Kawasaki Versys 2008

[ducatijim]

The one on Tardme in Morrinsville?
It didn't sell.

No, actually I mean NEW !....I know, I know, why waste so much coin on a DR? goes against the principle of buying it in the first place!! What it did and how it did it was just fine for me 2 years ago, however now I have bigger things in my sights and the additions just kept going on the DR untill it owes me so much there is no going back to the start again.

I am not unhappy about that.

[Gizzit]

No, actually I mean NEW !....I know, I know, why waste so much coin on a DR? goes against the principle of buying it in the first place!! What it did and how it did it was just fine for me 2 years ago, however now I have bigger things in my sights and the additions just kept going on the DR untill it owes me so much there is no going back to the start again.

I am not unhappy about that.

You can justify it Jim if you enjoy your bike ... and make it suit you ... so what about the money !! lol. It's about enjoying riding bikes ... what ever they are, and where ever we choose to do it !!

I have been looking at dual sport / adventure bikes .... but road a 400 and 650 Burgman yesterday ..... and thought WOW !! Maybe I'll get one of these !! They are bloody awesome. I've never ridden an armchair before ... and it was fun !!! Big grin factor !! I have learnt over the years that it always pays to keep an open mind .... about lots of things, and especially bikes !!!

[RedKLR650]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-129701182.htm
Lists this bike for $11990. Humble pie and apologies accepted:slap:
Always good idea to verify facts before mouthing off...

As I said before it's sitting here in the window with a price tag $1000 more than that, so it appears that us locals are getting ripped off, and the internet really is a cheaper way to buy stuff

it's still looking bloody good......

Cheers, Stu

[RedKLR650]

I picked up a 97 DR for $5500 with 12000kms and have put another 10000kms on it. Stock seat is definitely not that flash on road but I find I can handle up to two hours without a stop (and It seems I can get further than many of a stock DR seat). I've chucked a IMS 18l tank on it, replaced the chain and sprockets, change the oil and ridden. I like to get of the seal and explore as much as possible so see seal as a evil necessity (that can be fun ) but not what I'm really about. On gravel the DR flies though I know of a certain REDKLR that also gets a good hammering on gravel.

Now Ryan that's not the whole truth , it gets a good hammering on the seal too - apparently....

If you want to tour and adv ride the KLR or Verseys is the way to go. If you want to do something between dual sporting and adv riding the DR650 seems to fit the bill and if you are truely dual sporting then the 400's are probably better. If you have the money then the KTM 640 Adv is probably the best of all worlds though I find myself pining for a 990 Adv S at the moment
Cheers R

I agree, I've put 20,000kms on the KLR in the last 12 months, and for touring and adventure riding, the KLR is really comfortable with a good seat, 23 litre tank as stock, and a still respectable top speed in either gravel or on seal, but if you're really looking for a basic rockhopping 650 with power to burn, and easily picked up when dropped in a river or over a bank, after seeing what Ryan and Carl are able to make their machines do, I'm now a big fan of the DR ( although for my riding style the KLR still has preference.....)

Horses for courses, until you actually get an adventure bike of some kind, you probably won't know where you're going to be taking it. Over the last year, the percentage of k's covered on seal has increased dramatically, but I hope to take a few mental health days over summer to remedy that on some of the good gravel around....

Hope everyones having a good New Years, and if you've got any sense, you'll be out on the bike now rather than reading this.....

Cheers, Stu

[denill]

Had not heard of the Versys.

Googled and read SpeedTV's article.

[marks]

The KLR seems to be set up as an ADV bike out of the box, whereas a DR is an old fashioned trail bike.

thats a little harsh - calling a mid 80's design old fashioned.

[denill]

There's An Updated Version that looks pretty sexy.

[Oscar]

thats a little harsh - calling a mid 80's design old fashioned.

An air cooled under-square carbed four stroke?
Ancient.

[NordieBoy]

An air cooled under-square carbed four stroke?
Ancient.

Like the XR650L

[Waxxa]

I've just purchased one too and its great!! I believe there wont be another shipment into NZ until March. You'll have to hang out.

[nerdneh]

KLE 650 Has any body out there ridden this bike on gravel roads with OEM tyres or fitted dual sport tyres.? interested to hear comments on performance. Ta for a reply.

[NordieBoy]

Could be problematic finding a good adv tyre for the 17" front unless you go for a rear tyre on there.

[Waxxa]

As a commuter, weekend scratcher the Versys is the BOMB! The Versys isnt a true dual purpose bike as the front wheel is to small...17". The KLR on the other hand has a 21" front tyre which is what you want for adventure riding and you can get good tyres at 21".

I'm very happy with my Versys, they have had a good write up in every magazine I've seen it featured in. Comfortable touring, plenty of power two up and looks different.

[hec]

Gizzit

I like you been looking for/at the Versys - notice they have a Dec2006 burnt orange model at Maunder Suzuki up your way - have you had a look at it... I spoke to the salesman on the phone (I am down in Taupo) but something not quite right had ShinSh** tyres and not had a Kawa dealer service .. so suspicious it was not as well loved as he made out ..

Sold my bikes in the UK and dont have a bike at the moment so agonising over what to get ... "I thought I was decisive but now I am ... well my mind has gone to mush ..." if you can only have one bike the decision is really hard. I know what you mean about the burgermans.. I had a - dont laugh - Dylan 125 scooter an absolute blast as a company scooter but tended to turn into a nutter when I got on it...

Every bike I see I go 'got to have me one of those' but need to get something sensible so keep coming back to the Versys.

[Gizzit]

Gizzit

I like you been looking for/at the Versys - notice they have a Dec2006 burnt orange model at Maunder Suzuki up your way - have you had a look at it... I spoke to the salesman on the phone (I am down in Taupo) but something not quite right had ShinSh** tyres and not had a Kawa dealer service .. so suspicious it was not as well loved as he made out ..

Sold my bikes in the UK and dont have a bike at the moment so agonising over what to get ... "I thought I was decisive but now I am ... well my mind has gone to mush ..." if you can only have one bike the decision is really hard. I know what you mean about the burgermans.. I had a - dont laugh - Dylan 125 scooter an absolute blast as a company scooter but tended to turn into a nutter when I got on it...

Every bike I see I go 'got to have me one of those' but need to get something sensible so keep coming back to the Versys.

I had a look at the Versys at Maunders Suzuki. I wasn't talking with anyone there about it though, so don't know its history. It looked ok though.

I think they look like great bikes ... for a "one bike does lots of things" ... kind of bike. I have my doubts about riding it that far on gravel or on rough roads/tracks. I think that 17" hoop on the front may be a bit limiting. However for commuting and riding the twisties .... it would be brilliant.

For me .... I am going to head in the direction of an adventure bike, and have pretty much decided on a Kawasaki KLR650. I think it will suit my purposes better.
As for the Scooters ... the Burgman is a blast, and was a real suprise for me. I enjoy scoots, so don't have a real problem with them. I ride a PGO 150 T-Rex to work each day, and really enjoy it. I must admit I become a bit of a hoon on the scoot .... which I don't tend to be so much of on my CB1300S. (ok well I do "get along" at a reasonable pace on the open road ...
Good luck with finding your ideal bike.