Versys 650 Long Term Review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 ก.ค. 2017
- • Lake Superior Circle Tour
Versys 650 Long Term Review
This is a 2013 Versys 650. “Versys” means “Versatile System”. Its a 650 Ninja with an upright riding position… with a strange name. Mixed equal parts sport, commuter and adventure bike, its a three piece swiss army knife.
I’m Joe Beau and I just finished up a Lake Superior Circle Tour, traveling over 2,000 miles in eight days. I’ll tell you what I liked, what I didn't and what I’ve done to improve the riding experience. Here is my long term review of the Versys 650.
Ergonomics
This seat fit me well. I stood up on the pegs for short stretches after 100 miles or so to round out my butt. Though there wasn’t a gas stop or end of day when I felt the seat had shortened my ability to ride. This seat is plenty big enough to move around on. Sometimes I ride to the back of the driver seat cushion though most times I prefer to ride snuggled up to the tank.
Occasionally I would use my pillion positioned dry bag as a backrest. It’s a pretty sweet set up.
Rider comfort add ons
The Zero Gravity wind screen and Givi deflector create a pocket of calm air. The stock screen was far to short for me. Even for commuting much less touring. These BarkBusters save my hands from freezing and from getting super soaked. They definitely kept the branches from slapping my knuckles too. I would not ride without these!
Riding Position
I’m 5’10” with a 32” inseam. The handle bars are in their stock position. The seat to pegs distance fits me well too.
Engine, performance & wrap up
Before heading out on this trip I had some concerns that the Versys 650 might be a little light for the trip. It was the smallest bike I saw on the entire Circle Tour.
The Versys is not perfect. Its buzzy at highway speed and a maintenance free drivetrain and cruise control would be sweet, but.… I really like that this bike is so light and easy to handle.
It kind just reminds me of the 125 Enduro I grew up riding. This bike suits me well. Mostly on road commuting, some off road and even a long milage tour, the Versys gets its done.
Click on the link in the description box to see the full video of the Lake Superior Circle tour. Special thanks Alex Beau for the camera work. I’m Joe Beau. Thanks for watching.
I LOVE HOW YOU PACKED THE BIKE AND MADE A BACK REST AT THE SAME TIME
Jonny Gross I really didn’t want to add saddlebags to the bike. Using a dry bag on the pillion seat allowed me to carry all I needed and provided middle back support. Worked very well! Thanks for watching!
I have the same bike. I ride it every day for at least 100kms and she never failed to please me. When I go off road with guys on bigger bikes they always get surprised how much capable bike she is. I love it so much!
Thinking of getting 1 for next season.
Thank for the comment and information
Safe riding man ✌
@@mordicus420I don't take my Versys 650 off-road very much. It's such a great handling street machine that I don't want to put off-road tires on it.
Dunlop Q3 + tires are really great handling tires. They're better and a lot more durable than the Dunlop SportMax - 2 .
Great Stuff...................... cut down on the music though.
I learned more about editing as I went. Thanks for the comment.
Nice! This was awesome! For someone not super into motorcycles, it really kept my attention!!
Cassidy Beau Thank you 😊
Thanks bro. This video is really awesome. I just subscribed it with a lot of intention to make me happy as a versys owner for quite some time😊. Cheers
Thanks Ed! Cheers
Great vid, thanks. I have just about finalized my decision on a 2018 Versys 650 and this just about clinches it!! Would you do another video on your riding gear, particularly your riding boots? Thanks.
Nice quick review.
Nice video. What is the name & model number for windscreen? Do you like it? Thank you!
Same as my versys...love it
Good Bike , gives me loyal support - all inside what it needs for journey , driving curves in high speed and so much more - very handy and enough power , greetings from germany
True, True, True, True, and True.
Thanks a lot, especially for your windscreen and handguards.
kgsz Thanks for watching! Makes the cold and wet rides a whole lot more comfortable.
Bark Buster Hand Guards don't compare to SHAD Handlebar Muffs. Hands stay warm and dry. No wind chill, (at all).
Volume
Voice 5/10
Song 9999/10
Acabei de comprar uma aqui no Brasil estou muito feliz , ❤️
Liked your riding suit. What kind was it?
