man, this review is like no others: so humble, so thorough and so to the point that 99% of other review videos done by... "professionals" shall call you for some lessons HOW TO DO IT PROPERLY ;-)
Thank you for this great review. Just a couple of points from an owner of 3rd generation with 20k km on the clock. I bought Versys 1000 after riding GoldWing, GS1250 (didn’t like vibrations), Multistrada V4 (didn’t like high revs, low mileage and heat). So for me Versys is almost unicorn if talking about travel. To make it comfy as GoldWing I also installed Puig touring windscreen and attached deflectors. However mine are twice bigger than yours, so no wind at all. As for suspension- it’s good enough to drive bad roads with potholes, gravel and forest roads. The major limiting factor here is ground clearance. I smashed my oil filter climbing through rocks because of this. The only two complaints are 1) cruise control works only up to 150 km/h, 2) fuel consumption is high at high speeds, around 7.5 liters per 100 km.
Hi. thanks. You are the second person to mention high fuel consumption and it totally surprises me, my V1 has never exceeded 5.9l/100km regardless of the speeds I rode at. In August I was in Slovakia with friends who ride very fast and we reached speeds above 170km/h and the consumption did not exceed 6 liters, so I do not really understand where such high consumption comes from.
Great job with your channel. I have just bought a Versys 1000 S with all the packs and it is by far the smoothest bike I have ever owned. Traded from a Honda NT with its characteristic vibrations, I am on a magic carpet right now. I have only one issue and it seems to be very well known by kawasaki´s dealers: it stops when cold.. It stalls when clutching because the engine is cold. It has something to do with the injection bodies that must be calibrated or something like that. I found a noble, agile and confort bike to ride in all conditions. Thanks for sharing your opinions as well as your knowledgement. Regards from Spain
Hi, thanks. I'll be honest, you've totally surprised me because I've never heard of this problem, I've never had a problem with a motorcycle stalling and I've ridden in really different temperatures. So I won't say what needs to be done to stop it because I'm simply not familiar with the problem. I had a similar problem in my previous 2nd generation Versys, but all I had to do was set the engine speed a little higher at idle and the problem disappeared. Take care..
Salut, Pour le problème de calage a froid ce sont les papillons qui s'encrassent si tu roule en sans plomb 95 surtout le E10. J'avais le même problème. J'ai fais nettoyer la rampe d'injection et les papillons. Depuis je roule en sans plomb 98 et je n'ai plus de problème. Ce problème est connu de Kawasaki sur les modèles 2019 a 2021. C'est pris sous garantie si jamais. ✌️✌️✌️
Hi Andy. Thank you for your video; you almost made me want to change my old 2015 Versys for the new one. But like you, I love this bike; it suits me perfectly. Since I'm only 1.88m tall, it's just the right size for me. I've noticed all the qualities and flaws you mentioned. I never really paid attention to the fact that the cable throttle made it brutal... but that's probably because I ride chill. But now I'm unhappy... you've really made me want to change my old horse. Thank you for your videos, and safe travels.
Thanks and your very welcome. The best way to change your mind is to go to your dealer for a test ride, there is only twoo ways, you like it or not. Good luck and take care
Nice review. I did 35,000kms on a 2022 Versys S, but traded it this year for a 1250 GSA. I did this because I wanted to ride fire trails and my Versys did not like going off the bitumen at all. I miss the comfort and smoothness of the Versys engine as it is better than the 1250 in these aspects. Love the low down torque of the boxer however - a very different motor which is certainly rougher than the inline four. 🏍️
Nicely done, especially comparing 2nd and 3rd generation from an owner’s perspective. I’ve got a 2015. I was considering selling it, until I did a 9000-mile (~14500 km) tour of the continental USA last September. For solo riding, I haven’t seen a need to upgrade to the Skyhook version; once you’ve dialed in the suspension settings, it’s good to go. Kawasaki fours are soooooooooo good!
Hi, thanks. I didn't change my versys 2gen just because of Skyhook, versys 3gen has some other improvements. What I like about Kawasaki's policy, they don't change something that is good but only improve it, so each new generation is better and better. Take care. Btw that`s nice trip your made, 9000miles ...wow.. congrats on that.
Thanks Andy, My Gen 2 is ten years old soon and still haven't found a bike worth the cost to change... maybe a facelifted 1100 will be here in 2026?. Really enjoyed your Pan Am comparison review. More of thiose in 2025 please!
Great review, thanks ! Confused about the Skyhook thing - I have a 2021 SE, love the electronic suspension since I regularly change between riding solo, or with luggage on a trip, or with pillion. So, what is the difference with Skyhook ? How do you like the cruise control, and the hand heaters ? Perhaps a tip for windshield, MDI in Ravenstein let you ride with all their screens so you can try out and select the best style. Please keep doing these reviews, they are great !
