Traded the fjr in on a Kawasaki Versys...

[Kamzilla]

Congrats on the new ride.  

I've been wrestling with the idea of trading the VFR for either a weeStrom or Tiger XC -  the more upright position and option of going on a fire road or two are appealing.  

[AzItLies]

Congrats on the new ride.  

I've been wrestling with the idea of trading the VFR for either a weeStrom or Tiger XC -  the more upright position and option of going on a fire road or two are appealing.  

Hey thanks.

I had 2 viffers before the sport touring bikes, really liked them. More relaxed ergo's is the theme now'a'days though. FYI, the wee has a wheelbase that's about 5 inches longer than the Versys, that could be good or bad depending on your perspective. All good bikes none the less

[forester]

Solid choice

[mnxs54]

and it gets way better gas mileage.

What kind of gas mileage are you getting if I might ask?

[hugerider]

The Versys is a great city bike, but I'm doing the opposite. I'm planning on sellling the Versys and getting something more Sport-Tour-y. You'll love the Versys.

[AzItLies]

Thanks hugerider, I'm hoping so your point is spot on though, it's mostly a city bike... and that's mostly what my riding is so...

mnxs54, not enough miles to tell just yet, short people need to send their seats to be modified, so then they can't ride

But the forums I've visited are reporting 55 to as much as 60! It could be people just blowing smoke, but being a 650, seems plausible... maybe

[hugerider]

Thanks hugerider, I'm hoping so your point is spot on though, it's mostly a city bike... and that's mostly what my riding is so...

mnxs54, not enough miles to tell just yet, short people need to send their seats to be modified, so then they can't ride

But the forums I've visited are reporting 55 to as much as 60! It could be people just blowing smoke, but being a 650, seems plausible... maybe

I saw those numbers on forums too, and I never get those. High 40's sure, but not much better. I am a bit of a bigger guy, but not that big (~215lbs), lol.

[Kamzilla]

Hey thanks.

I had 2 viffers before the sport touring bikes, really liked them. More relaxed ergo's is the theme now'a'days though. FYI, the wee has a wheelbase that's about 5 inches longer than the Versys, that could be good or bad depending on your perspective. All good bikes none the less

Yeah, the VFR is a great bike, but sometimes I feel like it's "too perfect" of a bike.  It's comfortable, rides smoothly, has decent handling and braking, etc.  

I went to the IMS yesterday, and got to sit on both bikes to compare.  The Versys felt more comfortable and lighter, and I have to say that I liked it a little more than the weeStrom.  

[jeepinbanditrider]

I didn't trade but did something simliar.  I totaled my FJR last month on the 16th and instead of getting another FJR I picked up an 07 FZ6 and added the touring farkles I wanted.  I'm actually enjoying this bike a good bit more than my FJR.  Easy to ride, flickable, light even when loaded down.  It helps I was able to buy that bike with 1k miles on it along with all the touring goodies with cash outright from my insurance settlement  

I was initally worried about the half sized engine compared to the FJR but it doesnt seem to be bothered even when loaded down.  Worst mileage I've seen out of it so far has been 40 MPG riding south into a 30MPH head/side wind.  Other times it gets close to 50.

[wibornz]

Something that a lot of versys owners do in go up one tooth on the front sprocket.  Better mpg, and the bike has plenty of umpf to pull the taller gearing.  Makes the bike better at hwy speeds.

[Bama67]

I thought this was a thread on the new 1000 Versys

Oh well, congrats on the new bike, those 650 Versii are pretty fun!

[Davy F.]

The Versys is a great city bike

City bike ? Nah, it's what you want it to be.  

http://www.kawasakiversys.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16454

[maddjack]

I saw those numbers on forums too, and I never get those. High 40's sure, but not much better. I am a bit of a bigger guy, but not that big (~215lbs), lol.

Interesting I am6 '1'  235# I average 50mpg( or better) mixed and up to 60 on highway, I have around 42K of doing so.no mods on airbox, intake or exhaust, it runs fine as built.

[maddjack]

The Versys is a great city bike, but I'm doing the opposite. I'm planning on sellling the Versys and getting something more Sport-Tour-y. You'll love the Versys.

I tour on mine, and I am not a small man, its a great road bike too.

[cbsnbiker]

I went from a Hayabusa to a Buell Firebolt and never regretted it, ever.

Even when compared to my VFR, the Firebolt was still way more fun.  

