Versys owners checkin - Page 123

KiLaV · 02-21-2009, 03:38 PM

As soon as I read it I thought of him. As clear as one of his famous diagrams. A true character (and genius).

Regards Mick.

flux_capacitor · 02-23-2009, 06:23 AM

Just thought I'd pop in here and inflate y'all's egos a bit. I went to the Greenville cycle show yesterday and sat for the first time on a Versys. I was highly drawn to the neon green one (that blue is terrible

). Reminds me of the neon Tigers they used to put out.

This bike felt light and I could tell it was versatile and nimble just by sitting on it. Had great ergos, too, and I am 6'3" fer cryin' out loud! Then I looked at the price, which was the best part! Only $7K! I can't believe there aren't more of these on the road.

I must admit when they first came out I kinda laughed and shrugged it off.

Only downside I could see was there is not enough space on the rear for my wife to ride comfortably, but is that REALLY a downside.

I too would prefer bigger wheels but wouldn't stop me from buying one if I was in the market. Perhaps one day when used ones start popping up for $4K there will be one in the garage. Personally not a fan of buying new, but to each his own.

Y'all's some good decision makers.

wordguy · 02-23-2009, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flux_capacitor

...Had great ergos, too, and I am 6'3" fer cryin' out loud! ....

That was one of the deciding factors for me. I'm the same height and I really like the fit of the bike.

I just lowered the footpegs, which eases the angle of my knees. I think this will add some comfort on longer days.

-Alan

Crashit · 02-23-2009, 12:40 PM

ere do you get a set of side cases. I kinda like pilots what do you have

psc · 02-24-2009, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crashit

ere do you get a set of side cases. I kinda like pilots what do you have

I got mine from these guys: www.cariboucases.com

Max Buffet · 02-28-2009, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wordguy

That was one of the deciding factors for me. I'm the same height and I really like the fit of the bike.

I just lowered the footpegs, which eases the angle of my knees. I think this will add some comfort on longer days.

-Alan

Alan, I am also the same height. I only have about 40 miles on my Versys, but it's obvious I need a little more legroom. Which ones did you get? Happy? Easy to install? (I am a non-mechanical klutz...)
Thanks, man!
I REALLY like everything else about the bike, btw!

Max Buffet · 02-28-2009, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KiLaV

"Physics is like sex: sure, it may give some practical results, but that's not why we do it."

Richard Feynman perhaps?

Riding is like sex.
I never got all that I wanted, but sometimes I got all that I could stand...

Bear on a bicycle · 02-28-2009, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Max Buffet

Alan, I am also the same height. I only have about 40 miles on my Versys, but it's obvious I need a little more legroom. Which ones did you get? Happy? Easy to install? (I am a non-mechanical klutz...)
Thanks, man!
I REALLY like everything else about the bike, btw!

I bought mine from this guy. He's a Versys owner & a member of the Versys forum.

http://motowerk.com/default.aspx

The peg lowering kit:

http://motowerk.com/loweringfootpegsblocks.aspx

wordguy · 03-01-2009, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Max Buffet

Alan, I am also the same height. I only have about 40 miles on my Versys, but it's obvious I need a little more legroom. Which ones did you get? Happy? Easy to install? (I am a non-mechanical klutz...)
...

Max, see Bear's response. I got the Motowerk peg lowering kit. It was easy to install. The most involved part was adjusting the rear brake pedal. That is a little awkward, but not really difficult.

-Alan

BikerDav · 03-03-2009, 05:31 PM

With stock gearing, can you cruise at 75-80 comfortably? I am trying to decide on a versys or a vstrom 1000. Is the subframe pretty strong on the Versys?

Dave

orv · 03-03-2009, 07:07 PM

With stock gearing, you can cruise for hours at 85 gps, with rpm @5800. It doesn't bitch or buck...it has a non-nervous ride; very stable, with non-bobble-head air. Nice clean air.

How's the undercarriage? Dunno, but at 240# and 13,000 miles, it hasn't complained. I have caribou bags, and sometimes have had a good load on there; no probs so far.

Off road, you didn't ask? The Versys will take a bunch more off road than you can. The suspension is tight. Its very predictable in turns, it takes rough asphalt and concrete roads very well in a turn, and it will take every and anything off road except rocks to the belly. You of course have to tire-up for sand and mud, but that's for every bike.

