ONE YEAR REVIEW | 2021 Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE LT+ | Sport Touring
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- Опубликовано: 7 ноя 2023
- It's now been a full year that I've had this bike. It certainly is awesome and I have no regrets! A lot of great things to like, but after a year I can be a little nitpicky too! Check it out to see what I think of this after a year!
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2021 @KawasakiUSA Versys 1000 SE LT+
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Yeah man.
I rode my 2022 Versys 1000 the other day. 540 mi day ride. Total comfort the entire time. (except for my rear end). The arse pain sets in around the 2 hour mark for me. I do have a Wild Ass seat cushion. A must have for long rides. This bike is soooo under rated. It is a fantastic road machine. The body positioning for a tall person like me is ideal and fits to a tee. I am 6 ft 4, 200 lbs.
Bang for the buck, this bike is it.
Love the bike. The fit, form and finish are Kawasaki all the way.
The handling for the size and weight is superb. Handles so well.
Doing the figure 8 drill between the parking spaces is totally doable.
Awesome Kawasaki machine as always.
Yeah, if I could change 1 thing, it'd be the seat, but not terrible if you take breaks to let your cheeks breath! ha! I'll have to check out the Wild Ass seat cushion. I tried a cheaper one I got from Amazon (MadDog brand?) but it was meh. Thanks for checking out the video and commenting. Ride safe!
Just bought a ‘leftover’, 2015 V1K with 320 miles lol. Put 650 miles on it in the past month and an awesome bike. Coming from ADV side the power is great, suspension adequate and handling excellent. Not the features of the new one but for under $7000, I’m very happy with it.
Dang that was a killer deal !
great review.. and also - well done on talkin to the camera vs while u r riding around. keep up the great work cheers.
Thanks! Always been more behind the scenes, but trying to just put myself out there a little more. Appreciate the feedback and support!
I've said it before, i'll say it again... that is a goooood looking bike.
Yeah... I like it!!
Great review! You covered lots of stuff, including how good it is for the passenger.
Thanks! It's a solid bike, but it has some stiff competition from Suzuki now! And in the next year or two I expect to see the Versys 1000 go thru it's next generational improvements, simple because it's about due for a refresh, and to push back out ahead of the new GSX-S1000GX. I would expect radar to come on the next gen, so you'd have adaptive cruise, blind spot monitoring, etc.
Thank you. Just sat on one today and was shocked how comfortable it fit me. Will add it to the list of future bikes to buy. Cheers
Awesome! Yeah, with bikes usually coming as a "one size fits all" it's tough to find the right one, but glad you found one that may work. Ride safe out there! Thanks!
Great video, I got a 2022 Versys 1000 LT on sale for an awsome price with 0 miles. I love the way it handles and smooth riding. I am keeping this bike for a long time. Will add acessories to enhance safety and appearance. Greast bike
Awesome! Thanks for stopping by and staying your experience. Ride safe!
I have that Bike!! A 2022 Model,, and I love it!! It has everything you need for a serious road, it handles great and has plenty of power and with the famous Japan Reliability. You won't regret buying this Motorcycle I promise.
It's a solid machine! Always good to see other positive reviews to justify my own! 😂. Thanks for checking out the video!
Great review. I have been thinking about this bike for 2 years. I just might have to pull the trigger
Awesome! You probably already know a lot if you're been considering it for a while, but let me know if you have any questions. Have you checked out the Tracer 9? And the new Suzuki GSX-S1000GX. Of course test ride those if you can, or at least sit on them. I don't think you could go wrong with any of them. Thanks for checking out the video!
Had a 650 and really enjoyed it over 38,500ks. Could not wait for the 1,000 enjoyed your report and thank you from South Africa
Thank you for taking the time to check out and leave a comment. Enjoy the ride!
Great long term review 🤙🏼
Thanks! Trying to be better on being in front of the camera. Gotta start somewhere!
@@ghostontwowheels well you're better than I am in front of the camera so there's that
After years of my 06 Nomad with an add-on's weight of almost 900 lbs, the 600 lbs Versys seems wonderful. Like some getting old but still like to ride. The tech is really catching up. I had vacillated between the Connie or the Versys. But you have sold me on the 2021. There are such a limit of color's. Wishing they would make old man bikes a little more attractive. I did love the lines on the 2014 Connie. Great Review!
