Hello Guys,
My candidates for adventure tourers (unsealed road touring) is down to two machines: the Kawasaki Versys-X and the Hond CB500X.
I have test-riden the CB500 and got a good first impression. Today I tried a 30,000 km-old Versys-X 300. It's an unusual beast. Although it seems undergeared and breathlessly revvy, once you get into 6th gear on the motorway, you can drop the speed down to 70 km/h and then open the throttle and it will accelerate quite nicely and smoothly.
My main bike is a 2001 R6, so I don't mind hig-revving engines. The Versys will cruise at 120 km/h easily and smoothy, even though it will be spinning at 9,000 rpm or so (redline 12,000 rpm). Some YouTube videos suggest you change the front drive sprocket from the stick 14 teeth to a 15-tooth cog. First gear is certainly very, very low.
Has anyone else ridden or owned the Versys-X? How has it been for you?
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