2015 Kawasaki Versys 650 in NZ?

[AGC73]

Has anyone heard of the 2015 (non fugly) Versys 650 making it to NZ?

It has shown up in Australia but Kawasaki still only have the old model up on their web site.

From the pics it looks good and I'd buy one but have not seen any sign so far of it being in NZ.

[nerrrd]

Has anyone heard of the 2015 (non fugly) Versys 650 making it to NZ?

It has shown up in Australia but Kawasaki still only have the old model up on their web site.

From the pics it looks good and I'd buy one but have not seen any sign so far of it being in NZ.

Pretty sure there was a feature article in Bikerider about it a month or so back, might mot mean anything though.

[AGC73]

Pretty sure there was a feature article in Bikerider about it a month or so back, might mot mean anything though.

Good to hear, hopefully they bring it here in the new financial year and don't dumb it down for LAMS.

[nerrrd]

Good to hear, hopefully they bring it here in the new financial year and don't dumb it down for LAMS.

I think it said coming in April but apparently didn't; in the meantime these are supposed to be the bees knees if you can dig up some extra cash.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/tourers/auction-863965167.htm

[AGC73]

I think it said coming in April but apparently didn't; in the meantime these are supposed to be the bees knees if you can dig up some extra cash.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/tourers/auction-863965167.htm

The Tracer does look good, and all the reviews are glowing for it however when I went and had a look at it in the local shop I just didn't like the look of it. The Versys 650 on the other hand I think looks great in white from photos.

Also the extra cash is a big part of it, I'm already getting the stink eye from the Mrs wanting to spend 13-15k on a bike (meant to be saving for a house). Could always get a cheaper Mrs I guess...

[awa355]

.

Also the extra cash is a big part of it, I'm already getting the stink eye from the Mrs wanting to spend 13-15k on a bike (meant to be saving for a house). Could always get a cheaper Mrs I guess...

There is no such thing as a 'cheap' mussus. :oi-grr:

[eldog]

There is no such thing as a 'cheap' mussus. :oi-grr:

then you got the wrong one....

obviously more chained to the sink training required :corn:

[AGC73]

then you got the wrong one....

obviously more chained to the sink training required :corn:

Mine would probably find a way of removing the chain some how and turn it into a whip.

Back to the Versys 650 status in NZ: I have talked to the local dealer and he's gone and chased up the Kawasaki distributors for NZ and said if I want one it could cost around $14-$15k and won't be in the country until March 2016. One of the reasons being the previous version of the 650 didn't sell well enough, I'm not sure that the distributors have even bothered to look at the new model and compare it to the 2015 version to see the obvious visual improvements and reason for lack of sales.

I won't be spending a dollar on the Versys 650 (who could wait a year for a bike?) but I'm impressed with the dealer's service so I'll go see what else they have on offer.

[eldog]

Back to the Versys 650 status in NZ: I have talked to the local dealer and he's gone and chased up the Kawasaki distributors for NZ and said if I want one it could cost around $14-$15k and won't be in the country until March 2016. One of the reasons being the previous version of the 650 didn't sell well enough, I'm not sure that the distributors have even bothered to look at the new model and compare it to the 2015 version to see the obvious visual improvements and reason for lack of sales.

I won't be spending a dollar on the Versys 650 (who could wait a year for a bike?) but I'm impressed with the dealer's service so I'll go see what else they have on offer.

Yeah, there is a bit of that going on. But there is definitely some great bikes and models coming up in the near future. The new model Versys and others of their ilk are the ones I am watching with interest, the whole sport/adventure/tourer market is really booming.

[nzspokes]

Mine would probably find a way of removing the chain some how and turn it into a whip.

Back to the Versys 650 status in NZ: I have talked to the local dealer and he's gone and chased up the Kawasaki distributors for NZ and said if I want one it could cost around $14-$15k and won't be in the country until March 2016. One of the reasons being the previous version of the 650 didn't sell well enough, I'm not sure that the distributors have even bothered to look at the new model and compare it to the 2015 version to see the obvious visual improvements and reason for lack of sales.

I won't be spending a dollar on the Versys 650 (who could wait a year for a bike?) but I'm impressed with the dealer's service so I'll go see what else they have on offer.

I asked Honda about a specific model and got an outright no. They didnt want to try.

[AGC73]

I asked Honda about a specific model and got an outright no. They didn't want to try.

That's ridiculous, the dealer should at least make the effort to call the distributor. I don't think some dealers realise that good service and actually putting in some work for a customer or potential customer benefits them.

An example is when I was living in WA and was set on getting a Suzuki GS500 for a first bike (good price at the time), went into the dealership in town and nobody bothered to come see me. When I went up to the desk they were extremely disinterested. A couple weeks later I thought I'd give them another go and got the same reception and I swore off ever spending a cent in that store, the Triumph dealership across the road was the complete opposite. If I hadn't moved back to NZ I would have gone and bought a new Street Triple R or Tiger form the Triumph dealer this year, also would have used them for all servicing and gear purchases.