Hi thanks for a good word, and of course I will try to make more videos like this in the future. I understand that skyhook suspension can be a bit confusing, and you actually gave me the idea for a video, thanks. For now I'll try to explain quickly and then provide you with a link to a detailed explanation. "Skyhook theory is that the ideal suspension would let the vehicle maintain a stable posture, unaffected by weight transfer or road surface irregularities, as if suspended from an imaginary hook in the sky continuing at a constant altitude above sea level, therefore remaining stable." Here is wikipedia link: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Active_suspension. In the video I mentioned that I don't use electronics much, but that's not entirely true because like you I use suspension settings when I ride with luggage, I don't use "rider" mode because I don't have enough knowledge about suspension settings. I think the cruise control works ok, it's not perfect but it's better to have it than nothing. I don't ride much in cold weather so I rarely use the heated grips but so far I'm happy with them. Thanks for the tip on the windshields. Cheers
Thanks Andy, great review...very honest about the negatives too. Just to add to the discussion, i have the 2020 my. Things i love are...big display screen, the electronic suspension, the smooth engine and forgiving in any gear like you said , the light clutch and easy raise onto the stand. Also, plenty of servicing information available including the great videos you shared on that. My only dislike really is just how difficult the balance point of the bike makes it to raise the front end for maintenance. I had a couple of scary moments recently...if you jack it under the sump, the bike lifts straight up rather than rocking back and is really unstable. Jacking from the exhaust is better but still a bit scary. Its obviously from the weight centre of the bike being towards the front, but i guess the payback is the easy stand use....still...i had brown trousers a couple of times in my recent maintenance work 😂. Great work Andy, you're a great point of reference and ambassador for the Versys 👍
I had the same problem with mine and mine did actually fall over. I was jacking it under the sump and didn’t think anything was wrong until it keeled over. The Versys is a heavy bike. Getting up again is quite hard once it falls over. There are many great things about the Versys, the weight is not one of them. In many ways it’s almost over built and some of the parts, like the muffler, are a lot heavier than it needs to be.
Hi Paul, thanks for the comment, glad you like the video. The problem of lifting the Versys with a jack is familiar to me, I almost shat my pants because of it (if I remember correctly, it was recorded on my "bloopers" video) and this is indeed a problem, although I noticed after installing the skid plate, it is possible to move the jack closer to the front of the motorcycle, which makes it easier to tilt it backwards, which of course does not change the fact that it must be done carefully. The problem with this solution is that it is quite a heavy element, quite expensive and, for example, to change the oil it has to be dismantled and in such a case we are back to square one. BTW - another interesting topic for a video... ;-) Cheers
@michaelcaldwell7107 I weighed the exhausts in my previous versys 2nd generation when replacing it with Akrapovic, the original exhaust was 5.5kg, Akrapovic with a fixed DB killer was 1.3kg, and that gives us over 4 kilos of difference, unfortunately the titanium Akra for the V1 3rd gen costs almost 900 €
@@MotoAndy I thought about the Akra, but the price is too much for me. Strangely, the foot guards and the rear black nose cone part on the muffler seems to be made out of steel and are quite heavy for the black nose cone which is basically cosmetic and not really necessary, it seems weird that the didn’t use alluminun.
Hi Andy, as a bike feature having a stock screen, using the additional screen for wind deflection set at a more upright angle, in your view do you think it makes for less wind buffeting? I am 6'6"in height, love my versys but still trying to lesson the buffeting around my head. Thanks for any opinion.
Hi, there is no such thing as a universal windscreen/deflector setting for every rider, every person has a different body type, I am 5'10" tall with short legs and a long torso, in your case the body position is completely different than mine, you know best when the buffering stops, in what position of the deflector, you have to find your position by trial and error, there is no other way my friend. Cheers
Hey Andy, eigenlijk was ik benieuwd naar de stuurcapaciteiten van de metzler banden die je op de moto hebt liggen.bij mij ligt er standaard de BT 031 op (6500km). Deze zijn stilletjes aan vervanging toe . Ben eigenlijk op zoek naar een band met strak rechtdoor en neutrale bochten rij eigenschappen, niet kippelig dus. ps, heb je "reclame" stickertje op een bankje in Clerveaux gezien. rijd daar zelf al 30 jaren rond.😏
My Versys does not have the quick shifter issues you have. I simply hit the lever and it shifts gear instantly. A QS is for the rapid accelerations and must be operated with determination. Maybe yours need adjustment?
@MotoAndy you are not weird. You are not the one in need of adjustment, only your QS is. Well unless you operate the gear lever incorrectly, as in slowly, afraid to use it, but I don’t think that's the case. My guess is your problems has to do with the amount of milliseconds the ignition has to be cut, before the gears switch position.
