New Kawasaki Versys 1000 in 2012 - Page 20

RaY YreKa · 01-20-2012, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrahamD

At least this time they acknowledged the Japanese bike. And the front of that Versys has enough "character" to blow them all away..

I am glad, I have something to park the Strom next to now

Not a mention of funny front suspension this time. Interesting.

In the print article, only Chad still has a problem with the front, though he says it's fine 90-95% of the time. Chad is a club-level racer, so I'd guess he'll push the front more than the average rider.

Or maybe Kawasaki tweaked the bike after the launch reports?

southwade · 01-20-2012, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArcticEd

An hour's worth of removal and sanding and some matte black urethane will fix the ugly on the front headlight trim...

Try Plastidip spray

works well and is difficult to chip.

aquadog · 01-20-2012, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RED CAT

Depends on how much weight is on the front wheel. Front heavy hogs don't work as well on gravel/dirt roads. This bike seems reasonably light compared to some so called new adventure bikes. Time will tell.

Second that, although isn't the solution to be on the throttle ALL the time?

That and move around on the bike as needed.

danketchpel · 01-20-2012, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrahamD

Good to see MCN hasn't lost their hard hitting analysis..

If they like the GS fine, but the justifications are getting a bit weird.

At least this time they acknowledged the Japanese bike. And the front of that Versys has enough "character" to blow them all away..

I am glad, I have something to park the Strom next to now

You wrote my thoughts exactly.

I don't know why MCN can't put just a bit more effort and detail in their reviews. At least it was good to see the Versys 1000 in "action" and side by side with the other bikes. I thought their comments on it being more comfortable and compact feeling were interesting. I didn't expect "compact" to be one of of the adjectives to come out, for the Tiger 1050 I can see it. I sure wish we could actually see and sit on one here in the States.

eakins · 01-21-2012, 03:26 PM

that stuff adhere to plastic ok or is there mandatory prep work, sanding or specialized priming needed?
http://www.plastidip.com/home_solutions/Plasti_Dip

Quote:

Originally Posted by southwade

Try Plastidip spray

works well and is difficult to chip.

eakins · 01-21-2012, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RED CAT

with 17 inch front wheel is the width. For gravel/dirt a narrow front tire gives better control. 17 inchers tend to be fatter, therefore less desireable for light off road. It can be done with a 17 but alot less confidence inspiring at speed.

not that much wider than adv bikes using a 110-19" as this bike uses a 120-17". it's not until you get to 21" that tires are 80 or 90mm wide.

17" does not climb over rocks like 19" and 19" not as well as 21"
...& 23" experiment way back when found it to be too big.

tck-80 120-70-17" will be available soon enough for those willing to try.

RED CAT · 01-26-2012, 03:24 PM

Lets keep this going. Spoke to my Dealer today and he said, available in March in Canada. Heard you wern't getting it in the U.S. but thats only a rumor. Lets hope you do. The 650 is available so why not the 1000? May flog the big GS in favour of this especially if I can get a 19 inch front wheel swap happening. Maybe Woodys can make it happen, if the Vstom wheel don't fit.

Gregster · 01-26-2012, 05:08 PM

Wonder if there would be a way to do a spoked wheel swap including a 19" front? Add a bash plate, crash bars, and some good tires and it would be ready for the Trans-Labrador or Dempster highway.

aquadog · 01-26-2012, 05:16 PM

It's ready now for the Dempster. Maybe not the North Canol.

merc16 · 01-26-2012, 09:24 PM

Bump cause I want one !

cb4017 · 02-01-2012, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by merc16

Bump cause I want one !

I want one too and sent an email to Kawasaki USA yesterday expressing my interest and hopes that it will be brought here. I got a reply from a real person who said my request would be forwarded for consideration.

It can't hurt if more of us let Kawasaki know we want it here.

pebble35 · 02-01-2012, 12:03 PM

Well I managed to put 20 miles on our demo bike after work tonight. Initial thoughts are 'wow' !! My day to day ride is a KTM 990 Adventure so I am used to the size and riding position of this sort of bike.

But compared to the KTM the Kawasaki is just so smooth and pulls from 10mph in top gear - so easy to ride and very relaxed ride without having to buzz up and down through the gears.