When buying new for me the decision for where I shop is probably around 49% the bike and 51% the service. Shit service instantly looses the sale.

[eldog]

I asked Honda about a specific model and got an outright no. They didnt want to try.

NZ is such a small market and I suppose they have to carry a minimum of stock/parts for every model they carry

that would go for all bike makes etc.

Notice how we get some low priced models every so often - selling older models from overseas markets - its a good way of NZ getting newer bikes without the cost.

and how sometimes new models are slow to get here while they sell old stock.


yeah little old NZ, just a drop in the ocean compared to other markets.

we don't do too bad really. Its just getting spare parts that can suck, and that is due to our small size.

If we try and piggy back aussie they wont give a shit either, we are below even Tasmania to them.

[FJRider]

NZ is such a small market and I suppose they have to carry a minimum of stock/parts for every model they carry

that would go for all bike makes etc.

Even Dealers are not seeming to be willing to carry the full range and amount of spare parts they used to. A lot of money can be spent to sit on shelves ... for considerable lengths of time.

Even Dealer Import models can require parts needed that will be sourced ex Japan ... with a two week (maybe) wait for it to arrive. It's often cheaper and quicker to go online and source your own parts. Parts for Japan only intended use (Imported by those other than brand dealers) are also difficult to get in some cases.


Notice how we get some low priced models every so often - selling older models from overseas markets - its a good way of NZ getting newer bikes without the cost.

and how sometimes new models are slow to get here while they sell old stock.

Not always a bad thing ... The Suzuki RF900 is a classic example of this ... but it has more to do with Japanese legeslation regarding "Old" vheicles on their roads.




we don't do too bad really. Its just getting spare parts that can suck, and that is due to our small size.

If everybody bought their parts from a dealer ... they would find parts easier to buy. Getting parts online may be cheaper ... but if the wrong part is sent (as in :you ordered the wrong part for your model) there is no comeback to the supplier.

[eldog]

Even Dealers are not seeming to be willing to carry the full range and amount of spare parts they used to. A lot of money can be spent to sit on shelves ... for considerable lengths of time.

Even Dealer Import models can require parts needed that will be sourced ex Japan ... with a two week (maybe) wait for it to arrive. It's often cheaper and quicker to go online and source your own parts. Parts for Japan only intended use (Imported by those other than brand dealers) are also difficult to get in some cases.

Not always a bad thing ... The Suzuki RF900 is a classic example of this ... but it has more to do with Japanese legeslation regarding "Old" vheicles on their roads.

If everybody bought their parts from a dealer ... they would find parts easier to buy. Getting parts online may be cheaper ... but if the wrong part is sent (as in :you ordered the wrong part for your model) there is no comeback to the supplier.

Yes, I think I was originally writing a rhetorical note to myself :facepalm:

[westrider]

It is interesting that the earliest they can get a model into NZ in March 2016.
Hopefully they will be importing the 2016 model. Then from what I understand there are 3 models, and which one will they import.
All three???
On reading the reviews, one person stated that he preferred the 650 model, to the 1000 model.
It is a very interesting motorcycle, with a very modern look.

[JayDNZ]

It is a very interesting motorcycle, with a very modern look.

it does look nice, around $15k seems quite reasonable, pretty good reviews too...

[Riley-NZL]

Got this back from an dealer a few weeks ago "hot off the press Kawasaki is bringing in 1 shipment in Feb 16, estimated price of $14995 and only 6 coming for NZ"

And

"they are standard models, there projections for price on the LT was going to add $2000 so they haven’t done that, however the parts will be available to order individually"

LT had the extra running lights and panniers from memory, and top box was another extra on top of that.

[nerrrd]

And violà:

http://trademe.tmcdn.co.nz/photoserver/full/443738221.jpg

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/tourers/auction-1020217400.htm

[James Deuce]

Not the LT then. Sigh.

[Ocean1]

Not the LT then. Sigh.

Apart from the luggage what's the difference?

[James Deuce]

The luggage. It costs more to add bloody Givi or Touratech panniers than to buy the integrated ones.

I'll just keep my one, because it's too much fecking about to get luggage installed and then you wonder why you didn't just buy something faster/more exotic/more Adv Touring oriented in the first place once you add the dollars up.

[Ocean1]

The luggage. It costs more to add bloody Givi or Touratech panniers than to buy the integrated ones.

I'll just keep my one, because it's too much fecking about to get luggage installed and then you wonder why you didn't just buy something faster/more exotic/more Adv Touring oriented in the first place once you add the dollars up.

Aye. We've talked before about the propensity of NZ distributors to thieve the luggage off new touring machines, (without discounting the price) and to then try to sell it back to you for the price the manufacturer wants for replacement items.

Still, you'd be hard pressed to really justify the extra outlay anyway wouldn't you? It's not as if you're likely to wear your's out any time soon and it don't look overly hideous.

The boy just bought one btw, not a Versys, an EN6F. Few changes from the one 'Er indoors had a few years ago but feels and goes the same. Except I'm not convinced about the rubber mounted pegs. Nice engine.