Great review, as I'm considering the Versys 1k as well. I see the Ninja 1000s make great power with an exhaust and a tune. (Almost 140bhp at the rear tire.) I'm sure the 1100 engine will be even more capable. Were you considering these modifications for more power?
Hi, thanks, I`m glad you like it. If I buy a Versys 1100 in the future, I don't think I'll be looking for additional power through tuning, the Versys is not a sports bike and I don't ride in races, the most important thing is that the new Versys 1100 has 10Nm more, which greatly changes the possibilities on the road when overtaking, for touring it doesn't matter at all. Cheers.
Hi Andy. My 2012 Versys first generation is still running with 143000 kms. I'm still happy to ride it and I'm not going to change it. Even it's not a perfect bike (what bike is perfect?) I have always the same good feelings with it. Abour quick shifter, I still don't understand why have one on a touring bike, we are not on a track for race. I made a long trip with a Yamaha Niken that's equipped with. I noticed that below 4000 rpm it's impossible to use it ; as your one it's hard to move and the reverse use is impossible. So I cannot understand its usefullness. My Versys is enough pretty for me and if I had to change it it will be difficult to make a choice. Thanks for your videos that are always nice and objective.
I always say that every motorcycle has to find its rider, yours has definitely found its, and with over 140k km on the clock, congratulations. Quickshifters were originally created for racing motorcycles so changing gears works best at high revs, so theoretically they are not needed on a touring motorcycle, but I think they make life easier, provided they work well. cheers
of course, the more luggage, the greater the weight and you have to use a little more force, besides, a lot also depends on how the weight is distributed, but despite this, the central stand is placed in such a strategic place that when you press it with your foot, it causes the motorcycle to tilt backwards and a light pull on the handlebars is enough and the Versys jumps on the stand itself
@MotoAndy it sounds great, I have a Vstrom XT, and one of my biggest problems with is is the side stand. Even without luggage it's a struggle to get it on the centre stand. Even worse is getting it off the stand, it comes down really quickly, so you risk dropping the bike. 😐
The best way is to go to a Kawasaki dealer and have them show you, once you try it yourself you will know that it is what you are looking for. The Versys is a heavy bike but its balance is excellent and it makes it very easy to ride.
Unpretentious and honest review, thank you. What do you think about the comparison with the Tracer 9gt? Is it worth replacing the Yamaha for a Kawasaki?
I had a Tracer 9 GT + 6 months ago and I have a Versys 1000 SE . Absolutely difference is so much.Versys really is better than Tracer 9 GT especially comfort issues
Thanks and your welcome. In 2017 I bought a Tracer 900 and 8 months later I traded it for a Versys. I think that's probably the best explanation of which bike is better. Versys is 300% more comfortable to travel.
Hi. Versys is not a sports bike and I rarely reach such speeds, although it happened to me and I always ride with the top box and I have never felt a speed wobble, so in my opinion, no.
@@MotoAndy agree; I regularly ride German motorway, usually not to 170 but regularly 150 and never had a ‘wobble’ - even though the sticker says that speed should not exceed 130 with cases mounted on the bike
Could you share with us your comments about confort issues on rough roads.( Pothole , hump , etc ...)( I am not talking about off road ) and did you make any adjustment at KECS values ( compression and rebound) for like these roads
Hi, It all depends on the quality of the bumps and the speed at which you ride, I recently rode the Transfagarasan in Romania which looks like Swiss cheese and it was not a pleasant ride but I did not complain about any back or other butt pain. So in my opinion the Versys absorbs bumps quite well.
Thanks for your review. But I find it hard to understand your comments about the GT package. You say the side cases are “not practical”, without giving any reason. I’ve done several longish trips with mine and have no complaints. Totally waterproof, and big enough for a full-face helmet. Replacing them with SHAD cases, like you have done, presumably loses the very practical use of one key for ignition, luggage and seat removal. Likewise the top case, It is simply GIVI with a Kawasaki name badge. What reason would GIVI have to supply a major customer like Kawasaki with an inferior product? It makes no sense. After 16,000 miles, including many long days, I have never had any discomfort from the seat. Finally, I do wonder if your QS is functioning properly. It is not designed for use at low rpm or low speeds, given that it is race technology and meant to aid quick up and down shifts during hard acceleration and braking. Using it at low rpm and/or around town could well damage it, particularly during the early “running-in” period.
