kawasaki versys 650 long term review
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- Опубликовано: 12 сен 2024
- a ride on the versys and sharing a few thoughts and information on how it feels on different roads and what its like to tour on long term and how it stacks up against some other bikes .. a bit of everything motorway carriagway twisty roads and single tracks ..more about what it feels like to ride rather than a showaround
After watching too many motorcycle vlogs your wisdom on various bikes and why you ride a 650 is more useful than the lot of them put together..
Thanks for your reply 👍, I'm definitely interested in one for my touring plans in the future, it looks the business and fit's my requirements ,so definitely need to have a closer look.
Wow I wasn't expecting to see my local back lanes on someone's YT channel,at one point you were about 200 metres from my house.The Versys seemed to handle the surface of Plex Moss Lane better than my Street Triple R...
Good real world review of a bike I'm interested in👍
Nice, thorough, real-world review!
Greetings from a half-expat in the Pacific Northwest!
I’ve got a 2010 Versys 650, and a 2015 Versys 1000 SE. I was going to sell the 650, but it’s too much fun set up as a summer runabout. It’s a buzzy, ugly little thing, but it’s grown on me.
The 1000 is a totally different bike-a real all-weather mile-eater. I think of it as a Gentleman’s Ninja.
Hi mate , I'm in the process of moving from my vfr800f to something more comfortable as the vfr is giving me a lot of pain and discomfort in my knees as the riding position is more sorts than touring and I'm getting on in years so I'm looking for something more manageable and a more comfortable position, I'm a advanced rider and I pritty much ride to speed limits so I'm no boy racer, basically a single rider looking for something to tour on, my mine concern is the power and the bikes ability to sit at motorway speeds, I noticed you have changed the front sprocket to a bigger one and noticed you said it's made a nice difference in the top end, I'm looking at the 650 vstrome and the tracer 7 so that's it really, really enjoyed your video on the kawasaki, it looks just what I'm looking for in my next purchase, probably a gen 3 in good condition with low mileage if possible, must admit it does look like a cracking bike 🏍. Cracking video mate.
they are a good bus i had two and no complaints ,,on the comfort front i am tall and altered the seat and lowered the pegs but i am 6f 1 .a bigger screen is a must i trhink ...the 16t front sprocket is a pretty common change and suits the bike when touring .it is a bit short i think in 1st and 6th and i found it hit the sweet spot with the 16 and liked it 80/85mph all day with no bother at all on the motorway ..its a surprisingly decent tourer i did 30k on them and for the entrasnce money they are hard to knock .i did three seasons on the versys and tbo it did the job very well ..mabt get a test ride see how it fits ect
I say it's not a bad video. Good info and I'd like this bike if it wasn't so tall. 72 years and 5'8 I like getting my feet well planted. I ride a V7 111 and torque can be king when your down on big power. It's nice to get a positive review of a bike that is apt to be viewed as boring.
Ya know Minky, I could have penned that review myself.
Lots of stuff reported about the Versys, over a lot of years, 07 they came on the market, and still going strong, albeit with lots of improvements along the way.
I have also had way too many bikes in my time, including 1000, 1100, 1200 and 1400 hundred cc s. Including 5 Versys models, ie 2 1000cc models and 3 650s. The latest being a Mk3. You may remember me and my bike from the NVM in Moffat.
Everything you say is spot on. A proper sensible bike fit to ride in the real world that we all have to ride in.
The engine is a peach, with all it's shunt exactly where you need it.
The suspension still amazes me, it real is super plush.
Zero vibrations, due to everything being rubber mounted. The feeling that you get at low revs, I call the Versys shudder.
Also agree about it's suitability for 2 up use. Whilst being the most comfy of my 40 plus previous bikes , the Versys is too short to be comfortable for a journey of any distance carrying a passenger.
So yes, allround they are great bike with little not to like.
I enjoyed All of the review, never mind how long. Thanks Geoff. 100 miles away.
hi sure of course i remember ..was a good weekend ..im still looking around ..im fancying a duelsport big banger as apparantly were talking about trans portugal again for next year .. there some strong odds on a keeping the versys and gettin de800 olongide ..it would still be the same cost as swapping for the tracer gtplus or vesys 1000 se and in that context its a no brainer at the moment
Just done 600 km down here in Australia on a new 2023 Versys 650 …as a returning 56 year old rider …like the bike …but at 5ft 8 was initially nervous approaching a stop at intersections …it is heavy and tall until you get used to sliding on the seat and placing the planted foot slightly behind the pegs …at rest .
