4 day and 1200 mile trip to the Big Sur coast to explore the Coast Ridge Trail above the Highway 1 slide on the Kawasaki Versys-X 300 and BMW GS650GS. Sorry it took so long!
I just bought my Versys X-300 ABS last month. For me, 90% commuting, 10% touring the back roads of the Texas Hill Country. Previous bikes - Vstrom 1000, Suzuki Boulevard C40, Vstar 650, Honda Shadow 750, Rebel 250, 1974 CB-360, and a Ural CT with sidecar. I commuted for a long time using the Vstrom 1000 (loved it!), but so did my son - so he inherited the VStrom, and I purchased the X-300. Weekend touring on the Vstrom was excellent, lots of luggage space, plenty of power for 2-up, and about 40mpg. However, I've read and seen so many good things about the X-300, I decided to give it a try. My thoughts: - Extremely qualified commuter. It's perfectly comfortable 30-55mph, averaging 60-65mpg with a 4.5 gal. tank. Think 250 miles per tank. - Highway riding is no problem. It's easily capable of cruising along 65-70mph, lots of fun running through the gears. the Vstrom 1000 was more comfortable running along the interstate, but the X-300 with the Ninja 300 engine is certainly capable. - Rolling through the twisty backroads is very capable. I have not done any significant off-road riding (just passed 1000 miles overall) but planning on later this summer. It's light, easy to lean, tires are good, even in the rain. Seat is a bit hard when brand new, brakes are predictable. I've really enjoyed the low cost, high 60+mpg, good deals on insurance cost.
Vadim, nicely done video. Your editing, clear narration, nice scenery really made for an enjoyable viewing. Many others who just turn on the camera and don't say much of anything, don't make it personal or interesting, they could learn much from you!
Nice video, the music..and scenery. I'm 50 and it seem that The V300X will be my next dual purpose bike,No doubt that it's best budget entry level Adventure Tourer bike..
Very nice video, that was so much fun Vadim, the views were amazing. Looking forward to our next adventure, a ride through Death Valley with a few of our friends.
Great video, glad you liked the seat, hope to pick mine up Friday, the dealer is waiting for parts, getting center stand, engine guard, heated grips, power outlet, and Givi hard bags. so should make a good ADV bike. Will be doing 80% road and 20% light off road, and there are a lot of gravel roads hear. Do you think this bike needs a bash plate for light off road use.
Nicely done!!! I have a 300x 2017 first year model, only 3 clutch springs. I had to replace the clutch. I was told I I was carrying to much weight. What's your thoughts??
Sorry, but my Russian is not good. I have another video talking about my thoughts on the bike after 1,000 miles ruclips.net/video/QJYn4g0o8vo/видео.html
I have a Shinko 804 on the front and a Metzler Karoo 3 on the back. As to the suspension, I will be making a long-term review of the bike soon. Thank for watching!
I just bought my Versys X-300 ABS last month. For me, 90% commuting, 10% touring the back roads of the Texas Hill Country. Previous bikes - Vstrom 1000, Suzuki Boulevard C40, Vstar 650, Honda Shadow 750, Rebel 250, 1974 CB-360, and a Ural CT with sidecar.
I commuted for a long time using the Vstrom 1000 (loved it!), but so did my son - so he inherited the VStrom, and I purchased the X-300. Weekend touring on the Vstrom was excellent, lots of luggage space, plenty of power for 2-up, and about 40mpg.
However, I've read and seen so many good things about the X-300, I decided to give it a try. My thoughts:
- Extremely qualified commuter. It's perfectly comfortable 30-55mph, averaging 60-65mpg with a 4.5 gal. tank. Think 250 miles per tank.
- Highway riding is no problem. It's easily capable of cruising along 65-70mph, lots of fun running through the gears. the Vstrom 1000 was more comfortable running along the interstate, but the X-300 with the Ninja 300 engine is certainly capable.
- Rolling through the twisty backroads is very capable. I have not done any significant off-road riding (just passed 1000 miles overall) but planning on later this summer. It's light, easy to lean, tires are good, even in the rain. Seat is a bit hard when brand new, brakes are predictable.
I've really enjoyed the low cost, high 60+mpg, good deals on insurance cost.
Vadim, nicely done video. Your editing, clear narration, nice scenery really made for an enjoyable viewing. Many others who just turn on the camera and don't say much of anything, don't make it personal or interesting, they could learn much from you!
Thank you for the encouraging words!
Nice video, the music..and scenery.
I'm 50 and it seem that The V300X will be my next dual purpose bike,No doubt that it's best budget entry level Adventure Tourer bike..
Excellent video! Inspirational as I'm just 150 miles north of the Hwy 1 ridge road and in theory I could also take my Versys 300 there.
Another very slick video. Nice calming music. Good narration. Thanks.
Very nice video, that was so much fun Vadim, the views were amazing. Looking forward to our next adventure, a ride through Death Valley with a few of our friends.
Enjoyed your video I got me a versys 300 x great little bike
Cheers
great tour review vid :)
Great video of a very fun looking trip!
Great video, glad you liked the seat, hope to pick mine up Friday, the dealer is waiting for parts, getting center stand, engine guard, heated grips, power outlet, and Givi hard bags. so should make a good ADV bike. Will be doing 80% road and 20% light off road, and there are a lot of gravel roads hear. Do you think this bike needs a bash plate for light off road use.
Nice first stop along the Rincon, that's my home turf
Nicely done!!! I have a 300x 2017 first year model, only 3 clutch springs. I had to replace the clutch. I was told I I was carrying to much weight. What's your thoughts??
Great video! Exactly why I gave up my GoPro... I don't have the time to deal with editing together the footage. :) And I love my Versys-X 300 too!
Rob G It's time consuming for sure, but the end result is worth it. When I have the time, it's relaxing to go through the footage.
Would be cool if you could give us a few route suggestions for people heading that way.
Great ride, deserved a bit more tube time.
So these are actually the two bikes I am stuck between buying. If you had to have 1 which would it be? Is the G650gs more highway capable? Thanks!
Fun video by the way. Thanks
Which do you think did best in that trip, Versys or BMW?
You didn’t have GPS or maps?
Здравствуйте. Интересное видео! Скажите пожалуйста, какое впечатление оставляет мотоцикл? Хочу приобрести Versys-X 300 как первый мотоцикл. Были-ли какие-либо проблемы? Особенности?
Sorry, but my Russian is not good. I have another video talking about my thoughts on the bike after 1,000 miles ruclips.net/video/QJYn4g0o8vo/видео.html
Vadim, what tires are you running? How has the suspension broken in over time?
I have a Shinko 804 on the front and a Metzler Karoo 3 on the back. As to the suspension, I will be making a long-term review of the bike soon. Thank for watching!
Маладец!
What tires do you have on your versys? Stock? Or 50/50?
-Front Tire: Shinko 804
-Rear Tire: Metzler Karoo 3