Joe, I really enjoyed your video and subscribed. I have a 2014 that I picked up new last summer. After spending the past 15 years on a Kawasaki ZRX1200, it's been hard to get use to a 650 twin,especially on the highway. I love the upright seating position and the fact that it is a great " I can do anything" motorcycle. I was wondering if you had any fitment issues the the Barkbusters and the larger Zero G windshield. I installed a Givi screen and I'm still having some issues with buffeting. Keep up the good work and stay safe, Rich
elitetileandstone My last bike was a 1200 Sportster! The Versys was an adjustment here as well! The Barkbusters and Zero G fit easily out of the box. I added the Givi visor to the top of the Zero G to get rid of some buffering too. Thanks for watching!
Joe, thanks for your reply. I think I'm going to install a set of Barkbusters and some Oxford heated grips.. It seems the older I get, the less tolerant I am to hot and cold weather. On a quick side note, on Sunday I took my 18 year old son with me for a ride through the Pennsylvania country side. The 650 did a decent job keeping up with my friends on their 2 brand new 1000cc Africa Twins. Rich
elitetileandstone Let me know what you think of the heated grips! The cold is no longer my friend either. lol
How is it on quite good gravel roads?
Kawasaki Versys 650 ;
The Best Motorcycle in the World !
Functional, Reliable, Comfortable, Versatile, Sporty, Affordable and Fun !
Great summary video Joe. I plan to purchase a 17 or 18 Versys 650 and do the Circle Tour next summer. Did you camp each night? Any encounters with bear? No tent / sleeping bag? How many miles did you ride each day and what was your typical daily schedule? Any concerns about solo? Thanks much.
Paul
Paul Jensen th-cam.com/video/LR7g0xx2TG4/w-d-xo.html
Paul Jensen Awesome! I️ camped and stayed indoors about equal nights. It was a lil to cold and wet in early June. Was prepared for bears and saw one in Grand Marias Michigan! I️ did one unscheduled longish day because it felt right. Most days I️ took my time to enjoy equal parts on and off the bike. You won’t be disappointed!
I put a 16T Front Sprocket on my Versy 650 and it took out the highway buzz at 70mph.
weljo2001 Really!?!? Damn I’ll give that a shot! Thanks for sharing.
Now if you just have vibes through your handle bars. Try these......motowerk.com/collections/kawasaki-versys-650/products/antivibration-handlebar-riser-versys-650 .Had them on my 09 as well and it took out almost all the vibes. When i mounted hand guards no more vibes at all. MotoWerk makes great products for the Versys. Had most of his stuff on my 09 V-650 and now on my 16 V-1000
Did you find the front of the seat / tank to be an issue of male discomfort? I've yet to be able to ride mine and hear a fair number of complaints about a forward slope pressure. Thanks for your thoughts.
Paul Jensen Not a problem.
How tall are you ??
I want to imagine the ergonomics on my own
muy bonita excelente moto.
I use versys 2011, after reach 30k oddometer, both front shock absorber got oil leak. Seal damage and oil leak.
Sorry to hear that. I really enjoyed my time on the Versys. Not I get to travel in a little more comfort 😆.
what zero gravity screen is that?
www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/zero-gravity-sport-touring-windscreen-kawasaki-versys-650-2010-2014
how does it do? u like it? im between this one and the givi d410st. sorry for the questions just don't wanna waste money on something that wont be way better than the stock small windscreen. thanks for the link
nice review! but versys doesnt stand for versatile system
Oso 11 en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawasaki_Versys_650
🤷🏼♂️Why Not ? Kawasaki says that it does ! 🕵🏻♂️
VER - satile
SYS - tem
VERSYS ! 🤦🏼♂️
Is that a common way to get on a bike? I've never seen or done that? It ain't a horse
Not common but necessary with the dry bag mounted on the pillion seat.
@@ALifeMoreLight After commenting I gave it a shot. I could see why having bags could make that the go to way to mount up.
why? do some of these guys think anybody wants see their face When looking for a bike or traveling somewhere.Like to see bike set up/or the views roads equiptment taken ect.??
Do motorcycles last longer when a Vegan is riding it ?
No. But the rider does.
1. look at his feet while riding (not while standing still)
2. don't do that.