Obviously on a brand new bike with sub-zero temperatures i could not push the handling - but it felt OK. Screen seems to work well (at local speeds - 40mph speed limit but there are places you can go a 'little' bit quicker !). Nice wide bars and mirrors that work. Only out for half an hour but seat feels comfy.

Definitely needs handguards and heated grips in the current weather though !

Will get out again over the next few days and post more pics

A few photos from this evening (sorry for poor quality

)

aquadog · 02-01-2012, 01:45 PM

Great, thanks! Please keep it up and let us know how you end up liking the 1000. Any evidence of the buzz that some Z1000s have?

GrahamD · 02-01-2012, 02:23 PM

Thanks for the Quick review Pebble,

Much appreciated.

Cheers
Graham

Zammy · 02-02-2012, 05:43 PM

ZAMMY WANT !!!!

01-26-2012, 03:24 PM	#292
RED CAT Bumpy Backroader Joined: Jun 2005 Location: Western Canada Oddometer: 2,418	Hey! Lets keep this going. Spoke to my Dealer today and he said, available in March in Canada. Heard you wern't getting it in the U.S. but thats only a rumor. Lets hope you do. The 650 is available so why not the 1000? May flog the big GS in favour of this especially if I can get a 19 inch front wheel swap happening. Maybe Woodys can make it happen, if the Vstom wheel don't fit.

02-01-2012, 12:03 PM	#297
pebble35 Beastly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2007 Location: Jersey, Channel Islands Oddometer: 1,076	Well I managed to put 20 miles on our demo bike after work tonight. Initial thoughts are 'wow' !! My day to day ride is a KTM 990 Adventure so I am used to the size and riding position of this sort of bike. But compared to the KTM the Kawasaki is just so smooth and pulls from 10mph in top gear - so easy to ride and very relaxed ride without having to buzz up and down through the gears. Obviously on a brand new bike with sub-zero temperatures i could not push the handling - but it felt OK. Screen seems to work well (at local speeds - 40mph speed limit but there are places you can go a 'little' bit quicker !). Nice wide bars and mirrors that work. Only out for half an hour but seat feels comfy. Definitely needs handguards and heated grips in the current weather though ! Will get out again over the next few days and post more pics A few photos from this evening (sorry for poor quality ) __________________ Proud to be supporting Pyndon www.lyndonposkittracing.com www.bikersjersey.com for all your KTM parts A 2,400 KM ride around Egypt by Scooter - ride report here

02-01-2012, 02:23 PM	#299
GrahamD Beastly Adventurer Joined: Oct 2009 Location: Blue Mnts Ozstralia Oddometer: 3,826	Thanks for the Quick review Pebble, Much appreciated. Cheers Graham __________________ "It's better to ride a boring bike than push an interesting one" ... Canuman The 2012 Yamaha Super Tenere is a hungry bike. Touring? Eats it up. Twisties? Eats it up. Back country camping with a heavy load. Eats it up." - Tumu Rock AMA.

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01-26-2012, 05:08 PM	#293
Gregster Studly Adventurer Joined: Apr 2005 Location: New Brunswick, Canada Oddometer: 903	Wonder if there would be a way to do a spoked wheel swap including a 19" front? Add a bash plate, crash bars, and some good tires and it would be ready for the Trans-Labrador or Dempster highway.

01-26-2012, 05:16 PM	#294
aquadog Dude Buddha Joined: Feb 2007 Location: Yukon Oddometer: 575	It's ready now for the Dempster. Maybe not the North Canol.

01-26-2012, 09:24 PM	#295
merc16 Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Nov 2008 Location: West Blocton,Alabama Oddometer: 233	Bump cause I want one !

02-01-2012, 01:45 PM	#298
aquadog Dude Buddha Joined: Feb 2007 Location: Yukon Oddometer: 575	Great, thanks! Please keep it up and let us know how you end up liking the 1000. Any evidence of the buzz that some Z1000s have?

02-02-2012, 05:43 PM	#300
Zammy Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jan 2006 Location: Decatur , Al. Oddometer: 196	ZAMMY WANT !!!!