My Versys

[ginni650]

So far quite standard, except for the cylindrical rego holder fixed hidden on the side frame so it doesn't disgust the eye of beholder that much.
Now getting Hepco-Becker 50l top box - after massive research, I think this one is the best option - price, looks and practicality wise.
A few small details in future might get changed: bar end mirrors, rear hugger, taller wind screen (Givi most likely).

Other than that, this bike is excellent as is !!

Many will disagree, but I love it's torquey, not overpowered character, although the power is still quite beyond my needs, and it's reasonably quiet and cultivated. Handles great, love the suspension adjustments - had to make the rear a bit stronger & softer for comfort.

Fuel consumption 3.9 when keeping it below 3000-4000 revs (which is not difficult outside freeway), up to maximum some 5.2 doing a lot of dangerous fun. My average perhaps 4.5 ... freeway trips and local commute.

Tech. parameters can be found on Kawasaki website.

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[SoundGuy]

Congrats Mate,

Enjoy the new ride

[Benno]

Looks like a very fun bike! Enjoy it!

[dave#3]

They're an interesting looking machine. Do you use it for dual-sport purposes, running along dirt roads, etc (like a BMW GS) or is it a tarmac-only machine?

[robracer]

yea sweet all rounder

[Neka79]

when i had my z1000 in for its service, i was offered one as a demo, but as it wasnt reg they withdrew it and gave me an 07 z...

i was looking forward to having a play on sumthin a bit different too!!

[ginni650]

Well, most of my riding is tarmac, and that's where this bike belongs. Longer suspension travel gives you better control and comfort on bad country roads, riding position is excellent for city riding and general view forward.

Also, as opposed to the GPX250 I had before, if the tarmac ends, I don't have to chuck a U-turn. This still is no dirt bike by any means - it's got road tyres and 17" wheels - but I've done a few 10km gravel road bits and it was great! Not perfect though, as suspension is road oriented (i.e. hard) and you'd have to readjust it every time you hit the dirt, engine is sensitive so you have to watch your throttle, etc. etc.

So I'd say 95% road, 5% off road is cool, anything more than that get something else.

This bike is far far away from BMW GS - that's something I'm absolutely sure about. GS is true universal machine, compromises road performance a bit, but gives you everything you need off road. I wanted GS or something similar, but I had to do an honest estimate of my bike use and I'm glad I bought what I bought. I have done 2000km on it so far and perhaps 30 was off road. So there you go.

[6maniac]

And why is this bike here?

[Phil]

i reall like the versys, i hope to be gtting one for a week or two soon and i cant wait. its one of those bikes that look heaps better in the flesh.

one thing i did notice tho is - how good does the swingarm look

[Phil]

And why is this bike here?

any bike can be ridden on the dirt.....FFS even neka rode his fairyblade over 40k's of dirt one day - i was there and saw it. to be fair some of it was a bit rough but nothing like the 100k's of constant 35-45 & 55K corners that followed it

i think the versys would be a great bike if ya dont mind a little dirt every now and then, but as previously mentioned it aint no GS

[Neka79]

And why is this bike here?

any bike can be ridden on the dirt.....FFS even neka rode his fairyblade over 40k's of dirt one day - i was there and saw it. to be fair some of it was a bit rough but nothing like the 100k's of constant 35-45 & 55K corners that followed it

i think the versys would be a great bike if ya dont mind a little dirt every now and then, but as previously mentioned it aint no GS

boy did i sleep well that night!!

(the 12 beers prob helped too just quietly)

[ginni650]

i reall like the versys, i hope to be gtting one for a week or two soon and i cant wait. its one of those bikes that look heaps better in the flesh.

one thing i did notice tho is - how good does the swingarm look

Funny thing is it looks this good only from the right side. ) The other side is pretty much a standard boring thing ... Luckily you don't see that side too often for it being the one the bike leans towards when on side stand.

Also, regarding its looks, I'm thinking whether it's gonna keep its character in say 5 year time - it feels like it will, at the moment, but it might be just one of those fashion things, you know what I mean. Say, NO OFFENCE please, I think ER6n will look a bit awkward in 5 years ... something like everyone was all WOW at Ford Ka when it came out and now it looks like a piece of brown Although I really LOVE ER6n's looks right now. Same with Versys of course.

[ginni650]

And why is this bike here?

That's right, everything is more capable of gravel than my old GPX250 )
I believe it's also about the experience of the rider - I haven't done much off road riding so I feel very nervous on loose surface - no way I could avoid an oncoming car in a bend and such ...

I can ride like 60-70 kph on good quality straight dirt and perhaps 30-40 kph in corners ... and that's still bloody scary - basically if there's a surprise around the corner, I'm 100% sure I'd end up on the ground (in the best case) ...

DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW TO RIDE ON DIRT? It seems bloody risky & unstable to me! Is it just lack of experience or is it really that crap if you don't sit on an enduro?

[Black Magic]

I'm with you Ginni.

A friend of mine who was an experienced rider led me astray one day-
I found myself on the downhill dirt track on Obi Obi Rd (any Queenslanders amongst you will know the road I am speaking of.) I was on the ER. The road was narrow, twisty, very steep, had a WICKED camber leading down to somewhere that i REALLY didn't want to contemplate (I think it was the road to hell-the way that I was sweating it very well could have been.) There were enormous ruts in the surface and the fastest I could go was about 20kmh. My bike was sliding every which way on the loose surface.

That was the longest few kms of my life. I still say that it was thus far my scariest riding experience, yet some experienced riders I know laugh it off as a piece of cake.

I think maybe it is an experience thing (an experience that I don't really care to repeat mind you! )

[Strika]

And why is this bike here?

That's right, everything is more capable of gravel than my old GPX250 )
I believe it's also about the experience of the rider - I haven't done much off road riding so I feel very nervous on loose surface - no way I could avoid an oncoming car in a bend and such ...

I can ride like 60-70 kph on good quality straight dirt and perhaps 30-40 kph in corners ... and that's still bloody scary - basically if there's a surprise around the corner, I'm 100% sure I'd end up on the ground (in the best case) ...

DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW TO RIDE ON DIRT? It seems bloody risky & unstable to me! Is it just lack of experience or is it really that crap if you don't sit on an enduro?

Nice ride!!! In repsonse to your mention of a BMWR111/1150/12 GS, they are actually just as capable on the tar as they are on the dirt! They have huge clearance and the chassis is solid. A well ridden GS is impossible to pass on a tight road!!! Up to about 160 they are awesome, it's only after that they run out of puff engine wise. The chassis never gets bothered! However, having said that, they are a leaky, unreliable and expensive piece of crap!

As far as riding on dirt goes, we covered about 80klms of dirt this weekend on the Jindabyne ride. On each occasion, Ben the leader (CBR954) and Myself (BMWR1100RS) sat on a consistent 140kph! Having said that, it was bloody good dirt. It was flat, straight and relatively smooth. Riding dirt is like riding on clay or sand on a dirt bike. You don't lean into a corner like on a roadie, more push it underneath you to feel for the grip, then pick it up a touch. Smooth inputs to bars, pegs, throttle and brakes are the go, and more back brake than front. Although, you still use the front for 90% of your braking. Allow the bike to walk around underneath you and don't grip the bars too tight. Let it talk to you! Keep your head up with your vision as far fwd as practical. Ride the wheel tracks of the cars where possible, using the undulations the tyres have made as a turning berm!