Hey thanks! Yeah, sometimes I wish there were more color options, I'm not a fan of green (sorry Kawasaki), so when the 2021 had the red/gray/black scheme I was there for it!
A good concise review. It’ll be the engine that will make me buy one.🇬🇧🇬🇧
Awesome! If you get one I'd love to hear what you think about it. Thanks for checking it out!
I'm slowly leaning into touring bike as my life is also moving into that "phase". Thanks for making me feel more convinced. I'm definitely getting versys 1000 in few years and finally take my wife for better rides.
I think your back may appreciate it! lol It looks like you're coming from a sport bike, so if you want something that is a little more sporty as I mentioned in the video the Tracer 9 GT or BMW S100XR may scratch the "sport" itch a little better than the Versys, or maybe even the Ninja 1000SX, but the Versys isn't too shabby when you switch to Sport mode and crank on it. But yes, the Mrs. loves the accommodations on that. I figure I can roll with this bike for next several years before I have to breakdown to Goldwing status! lol Thanks for stopping by and checking out the video! Ride safe!
I fitted sw-motech allow belly pan, pro tank ring and tank bag, sat navigation braver that sits above the dash board.
I’d like to see this exact bike with ergos closer to a Goldwing but it’s still near the top of my list for an upgrade from what I currently ride and I hope to test one out in spring. Great review!
The Goldwing is one I would love to give a test ride too as well, but at 800 pounds... whew! I'm sure it'd be a blast to ride cross country though. But I do like the ergos here since it's upright with your feet underneath you, I feel very much in control. Thanks for the comment! Let me know if you get a chance to ride one! Love to hear your thoughts as well! Ride safe!
The late model Wing feels super light for its size when you sit on it and lift it off the side stand and is available with reverse but I still would rather have something a bit lighter. The V1000 has pretty much all the tech I want minus shaft drive, the only thing is that I can’t have any weight on my hands or they along with my wrists start to ache after a while. I wonder if a bar riser to bring the grips closer to me and lowering links to lower the rear to change the slant of the bike would fix that. The clutch pull is pretty light and the quick shifter helps even more on that front.
Great review and nailed it on all the points. I picked up my '23 SE LT+ in May and over the 8200kms since, I have been incredibly impressed with the Versys. As previously stated, its a very under rated machine (especially in North America). My addition to the nitpicks you pointed out are non-illuminated controls (and yes I know lots of other brands don't have them either) which would be great to have and lack of true all LED's. In North America we get regular bulbs for the turn signals but LED everything else. Over seas, its all LED. Keep up the great reviews!
Thanks!
The Air Flow seat cover really helps on those long rides.
Ok, I'll have to check that out. Thanks!
Okay i'm not accounting features/electronics but what came to my suprise is weight of the bike. I've been eyeing out a 2014 Tiger sport 1050. It is ~120hp and ~106nm which is in quite same as versys. The biggest thing is that versys is 257kg vs. Tiger sport is around 232kg. Also then from new offering i checked out the multi V2 which is just a bit low on power compared to Kawa and Triumph but weights in at 222kg. Also If buying new, multi v2 is 500european moneys More expensive than versys.
I think one of the big contributors to the weight difference is the engine. The Versys has an inline 4 while the Tiger has a triple. The extra cylinder and hardware associated is one big thing, but the Versys is physically bigger too, probably with a little more thought in passenger accommodations, so more weight in the frame as well. But if course at speed the weight difference starts to go away for most riders. When I was looking in to getting this bike I was concerned about the weight. Maybe an issue for some people, but not for me. Thanks for checking out the video!
Ghost,
What's your thoughts on a Versys 850/900 if Kawasaki made one? I think it would be a hit. All the features of the 1000 but thousands less in cost. They could use the Z900 engine, that would be awesome! Also less weight than the 1000. Would be a perfect middle weight class upgrade from the 650 but not as big or as expensive as the 1000 SE LT+.
That's an interesting thought. The 650 is already a big bike, physical size that is, so I'm not sure you'd lose a lot of weight/size from the 1000 even just slapping the 900 in there. Might be hard to find that middle ground.
However, one thought I did think about, since Kawasaki is blazing the trail in the hybrid area: Since the Versys is a bigger bike, it could probably accommodate the electric motor better than the Ninja. Couple that with their existing 650 engine, and then you'd have the output of about a 900cc. It would probably be the first Sport Touring Hybrid, call it the "Versys 9 Hybrid". I'm interested in how the hybrid thing goes.
