I grabbed used one of these for a good price, added an after market windshield and the Kawasaki topcase/ backrest and saddle bags. I load those bags up, throw the wife on the back and have had zero issues with power. High speeds, up hills, around town... We go everywhere on the thing. Well, everywhere there's pavement.You are correct, it's not designed for any trails or bad dirt roads.
Glad you like it. I hear great things about it, I just didn't fit on it very well, and at my elevation I was worried about the power. But it's super hard to beat the price.
Enjoyed your video. A few comments if I may. I suggest your try that 1050 but also feel the 650 vstrom may be your best choice. All 3 bikes will easily have enough power for 2 up riding. You mentioned cost was a concern, sticking with a 650 is going to save you big bucks. The 650 vstrom is a little more roomy for 2 up and has that 19" front that will give a better feel on gravel ( especially 2 up). All these bike are going to have less leg room that your Beta or other off road bikes. Road riding will always create more wind noise and air movement. Helmet choice ( road vs. off road) and ear plugs will help with that wind noise you mention. Definitely get your wife to sit on the bike before you purchase....always want the wife to be comfortable. Cheers, from a long time 650 vstrom owner
I do need to try the Suzuki 650. At my elevation we lose a fair bit of power, but if it can handle 2 up at freeway speeds without winding out, then that would be fine. I just haven't been able to find a 650 at any of the dealers.
Have the same model since february. Around 4k miles so far. Perfect bike for solo riding in the mountains (on twisty roads) if you don't wanna be a street rossi all the time. I'm faster than many people with litre bikes in the twisties :D Works fine for 2up too. Bought a bigger windshield because the original one was noisy af. Great bike :) Oh and with other tires it's getting even better :)
@@rockymountainlife I think it depends on what you're used to and what you expect. It's always good to make a testride 2up if it's important for you :-)
I have to say though that it doesn't fit me, I felt cramped on it. I think I'm too tall for it, and I don't think it could handle the wife and me together on it at all. It sort of bummed me out because I have a soft spot for Kawasaki. 😕
Thanks, Mike288. I'm glad to hear good feedback from people who actually own one. I have a video about the V-Strom coming out tomorrow where I compare the two a little, and sort of think out loud about which one might work better for us. Do you carry a passenger much on yours? Does it handle 2 people well?
@@rockymountainlife No, unfortunately not. I have always driven alone until now. I come from Germany and drive there very often. I have also often been on vacation with the bike. It was always great. Well suited for long trips, but also for sporty tours. Versys = Versatile System. I have already seen many German comparison videos of the V-Strom and Versys, but haven´t ridden it myself yet. I think it is in the end then probably a matter of taste. I will definitely keep mine for a long time Good luck and have fun with your new bike
The versys is a road mostly motorcycle, an africa twin or a v strom are more dirt oriented. If you ride in the city or highways etc the versys is the best for that.
I actually looked at a new Africa Twin the other day, the seat is the main issue I have with it, I don't think the passenger portion is elevated enough, but I don't know what the older models have. Great suggestion, I'll do some research! 👍
I am making a similar desision now, no passenger. But I am 5'9". 160 LBS.. I also have a 2022 KTM 300 XC TPI. The windshield is adjustable on the 2021 not sure about the 2020.
I'll have to try it. I've been struggling with the audio quality from the beginning. As a former radio dj and audio editor, having crummy audio bugs me a lot. 😛
@@rockymountainlife 30 years of rocking in bands...Im picky too, I bought a $100.00 mic for mine...lol!...the bandana eliminated the wind noise for me, it was coming from around the chin area...
@@masterspin7796 nice! My mic was 80 bucks and I thought that was a plenty. I'll test things and see how it does. Thanks for the suggestion! I hadn't thought of that.
@@rockymountainlife The Versys will do dirt roads but not 'off-road' (as in trails). The V Strom will, (19' front wheel). The Versys, in either size, are not designed for the same purpose as the V Stroms. To compare the 650 Versys to the 1050 V Strom isn't exactly comparing apples with apples. The 1000 Versys is a superb bike. Give it a try.
@@kevinroberts2395 I will for sure. I just didn't have access to try a Versys 1000, inventory has been pretty limited around here lately. But I hope to be able to find one to ride. And I don't need it to do trails, that's what my Beta is for, so I don't think having a 19" front wheel will matter a whole lot to me. Thanks for the feedback! I will keep looking for a 1000 Versys.
I’m 58 years old started riding a year ago and I’m in love with my 2019 Verses 650
I grabbed used one of these for a good price, added an after market windshield and the Kawasaki topcase/ backrest and saddle bags. I load those bags up, throw the wife on the back and have had zero issues with power. High speeds, up hills, around town... We go everywhere on the thing. Well, everywhere there's pavement.You are correct, it's not designed for any trails or bad dirt roads.
Glad you like it. I hear great things about it, I just didn't fit on it very well, and at my elevation I was worried about the power. But it's super hard to beat the price.
@@rockymountainlife Makes sense, if I lived on the rocky mountains, I would prob grab a V-Strom 1000 instead.
Enjoyed your video. A few comments if I may. I suggest your try that 1050 but also feel the 650 vstrom may be your best choice. All 3 bikes will easily have enough power for 2 up riding. You mentioned cost was a concern, sticking with a 650 is going to save you big bucks. The 650 vstrom is a little more roomy for 2 up and has that 19" front that will give a better feel on gravel ( especially 2 up). All these bike are going to have less leg room that your Beta or other off road bikes. Road riding will always create more wind noise and air movement. Helmet choice ( road vs. off road) and ear plugs will help with that wind noise you mention. Definitely get your wife to sit on the bike before you purchase....always want the wife to be comfortable. Cheers, from a long time 650 vstrom owner
I do need to try the Suzuki 650. At my elevation we lose a fair bit of power, but if it can handle 2 up at freeway speeds without winding out, then that would be fine. I just haven't been able to find a 650 at any of the dealers.