Hi, thanks for the comment. The question why I changed the side cases from original to SHAD can be found in my other video th-cam.com/video/zPnhUuzWu2A/w-d-xo.htmlsi=fWW6b4uw8arDCknv. Topcase, I don't know why the top case is of lower quality, you'd have to ask GIVI about that, I had original Givi cases and those from Kawasaki of course and believe me there is a difference, and it's not just my opinion, many of my subscribers also complained about the quality of the top case. As for the seat, I never said it was bad, most V1 owners are happy with it, however everyone has different body types, different postures and everyone sits on their butt differently, so one person will ride all day and nothing and another will be groaning in pain after 4 hours. So again, the seat in the Versys is one of the better motorcycle seats, but that doesn't mean it's perfect for everyone. As for the quickshifter, I know how it should work, I know it's not a low-speed toy, despite that I don't think it works as it should, maybe there's something wrong with QS in my versys, I don't know, I haven't checked. In any case, despite its flaws I still use it, at most I curse under my breath from time to time. Take care, cheers.
No (at least as far as I know), the Versys has separate brakes, separate front and separate rear, although they share an ABS pump. In some countries, separate two brake systems are required. Cheers
Cześć, Naprawdę fajne moto. Sam kupiłem taki w tym roku 1000SE i jeździ się wyśmienicie. Zrobiłem 13k km. Mi na razie mocy nie brakuje. Planujesz wymianę na 1100? A może inna marka? Pozdrawiam i wszystkiego dobrego!
Cześć, no cóż powoli zaczynam myśleć nad nowym moto, spróbuję przetestować kilka motocykli w przyszłym roku, oczywiście nowy Versys 1100 jest na liście, aczkolwiek wymiana nastąpi dopiero w 2026 więc na razie nie wiem co to będzie. Jeśli nie znajdę nic ciekawszego co lepiej mi pasuje to wtedy raczej na pewno będzie to V1100, ma trochę ulepszeń no i znam ten motocykl więc poważny kandydat . Wszystkiego dobrego na święta.
Hi. Yes you are right, I completely forgot to mention cruise control, and it is a wonderful invention, very useful, I use it on every long trip and so far it has worked reliably.
@ thank you for the video - great work. I love my 2016, and plan one day to replace it - CC is something I'm looking forward to and glad to hear it works well.
i have this bike since 3 years , its not best , but reliable. Quckshifter is not qood , brakes are good but abs system is terrible , seat is hard, oem bridgestone tires are average. Engine is very smooth , front screen have good wind protection , engine sound is the best thing of this bike. average consumption is about 6-6,5 lt. overall is not good as 1250gs or multistrada v4 but better then most bikes of 900 cc league
Hi, thanks for your comment. I don't know what your riding style is but the fuel consumption you are reporting is very high, I have never exceeded 6 l/100km even with very sporty riding. The fuel consumption in my Versys fluctuates between 5.3 and 5.6 liters. Take care.
Most definitely do not recommend at all mounting any motorcycle from the Wrong side because it's stupidly easy to get hung up as you did with the other leg & foot getting stuck on the passenger seat hump bump & very closely almost dumped the bike on the ground because it was definitely falling over & once past the point of no return its all over costing hundreds if not thousands in super dumb plastic body work repairs even with that super strange taped over engine crash bar. Not a good idea to stupidly try to get on a bike like this & even worse the taller bike falls over much faster because of the high centre of gravity goes against you when weirdos fail to get on the wrong side. Period
wow, dude you could definitely use some anger management, I never said you should get on from the other side, it's just a demonstration that the bike is not stable. Sometimes there are situations where you have to get on from the "wrong" side, whether you like it or not. Either way, grab yourself a beer, mate, and chill out.
You can find a comparison of the Versys 1000 and Versys 1100 here th-cam.com/video/MMT6vSJetvo/w-d-xo.htmlsi=rITidm0DMyNCFYJL
man, this review is like no others: so humble, so thorough and so to the point that 99% of other review videos done by... "professionals" shall call you for some lessons HOW TO DO IT PROPERLY ;-)
Thanks man, I really appreciated, glad you like it, take care cheers.
Thank you for this great review. Just a couple of points from an owner of 3rd generation with 20k km on the clock. I bought Versys 1000 after riding GoldWing, GS1250 (didn’t like vibrations), Multistrada V4 (didn’t like high revs, low mileage and heat). So for me Versys is almost unicorn if talking about travel. To make it comfy as GoldWing I also installed Puig touring windscreen and attached deflectors. However mine are twice bigger than yours, so no wind at all. As for suspension- it’s good enough to drive bad roads with potholes, gravel and forest roads. The major limiting factor here is ground clearance. I smashed my oil filter climbing through rocks because of this. The only two complaints are 1) cruise control works only up to 150 km/h, 2) fuel consumption is high at high speeds, around 7.5 liters per 100 km.
Hi. thanks. You are the second person to mention high fuel consumption and it totally surprises me, my V1 has never exceeded 5.9l/100km regardless of the speeds I rode at. In August I was in Slovakia with friends who ride very fast and we reached speeds above 170km/h and the consumption did not exceed 6 liters, so I do not really understand where such high consumption comes from.
