Motorcycle.com

administrator · 08-22-2007, 05:57 PM

Original Article:
2008 Kawasaki Versys First Ride

Please discuss the Motorcycle.com article 2008 Kawasaki Versys First Ride in our Motorcycle Forums below. Use the reply button to let others know your comments or feedback on the article. Constructive criticism is always appreciated, along with your thoughts and personal opinions on the bikes and products we have tested.

Gritboy · 08-22-2007, 11:52 PM

Rats... only a 49 state model. I guess I'll stick with my WeeStrom for now, since Suzuki was able to pull off a 50 state model.

dirt-to-city · 08-23-2007, 02:44 AM

I ride a KLR 650 and a V-Strom (DL1000), and from this perspective, the Versys looks different in a couple of respects from the view reported by the article's author. (I've had my Versys for 3 weeks now.) In particular, rather than feeling like you can run up to top gear and pretty much forget about the gearbox, I find that far more frequent shifting is required in ordinary riding than with either of the other bikes. Also, in contrast to the author's criticism of the front brake, the brakes on the Versys are brilliant compared to those of either the KLR or the V-Strom.

We can agree, though, that the Versys is a nearly perfect all-around street bike for real-world use.

pplassm · 08-23-2007, 06:22 AM

I saw one at VIR this weekend. It is on my short list for a next bike.

anrajala · 08-23-2007, 06:31 AM

Satanic Versys, a new cult bike? Who names these things anyway. I recommend euthanasia.

- cruiz-euro

acecycleins · 08-23-2007, 07:23 AM

Seems we have a new player in the Adventure market. I like it. Would I buy it? Don't know. If they could sqeeze a few more ponies out for my XXL size it'd be tempting. Hey- you White Bros guys working on the exhaust, yet? That and a power commander and it may be the next bike. Ok- in 3 yrs when used ones hit the market, anyway. Hate buying new.

Kenneth_Moore · 08-23-2007, 07:44 AM

The article was nicely done. I got a chuckle out of the "fruity burble" comment on the exhaust sound.

I wish Kawi would do a better job with their website. I went to it after reading the article to check out the bike with the side and top bags. Not only do they not show you what it looks like with the luggage, but the only accessory part listed was a generic top bag! The seat and other accessories mentioned in the article don't appear at all. Some bikes look great with bags, other hideous.

longride · 08-23-2007, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenneth_Moore

The article was nicely done. I got a chuckle out of the "fruity burble" comment on the exhaust sound.

I wish Kawi would do a better job with their website. I went to it after reading the article to check out the bike with the side and top bags. Not only do they not show you what it looks like with the luggage, but the only accessory part listed was a generic top bag! The seat and other accessories mentioned in the article don't appear at all. Some bikes look great with bags, other hideous.

I doubt the people who are buying this bike base their purchase on its good looks. It looks like a nice bike functionally, but it won't win any beauty contests with or without bags.

seruzawa · 08-23-2007, 08:11 AM

Looks like a great all around bike that people new or old to the sport should consider.

Too bad it's gonna gather dust like the Z750. Maybe Kwacker could put on a full fairing or maybe a whole bunch of ridiculous chrome painted plastic. It might sell then.

iamz · 08-23-2007, 08:19 AM

If I was buying a bike right now, this would probably be it. I actually like its looks. I see it as Kawasaki's version of the Multistrada 620 which I guess is no longer sold here in the states.

08-22-2007, 05:57 PM	#1
administrator Administrator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: On My Bike Posts: 0	2008 Kawasaki Versys First Ride Original Article: 2008 Kawasaki Versys First Ride Please discuss the Motorcycle.com article 2008 Kawasaki Versys First Ride in our Motorcycle Forums below. Use the reply button to let others know your comments or feedback on the article. Constructive criticism is always appreciated, along with your thoughts and personal opinions on the bikes and products we have tested.

08-23-2007, 02:44 AM	#3
dirt-to-city Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 3	Different rider perspectives I ride a KLR 650 and a V-Strom (DL1000), and from this perspective, the Versys looks different in a couple of respects from the view reported by the article's author. (I've had my Versys for 3 weeks now.) In particular, rather than feeling like you can run up to top gear and pretty much forget about the gearbox, I find that far more frequent shifting is required in ordinary riding than with either of the other bikes. Also, in contrast to the author's criticism of the front brake, the brakes on the Versys are brilliant compared to those of either the KLR or the V-Strom. We can agree, though, that the Versys is a nearly perfect all-around street bike for real-world use.

08-23-2007, 07:23 AM	#6
acecycleins Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: North Georgia Posts: 2,781	Seems we have a new player in the Adventure market. I like it. Would I buy it? Don't know. If they could sqeeze a few more ponies out for my XXL size it'd be tempting. Hey- you White Bros guys working on the exhaust, yet? That and a power commander and it may be the next bike. Ok- in 3 yrs when used ones hit the market, anyway. Hate buying new. __________________ Do you really understand what the term insurance means? Insurance: a form of risk management primarily used to hedge against the risk of a contingent loss. Health insurance is risk vs loss Mr Obama! What you're selling is a lifestyle product to be taxed- A$$hat!

08-23-2007, 07:44 AM	#7
Kenneth_Moore Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: VIsiting the GIft Shop in the Pit of DIspair Posts: 5,569	The article was nicely done. I got a chuckle out of the "fruity burble" comment on the exhaust sound. I wish Kawi would do a better job with their website. I went to it after reading the article to check out the bike with the side and top bags. Not only do they not show you what it looks like with the luggage, but the only accessory part listed was a generic top bag! The seat and other accessories mentioned in the article don't appear at all. Some bikes look great with bags, other hideous. __________________ The Internet doesn't make you stupid, it just makes your stupidity more accessible to others.

08-23-2007, 08:11 AM	#9
seruzawa Balrog of Morgoth Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: 8501 ft. Posts: 13,538	Looks like a great all around bike that people new or old to the sport should consider. Too bad it's gonna gather dust like the Z750. Maybe Kwacker could put on a full fairing or maybe a whole bunch of ridiculous chrome painted plastic. It might sell then. __________________ Indeed, some of us will always be sympathetic to Mrs. Palin if for nothing else than her enemies. The bile she extracts from her critics is almost like a dye marker, illuminating deep pockets of asininity that heretofore were either unnoticed or underappreciated.

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08-22-2007, 11:52 PM	#2
Gritboy Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 532	Rats... only a 49 state model. I guess I'll stick with my WeeStrom for now, since Suzuki was able to pull off a 50 state model.

08-23-2007, 06:22 AM	#4
pplassm Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 3,005	I saw one at VIR this weekend. It is on my short list for a next bike.

08-23-2007, 06:31 AM	#5
anrajala Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1,449	Satanic Versys, a new cult bike? Who names these things anyway. I recommend euthanasia. - cruiz-euro

08-23-2007, 08:19 AM	#10
iamz Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 325	If I was buying a bike right now, this would probably be it. I actually like its looks. I see it as Kawasaki's version of the Multistrada 620 which I guess is no longer sold here in the states.