I recommend H-B crash bars, some solid hand protectors, the mirror extenders and peg drops and flatfoot from motorwerks. And a stebel horn if you are in traffic much.

Me likes the bike.

Stillupright · 03-04-2009, 07:25 AM

[quote=orv]
And a stebel horn if you are in traffic much.

Hi Orv - do you have the Strebel horn? I checked it out at TwistedThrottle.com and their description of the sound energy was very loud at 139 dB. Perhaps that sound level is required to wake up a cager driving with no regard for bikes. I just know that I get pretty pissed when I'm in my cage in warm weather, window down, and a straight pipe cruiser blasts past - it hurts

But then I'm not driving like a typical SFB non-rider. Of course I won't ride around with my horn blasting all the time unlike the straight pipe uhhh people

Don T · 03-04-2009, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BikerDav

With stock gearing, can you cruise at 75-80 comfortably? I am trying to decide on a versys or a vstrom 1000. Is the subframe pretty strong on the Versys?
Dave

The Versys can cruise comfortably at 90 for hours (I've done so several times), the supframe is very strong on the Versys.

For me lowering the footpegs is not an option, I often use all the ground clearence in corners as it is - instead I use a high gel seat to get a better knee angle.

Gaereth · 03-04-2009, 11:06 AM

Adjusting the rear break did annoy me a bit, but it isn't hard. I popped some Uly pegs on mine rather than going with Sir Speedy's drops, I liked the looks better and they are nice and big. They used to be nice and cheap, around $40 bucks a pair, but I think that a ton of different bikers use them to get around an inch drop and they decided they were worth twice as much now.

The flat foot and mirror extenders from Speedy are a must for sure.

mdaniels · 03-05-2009, 01:10 PM

It was finally time for new tires. I pushed my luck with the stock Dunlop - just under 8500 miles and cords were starting to show on the rear tire. I should have replaced it 1000 miles ago, but I like to procrastinate....

My original plan was to go with Avon Storms or Bridgestone BT-021, leaning toward the Bridgestone because like everyone else, my budget has been pretty tight lately.

Then I stumbled upon this thread about Shinko tires: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=402674 Not a house hold name by any means, but doing more research, I've found mostly positive feedback about them. I decided "what the hell" and ordered a set of Shinko 009 Ravens from BikeBandit.com for a total cost of $168. Ordered on a Thursday and they arrived the following Monday. Another $50 for mounting and balancing (the cheapest I could find within a reasonable distance), and now my Versys has new tires.

I just got the wheels back on last night, so no feedback on the actual tires yet.

New Shinko 009 rear tire:

Front tire:

02-21-2009, 03:38 PM	#1831
KiLaV Misguided fool. Joined: Apr 2006 Location: Vermin infested hovel. Oddometer: 40	Thanks for the quick answer... As soon as I read it I thought of him. As clear as one of his famous diagrams. A true character (and genius). Regards Mick. __________________ What are politicians for Dad? Themselves, son.

02-23-2009, 12:40 PM	#1834
Crashit GO HARD OR NOT AT ALL Joined: Jul 2007 Location: central Ark Oddometer: 436	cases ere do you get a set of side cases. I kinda like pilots what do you have __________________ 2008 KLR--AR--K.I.A. 2008 KAWI VERSYS--CO,AR,MO,TN,OK,TX 2007 YZ450F--AR--lost

03-03-2009, 05:31 PM	#1840
BikerDav Wannabe Joined: Feb 2007 Location: NE CT Oddometer: 39	cruising speed With stock gearing, can you cruise at 75-80 comfortably? I am trying to decide on a versys or a vstrom 1000. Is the subframe pretty strong on the Versys? Dave __________________ 99 HD883 06 DR650 R1200 GS S.E. --There is a fine line between cool and stupid--