It sure has a clunky gearbox …so was reassured about your comments about it improving with miles done .
The adjustable stock screen appears to be have designed for a dwarf .
Why we are having to buy an aftermarket screen , because a stock adjustable screen is too short on a $13600 Aussie dollar machine is mind boggling ?
How hard would it have been to make it taller to accomodate 80 per cent of Western riders…on the tallest of the 4 settings ?
Your video was entertaining …and informative .
Hope you make more videos on this bike .
@@orionswitness thanks ive near 10k up now ..id say it is better after 3 k and may take takes 4/5k for mine to smooth out completley in the first three gears ..its got near 10k up and its flawless now up or down ..its a trait that happened on the mk3 i had .and that went better just the same .you should find it getting smoother with use id say by 5/6 k it should be gone ..hope so keep
@@minkyhead cheers , I even had to put the already purchased tech 7 enduro boot away and buy a more road orientated pair …too many missed gear changes .
Thanks so much for this review! I'm getting excited to get a MK4 next season and I've had a hard time finding a thoughtful on road review of it. I'm looking to use it for 2-up touring with the Mrs., so I appreciate the insight on the power loss on that aspect. I think it will work for us all the same, but it's to know what we're getting into. Cheers from Canada.
its a tough one ..my better half had to retire a while back from the pillion seat ..dodgy knees ..i have only taken one passenger and it did effect the bikes performance ..hard to say but i suspect the softer suspension that generally works quite well solo seemed a little harsh two up but to be fair i did nothing by way of adjustment to the forks ect ..id say if possible get a test ride two up and check it out for a few hours ..no problem with passenger space my m8 is 6ft4 and he wernt bothering me or me him ..he said its was ok sat there .....cant really help much more on the pillion side of things ...you really need to check it out as a pair i think ... keep well
Loved your video...all 50 min. I just got a Versys (2010, 7500mi.). Solid and comfortable on the hiway, quick and nimble in the curves. Good idea about the front sprocket change. I think I will try it.
Cheers from America.
thank you they are a solid bike ..i like the 16 as most of the time the bike is in motion and in the touque zone ..makes 4th gear good for 35mph to 95 mph and 6th just enough to be calm at 85mph ..its that strong midrange that makes the bike a pleasure to ride for me
Still got a pulse :)
Really great video thanks , just got one and wanted dome info cheers.
Nice review, Have no issues with the length. The more info, the better. Would you rate it over the Vstrom, and why?
Close run thing I had a dl650 I ran for 14 years as a daily rider. So guess I was due a change..I do think the Kawasaki has the edge in the cornering and stability stakes with it's no nonsense 17 on wheels..I guess the deals with the free panniers swings it. They are pretty decent and integrate well with no frames. ..keep the bike narrow when filtering...and can be found all in at 8k..I'd say for sure the brakes on the kawasaki are better all round. Feel and power...I do like the dash much more. .I'd be happy to tour on either I guess.. strangely I'm sat outside a pub in keilder now after a full day riding with a 1250gs and 1100 v4honda. I can say the Kawasaki was on the pace with room to spare. ..it's a good bus.
@@minkyhead Thanks for the reply man. That GS is too much for me. Would rather spend that money on an SUV. I would have to be making twice as much to justify it. I'm in the middle of trying to get a bigger bike. The dealership has set aside a versys 650 for me. I have been wondering which is better between the versys and the vstrom. They dont offer test rides here.
I’ve got a V650MK2, so just wondered what differences there are across the MK2/3/4 range?
Great little bike. The kind that puts a smile on your face every time. Not perfect but always great fun.
Nice video.
Not got my full licence yet but being enticed by the Versys650 more and more. Here's a thought, cfmoto 650mt is available for £5K brand new based on the Kawasaki. A 2020versys used is same price in UK. For a first big bike, I'd be really tempted visiting that ktm dealer they're sold thru and keeping my cb125f for the commute.
I know depreciation would be bad later on but that bike at that price and getting that usage?
