Versys owners checkin

[1upyorn]

Originally Posted by dabuddman

dabuddman-versys owner- Asheville, NC

We'll all welcome dabuddman to the fold by holding him accountable for a full ride report with pictures from his upcoming 7 day'er. Yep.

[Ugly]

Well, I've got the engine broke in as per the instructions so I get to play with it without looking at my tac every time I want to go faster.

It's kinda stange that this little bike can feel better then anything even close to it dollar-wise. But that's what it is.

This bike is great in the city, with construction messing up downtown, and it's great on the back roads. Just move around anything that's a hazard and go. I stand up a lot, and I move around a bunch. It's how I roll.

On the street I'm mostly a noob, with a bunch of offroad experience. With this bike I can stand up on the pegs to rest, I can drive reeeeeeeally slow if I don't want to put my foot down at a stop, I can have a good time on the back roads when I feel like it, and I can ride the slab when I have to.

I'm always thinking of my next bike, but this one is the standard I guage others by.

[sagalout]

I've just purchased a new green Versys. I've had loads of bikes over the years - the recent ones being:

CBR600
ZX9R
Triumph Tiger 885i
Honda Blackbird
and most recently a GSXR750k5 which I just sold.

The Versy is only my second ever brand new bike, and so far I'm absolutely loving it.

I live in North Yorkshire, UK so most of our best riding roads are of the badly maintained B variety, and the Versys is wonderfully comfortable on them compared to the GSXR. I've tried ADV style bikes in the past, but found the Tiger just too heavy - it handled ok for a big bike, but that was the compromise. Same with the blackbird - good for a big bike but just not fun. The GSXR was light weight and fun but cripplingly uncomfortable for me over 150 miles. Before settling on the Versys I test rode a Strom 1000 (ironically the previous owner traded it in for a Versys) but it was too similar to the tiger - comfy but heavy and dull.

Anyway, still running in the V, but the dealer said just ride it normally, but not to redline it, so went out and did a 220 run around the dales and lake district yesterday. Generally kept it between 3k and 6k with the odd accleration burst to about 8k and its such a lovely ride - just find a gear and roll on and off the throttle and let the torque do the rest. It seemed get far more attention at Devils Bridge bikers meet than all of my previous bikes put together!

But enough of preaching to the converted about the V's merits.

Heres a few pics of my green meanie from the ride yesterday. I've got a few mods planned for it:

Ixil twin exhaust - arrived yesterday - cost me a fortune but the build quality is superb and it should sound amazing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-IlHlGEDhY

Givi rack and V46 topbox - arrives thursday hopefully. Not sure about panniers yet - I travel light and have some throwovers if needed

GPS bracket - Kawasaki version looks like it fits it nicely in the line of sight so going for that one

Hugger - Ermax do a nice one thats colour matched to the Kwak green

Belly pan - as above - these really improve the lines of the bike I think

Handguards - not sure which ones to go for

Heated grips - Daytona ones I think

[roadkilt]

Man, that green is nice! Congrats on your new machine.

David

[OnlyVees]

How about a shot or two of that high-dollar exhaust system?

[sagalout]

Originally Posted by OnlyVees

How about a shot or two of that high-dollar exhaust system?

Sure, not the best quality as just taken with my iPhone, but trust me they look and feel awesome! Will be fitted on Saturday :)

[william t.]

The green is really nice

[llamapacker]

I think the black forks set it off also. Very nice!

I like the KTM handguards by the way.

[tomatocity]

sagalout I am very interested in your upgrades since I want to add the belly pan and hugger though I am not sure about a color matched hugger. Maybe you will change my mind.
Now if we can get the '09 Versys released in California I will be a happy person.

[Jibbering_squid]

Hello, Versys owners!

I hope this thread is an ok place for this question...

I am currently an '08 KLR owner planning a trip to AK next year. Recent riding days have made me realize that the KLR leaves a bit to be desired on long bits of highway, so I am looking for alternatives.

Anyone taken a long trip on this bike? I am also curious about how the bike will perform on the Dalton Highway in AK...gravel, dirt and potentially mud, if the conditions get wet.

I am going to test ride soon, so I will be able to get a feel for highway and street performance, but I don't want to get a bike that will give me fits on the Dalton in AK.

Any info is MUCH appreciated.

Thanks

Squid

[pilot]

Squid, try adding a 16 tooth front sprocket to the KLR and a different seat. You will be amazed at the difference.

[Jibbering_squid]

Originally Posted by pilot

Squid, try adding a 16 tooth front sprocket to the KLR and a different seat. You will be amazed at the difference.

Hey, pilot...do you have a 16 tooth on your bike right? If so, could you suggest a brand? I did a quick search and there seems to be a few to choose from.

Thanks!

[Gustavo]

Originally Posted by Jibbering_squid

Anyone taken a long trip on this bike? I am also curious about how the bike will perform on the Dalton Highway in AK...gravel, dirt and potentially mud, if the conditions get wet.

No, we all just ride it around the block...

http://2xadv.blogspot.com/2008/09/ca...ycle-trip.html

http://www.versys.co.uk/index.php?op...5&topic=4219.0

http://www.versys.co.uk/index.php?op...5&topic=3462.0


It's just a long block in our neighborhood...


Gustavo

[william t.]

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Someone on Ebay are selling products made by this company. The seats look pretty nice.

http://www.topsaddlery.com/en/sel_vi...que=6&type=412
__________________

[upweekis]

I interpret that as being a seat cover, not a complete seat