don't doubt that. it's an awesome build up ninja but wasn't the original question? "Has anyone taken a Kawasaki 650 Versys and turned it on to a full Duel Sport Bike" which i provided many answers to?
http://pueblo.craigslist.org/mcy/2752428329.html Been eying JDRocks build thread....this ones too far for me...
Got to admit, I've read all of JD's build's and tours. First time in ages I've seen a bike that tick's all the right boxes, in cost and capabilities. So much so I've started looking to build one myself. Your a bad influence JD... keep up the posts! RH
you need to take a peek at the build thread for the V649HP, it's a Versys with a cop motor, not a Ninja. maybe you were thinking about the first two ER6 based bike builds. your example of the Twisted Throttle bike does not fit the category of bike found in the "Some Assembly Required" subforum, it's a bolt together bike better situated in the "Versys Owner's" thread where it was first introduced. i do like the fact that the V649HP was a Versys budget build and completed for less than 10% of the reported cost of the Twisted Throttle bike, putting this type of build within reach of riders who are very conscientious in stretching their riding dollars. the bike build has been proven capable as a dual sport bike in the accepted use of that terminology. since the OP question was "Can a Versys be as good as a KLR?" and it was asked here in the builder's forum, the answer lies in the innovative and inexpensive Ninja/Versys builds found here, and not in the aftermarket parts catalogs. lastly, i'm not at all keen on ill mannered or rude responses to riders homebased outside the USA asking for help or information. the USA riding community has a tradition of being unfailingly hospitable to foreign riders, i'd like to keep that tradition alive, be it here or on the road.
yup, that's me...bad influence, but good company. let the build begin...come back with some photos. if you read the build thread, you know that there are a couple of UK riders adding the DRZ forks/R1 shock/DL wheel mods to their Versys bikes, both with scheduled rides to Morocco in 2012. you might PM them to see how they're coming along, stop by for a look if not far away.
Is there a thread for these builds? I do enjoy the amount of suspension I have on my current bike, would be nice to have the knowlegde on how to bump the suspension up by a few inches. I've also enjoyed reading about your adventures on your rat bike.
I have just done a extended fork thread here http://www.versys.co.uk/index.php/topic,11873.75.html http://www.kawasakiversys.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18133 Managed to add 30mm of travel using existing forks and springs. Bart
I was looking for a mid weight semi adventure bike and found the Woody's website with a pic of a VS with wire wheels and knew found my bike. I bought my 2011 bike as overstock in 2013 and could not be happier. The Hepco C-Bow bags are perfect for this bike.