I always think that someday I will get a bike with hard saddlebags, top case, barn door fairing, accessories galore, etc.  But every time I think about riding those bikes, I can't stop to wonder....why not just bring a nice little sportscar?  

Because then you'll be in a car.  

[AzItLies]

Yeah, the VFR is a great bike, but sometimes I feel like it's "too perfect" of a bike.  It's comfortable, rides smoothly, has decent handling and braking, etc.  

I went to the IMS yesterday, and got to sit on both bikes to compare.  The Versys felt more comfortable and lighter, and I have to say that I liked it a little more than the weeStrom.  

that was how it felt to me too. The Wee doesn't weigh but maybe 20lbs more, but that longer wheel base makes it seem like a bigger bike. And, not to offend my Wee riding friends, but the wee strom forum has a thread with quite a few participants indicating the bike seems to be susceptible to corrosion, some may not care about that but I'd be bummed out, if true.

I didn't trade but did something simliar.  I totaled my FJR last month on the 16th and instead of getting another FJR I picked up an 07 FZ6 and added the touring farkles I wanted.  I'm actually enjoying this bike a good bit more than my FJR.  Easy to ride, flickable, light even when loaded down.  It helps I was able to buy that bike with 1k miles on it along with all the touring goodies with cash outright from my insurance settlement  

I was initally worried about the half sized engine compared to the FJR but it doesnt seem to be bothered even when loaded down.  Worst mileage I've seen out of it so far has been 40 MPG riding south into a 30MPH head/side wind.  Other times it gets close to 50.

sorry to hear about that total, that sucks when that happens. I'm finding out the same thing, the Versys has to be shifted sooner, but of course it's a 6 speed vs a 5 speed. And the Versys is so much lighter it doesn't need that much HP to propel it along quickly. And I'd be happy with 50, especially when just breaking in. I'm pretty light and am hoping for 55 or so... we'll see

Something that a lot of versys owners do in go up one tooth on the front sprocket.  Better mpg, and the bike has plenty of umpf to pull the taller gearing.  Makes the bike better at hwy speeds.

I've read about this, and may look really closely at it. But gonna find out first how it does stock of course Planning a ride to Cali-forn-Eye-eh soon and gonna ride up and down the Pacific Coast... just for the hell of it

City bike ? Nah, it's what you want it to be.  

http://www.kawasakiversys.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16454

And this is so true Smegs. I'd say the bikes "forte'" is more nimble and urban type riding, but that is absolutely not to say that it can't tour. I do both types with a lean more towards urban, and I'm sure it's going to be great for both... for me

Interesting I am6 '1'  235# I average 50mpg( or better) mixed and up to 60 on highway, I have around 42K of doing so.no mods on airbox, intake or exhaust, it runs fine as built.

My experience so far, completely agree maddjack. Time will tell and it's great to know there are options to modify things. Waiting to get my seat back from Spencer... I need a ride fix!!

Because then you'll be in a car.  

hahahahah yeah... that sucks

[Giaka]

But the forums I've visited are reporting 55 to as much as 60! It could be people just blowing smoke, but being a 650, seems plausible... maybe

With stock fueling I always got OVER 60 mpg (bike ran like ass though). Those are GPS miles by the way. Since I tweaked the TPS and changed the front sprocket (smaller) I am getting a consistent 55 mpg. I have never gotten less than 50 mpg. I have always run a decent size windshield and my commute is half mountain riding and half highway.

This is my typical commute setup. Sometimes I toss on the sidecases.

[AzItLies]

That's an awesome setup Giaka, really like it.

Those are SW mototech bars yes? I'm putting Givi's on mine today. There's a LOT of versatility in these bikes (yes, I know where the name came from ). Do what you did and make it more off road capable... keep it more street... etc etc.

Love the beemer stickers... that's gonna piss em off! yeah!! hahahahah I saw one with Ducati stickers, my hearts set on that! hahahah

Very Nice Man! Looks Great in Green

[maddjack]

One suggestion is to put a hugger on if you ride in the rain at all, the rooster tail is unreal and it sprays some electrical components too. I have one on mine

[AzItLies]

One suggestion is to put a hugger on if you ride in the rain at all, the rooster tail is unreal and it sprays some electrical components too. I have one on mine

Thanks maddjack, have been looking at options for a hugger but man they ain't cheap! Installed hyper lites and got the wires to go in the slot all the OEM wires are... *should* be okay there. But as you say there's a lot of electrical sheeeet back there to be concerned about...

maybe I'll just end up dodging the rain drops?