Versys owners checkin - Page 362

motopreserve · 11-21-2012, 05:03 PM

Plenty of people riding these on the gravel. If you want a real treat - do a search for JDrocks. Also, the Versys Forum offers a ton of examples of these bikes being used for something other than strictly road riding.

As Sieg said, there are now a bunch more tires available that will give better traction in the rougher stuff. I just got a pair of Pirelli Scorpion Trails which should help with the gravel, but still maintain some lifespan. But you can get Conti TKCs and I'm sure have a ball.

Never ridden a V-Strom, but the more I ride the Versys, the more comfortable and 'lighter' it has come to feel, which in my opinion counts most, when you are hauling down a road that doesn't feel like glue beneath your tires.

ColoSean · 11-21-2012, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghollaba

Question for you guys.
How is the Versys on fire roads?
I am looking at a vstrom but am intrigued on the Versys.
Have not been able to ride one yet..

Before buying the Versys, we looked at both bikes. Personally I felt the Versys "felt" smaller and I like the engine much more. The engine is really peppy and fun. Off-road, the Versys is fine. The 17" can be a little limiting, but you'd be surprised what it can handle. We've had it over many of the Colorado passes with little to no issue. Thus, it's more then fine on fire and gravel roads. The only real issue we've had was when we had it in deep sand. Then again, all big bikes suck in deep sand.

rpeterk · 11-22-2012, 07:47 AM

The versys does a pretty good job off road. Like most things off road it is somewhat up to the riders skill and comfort with riding dirt and sand. With the stock tires it wasnt much fun but did it and even road fircuts doing enduro layout. Finally got the tck80s and now the bike is just about as much fun offroad as it is on road. Is it my KTM300 yell no but for a sunday ride thru the pines its not bad and even lowered it still can hop some decent logs of need be. The tck80 tires are a little noisier then stock and the speedo is off about 3-4 mph based on my phones gps but I never checked it stock and I know the speedo being off is a complaint. Gearing is still stock for now but would like to change it to correct the speedo at some time.

If your going to consider doing any off road and do paniers then make sure you do something better then the plastics or the thinner boxes. They wont hold up to laying the bike down and you will at some point do that. I own a fab/machine shop so I made my own but happy trails also make nice HD boxes that are dirt worthy. Not sure who else.

outsidein · 11-23-2012, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghollaba

Question for you guys.
How is the Versys on fire roads?
I am looking at a vstrom but am intrigued on the Versys.
Have not been able to ride one yet..

The Versys is fantastic for what it is, an economical all rounder built for pavement use and it will handle the occasional smooth dirt and gravel roads ok if you keep your speed down but if you spend more than 5% of your time off pavement there are bikes built in this price range (like the KLR) that are more suitable if you are spending 25%-50% of your riding off pavement.

IMO off road and on road handling are at the opposite ends of the same scale. Making a bike better off road means reducing it's capibility on pavement and vice versa. As long the dirt or gravel road is passable to a regular 2 wheel drive passenger car the Versys will do fine on it. If it is rougher than that though you will want a more off road capable bike. It's not just tires and wheels. The Versys suspension is too stiff and short travel for serious off road travel plus it weighs a lot and has high center of gravity. IMO it will never be the ideal off road bike.

BuffWv · 11-28-2012, 03:19 PM

Question Where does everyone get the brackets ( without making them ) to raise the front fender...

rpeterk · 11-29-2012, 07:30 AM

The front fender is in its stock location on my bike in the above pic. The TKC has enough clearance for anything you would want to ride in unless you ride into muck hole and bury it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuffWv

Question Where does everyone get the brackets ( without making them ) to raise the front fender...

Jeff B · 11-29-2012, 08:25 AM

Are those TKC's radials?

ColoSean · 11-29-2012, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuffWv

Question Where does everyone get the brackets ( without making them ) to raise the front fender...

If you look at mine on the page before, you'll see that there are two holes to hold the front fender on. I'm only using one of those holes. I just basically shifted it up and used some zip ties for reinforcement and to keep the brake line in place. Probably not the best solution, but we haven't had any issues thus far.

urbanXJ · 11-30-2012, 02:15 PM

here is me running into my instructor at MSRH

my fault

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Prfb2PF0Azg

BuffWv · 11-30-2012, 04:51 PM

Got the new Shinkos on, now the big question what air pressure is everyone running in these tires.

flying_hun · 11-30-2012, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuffWv

Got the new Shinkos on, now the big question what air pressure is everyone running in these tires.

Which model Shinko? I'm just about to mount up a second pair of the 011, which I like far more than expected.

