Roseanne Versys All-you-can-eat Chinese Restaurant

Oh....








never mine.

[BlueRidgeKat]

Since my "can a Versys ever be cool" thread is dying... Here's a chance to show off my freshly-painted Givi luggage.

Nice bags.....looks even more Ducati-like now.

[Fourstring]

What's the 16 tooth sprocket for?  Are the RPM's at highway speed too high?

I've been riding the wife's Ninja 650 to work while I put together the Connie, and have found the wind to be pretty bad.  How the Versys?

[marc11]

The Versys on the highway for long runs at 75 - 80 MPH indicated are 6 - 7k.  Way too high IMHO.  I just rode 1000 miles straight, averaged 70 MPH moving, 65 MPH overall, with side and a top case the bike brought back 50 MPG.  I think with the larger sprocket I can improve this a lot and the RPM's do not need to be that high, the bike has enough get up and go below 5k to gear it taller.

[Nodaclu]

More pics please!!

I've been on the fence about this bike for months, and the pics above really paint it in a positive light.

Coming off the king of bad buffeting bikes (V-Strom) I'm also curious about the wind blast on the Versys at freeway speeds. I know Givi makes a barn-door windshield for it, but I can't seem to get a lot of info about buffeting and turbulence on this bike.

[Fourstring]

No comparison, but the Givi touring screen my wife has on her Ninja is pretty bad for me.  Good for her (shorter), but the wind catches me on the chin.

[OnlyVees]

More pics please!!

I've been on the fence about this bike for months, and the pics above really paint it in a positive light.

Coming off the king of bad buffeting bikes (V-Strom) I'm also curious about the wind blast on the Versys at freeway speeds. I know Givi makes a barn-door windshield for it, but I can't seem to get a lot of info about buffeting and turbulence on this bike.

Nodaclu- What do you need pictures of? As for buffeting, it's never been a problem for me. I'm 5'10 and with the screen in the highest position, the wind blast hits right in the middle of my visor. I'm thinking about trying the Givi barn door, just to see what it's like. Remember, turbulence and buffeting are not the same. I also had a Wee Strom, and never had buffeting issues.

My only real complaint with the bike, so far, is the gearing. It's easily fixed though... I can't imagine riding all day long at a true 70mph with the stock gearing.   Of course, I know a guy who rode his Aprilia RS50 from Tucson to Vegas. (I'm not even kidding)

[Nodaclu]

Nodaclu- What do you need pictures of?

Nothing particular, just for the    factor.  

Those bags look fantastic on that bike by the way...

As for buffeting, it's never been a problem for me. I'm 5'10 and with the screen in the highest position, the wind blast hits right in the middle of my visor. I'm thinking about trying the Givi barn door, just to see what it's like. Remember, turbulence and buffeting are not the same. I also had a Wee Strom, and never had buffeting issues.

I experienced both with my Strom. The turbulence I could deal with okay, but the buffeting shook my head badly enough that I couldn't focus on the speedo and figure out how fast I was going at times - too fuzzy.

I don't mind air. The tiny fairing on my Sportster did a good job of giving me nice, clean air. But it seems like every other bike I've owned poured the wind right into (and under) my chinbar. It took a lot of the fun out of rides longer then 75 miles or so.

Of course, I know a guy who rode his Aprilia RS50 from Tucson to Vegas. (I'm not even kidding)

 

There's been a guy from Korea who has been touring the U.S. for over a year on a 50cc Honda Ruckus scooter.

More guts then I have. I can't imagine a top speed of 39 mph (downhill with the wind) on an interstate - on a tiny scooter!

[Fourstring]

Thanks for the info!

How far do the revs drop with that sprocket change?

[Lon]

I like the integrated look of those bags.

[Nodaclu]

Did you have the luggage inserts professionally painted, or did you do them yourself. They look fantastic and really add to the overall look of the bike.

[OnlyVees]

Thanks for the kind words on the luggage. They looked ok in matte black, but I knew a touch of red would finish the look. I had them done professionally. I sell Honda cars for a living, so I had our "bumper touch up guys" shoot the color. The PPG paint code is 911264.

I hate summer in Arizona. It's almost worse than winter back east...

[Nodaclu]

I hate summer in Arizona. It's almost worse than winter back east....

Same thing here in Vegas. I tell people all the time that we're heading into "our" winter riding season.

It's similar in that for a period of at least 3 months (June, July, August) I put the cover on the bike and pretty much forget about it until the temps get back "down" below 105 or so.  

Thanks for the info on the color. Appreciate it.  

[Hickey]

Has anyone ridden both the Versys and a Buell Ulysses?  How would you compare the vibration at typical riding RPMs between them?  How about ergonomics and basic comfort?

[august]

Thanks for the info!

How far do the revs drop with that sprocket change?

At highway speeds in top gear, my rpm's dropped between 5 and 6 hundred with the 16 tooth.  Not a whole lot, but it does feel a lot more relaxed.

Performance is a tiny bit less abrupt, but the engine makes enough power that it will easily pull the taller gearing. If you need more, just shift  down one more gear and you can still cook.

I have gotten as high as 62 mpg on easy rides with the 16 tooth.

[atypical1]

That set up looks very nice indeed. I take it you are digging the bike a lot?

I noticed the levers are adjustable. What about the suspension?

james

[marc11]

At highway speeds in top gear, my rpm's dropped between 5 and 6 hundred with the 16 tooth.  Not a whole lot, but it does feel a lot more relaxed.

Performance is a tiny bit less abrupt, but the engine makes enough power that it will easily pull the taller gearing. If you need more, just shift  down one more gear and you can still cook.

I have gotten as high as 62 mpg on easy rides with the 16 tooth.

I just put my 16t on and pretty much exactly the same impression.  The 600 RPM drop doesn't seem like much, but the bike feels so much less high strung on the highway.

[mike goodwin]

I am not at all familiar with these bikes so a few questions.
Is that headlight system a *stacked* system like a lot of Suzuki's are now using?
Please tell me they dont use those horrid projector beam headlight systems.
By the way how is night time visibilty at highway speeds with those bikes?
Does it use an H-4 halogen bulb(look in your owners manual)?
Is a centerstand available(most important)??