Kawasaki Versys? What do you think

Joined
Jan 11, 2008
Messages
47
Location
Dallas TX
Bike
2007 ST1300
I'm about a hair's breath away from buying one of the new Kawasaki Versys as an alternate bike for my stable. I've had one of the Suzuki DRZ400SM's and really enjoyed it except I though it was a little under powered. ( Just because I weigh 185 is not reason for the bike to feel underpowered!)

Anyway, all the write-ups I've read seem to be positive except for the high seat height but it does everything else really well. I've got a dealer here that will do $7,000.00 cash OTD. That's about $800.00 under what they first quoted me. Any comments, thoughts, or suggestions about buying this bike?
 
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I'm sorting out the different dual purpose bikes myself. The BMW 1200 seems too big for real off road use and the KLR seems too small to ride down the interstate for very long. The Versy seems to fit right in between.
 
If you're considering the Versys for any "off pavement" use, check out the way the exhaust is routed. That high priced stainless header is going to get beat to **** by the crap coming from the front tire. It was the main reason I took a pass and kept my KLR. Good all round pavement bike though.
 
I rode one last year at demo days at Mid-Ohio Vintage races. I really liked the bike. For me I found the seat pocket to be too far forward. 6' 1 3/4", 33 " inseam.

Decent power and handling. Smoother than I thought it would be. It ought to be a great complement to the the ST.

I wanted to ride the 650 Ninja, same basic bike, but didn't get a chance.
 
I heard it won't be available in California. Is that true?

I think the first year bikes were not ready with emissions for Cal. Something about the evaporative system and needing a different fuel tank.
 
If you're considering the Versys for any "off pavement" use, check out the way the exhaust is routed. That high priced stainless header is going to get beat to **** by the crap coming from the front tire. It was the main reason I took a pass and kept my KLR. Good all round pavement bike though.

No "off road" use is anticipated. I'm buying it mostly to ride the mountain backroads (paved) up in Colorado.
 
I just was checking with Progressive Ins and discovered that the Kawasaki Versys is classified as a "street sport", thereby putting it in the highest risk category. Coverage for that bike alone will run me over $700.00 a year. I am 63, have a perfect driving record with no tickets or accidents in the past 30 years, and a great credit score. Even with all that going for me, it's still that high. I can't imagine what it is for younger riders with a few dings on their record.

I think that this might be enough to make me pass on the Kawasaki Versys.
 
I would pass on anything with a 17" front wheel for any kind of off-hwy use. Makes the bike steer way to quick and is scary rolling in or out of ruts. Lots of talk on other boards about adapting a 19 or 21.
If you have a fat wallet check out the BMW GS800.
 

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If you want information on the Versys and guys who ride them, check the KLR 650 boards. They have a catagory for Versys.
 
There's a ride feature in the September issue of Rider where the author rides a Versys with Kawi hard bags. Looks like a nice setup. Immediately following is a story about turning a Bandit 1250 into a sport tourer. Both look like interesting options...how fast do you want to go?
 
Well I went to Action Kawasaki/Suzuki in Mesquite and sat on both the Versys and the DRZ400SM. I was surprised to learn that I could almost flat foot on the Versys and was on tippy-toe on the 400SM! The Vesys is 100 lbs heaver but its 250cc bigger, has a better seat, is fuel injected, has a larger tank, and has aluminum wheels instead of spokes. For the difference in the money, I'm going with the Versys and will pick it up about noon on Monday. That's all folks. I've made the decision.
 
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