Have the same model since february.
Around 4k miles so far.
Perfect bike for solo riding in the mountains (on twisty roads) if you don't wanna be a street rossi all the time. I'm faster than many people with litre bikes in the twisties :D
Works fine for 2up too.
Bought a bigger windshield because the original one was noisy af.
Great bike :)
Oh and with other tires it's getting even better :)
Good to know it handles 2 up well. That has been my main concern is if it can handle 2 at my elevation. 👍
@@rockymountainlife I think it depends on what you're used to and what you expect.
It's always good to make a testride 2up if it's important for you :-)
Can I ask what tyres your using. Got the versys myself love it but feel would handle better in the wet with upgraded tyres.
@@gordonjohnston3845 currently Continental Trail Attack 3 - absolutely great tires.
I had Pirelli Scorpion Trail 2 before - also great tires.
Buy it! I have a 2020. You won’t be disappointed.
I’m 54 just sold my Ultra Limited and purchased this bike. I love it!
I have to say though that it doesn't fit me, I felt cramped on it. I think I'm too tall for it, and I don't think it could handle the wife and me together on it at all. It sort of bummed me out because I have a soft spot for Kawasaki. 😕
@@rockymountainlife I’ll have to agree with you there. Kinda cozy for two. Have a Happy New Year! Ride safe!. 👍🏻
I have a 2008 model, and its a very good bike, i love it,
yes, buy this bike. I have one and i am very satisfied !
Thanks, Mike288. I'm glad to hear good feedback from people who actually own one. I have a video about the V-Strom coming out tomorrow where I compare the two a little, and sort of think out loud about which one might work better for us. Do you carry a passenger much on yours? Does it handle 2 people well?
Postscript. It is made for curves, especially tight curves 😎
@@rockymountainlife No, unfortunately not. I have always driven alone until now. I come from Germany and drive there very often. I have also often been on vacation with the bike. It was always great.
Well suited for long trips, but also for sporty tours.
Versys = Versatile System.
I have already seen many German comparison videos of the V-Strom and Versys, but haven´t ridden it myself yet.
I think it is in the end then probably a matter of taste.
I will definitely keep mine for a long time
Good luck and have fun with your new bike
I’ve done some 2up trips on it, and it works well. I suppose the 1000 would be better for that purpose, but it is still adequate.
Nice video. Did you buy it? I have a 2020 Versys 650, and I love it. Not too big, and not too small.
I did not buy it, I ended up buying a pickup truck instead. But the second bike is still on the horizon, but I need to pay off some bills first. 😬
The versys is a road mostly motorcycle, an africa twin or a v strom are more dirt oriented. If you ride in the city or highways etc the versys is the best for that.
They make a 19 inch tire for this bike , using the original factory rim
Awesome Video!!
Try a used Africa Twin, I think you would be surprised how comfortable it is. And if you want to explore a dirt road you would have no problem.
I actually looked at a new Africa Twin the other day, the seat is the main issue I have with it, I don't think the passenger portion is elevated enough, but I don't know what the older models have. Great suggestion, I'll do some research! 👍
Good real life needs expressed.
What is your height and weight?
On any street bike I have always worn earplugs for decades.
6' 1" and 205 lbs. Not huge, but I'm not a small guy either.
I am making a similar desision now, no passenger. But I am 5'9". 160 LBS..
I also have a 2022 KTM 300 XC TPI.
The windshield is adjustable on the 2021 not sure about the 2020.
Stuff your bandana under your neck area on the helmet it will block the wind from making noise...
I'll have to try it. I've been struggling with the audio quality from the beginning. As a former radio dj and audio editor, having crummy audio bugs me a lot. 😛
@@rockymountainlife 30 years of rocking in bands...Im picky too, I bought a $100.00 mic for mine...lol!...the bandana eliminated the wind noise for me, it was coming from around the chin area...
@@masterspin7796 nice! My mic was 80 bucks and I thought that was a plenty. I'll test things and see how it does. Thanks for the suggestion! I hadn't thought of that.
1000 versys would be your best bet
Yes, I agree. They're awful pricey though! 😬
@@rockymountainlife I agree the price on the 1 liter Versys bike is higher then the Concours 14
@@rockymountainlife no doubt the Verseys 650 is definitely a much better buy then the 1 liter version is in comparisons
....Versys 650 Tourer 2021, tenho uma, tocada boa, delícia de moto, preço justo !!!! Brazil.
Ride the Versys 1000, especially if you do not need off-road capabilities.
But I do need off road capabilities. Not a lot, but dirt roads for sure. 😊
@@rockymountainlife The Versys will do dirt roads but not 'off-road' (as in trails). The V Strom will, (19' front wheel). The Versys, in either size, are not designed for the same purpose as the V Stroms. To compare the 650 Versys to the 1050 V Strom isn't exactly comparing apples with apples. The 1000 Versys is a superb bike. Give it a try.
@@kevinroberts2395 I will for sure. I just didn't have access to try a Versys 1000, inventory has been pretty limited around here lately. But I hope to be able to find one to ride. And I don't need it to do trails, that's what my Beta is for, so I don't think having a 19" front wheel will matter a whole lot to me. Thanks for the feedback! I will keep looking for a 1000 Versys.
The Versys 650 will take V-Strom 19" wheel.
you must be quite tall if the versys is cramped for you lol