I own a 2009 Versys 650. If you're having trouble shifting, then the clutch lever cable just needs to be adjusted (a little bit) and if your left ankle is getting too warm, then you just need riding boots. 🤷🏼♂️
I just bought a 2009 Versys 650, last year. It only had 5,050 miles on it, lots of extras (and brand new tires). It's not too slow (at all), and not too damned fast either. (Reliable) I love it ! 💚👍
I wouldn't want a motorcycle that was bigger, or heavier than the Versys 650. I don't need a motorcycle that's faster. The Kawasaki Versys and the Suzuki V-Strom have long lasting 650 engines.
"I kind of like it", Yeah I like it, that's why I bought it. It's fun, and comfortable! It has lots of features for this price range! It's a big motorcycle, a lot bigger than the Ninja 650.
Best yet, you can occasionally find a prior year, zero miles bike for about $6,500 at end of season. That's what I did. Got a zero miles 2018 650LT ABS in Jan 2020 for only $6,199. Less than the cost of a x300.
@@fresnohighlander he's smoking something! That bike is almost 6 model years old. Might be as-new, but still... My local dealer has a 21 still in the crate for only $8200. It'll be $7200 in September when the season ends in just 2 more months. Kbb retail for that 2017 is only $7400-7500 across the country.
My Versys 650 powerwheelies in 1st gear (easy) and can will powerwheelie in 2nd (a couple of times accidentally while accelerating) 3rd gear wheelies if you wanna pull the clutch in, bring the RPM up, and pop the clutch. (Your's can do it too) ! 💪😎👍
The guy at the end, if I remember correctly, rode a Triumph Tiger as his motorcycle; therefore, comparing the Versys to his Tiger, he may have felt cramped.
Very nice rewiew! However i would like to ask you a question. Recently i bought the exact same Kawasaki, it is still in break-in period, it only has 200miles, but when you drove that one did you felt any vibrations when idling or when riding between 3000 and 4000rpm on 3th or higher gear? Because mine has a lot of them. Mirrors are shaking and barely can see anything... Is that normal for paralel twin engine like this one or not?
Not that I remember. I think the one I rode had more miles on it than the break-in period. I suggest looking on some forums and doing research on it, or calling your local Kawasaki dealership to ask them about it. Hope you get that figured out and it ends up not being a big deal.
@@JAWexposures I did i contacted my dealer, but they said that it is normal for this engine, but i don't trust them a lot, because they didn't seem very interested in finding the problem(if there is such)... Thank you anyway for your answer!
@@kudrickis1994 Your dealer is correct. 3,000 to 4,000 is lugging the engine. That's why you get the vibes. I tested mine tonight and confirmed both the lugging and the vibes. The 650 twin does best when it stays above 4,000 due to the 180 degree crankshaft. It's a high revving motor and not designed to spin so low. It's silky smooth above 4,000 and happiest above 5,000. My mirrors are rock steady to redline as long as the motor is happy in the revs. It shakes, chugs, and pre-detonates below 4,000. I confess it takes some getting used to at higher revs. My Harley is running 2500 at 65 and happy as a clam. My wife's x300 runs nearly 9,000 at 75 mph. That used to make my hair stand on end. I thought the clutch was slipping at first. It's hits rev limit at nearly 14,000 so it isn't a problem, but jeez....
@@mfuchs2004 Thank you for your answer, but i think mine has a problem either with the timing chain, not correct timing or bend valve. I will tell you why i think so. When i put a piece of paper on the exhaust when its idling, it sucks the paper inwards, it shouldn't be like that. It should only blow the paper away not to suck it. Can you check on yours please? Also when its idling i hear ticking noise from the engine, the sound is exact same like if the motor is oil starving (like it has no engine oil) and the valves are ticking... Does your bike makes the same noise?
@@kudrickis1994 bikes other than Harleys do tick on the top end because they have mechanical valve trains. The ticking can be quite distinct when you're new to it. Harleys don't tick because they have hydraulic lifters and pushrods like cars. The exhaust vacuum us troubling. It can't be valve timing or the bike wouldn't run at all with it's closed cylinder head. It's possible that both the tick and vacuum are an exhaust leak at the manifold. Such leaks often sound like a ticking noise. The exhaust system is VERY large, and the engine fires at 0 and 540 degrees of crank. A leak at the manifold might allow the vacuum, but who knows. I don't suspect a valve leak because you'd smell unburned fuel on the compression stroke, and the O2 sensors would toss a check engine light.
You can get a lowered seat, but it's hard as a rock. There are lowering kits from places like motowerk for small money that can installed in under 30 minutes. You lose an inch or so of clearance, but it already has quite a bit.
Can the seat be raised? For taller people? I'm am not so interested in Twisties, and would've preferred a larger rake + wheelbase and 19in wheels. I am more interested in comfort, maintainability, solid engineering for long term reliability, and on/off road touring, and fuel economy. And I kind of wish it had 2 400cc cylinders.
I own a 2009 Versys 650. If you're having trouble shifting, then the clutch lever cable just needs to be adjusted (a little bit) and if your left ankle is getting too warm, then you just need riding boots. 🤷🏼♂️
I bought a 2021 Versys,and it's the most comfortable bike i ever had.Very pleased because i'm not young anymore.
Sold my 2015 650. Didn’t ride enough at the time. Solid. Comfortable. Loved it.
Wish they’d make a 850.
I just bought a 2009 Versys 650, last year. It only had 5,050 miles on it, lots of extras (and brand new tires). It's not too slow (at all), and not too damned fast either. (Reliable) I love it ! 💚👍
I wouldn't want a motorcycle that was bigger, or heavier than the Versys 650.
I don't need a motorcycle that's faster.