BuffWv · 11-30-2012, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flying_hun

Which model Shinko? I'm just about to mount up a second pair of the 011, which I like far more than expected.

705s and I hope I put the front one on right I mean backwards since its a rear tire up front

Cuff · 11-30-2012, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuffWv

705s and I hope I put the front one on right I mean backwards since its a rear tire up front

Same tire as you (130/150) and I mounted both tires in the same direction. No issues in the cold and rain here in the Vancouver area. Did take a long time to break in as dry road was at a premium. Got the tires mostly for cost and the big ass puddles we get out here in the valley.

Air is at 28 rear and 26 front right now and the bike is stable. My only fear is when it gets dry and wram again the tires might not grip enough but will last forever. Hmmm, maybe just keep them for winter and long trips?

flying_hun · 11-30-2012, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuffWv

705s and I hope I put the front one on right I mean backwards since its a rear tire up front

Can't help with pressure info, but looking forward to your review.

jdrocks · 11-30-2012, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuffWv

705s and I hope I put the front one on right I mean backwards since its a rear tire up front

mounts with the arrow.

11-21-2012, 05:03 PM	#5416
motopreserve Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jun 2011 Location: Brooklyn Oddometer: 109	Plenty of people riding these on the gravel. If you want a real treat - do a search for JDrocks. Also, the Versys Forum offers a ton of examples of these bikes being used for something other than strictly road riding. As Sieg said, there are now a bunch more tires available that will give better traction in the rougher stuff. I just got a pair of Pirelli Scorpion Trails which should help with the gravel, but still maintain some lifespan. But you can get Conti TKCs and I'm sure have a ball. Never ridden a V-Strom, but the more I ride the Versys, the more comfortable and 'lighter' it has come to feel, which in my opinion counts most, when you are hauling down a road that doesn't feel like glue beneath your tires. __________________ Kawasaki VersysHonda CL360 ProjectHonda CB 550**Husky TE610 MotoPreserve -- a blog about wrenching on bikes in Brooklyn...

11-22-2012, 07:47 AM	#5418
rpeterk Studly Adventurer Joined: Oct 2007 Location: Cream Ridge,nj Oddometer: 519	off road fire roads The versys does a pretty good job off road. Like most things off road it is somewhat up to the riders skill and comfort with riding dirt and sand. With the stock tires it wasnt much fun but did it and even road fircuts doing enduro layout. Finally got the tck80s and now the bike is just about as much fun offroad as it is on road. Is it my KTM300 yell no but for a sunday ride thru the pines its not bad and even lowered it still can hop some decent logs of need be. The tck80 tires are a little noisier then stock and the speedo is off about 3-4 mph based on my phones gps but I never checked it stock and I know the speedo being off is a complaint. Gearing is still stock for now but would like to change it to correct the speedo at some time. If your going to consider doing any off road and do paniers then make sure you do something better then the plastics or the thinner boxes. They wont hold up to laying the bike down and you will at some point do that. I own a fab/machine shop so I made my own but happy trails also make nice HD boxes that are dirt worthy. Not sure who else. __________________ TAG PICS http://photobucket.com/rpeterk Life is not about how many breaths you take, but about the moments that take your breath away. President OCCR Ocean County Competition Riders http://www.occr.net/

11-28-2012, 03:19 PM	#5420
BuffWv Beastly Adventurer Joined: Aug 2008 Location: Hills of central wv(Gassaway Wv) Oddometer: 2,217	Question Where does everyone get the brackets ( without making them ) to raise the front fender... __________________ What seemed fast on a KLR is slow on a Versys

11-29-2012, 08:25 AM	#5422
Jeff B Checks in the mail. Joined: Feb 2008 Location: SW PA. Oddometer: 2,972	Are those TKC's radials? __________________ Go ahead, pull my finger.

11-30-2012, 02:15 PM	#5424
urbanXJ Beastly Adventurer Joined: Aug 2008 Location: Houston, TX Oddometer: 2,148	here is me running into my instructor at MSRH my fault http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Prfb2PF0Azg __________________ ...SPEEDING PAST THE LINE OF GOOD TASTE... urbanXJ screwed with this post 11-30-2012 at 02:35 PM

11-30-2012, 04:51 PM	#5425
BuffWv Beastly Adventurer Joined: Aug 2008 Location: Hills of central wv(Gassaway Wv) Oddometer: 2,217	Got the new Shinkos on, now the big question what air pressure is everyone running in these tires. __________________ What seemed fast on a KLR is slow on a Versys

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