That makes sense, thank you for replying. I'll keep trying and adjusting......all part of the fun!
Great job with your channel. I have just bought a Versys 1000 S with all the packs and it is by far the smoothest bike I have ever owned. Traded from a Honda NT with its characteristic vibrations, I am on a magic carpet right now. I have only one issue and it seems to be very well known by kawasaki´s dealers: it stops when cold.. It stalls when clutching because the engine is cold. It has something to do with the injection bodies that must be calibrated or something like that. I found a noble, agile and confort bike to ride in all conditions. Thanks for sharing your opinions as well as your knowledgement.
Regards from Spain
Hi, thanks. I'll be honest, you've totally surprised me because I've never heard of this problem, I've never had a problem with a motorcycle stalling and I've ridden in really different temperatures. So I won't say what needs to be done to stop it because I'm simply not familiar with the problem. I had a similar problem in my previous 2nd generation Versys, but all I had to do was set the engine speed a little higher at idle and the problem disappeared. Take care..
@@MotoAndy My idle seems to be very low...I´ll have it checked. Thanks a lot for answering
Salut,
Pour le problème de calage a froid ce sont les papillons qui s'encrassent si tu roule en sans plomb 95 surtout le E10.
J'avais le même problème.
J'ai fais nettoyer la rampe d'injection et les papillons.
Depuis je roule en sans plomb 98 et je n'ai plus de problème.
Ce problème est connu de Kawasaki sur les modèles 2019 a 2021.
C'est pris sous garantie si jamais.
✌️✌️✌️
Hi Andy. Thank you for your video; you almost made me want to change my old 2015 Versys for the new one. But like you, I love this bike; it suits me perfectly. Since I'm only 1.88m tall, it's just the right size for me. I've noticed all the qualities and flaws you mentioned. I never really paid attention to the fact that the cable throttle made it brutal... but that's probably because I ride chill. But now I'm unhappy... you've really made me want to change my old horse. Thank you for your videos, and safe travels.
Thanks and your very welcome. The best way to change your mind is to go to your dealer for a test ride, there is only twoo ways, you like it or not. Good luck and take care
Brilliant review Andy- so I’ve subscribed 😉
thanks, appreciated 😁
Nice review. I did 35,000kms on a 2022 Versys S, but traded it this year for a 1250 GSA. I did this because I wanted to ride fire trails and my Versys did not like going off the bitumen at all. I miss the comfort and smoothness of the Versys engine as it is better than the 1250 in these aspects. Love the low down torque of the boxer however - a very different motor which is certainly rougher than the inline four. 🏍️
Nicely done, especially comparing 2nd and 3rd generation from an owner’s perspective.
I’ve got a 2015. I was considering selling it, until I did a 9000-mile (~14500 km) tour of the continental USA last September. For solo riding, I haven’t seen a need to upgrade to the Skyhook version; once you’ve dialed in the suspension settings, it’s good to go.
Kawasaki fours are soooooooooo good!
Hi, thanks.
I didn't change my versys 2gen just because of Skyhook, versys 3gen has some other improvements. What I like about Kawasaki's policy, they don't change something that is good but only improve it, so each new generation is better and better. Take care.
Btw that`s nice trip your made, 9000miles ...wow.. congrats on that.
I would be interested if you could do a video on the suspension settings in the future
@@S.JCarpentry working on it 😁
Lagere stepjes voor de passagier en je hebt de ideale duo-motor. Daarnaast Givi Alaska voor voldoende bagageruimte, ideaal.
Thanks so much for these videos ,I learn a lot of information about Versys 1000 Se 🎉
Your very welcome
Thanks Andy, My Gen 2 is ten years old soon and still haven't found a bike worth the cost to change... maybe a facelifted 1100 will be here in 2026?. Really enjoyed your Pan Am comparison review. More of thiose in 2025 please!
Thanks, glad you liked the video, I`ll try my best for more , cheers.
Great review, thanks !
Confused about the Skyhook thing - I have a 2021 SE, love the electronic suspension since I regularly change between riding solo, or with luggage on a trip, or with pillion. So, what is the difference with Skyhook ?
How do you like the cruise control, and the hand heaters ?
Perhaps a tip for windshield, MDI in Ravenstein let you ride with all their screens so you can try out and select the best style.
Please keep doing these reviews, they are great !
Hi thanks for a good word, and of course I will try to make more videos like this in the future. I understand that skyhook suspension can be a bit confusing, and you actually gave me the idea for a video, thanks. For now I'll try to explain quickly and then provide you with a link to a detailed explanation. "Skyhook theory is that the ideal suspension would let the vehicle maintain a stable posture, unaffected by weight transfer or road surface irregularities, as if suspended from an imaginary hook in the sky continuing at a constant altitude above sea level, therefore remaining stable."