03-04-2009, 07:25 AM	#1842
Stillupright Make my day Joined: May 2007 Location: Bozeman, Montana Oddometer: 284	[quote=orv] And a stebel horn if you are in traffic much. Hi Orv - do you have the Strebel horn? I checked it out at TwistedThrottle.com and their description of the sound energy was very loud at 139 dB. Perhaps that sound level is required to wake up a cager driving with no regard for bikes. I just know that I get pretty pissed when I'm in my cage in warm weather, window down, and a straight pipe cruiser blasts past - it hurtsBut then I'm not driving like a typical SFB non-rider. Of course I won't ride around with my horn blasting all the time unlike the straight pipe uhhh people __________________ 2008 Versys 2012 WR450F Stillupright screwed with this post 03-05-2009 at 02:57 PM

03-05-2009, 01:10 PM	#1845
mdaniels Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Oct 2007 Location: Parker, Colorado Oddometer: 226	It was finally time for new tires. I pushed my luck with the stock Dunlop - just under 8500 miles and cords were starting to show on the rear tire. I should have replaced it 1000 miles ago, but I like to procrastinate.... My original plan was to go with Avon Storms or Bridgestone BT-021, leaning toward the Bridgestone because like everyone else, my budget has been pretty tight lately. Then I stumbled upon this thread about Shinko tires: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=402674 Not a house hold name by any means, but doing more research, I've found mostly positive feedback about them. I decided "what the hell" and ordered a set of Shinko 009 Ravens from BikeBandit.com for a total cost of $168. Ordered on a Thursday and they arrived the following Monday. Another $50 for mounting and balancing (the cheapest I could find within a reasonable distance), and now my Versys has new tires. I just got the wheels back on last night, so no feedback on the actual tires yet. New Shinko 009 rear tire: Front tire: __________________ '99 BMW K1200RS - Sold (why did I do that?) '08 Kawasaki Versys - Sold '03 Honda VLX600 (Wifes) - Sold '04 Triumph Speedmaster (RIP)

02-23-2009, 06:23 AM	#1832
flux_capacitor I know a shortcut! Joined: Sep 2004 Location: Dawsonville, GA Oddometer: 9,478	Just thought I'd pop in here and inflate y'all's egos a bit. I went to the Greenville cycle show yesterday and sat for the first time on a Versys. I was highly drawn to the neon green one (that blue is terrible ). Reminds me of the neon Tigers they used to put out. This bike felt light and I could tell it was versatile and nimble just by sitting on it. Had great ergos, too, and I am 6'3" fer cryin' out loud! Then I looked at the price, which was the best part! Only $7K! I can't believe there aren't more of these on the road. I must admit when they first came out I kinda laughed and shrugged it off. Only downside I could see was there is not enough space on the rear for my wife to ride comfortably, but is that REALLY a downside. I too would prefer bigger wheels but wouldn't stop me from buying one if I was in the market. Perhaps one day when used ones start popping up for $4K there will be one in the garage. Personally not a fan of buying new, but to each his own. Y'all's some good decision makers.

03-03-2009, 07:07 PM	#1841
orv Busted butt Joined: Apr 2002 Location: CO Oddometer: 425	With stock gearing, you can cruise for hours at 85 gps, with rpm @5800. It doesn't bitch or buck...it has a non-nervous ride; very stable, with non-bobble-head air. Nice clean air. How's the undercarriage? Dunno, but at 240# and 13,000 miles, it hasn't complained. I have caribou bags, and sometimes have had a good load on there; no probs so far. Off road, you didn't ask? The Versys will take a bunch more off road than you can. The suspension is tight. Its very predictable in turns, it takes rough asphalt and concrete roads very well in a turn, and it will take every and anything off road except rocks to the belly. You of course have to tire-up for sand and mud, but that's for every bike. I recommend H-B crash bars, some solid hand protectors, the mirror extenders and peg drops and flatfoot from motorwerks. And a stebel horn if you are in traffic much. Me likes the bike.

03-04-2009, 11:06 AM	#1844
Gaereth Walking... Joined: Jun 2008 Location: An Elusive Path Oddometer: 491	Adjusting the rear break did annoy me a bit, but it isn't hard. I popped some Uly pegs on mine rather than going with Sir Speedy's drops, I liked the looks better and they are nice and big. They used to be nice and cheap, around $40 bucks a pair, but I think that a ton of different bikers use them to get around an inch drop and they decided they were worth twice as much now. The flat foot and mirror extenders from Speedy are a must for sure.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: .
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode