My Versys

[ginni650]

Thanks for your tips Strika, it all makes sence and I have already practised some of it, I'm sure it will take more experience to master this though. I also have noticed that if I hold the tank with my knees tight, the bike gets a lot more stable. Still scares the brown out of me.

I think GS does compromise road in the respect to it's tyres and suspension, it's still the best one cylinder bike you can get for dual purpose riding though!

140 on dirt - no way Not with my road tyres and 17" front wheel

[Strika]

Thanks for your tips Strika, it all makes sence and I have already practised some of it, I'm sure it will take more experience to master this though. I also have noticed that if I hold the tank with my knees tight, the bike gets a lot more stable. Still scares the brown out of me.

I think GS does compromise road in the respect to it's tyres and suspension, it's still the best one cylinder bike you can get for dual purpose riding though!

140 on dirt - no way Not with my road tyres and 17" front wheel

It was on a fully laden (Top box and both panniers) R1100RS roadbike fitted with Michelin Pilot Power front and Michelin Pilot Road 2 on the rear! Your Versys would be like a toy in comparison!

As to the GS' road abilities, which part of "Can't pass them on a mountain road" Don't you get???? They are one seriously competent sports bike! It's just that most who own them, couldn't ride out of sight on a dark night!!! They are no compromise, let me tell you from experience!!!

[ginni650]

got an excellent top box today - HEPCO BECKER 50l with rack for Versys - easy to install, heavy duty construction, the box is easy to remove - in seconds, and the rack looks almost as if it was a part of the original bike design.

very much recommended - i think it's even better than the genunie kawasaki (which is actually an "ermax" or something) rack - which costs similar $s

[6maniac]

got an excellent top box today - HEPCO BECKER 50l with rack for Versys - easy to install, heavy duty construction, the box is easy to remove - in seconds, and the rack looks almost as if it was a part of the original bike design.

very much recommended - i think it's even better than the genunie kawasaki (which is actually an "ermax" or something) rack - which costs similar $s

Genuine Kawa topbox is made by Givi.

[ginni650]

top box, yes givi perhaps, the rack, i think ermax, but anyway, doesn't matter, i really think the one i got is the No 1 ... its pretty well shaped actually, so you can use it for various things, even when the top box is removed ... it leaves a small L shaped rack, good for a sleeping bag, a big box or anything to strap on .. i like it

[6maniac]

Put up some pics, ginni650

[mike-s]

I read a review on one the other day, truthfully if i was in any hurry to get another bike i'd probably go for a Versys. Ive already had/ridden/got a mental near litre capable bike and if i was to get anything, perhaps something a little toned down would be good. But that being said my RF is a kickass bike with only a couple of grips that i've learned to live with. Hope to hell i dont need to get a new bike anytime soon as im looking to save for a home deposit.

[ginni650]

So after over 2 months and 5100km on my bike, I have a few updates.
Firstly, the bike has proven itself to be an excellent touring and commuting machine.

It's very comfortable on the freeway, has plenty of power and good character for those twisty bits of Pacific Hwy (I have only like 1cm of untouched thread left on either side of the rear tyre - and I'm no sports rider really ), and is a breeze when filtering through the crowded central coast and Sydney traffic.

My fuel consumption is usually between 3.8 and 4.5 l/100km - someone with really aggressive riding style could certainly get something much worse, my worst number that I don't actually remember when it was touched the limit of 5l though. Not too bad at all !!!

Also, I have repeated many times that this is no dirt bike. I took it for an odd couple of kays gravel road bit every now and then and that was about it I used to say. Until yesterday, when I took it to a 4WD road between Wollombi and Morrisett, across the state forest and national park. Perhaps 30km of dirt? Lots of rocks, corrugation, deep holes and kilometres long sandy (!) bits. Accompanied by my brother on his tiny scooter !!! )) I can't imagine what people who saw us from the "tough" 4WD we passed were thinking - embarrassed perhaps?

The scooter got a really hard time, the suspension cried, the engine screamed, but it's a very light and small machine, so surprisingly, it was doing really well (although couple of more rides like this and it would virtually fall apart )

The main point - the Versys was initially very hard to control to me - no dirt experience, heavy machine with very tall seat (I'm 180 cm) ... Anyway, when I saw the scooter going up the steep road with massive rocks and holes in it, I said to myself I just have to do it! And so I did. After a couple of hundred metres it became more natural and the machine turned out to be a huge surprise to me.

This is what I call hidden potential! I could go quite fast on this road where I would be really worried to go anything than walking pace, 1st gear in my car. The bike was jumping up and down in nice smooth swings and I didn't even have to stand up on most of the difficult sections of the road. The suspension was a miracle to me - I had no idea before. Never bottomed out, never touched the other end either. And it would be even better if I made it a bit softer adjusting the damping force screws ...

Fast pace on gravel, slower, cautious and persistent approach when it gets lots bouncy and rocky, that all was perfect, surprising, exciting and great. The only bad things started to happen whenever we went into these kilometres long white fine sand bits ... The bike became virtually uncontrollable, having a wide rear wheel and road tyres, it was a real challenge to keep it going straight, at any speed (I tried all of them). There was a few close calls and once I even found myself cursing very rude and loud expecting the worst - the left right slow speed wobbles lasted for a few seconds and then it all settled again - but I really didn't think I would make it there.

So at the end of the day, the worst thing on this bike "off road" beside its tyres is the fact that it's so good looking and new and you really don't want to get it scratched !!!

Anyway - I'm still not going to take it on dirt roads regularly, but next time I see something I wouldn't drive on, I at least know I can still keep riding!

Except for that, I also ordered Givi windscreen which is 18cm higher, quite good looking, and very much better in cooler weather or rain (they say in reviews) ... I'll let you know when it arrives.

I also got a 50l Hepco Becker top box and top box rack. It's great! I never take it off, even though it would look better without it - that's how handy it is! The rack was easy install, looks nice & matches the bike, and when the top box is on it, it also feels OK, doesn't make any bad turbulence at high speed and feels fairly safe and secure. Fits 2 helmets or a couple of days trip gear, too.

[ginni650]

And some pictures

[ginni650]

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