Here is wikipedia link: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Active_suspension.
In the video I mentioned that I don't use electronics much, but that's not entirely true because like you I use suspension settings when I ride with luggage, I don't use "rider" mode because I don't have enough knowledge about suspension settings.
I think the cruise control works ok, it's not perfect but it's better to have it than nothing.
I don't ride much in cold weather so I rarely use the heated grips but so far I'm happy with them.
Thanks for the tip on the windshields.
Cheers
Thanks Andy, great review...very honest about the negatives too. Just to add to the discussion, i have the 2020 my. Things i love are...big display screen, the electronic suspension, the smooth engine and forgiving in any gear like you said , the light clutch and easy raise onto the stand. Also, plenty of servicing information available including the great videos you shared on that. My only dislike really is just how difficult the balance point of the bike makes it to raise the front end for maintenance. I had a couple of scary moments recently...if you jack it under the sump, the bike lifts straight up rather than rocking back and is really unstable. Jacking from the exhaust is better but still a bit scary. Its obviously from the weight centre of the bike being towards the front, but i guess the payback is the easy stand use....still...i had brown trousers a couple of times in my recent maintenance work 😂. Great work Andy, you're a great point of reference and ambassador for the Versys 👍
I had the same problem with mine and mine did actually fall over. I was jacking it under the sump and didn’t think anything was wrong until it keeled over. The Versys is a heavy bike. Getting up again is quite hard once it falls over. There are many great things about the Versys, the weight is not one of them. In many ways it’s almost over built and some of the parts, like the muffler, are a lot heavier than it needs to be.
@michaelcaldwell7107 Blimey, sorry to hear that. Must have been terrible. It was proper touch and go for me.
Hi Paul, thanks for the comment, glad you like the video.
The problem of lifting the Versys with a jack is familiar to me, I almost shat my pants because of it (if I remember correctly, it was recorded on my "bloopers" video) and this is indeed a problem, although I noticed after installing the skid plate, it is possible to move the jack closer to the front of the motorcycle, which makes it easier to tilt it backwards, which of course does not change the fact that it must be done carefully.
The problem with this solution is that it is quite a heavy element, quite expensive and, for example, to change the oil it has to be dismantled and in such a case we are back to square one.
BTW - another interesting topic for a video... ;-)
Cheers
@michaelcaldwell7107 I weighed the exhausts in my previous versys 2nd generation when replacing it with Akrapovic, the original exhaust was 5.5kg, Akrapovic with a fixed DB killer was 1.3kg, and that gives us over 4 kilos of difference, unfortunately the titanium Akra for the V1 3rd gen costs almost 900 €
@@MotoAndy I thought about the Akra, but the price is too much for me. Strangely, the foot guards and the rear black nose cone part on the muffler seems to be made out of steel and are quite heavy for the black nose cone which is basically cosmetic and not really necessary, it seems weird that the didn’t use alluminun.
Hi Andy, as a bike feature having a stock screen, using the additional screen for wind deflection set at a more upright angle, in your view do you think it makes for less wind buffeting? I am 6'6"in height, love my versys but still trying to lesson the buffeting around my head. Thanks for any opinion.
Hi, there is no such thing as a universal windscreen/deflector setting for every rider, every person has a different body type, I am 5'10" tall with short legs and a long torso, in your case the body position is completely different than mine, you know best when the buffering stops, in what position of the deflector, you have to find your position by trial and error, there is no other way my friend. Cheers
hallo Andy, geef eens wat feedback over je bandenkeuze op de versys, ik weet wel banden is iets persoonlijks, waarom metzeler en geen bridgestone.
Ik weet niet of je deze video hebt gezien, in theorie is het antwoord op je vraag daar th-cam.com/video/Xlc9hcieCag/w-d-xo.htmlsi=QqCZcSd14Rxxx1Q3
Hey Andy, eigenlijk was ik benieuwd naar de stuurcapaciteiten van de metzler banden die je op de moto hebt liggen.bij mij ligt er standaard de BT 031 op (6500km). Deze zijn stilletjes aan vervanging toe . Ben eigenlijk op zoek naar een band met strak rechtdoor en neutrale bochten rij eigenschappen, niet kippelig dus. ps, heb je "reclame" stickertje op een bankje in Clerveaux gezien. rijd daar zelf al 30 jaren rond.😏
My Versys does not have the quick shifter issues you have. I simply hit the lever and it shifts gear instantly. A QS is for the rapid accelerations and must be operated with determination. Maybe yours need adjustment?
Hi, It's possible my QS needs some adjustment, or maybe I'm just weird ;-), take care.