The Kawasaki Versys and the Suzuki V-Strom have long lasting 650 engines.
@@intergalacticbasketballdro7186 the 09 are used a lot over seas as off-road adv bikes. The newer design 2015+ is so attractive and solid.
@@intergalacticbasketballdro7186 part of the reason I don’t want a liter bike or bigger. Heavy, More issues and cost to much.
great review, short and sweet
"I kind of like it", Yeah I like it, that's why I bought it. It's fun, and comfortable! It has lots of features for this price range! It's a big motorcycle, a lot bigger than the Ninja 650.
I have the 2020 version and i love it.
Best yet, you can occasionally find a prior year, zero miles bike for about $6,500 at end of season. That's what I did. Got a zero miles 2018 650LT ABS in Jan 2020 for only $6,199. Less than the cost of a x300.
@@mfuchs2004 There's a guy selling a 2017, he bought new in 2021, for $8,000
@@fresnohighlander he's smoking something! That bike is almost 6 model years old. Might be as-new, but still...
My local dealer has a 21 still in the crate for only $8200. It'll be $7200 in September when the season ends in just 2 more months. Kbb retail for that 2017 is only $7400-7500 across the country.
@@mfuchs2004 Used motorcycles are selling for high prices (at my local dealer, for sure) But yes, he wants brand new price for a 6 yo 650
My Versys 650 powerwheelies in 1st gear (easy) and can will powerwheelie in 2nd (a couple of times accidentally while accelerating) 3rd gear wheelies if you wanna pull the clutch in, bring the RPM up, and pop the clutch.
(Your's can do it too) ! 💪😎👍
The guy in the end said that he felt cramped on versys 650? i wonder if i'll be fine at 6ft
The guy at the end, if I remember correctly, rode a Triumph Tiger as his motorcycle; therefore, comparing the Versys to his Tiger, he may have felt cramped.
Very nice rewiew! However i would like to ask you a question. Recently i bought the exact same Kawasaki, it is still in break-in period, it only has 200miles, but when you drove that one did you felt any vibrations when idling or when riding between 3000 and 4000rpm on 3th or higher gear? Because mine has a lot of them. Mirrors are shaking and barely can see anything... Is that normal for paralel twin engine like this one or not?
Not that I remember. I think the one I rode had more miles on it than the break-in period.
I suggest looking on some forums and doing research on it, or calling your local Kawasaki dealership to ask them about it.
Hope you get that figured out and it ends up not being a big deal.
@@JAWexposures I did i contacted my dealer, but they said that it is normal for this engine, but i don't trust them a lot, because they didn't seem very interested in finding the problem(if there is such)... Thank you anyway for your answer!
@@kudrickis1994 Your dealer is correct. 3,000 to 4,000 is lugging the engine. That's why you get the vibes. I tested mine tonight and confirmed both the lugging and the vibes.
The 650 twin does best when it stays above 4,000 due to the 180 degree crankshaft. It's a high revving motor and not designed to spin so low. It's silky smooth above 4,000 and happiest above 5,000. My mirrors are rock steady to redline as long as the motor is happy in the revs. It shakes, chugs, and pre-detonates below 4,000.
I confess it takes some getting used to at higher revs. My Harley is running 2500 at 65 and happy as a clam. My wife's x300 runs nearly 9,000 at 75 mph. That used to make my hair stand on end. I thought the clutch was slipping at first. It's hits rev limit at nearly 14,000 so it isn't a problem, but jeez....
@@mfuchs2004 Thank you for your answer, but i think mine has a problem either with the timing chain, not correct timing or bend valve. I will tell you why i think so. When i put a piece of paper on the exhaust when its idling, it sucks the paper inwards, it shouldn't be like that. It should only blow the paper away not to suck it. Can you check on yours please? Also when its idling i hear ticking noise from the engine, the sound is exact same like if the motor is oil starving (like it has no engine oil) and the valves are ticking... Does your bike makes the same noise?
@@kudrickis1994 bikes other than Harleys do tick on the top end because they have mechanical valve trains. The ticking can be quite distinct when you're new to it. Harleys don't tick because they have hydraulic lifters and pushrods like cars.
The exhaust vacuum us troubling. It can't be valve timing or the bike wouldn't run at all with it's closed cylinder head. It's possible that both the tick and vacuum are an exhaust leak at the manifold. Such leaks often sound like a ticking noise. The exhaust system is VERY large, and the engine fires at 0 and 540 degrees of crank. A leak at the manifold might allow the vacuum, but who knows. I don't suspect a valve leak because you'd smell unburned fuel on the compression stroke, and the O2 sensors would toss a check engine light.
Can the seat hight be lowered I'm 5'6"
I'm not sure.
You can get a lowered seat, but it's hard as a rock. There are lowering kits from places like motowerk for small money that can installed in under 30 minutes. You lose an inch or so of clearance, but it already has quite a bit.
I had my dealer install a 2" lowering kit.. that cost me $150
That was just for the lowering link, they didn't charge me for the install.. on the new purchase.
Can the seat be raised? For taller people? I'm am not so interested in Twisties, and would've preferred a larger rake + wheelbase and 19in wheels. I am more interested in comfort, maintainability, solid engineering for long term reliability, and on/off road touring, and fuel economy. And I kind of wish it had 2 400cc cylinders.
I have it I love it but if kawasaki would ever make a800 or 900 cc,They wil be most selling bike ever..I belive it...
I believe it too!
They have the versys 1000.
I think fuel economy is an issue. Else, get the 1000cc. It doesn't seem smart to have both 850cc + 1000cc.
The Versys 1000LT is already in the lineup. It competes well with even the BMW K series for $8-10k less.