New Kawasaki Versys 1000 in 2012

[skysailor]

Originally Posted by kojack

Yes, armor it up and your good. Motorcycle mojo said it as surprisingly good on dirt roads. Clinton smout even aired it out for the camera. I ride the v650 and the v1000 is in the same catagory, a true all round'r

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It's not the same bike as the Strom. 650, or 1000. Kawasaki even says so in their marketing. It's a road bike. Sure, it'll do a gravel road. So will a Ducati Monster...but that's not the target market. I baffles me you guys stateside can't buy it though. Makes no sense.
Lyle

[aquadog]

Not sure there's that much difference to a Strom 1000, but I haven't ridden both. A guy at my dealership has, and said there wasn't much difference, both were primarily road bikes. I don't think Kawasaki is trying to fool anybody with the target market, they've been pretty clear what the V1000 is intended for.

[vnsfxr]

Originally Posted by aquadog

Not sure there's that much difference to a Strom 1000, but I haven't ridden both. A guy at my dealership has, and said there wasn't much difference, both were primarily road bikes. I don't think Kawasaki is trying to fool anybody with the target market, they've been pretty clear what the V1000 is intended for.

I'd say there is a difference between those two, of course we won't know how big till later this year:
http://advrider.com/forums/showpost....4&postcount=57

[aquadog]

Have any of you in warmer climates - i.e. more riding time - had the chance to add any accessories yet? I'm thinking rad guard, centre stand, maybe a skid plate and luggage. A Vicious Cycle has both Givi and Motech luggage/racks, Motech has a centre stand and skid plate. If you have, please comment on how you like the bits, fit, etc. Thanks. Spring will get here eventually.....

[vnsfxr]

Originally Posted by aquadog

Have any of you in warmer climates - i.e. more riding time - had the chance to add any accessories yet? I'm thinking rad guard, centre stand, maybe a skid plate and luggage. A Vicious Cycle has both Givi and Motech luggage/racks, Motech has a centre stand and skid plate. If you have, please comment on how you like the bits, fit, etc. Thanks. Spring will get here eventually.....

Try looking here - http://www.versys1000.com/index.php/board,28.0.html

[aquadog]

Thanks!

[cb4017]

I'm tired of waiting for Kawasaki to pull their head out of their behind. I tried to be patient but the weather is improving and it's time to ride, not sit around and wish the V1000 was here.

So.. I bought a V-Strom 1000. Now that I got this thing, I really like it.

See ya on the road....

[aquadog]

Lucky bastards, riding! Only 6 to 8 more weeks of winter...I am jealous.

[Azmo]

Originally Posted by aquadog

Have any of you in warmer climates - i.e. more riding time - had the chance to add any accessories yet? I'm thinking rad guard, centre stand, maybe a skid plate and luggage. A Vicious Cycle has both Givi and Motech luggage/racks, Motech has a centre stand and skid plate. If you have, please comment on how you like the bits, fit, etc. Thanks. Spring will get here eventually.....

added a rad guard - totally must have if you are going even close to the small gravel on the roads - the radiator looks totally unprotected (shame on you, kawasaki!)

added Trax aluminium cases (2x45L) - these are using the quick-lock sw-motech base.

added vario screen by Givi as stock screen is a sucky windbreaker and also does not really catch all the bugs

also stock screen becomes crappy after 150km/h (who speeding? me? nooooooo )


2012-07-26 at 13-54-14 by azmotravel, on Flickr

also it is a nice idea to replace the brake and clutch levers with folding ones, as stock levers are very long and if your bike falls on any side, there's a 90% probability that your lever would break

also added heated grips (what kawasaki is offering) and they saved my hands several times - maybe i should also add handprotectors

generally i spent ~19000 km in 2012 on my Versys 1000 and i am totally happy with the bike

[coast range rider]

Originally Posted by cb4017

I'm tired of waiting for Kawasaki to pull their head out of their behind. I tried to be patient but the weather is improving and it's time to ride, not sit around and wish the V1000 was here.

So.. I bought a V-Strom 1000. Now that I got this thing, I really like it.

See ya on the road....

Good choice on the V-Strom so you can ride NOW. I'm still racking up the miles every day on my DL650.

Still not a peep from Kawasaki about selling Versys 1000 in the US.
A great bike with good old Japanese reliability and affordability and not for sale US market.
Well thank you Kawasaki!
Makes it a lot easier to spend an extra $4,000 above the Versys 1000 price on a bike with lighter weight, better suspension, and more powerful motor. I am planning to pony up for the 2014 KTM 1190 Adventure.
Thanks again, Kawasaki.

[cb4017]

Originally Posted by coast range rider

Good choice on the V-Strom so you can ride NOW. I'm still racking up the miles every day on my DL650.

Still not a peep from Kawasaki about selling Versys 1000 in the US.
A great bike with good old Japanese reliability and affordability and not for sale US market.
Well thank you Kawasaki!
Makes it a lot easier to spend an extra $4,000 above the Versys 1000 price on a bike with lighter weight, better suspension, and more powerful motor. I am planning to pony up for the 2014 KTM 1190 Adventure.
Thanks again, Kawasaki.

I believe Kawasaki is losing a lot of potential sales in the US to folks like us. I was very happy with my Versys 650 and was prepared to buy the Versys 1000 as soon as my dealer started taking orders.

Now that I have my V-Strom 1000 I am very pleased with it and wonder why I didn't buy one years ago.

[GrahamD]

Originally Posted by cb4017

I believe Kawasaki is losing a lot of potential sales in the US to folks like us.

+1 Pity.

[Cruz]

Originally Posted by GrahamD

+1 Pity.

Hey Graham, have you had a chance to have a ride on one yet?

[GrahamD]

Originally Posted by Cruz

Hey Graham, have you had a chance to have a ride on one yet?

No. But When I have nothing to do one day

[Cortez]

Spoken with local importer's friend today, the Versys 1k has been available locally for a while now (well, since launch).. zero sold.

There's a couple of newly registered multistrada's, SMTs and GS's though..