@MotoAndy you are not weird. You are not the one in need of adjustment, only your QS is. Well unless you operate the gear lever incorrectly, as in slowly, afraid to use it, but I don’t think that's the case. My guess is your problems has to do with the amount of milliseconds the ignition has to be cut, before the gears switch position.
Great review, as I'm considering the Versys 1k as well. I see the Ninja 1000s make great power with an exhaust and a tune. (Almost 140bhp at the rear tire.) I'm sure the 1100 engine will be even more capable. Were you considering these modifications for more power?
Hi, thanks, I`m glad you like it.
If I buy a Versys 1100 in the future, I don't think I'll be looking for additional power through tuning, the Versys is not a sports bike and I don't ride in races, the most important thing is that the new Versys 1100 has 10Nm more, which greatly changes the possibilities on the road when overtaking, for touring it doesn't matter at all.
Cheers.
Hi Andy. My 2012 Versys first generation is still running with 143000 kms. I'm still happy to ride it and I'm not going to change it. Even it's not a perfect bike (what bike is perfect?) I have always the same good feelings with it. Abour quick shifter, I still don't understand why have one on a touring bike, we are not on a track for race. I made a long trip with a Yamaha Niken that's equipped with. I noticed that below 4000 rpm it's impossible to use it ; as your one it's hard to move and the reverse use is impossible. So I cannot understand its usefullness.
My Versys is enough pretty for me and if I had to change it it will be difficult to make a choice. Thanks for your videos that are always nice and objective.
I always say that every motorcycle has to find its rider, yours has definitely found its, and with over 140k km on the clock, congratulations. Quickshifters were originally created for racing motorcycles so changing gears works best at high revs, so theoretically they are not needed on a touring motorcycle, but I think they make life easier, provided they work well. cheers
It seems really easy with the center stand, but how easy is it, if you have the bile fully loaded/overloaded with luggage?
of course, the more luggage, the greater the weight and you have to use a little more force, besides, a lot also depends on how the weight is distributed, but despite this, the central stand is placed in such a strategic place that when you press it with your foot, it causes the motorcycle to tilt backwards and a light pull on the handlebars is enough and the Versys jumps on the stand itself
@MotoAndy it sounds great, I have a Vstrom XT, and one of my biggest problems with is is the side stand.
Even without luggage it's a struggle to get it on the centre stand.
Even worse is getting it off the stand, it comes down really quickly, so you risk dropping the bike. 😐
The best way is to go to a Kawasaki dealer and have them show you, once you try it yourself you will know that it is what you are looking for. The Versys is a heavy bike but its balance is excellent and it makes it very easy to ride.
Unpretentious and honest review, thank you. What do you think about the comparison with the Tracer 9gt? Is it worth replacing the Yamaha for a Kawasaki?
I had a Tracer 9 GT + 6 months ago and I have a Versys 1000 SE . Absolutely difference is so much.Versys really is better than Tracer 9 GT especially comfort issues
Thanks and your welcome. In 2017 I bought a Tracer 900 and 8 months later I traded it for a Versys. I think that's probably the best explanation of which bike is better. Versys is 300% more comfortable to travel.
Story of my life, after 8 months of Tracer ownership, Versys has arrived in the stable
Está na altura de trocar pela versys 1100❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Does it wobble on highspeed >170 with that topbox?
Hi. Versys is not a sports bike and I rarely reach such speeds, although it happened to me and I always ride with the top box and I have never felt a speed wobble, so in my opinion, no.
@@MotoAndy agree; I regularly ride German motorway, usually not to 170 but regularly 150 and never had a ‘wobble’ - even though the sticker says that speed should not exceed 130 with cases mounted on the bike
Could you share with us your comments about confort issues on rough roads.( Pothole , hump , etc ...)( I am not talking about off road ) and did you make any adjustment at KECS values ( compression and rebound) for like these roads
Hi, It all depends on the quality of the bumps and the speed at which you ride, I recently rode the Transfagarasan in Romania which looks like Swiss cheese and it was not a pleasant ride but I did not complain about any back or other butt pain. So in my opinion the Versys absorbs bumps quite well.
Thanks for your review. But I find it hard to understand your comments about the GT package. You say the side cases are “not practical”, without giving any reason. I’ve done several longish trips with mine and have no complaints. Totally waterproof, and big enough for a full-face helmet. Replacing them with SHAD cases, like you have done, presumably loses the very practical use of one key for ignition, luggage and seat removal.
Likewise the top case, It is simply GIVI with a Kawasaki name badge. What reason would GIVI have to supply a major customer like Kawasaki with an inferior product? It makes no sense.
After 16,000 miles, including many long days, I have never had any discomfort from the seat.