I don't have first hand experience with the cfmoto but I think you're giving away too much over the Versys. Find a good used Versys, but get a 2021+ model (I think that's when they gave it the front LED headlights?) it's not worth it to have the old headlights unless you NEVER EVER RIDE AT NIGHT. Oh and the new screen is cool too.
Good video, bought myself a mk4 versys at the start of the year, I’m 6ft 6 love the bike, my size I do feel comfortable, what screen do you have and also the wing mirror adapters? Do you have any links please?
ta use a givi screen ...www.brandedbiker.co.uk/shop/givi-d4132st-clear-screen-kawasaki-versys-650-2022-on/ i did get around to having the seat hired 2" and the hump moved back a bit too .. mirrors adapters are on ebay lots of different ones ....did find the footpegs lowered were usful too www.ebay.co.uk/itm/234792297549 hope that helps
@@minkyhead thank you so much, have you got any trips planned for this year? Did the screen help you a lot with wind buffering?
I need to do something with the seat as I’m right on the lip where it goes up for the passenger part, my arse goes numb after an hour.
@@grantcollingwood414 i just do small weekend mid weekers off to dumphis next week .i get around a bit ...you can see i use a mra wing that cures the turbulance .. i had a go at the seat mes self and tyhen got a firm to recover it for me i.postimg.cc/0yGTHJRN/IMG-20230630-152233-HDR.jpg i.postimg.cc/mD6wVhPb/IMG_20230629_143305.jpg..i made up some highway pegs to let my legs streach ..these have proved to be seriusly good ..just need to get creative with a bit of plate and bar and using the engine bar mounts id say 50 percent of the time im on the highway pegs when touring ..when the seat hump is moved back its so comfy ..take a bit of messing about but i wish i done this before on other bikes ..hope that helps keep well .....i.postimg.cc/1XhRY5cm/IMG-20220802-234809-MP.jpg
That seat does look so much better, not such a deep drop, not done any trips on mine yet hoping to meet people and get some trips booked in next year.
You know, in some states, you can have multiple work sister wives.
Do you still have the crfs milky ?
hi yes still got em both ..and they still do well cant see me selling them now tbo
I bought also the Versys 650 this year and I can make much more miles on it without being exhausted so I sold my previous bike ktm 1190 adv. On the small roads which I like, the Versys does it all.
i get it . just toured the borders with a 1250gs 1200 tenere vfr1200 and africa twin and never felt off the pace ..steve did let the v4 rip a couple of times but u dont own a1200 v4 without wanting to pan it now and again ..but generaally at smart touring pace the versys was rarely over 6.5k revs to keep in the flow ..it does very well ..im just messin with a R1 shock the forum guys recomend to refine it a little ..its not bothering me at all but at around 150 quid to try for the conversion bearings ect with full high low and rebound im giving it a try .quite lot have done it and report very good results so im giving it a punt ...may do a update if its any good
Thanks for the video, quite informative, but for the love of god mate...50 minutes...?
yer not so good ...i aggree ... im still learning how to sinc audio and video so cheated and let in run in two clips ....tis to long ...keep well
@@minkyhead haven't watched it so far but you could add timestamps that viewers could jump to the points that they're interested most...
I own a 2020 Versys 650 for 2.25 years now - ~ 40k kms on the clock and so far no issues. good on the motorway, ok on gravel roads (michelin anakee adventures really improve the feeling on gravel roads - they're just loud on tarmac), perfect for the twisties, comfortable,...it's a great machine!
@@sebbwebbo7557 ill look into it thank you
I have a new versys 650 2023, so tyre change will have to wait a bit, but on the 650 strom I used metzler tourance next 2, and they, inspired confidence, so will use again on the versys, I loved the strom but am equally at ease with the versys cept for the clunking gearbox lol thanks for the video.
Enjoyed your review, talked complete sence👍🏻... little Fiat tosser.
Decent cheap bikes. Underpowered with poor suspension. But you get what u pay for I supposed.
Underpowered is subjective.. I’ve owned many bigger motorcycles of 1000cc & the biggest being 1400… the 67 bhp & 64 NM of torque doesn’t sound a lot but it’s just the right amount for the road in my opinion.
Take care & ride safe mate.