The Versys Thread

[OnlyVees]

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)??

The headlight is not stacked. It's a standard Halogen 55/60w (I think) bulb.

The headlight itself works well, but it's still a little short of the moto-benchmark V-Strom.

As of today, nobody makes a centerstand for the Versys. I'll be first in line when it becomes available.

[maddjack]

Only thing I have added so far is a Luggage Locker setup,but today I added(ordered ) a ventura bike pack system Will post pictures of that as soon as I get her and mount it on the bike

[mike goodwin]

Only thing I have added so far is a Luggage Locker setup,but today I added(ordered ) a ventura bike pack system Will post pictures of that as soon as I get her and mount it on the bike

WTF!!!
Is that tank bag levitating?????

[maddjack]

WTF!!!
Is that tank bag levitating?????

Nope system keeps it off the tank and locks,have same setup on my speed triple for 5 years now

[Rincewind]

Since this is "The" Versys thread, I thought it needed bumping for some updates from the Versys Riders.

How are you getting on with it?  What kind of average mileage and fuel range?  Comfort for 1-up touring?  2-up touring?  Shortcomings?

And please post some more pics too, especially if anyone has one of those green ones.  

[rajflyboy]

I think you really meant to post about this:

http://www.versus.com/

[august]

I have about 7000 miles so far.  I love the bike,I have put 16 tooth sprocket, peg lowering brackets, trax bags, extended the rear rack,tall calsci windshield, madstad windshield bracket, radiator protector (homemade), fender extender,  Hepco and Becker engine guards, throttlemeister, KLR handguards, loud horn, mechanical mount tank bag, Distanzia front tire, Tourance rear tire, and a Corbin seat.

It cruises all day easily at 80mph @ 5700 rpm, gets 50 to 55 mpg, uses no oil between changes goes thru the twisties with the best of them, does gravel roads and good two track roads easily. Mud not so good.  Logs and rocks I won't even try, nor deep water crossings.

 Never had a minutes trouble with it, never overheats, even out runs a few Harleys.

This is one of the best,  most fun bikes I have ever owned.  The tranny is just a little bit (notchy), but certainly nothing bad. I just don't any complaints that would make me say I'm sorry I have it.

A couple of pics.

[Zerosum]

I have to say, I'm impressed by the fuel economy of this engine.  The best I can EVER get out of my V-Strom is 52mpg, with my mixed city/highway commute.  And that's with me riding it like a granny and consciously keeping the RPM down in the 3-4K range.  If I want to actually have FUN, the milage drops to around 42mpg.

[Rincewind]

I have to say, I'm impressed by the fuel economy of this engine.  The best I can EVER get out of my V-Strom is 52mpg, with my mixed city/highway commute.  And that's with me riding it like a granny and consciously keeping the RPM down in the 3-4K range.  If I want to actually have FUN, the milage drops to around 42mpg.

So despite the V-strom's fuel holding advantage, the Versys may be able to go nearly the same distance with its 5-gallon tank.

Thanks for the pics August -those Trax cases look great on your Versys.  Glad to hear the good review.

[maddjack]

On my trip to Colorado  for the National,my Versys averaged 59.8 mpg,unreal,and I 'd have to say its really comfortable on a lng trip. money well spent

[Rincewind]

On my trip to Colorado  for the National,my Versys averaged 59.8 mpg,unreal,and I 'd have to say its really comfortable on a lng trip. money well spent

60mpg?    

I am happy to see 42-45 mpg on my Tiger, and it only has a 5.3 gallon tank.  Looks like this mini-Tiger trumps the real Tiger in more way then one (the other being its considerably lighter weight).  

Carrying-capacity on the Versys is rated a bit low, so I've noticed.

[maddjack]

Best part of that is I crossed Kansas at about 85 mph average and still got high 50"s at those speeds,so its not like I babied it for mileage.The Mikes windscreen i bought was Great too,it was the perfect air pocket for me,no buffeting or strange noise at any speed

[marc11]

Since this is "The" Versys thread, I thought it needed bumping for some updates from the Versys Riders.

How are you getting on with it?  What kind of average mileage and fuel range?  Comfort for 1-up touring?  2-up touring?  Shortcomings?

And please post some more pics too, especially if anyone has one of those green ones.  

Other than a tranny whine which is driving me crazy since late last year mine has been flawless.  Coming up on 14,000 miles with nothing but an air filter clean, new plugs and oil changes.  I'll get a valve check, coolant change, fork oil change and a good grease of the stem bearings this winter.

I am getting about 55 MPG average, no matter how I ride it, I have seen in the 60's if I baby it, but have never ever gotten worse than 50 when sitting in massive traffic. I generally go 200 miles before the fuel lite comes on and then I know I have 1.5 gallons left.  I have gone as far as 225 miles and it still took just a hair over 4 gallons.

I find it rather comfortable, especially with the addition of footpeg lowering brackets and mirror extenders, not to mention the heated grips and Audiovox cruise.  I have not gone 2 up yet.

My only gripe is the wind protection.  I am using a Madstadt bracket with a stock V-Strom screen, which seems to work okay, but you still get buffeting/negative pressure if it is up high and too much wind gets in under it.  I am working on that, if I can solve the wind issue the bike would be damn near perfect.  I may actually try riding without the screen altogether.

[rajflyboy]

VS............

Kind of a cool bike as long as...      You don't turn it into a "Meals On Wheels" machine

[County Tar]

My only gripe is the wind protection.  I am using a Madstadt bracket with a stock V-Strom screen, which seems to work okay, but you still get buffeting/negative pressure if it is up high and too much wind gets in under it.  I am working on that, if I can solve the wind issue the bike would be damn near perfect.  I may actually try riding without the screen altogether.

Find a Laminar Touring Lip to put on that VStrom screen.  Should do the trick.

[maddjack]

Buy a Mikes winshield,either touring or gran touring should do the trick,the stock shield is just a little wrong in shape to prevent buffeting on taller riders,I screwed with mine for quite a while before I gave up on it.

http://www.mikesshields.com/

[R Doug]

I suppose I like obscure bikes because I think the Versys is hot!

[gripnrip]

My dad has a burnt orange '07 for the last 2 seasons and what a great bike! I love the funky styling (I like "unique" looking bikes), nice exhaust note, comfy, sporty, able to tour, and great price/inexpensive to run. What's not to like?

My only minor complaint if I were an owner would be seating position, bar bend seems off to me, and slightly more braking power would be nice. Both of which would be easily fixed by different pads/steel lines and a new bar/adjust existing.

Otherwise good to go!

[County Tar]

Does Kawasaki make their rear brakes out of wood, like Suzuki?  

[marc11]

Find a Laminar Touring Lip to put on that VStrom screen.  Should do the trick.

That is something I thought about, but honestly, with the Madstadt bracket it seems the wind is coming from under the screen and not over it.