Finally, I do wonder if your QS is functioning properly. It is not designed for use at low rpm or low speeds, given that it is race technology and meant to aid quick up and down shifts during hard acceleration and braking. Using it at low rpm and/or around town could well damage it, particularly during the early “running-in” period.
Hi, thanks for the comment.
The question why I changed the side cases from original to SHAD can be found in my other video th-cam.com/video/zPnhUuzWu2A/w-d-xo.htmlsi=fWW6b4uw8arDCknv.
Topcase, I don't know why the top case is of lower quality, you'd have to ask GIVI about that, I had original Givi cases and those from Kawasaki of course and believe me there is a difference, and it's not just my opinion, many of my subscribers also complained about the quality of the top case.
As for the seat, I never said it was bad, most V1 owners are happy with it, however everyone has different body types, different postures and everyone sits on their butt differently, so one person will ride all day and nothing and another will be groaning in pain after 4 hours. So again, the seat in the Versys is one of the better motorcycle seats, but that doesn't mean it's perfect for everyone.
As for the quickshifter, I know how it should work, I know it's not a low-speed toy, despite that I don't think it works as it should, maybe there's something wrong with QS in my versys, I don't know, I haven't checked. In any case, despite its flaws I still use it, at most I curse under my breath from time to time.
Take care, cheers.
Does the Versys have dual brakes? If I use the front brake, will the rear brake also connect? Thank you.
No (at least as far as I know), the Versys has separate brakes, separate front and separate rear, although they share an ABS pump. In some countries, separate two brake systems are required. Cheers
Cześć. Fajny materiał, dobrze się Ciebie słucha i ogląda. Czy możesz podać ile kilometrów zrobiłeś tym Versysem? Pozdrawiam, Mariusz
cześć i dzięki, jeśli dobrze pamiętam to mam coś około 36 tyś
@@MotoAndydziękuję za odpowiedź. Życzę kolejnych bezawaryjnych kilometrów i czekam na nowe filmy 👍
Widziałem ,że byłes w goedhart na imprezie na cb 750 . Pozdrawiam
@@rorito1977 No i to tyle na temat bycia anonimowym 😂 fakt byłem, nawet coś tam nagrałem, będzie później na kanale. Pozdro.
Cześć,
Naprawdę fajne moto. Sam kupiłem taki w tym roku 1000SE i jeździ się wyśmienicie. Zrobiłem 13k km. Mi na razie mocy nie brakuje.
Planujesz wymianę na 1100? A może inna marka?
Pozdrawiam i wszystkiego dobrego!
Cześć, no cóż powoli zaczynam myśleć nad nowym moto, spróbuję przetestować kilka motocykli w przyszłym roku, oczywiście nowy Versys 1100 jest na liście, aczkolwiek wymiana nastąpi dopiero w 2026 więc na razie nie wiem co to będzie. Jeśli nie znajdę nic ciekawszego co lepiej mi pasuje to wtedy raczej na pewno będzie to V1100, ma trochę ulepszeń no i znam ten motocykl więc poważny kandydat . Wszystkiego dobrego na święta.
Cruise control?
Hi. Yes you are right, I completely forgot to mention cruise control, and it is a wonderful invention, very useful, I use it on every long trip and so far it has worked reliably.
@ thank you for the video - great work. I love my 2016, and plan one day to replace it - CC is something I'm looking forward to and glad to hear it works well.
i have this bike since 3 years , its not best , but reliable. Quckshifter is not qood , brakes are good but abs system is terrible , seat is hard, oem bridgestone tires are average. Engine is very smooth , front screen have good wind protection , engine sound is the best thing of this bike. average consumption is about 6-6,5 lt. overall is not good as 1250gs or multistrada v4 but better then most bikes of 900 cc league
Hi, thanks for your comment. I don't know what your riding style is but the fuel consumption you are reporting is very high, I have never exceeded 6 l/100km even with very sporty riding. The fuel consumption in my Versys fluctuates between 5.3 and 5.6 liters. Take care.
Tenho a versys 1000 2019 e a gsa 1250 bmw a versys e muito melhor em tudo 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Most definitely do not recommend at all mounting any motorcycle from the Wrong side because it's stupidly easy to get hung up as you did with the other leg & foot getting stuck on the passenger seat hump bump & very closely almost dumped the bike on the ground because it was definitely falling over & once past the point of no return its all over costing hundreds if not thousands in super dumb plastic body work repairs even with that super strange taped over engine crash bar. Not a good idea to stupidly try to get on a bike like this & even worse the taller bike falls over much faster because of the high centre of gravity goes against you when weirdos fail to get on the wrong side. Period
wow, dude you could definitely use some anger management, I never said you should get on from the other side, it's just a demonstration that the bike is not stable. Sometimes there are situations where you have to get on from the "wrong" side, whether you like it or not. Either way, grab yourself a beer, mate, and chill out.