Add some highway pegs for long distance comfort.. make a world of difference to be able to stretch your legs out.
I bought a brand new old stock 2020 back in 22.. I had to have the kawasaki green!😅
Seriously considering the highway pegs! Got a long ride coming up soon!
@ghostontwowheels I've owned many goldwings, and once ya have a nice setup being able to stretch out and move around the miles go by much easier. You can go from fuel stop to fuel stop. No more counting miles down to stretch your legs. And they ease the ass discomfort from being able to change pressure points.
So called Premium brands are the ones that are not as reliable usually. You want a bike that runs forever you are better off with a Japanese bike. I've owned 2 Indians 3 Harleys and 1 Triumph and they have all broken down or gone through mutiple failed keyfobs. I only ever broken down on one CX500 Honda back in the 80s and that was just a fuel block which was cleared easily. To me Japanese bikes are Premium and all the rest are overpriced. Brilliant review. I think I'm adding one of these to the stable and your no consise review has helped thank you.
Yeah, I generally agree with you. I think there's also a perception of "powerful" is premium, e.g. Ducati. But high performance does wear out more, so therefore not reliable. But I would also say that I think the overall quality of all brands, including non-Japanese, is on the rise. However, I still consider the Japanese big four at the top. Maybe still perception. Anyway thank you for checking out the video! Ride safe out there!
I've owned a 2016 Versys 1000lt and currently own a 2020 Versys 1000lt+. Put over 60,000 trouble free miles on the 16, purchased new in 17 for $10,500 out the door. Wanted the upgrades on the post 2019 model. You touched on it, but reliability is any Japanese machine's best selling point. Don't get me wrong, European Sport Touring MC.s, as you mentioned are awesome, but the servicing, reliability & high purchase cost are just not something I'm willing to live with. Would it be nice if the Versys had another 20 hp? Yes, but any MC with over 100 hp is certainly enough for any road riding ventures. A couple small but nice features you didn't mention: It has a helmet lock and self healing paint. An unintended plus is how rare they are. In 7 years of ownership, I've seen maybe 15 on the road and 3 of them were in Italy. I live in SoCal and frequent the Rock Store, where you will find motorcycles of all makes & sizes. I have seen 2 in the past 7 years.
One thing I would recommend if you're over 6 ft. is the addition of the Puig windshield. Makes a huge difference in coverage & comfort. I will also plan on adding a Corbin seat in the near future. I have a Givi 56 liter tail trunk that gives 2 up luggage capability.
As you mentioned, the Versys is a highly underrated sport touring MC. I fully expect another 60,000 plus miles of reliable & enjoyable riding!
👆👏💪
Awesome stuff! I think I've only seen one other Versys 1000 out on the road. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on it. I added a top case as well, but I opted for a smaller one that doesn't look so terrible when there's not a passenger lol. I've been looking at that Corbin... Ride safe!
I bought the large Givi so I can spilt lanes without having to worry about the panniers. And like the movie "Gum Ball Rally" when hired pro driver, Raul Julia says at the start of the race after ripping off the rear view mirror and tossing it aside, "What's behind me is not important!" 😁@@ghostontwowheels
What’s the maintenance intervals and oil change intervals on the v1000?
I think it's every 7.5k miles. I just hit that for the oil, oil filter, air filter, and I also did spark plugs. At 15k (+7.5k) is the valve adjustment. I may change the oil between there at around 11k just cuz I'm a little picky and I'm a little more maintenance minded, and not a "bare minimum" guy. But realistically it's oil and filters every 7.5k, and valves and spark plugs every 15k.
@@ghostontwowheels that’s pretty awesome intervals. Thanks.
Doesn't have linked Breaking.. No problem
Hard to believe its been a year
Right? Maybe I should ride over to get BBQ. Are you in Atlanta again?!?! lol
@@ghostontwowheels lol no FabTec is in Chicago this year. Ill be back down eventually to see my friends!
