Had the opportunity to use these two bikes back to back today; the Versys felt much more muscular, had a better saddle, never approached redline even while hammering, RPM 5K at 80, very impressive. The Honda was smoother, but I hit the rev limiter leaving the parking lot, and I don't usually have any problems short shifting. The braking was actually a little better than the VS, despite having one disc up front, but the seat needs help, tended to push me up on the tank and felt thin in the padding department. The NT has a plastic tank, can't use a magnetic bag, but probably don't need one with the massive storage area. I thought there would be a more pronounced difference with the NT carrying its fuel under the saddle, but both bikes felt the same despite both carrying full loads of petrol. Even though I'm a huge fan of Honda fit and finish,(owned and loved a NH 750 and a 919), the Versys felt more like a real motorcycle, yMMV. I could see either bike tackling dirt roads with a set of 705, though the plastic skid plate on the NC was a little less substantial as well.
I came close to buying a Versys while waiting for an NC. I could only partially put one foot down, the seat was awkward sometimes pinching my privates, and I had read quite a few complaints about the stock tires in the rain. All of these things are fixable but I didn't feel like buying the bike and shelling out hundreds of dollars to experiment with fixing things that I felt were problems. The Versys does have quite a bit more horsepower and I believe both the front and rear suspension are adjustable for preload and rebound. Love the black and yellow color scheme of the 2012's. Edit: On my way out the door but just wanted to add that I can't blame anybody for buying the Versys over the NC if they feel they like it better. It is a good bike.
Myself and a chum were at the local dealer this week, they had two of the new Hondas-- both manual trans. Got to straddle the thing, and feel it up. I did not drive it, it was on the showroom floor and had not been totally prepped yet. They also have a Versys on the floor for the quick comparison, at least as far as what you can measure about both bikes without riding them. I was pretty jacked to get to see the new Honda, and a bunch disapointed after sitting on it and seeing it. It's a bit of a toy. Odd they did not do dual front brakes like most of the others in it's class. Like the other guy said, I would lean towards the Versys vs. the new Honda, and or measure the Versys and a Wee as well. The Versys is like a mixed breed dog- at first you yell at it, and tell it to get out of your yard.... then as it sits and stares back you say, "Ok, cmon, and pet it on the head. It's so ugly it kind of grows on you. But I am tired of standing in line for parts at the Kawi dealer. (KLR in the barn). So, I dunno. Hmm.
I never have been a fan of the Versys' looks, or was I ever exactly sure of it's purpose, but that changed today... Seems much beefier than the Honda, or even it's siblings the ER6 and the Ninja 650. Still don't like that cyclops looking front, but I won't be the one looking at it when I'm crouched behind it up on The Pig Trail
i wouldnt like having to remove my tail bags every damn time I want to fuel up...(what a stupid design...)
I saw one for the first time yesterday, that was the first thing I noticed. I liked the idea of the bike, and reading about it I thought I would like it, but I don't. I think the bike will serve a purpose for someone, but not me. Add at least 20 hp, bump the redline up to around 9 or 10, and change the fuel filler.
Anyone seen the new colour for the Versys big brother? 'Candy Burnt Orange & Ebony'. Due out around October.
I think that most people can or will figure out a way to install either a top box, luggage rack, or saddlebags that don't require using the rear seat. Before I started seeing this complaint about the fuel filler I never thought about how dumb I am to have to remove a tank bag to use the fuel filler.
Tank bags, or mine at least, are very easy to remove. The back seat is where, for me, stuff gets tied, strapped, balanced, and clipped on. For example: (not my bike)
I agree with the complaint about the fuel filler on the Honda. Why they didn't put it on the side like BMW did I can't imagine - BUT, don't forget teh Honda has a rather spacious cargo area that could take some, or perhaps all, of what would get tied on the back seat of other bikes. And it's locked up and out of the weather... Also there are at least three vendors already offering hard luggage for the Honda (Honda, Givi, Hepco Becker) and witht he reasonable price of the Honda it should be quite easy to add some panniers and a top box. If you STILL need to tie something to the back seat, use some quick disconnect rok straps and moving it out of the way is no more difficult than moving a tank bag on other bikes.
Good thread Demo'd and loved the NC700X Demod and wasn't overly impressed with the F800GS (good bike but no, not for me) Yet to try the Versys..but I will do before writing a cheque.
I've always been partial to "different" bikes, the 919, various Triumphs, etc, but never gave the Versys a serious look, only took a test ride because it just happened to be there with the NC... I ride a heavily modded DR650 that I dearly love, but I'm sorely tempted to add another bike to replace the 9er.
I've had my Versys since May, tried out the V-strom, and sat on a few others before buying. Look at the NC while at the dealer on Friday (Kawi, Honda, HD), didn't sit on it, just look it over. It didn't move me one way or another, until I saw that fuel fill. What a PITA that would be, even if you had no bags on it, it would still be a pain to have to remove the seat, what if you don't get the seat fitted back on perfectly, then what? Yes, the Versys has some issues, I was ok with the factory tires until two recent events. The company I work for, our back lot is dirt, riding back to fire up the semi early one morning, I went to turn around and almost dumped the bike because the tires got zero bite. Then a few days later, I was caught in a massive rain storm on the way across town, at first I was on the highway, until the rear tried to pass me when it couldn't get bite. Quickly hit the side streets, where the problem was just as bad on every start up or downshift to stop. Swapped the stockers for Avon Distanzias today, the only other gripe I have with the Versys, need some upgraded brake pads, those are coming. As for parts, aftermarket support on the web is excellent, at the dealer, yeah right, good luck finding much of anything.
<a href="http://s857.photobucket.com/albums/ab137/JALnSC/?action=view¤t=33c854e7.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.advrider.com/advrider-photobucket-images/images/J/JALnSC_33c854e7.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos" /></a> This is a buddys bike. It has followed me home. Right now it is living in my garrage. I was wanting to ride the nc700x before deciding on what to do. This girl is fully outfitted with stuff the NC won't have avalable for years. Oh what to do. And I have put about 1k miles on her.
ummm, to raise the rear seat on the NC you just turn the key ccw and it unlatches, then just lift ti up. It's hinged, closes with a nice click. Nothing difficult about it. Also luggage is already available from Givi, Hepco Becker, and Honda/
Pff, just admit it sucks to have to stand up, unhook the seat, fill , close, sit. Most times when I refuel I don't get off, and while most wil commute, many will load this sucker down and go cross country, unhooking a bag is doable yes, but a pain in the ass. Not a deal breaker, but very :huh
Sounds like a good mini-comparo to me. The Kawasaki feels heavier to me, even if it isn't. And Honda brakes are a lot better.
The filler cap issue didn't even occur to me as a deal breaker, as I spend more time maneuvering around my tank bag to feed the DR... Thinking back on the ride, the main issue that jumped out at me concerning the NC was how quickly I hit the rev limiter; I don't think I ride that aggressively, especially on a demo bike with cold tires. After looking at the torque charts, I expected it to throttle more like a PC800, and was surprised that it revved up as quickly as it did; one caveat is that I had just gotten off of the Versys, which didn't approach redline. In the Honda's defense, it was taching 4k at 80 mph in 6th, where the Versys was just a little under 5k; neither bike seemed stressed whatsoever at highway speeds.