Watched few review video on this bike, alot complain this bike is boring lack of power blablabla... after my l4l5 operation couple months back, i planning switch into this, my current mt09 and street fighter no longer suit me anymore. Sometimes power isn't everything
Exactly. The Tracer 9 and MT09 almost put out the same HP, with nearly 150 less CC's (117 HP / 890cc vs 120 HP / 1043cc). I want "enough" power, not just "more". For me it's more about the inline-4 smooth power delivery, than where it peaks. That, plus good ergos, an awesome electronics package, wind protection, luggage, passenger accommodations... it's the whole package! Yeah, I agree with you! Thanks for checking out the video! Ride safe!
How the heck do you get a bike that heavy on a center stand so easily??? 😵💫😮😵💫😮
I'm just that good. Lol nah, it's probably just practice, knowing that when you do you just go for it, the bike isn't going to fall or anything.
Center stand is excellent on the Versys 1000, tremendously easier than my BMW GSA.
Great engineering!
Just as well pick up a used Goldwing if your looking for something like this.
I mean if that's the one you want, go for it! For me Goldwing would be a bit too much for a daily use, but would be awesome for the road trips!
I would go with the vstom 1000.
A good bit lighter. More off road capability.
Better fuel economy.
Has Better torque at lower engine speed.
And cost a good bit less.
@@matthewvanderbeek2847 cool!
It's like he's been doing reviews for years.
Ha! rrrrriiight....
"Huuuuggee benefit" "that's what she said"
Bigly benefit?!
solid breakdown. it does have some great features, but this one isnt for me.
Thanks! Yeah, I get ya, but fortunately there are all sorts of options out there!
@@ghostontwowheels there is a holdover 22 tracer9 gt near me for 10,995 right now that I'm dying to hop on. the few upgrades the new one has isnt worth it for me. I should be all over that.
Kawasaki has the worst stock seats in the business 😅 On my gen 4 10r though, I can ride that bike all over the place with no issues. On my 14r when I had it, that was the worst ride ever. I sold that bike after riding it to North Carolina and back to Alabama. But then regretted doing that cause I could’ve ordered a corbin seat😅
Coming in second place , my 23 ZH2.
I’d feel a bit more comfortable riding it longer distances but that seat just isn’t good as my stock gen 4. New seat coming soon. As for the power on that versys, easy fix😉
yeah, I'm starting to put away a few bucks here and there for a new seat! :-)
Oh these folks thought the Goonie was gone. Eat that Son! First!!!!! Shady's Back
no shaft drive so for me not realy touring my fjr 2002 is superb has not the electronic shit but there is nothing that breaks
Fortunately there's nothing broken on mine either! And the final drive doesn't determine the touring capabilities, but I would be interested in a shaft drive and how that rides over time. certainly lower maintenance, but chain drives are more efficient and have less power loss from engine to rear wheel. Thanks for stopping by!
@@ghostontwowheels all the gs or rt are shaft drive its realy low maintance and the power is nothing big specialy when its something like a fjr or gtr kawa
nice nose hair thoo
LOL, yup, I guess he decided to show up that day, but has since been cut from the team. I'm glad you could find joy in that. I tell ya, there's something for everyone on the internet! glad you could enjoy a rogue nasal follicle and take the time out of what I can only imagine a very busy schedule to point that out! Many thanks!
What about the engine heat that will cook your legs and balls?
It's hot at times, sure, but I'm not cooked... Are you? Helps out during my winter rides though! Or I am just tougher. LoL. But yeah it can be hot, but that's a 4 cylinder for you!
First
My man!
I like your channel but not the commercial
Ok. Fair enough.
1 year of having her, and you still haven't given her a name...
I did reference it as "Big V" one time...
@@ghostontwowheels It still has the Sith vibes. Darth Debra rolls off the tongue pretty well
@@DonkeyDongDougDarth the Curious....
@@ghostontwowheels i wish that we had that on video. I have never seen anyone hit the ground from laughing that fast before 🤣😂
You mention the bike underpowered.....you been listening to too many bmw whatever. This motorcycle is not underpowered . Just get that out of your head
It's not underpowered in general, no. But compared to other bikes with a similar engine size in the category the ratio of HP/cc it's on the lower side. That's what I meant. Apologies if that wasn't clear to you. For example Yamaha's CP3 890cc triple (Tracer 9, MT09) is putting out almost the same HP (117) as this 1043cc i4 (120). The Ninja 1000 has 20 HP more. So it's not underpowered in the sense it's not enough, just compared to some of those others if you're really looking for that Sporty side. Thanks for checking out it the video!