PerformanceIt goes like stink.
It's a 650 parallel twin and can do 200km/h. I checked.
It runs very easily and freely at 170km/h. Check out the pretty headers.
The only twins I've ridden is boxers and V's and of course the Yammie parallel two stroke 350. This motor feels very different to those, maybe not that much different from the two stroke. It picks up revs very rapidly, and the gear ratios is so short it feels like each gear is stronger than the previous one. It reminds me of the Triumph Tiger triple that I one owned. Very linear power and a hunger for revs. Fantastically entertaining.
The short wheel base makes it pick up the front wheel very easily, too easily in fact.
It only redlines at 10 500 revs, but I shift at 7 000 already, no need for the rest. The gearbox is a peach. I have not had a single false neutral to date. When you say shift, it shifts.
The one thing that does disappoint though is the injection mapping. It does not roll on and off smoothly. There's a jerk off of closed throttle that makes it a little uncomfortable to ride in slow traffic. It also snatches when the revs are too low. Off course here I may be over critical because I compare it to the 1200 which has the torque to roll on smoothly from less than idling speed.
Fuel consumption is surprisingly good, my last tank gave 20km to the litre. Some one with less of a 'ry die kak uit hom uit' riding style will no doubt get even better consumption. My 1200 averages 18km to the litre.
HandlingThe handling is befok. I really leans easily and confidently. Every time I'm leaned over in a turn I wish for a half brick or something to come by so I can crank it over more. Very gemaklik. You never get the feeling that you are approaching the edge.
I fitted a Maxxis 150 rear in a hurry to get the bike through roadworthy.
It is supposed to take a 160 though, I believe it will handle even better when it has the fat takkie on.
The front brake is very natural and won't catch you unawares. I thought the back brake to be iffy, but after adjusting it it's much better. Just not overly effective in slowing the bike down.
It feels lighter than a Dakar. When the tank is full, the rocking of the fuel can move the bike around.
The turning circle is a little wider than I would like, but for anyone riding a KTM it will feel smaller.
The suspension, although long travel, is quite hard, I assume like road bikes should be. After setting the rear to the lowest pre-load, things were a lot better. I am not really aware of the suspension while riding anymore. I like the fact that it dives very little under hard braking. It has a funny short and twitchy action when jumping speed bumps and the like, I will probably just have to work at it some more until I get it right.
It is very stable through high speed corners, and not overly jittery over bad surfaces either. I have noticed that wind affects it quite a lot more than the GS, but that is to be expected.
ErgonomicsThe seating position is A1. One hell of a comfortable seat, nice upright position so you have lekker visibility over other traffic and even the seat to peg ratio is ok for me. I don't have much time for the 'monkey humping a rugby ball' position that is par for the course in road bikes today. In fact, the only reason I considered the Versys, was because of the upright seating position.
And I need to stress, it is an excessively comfortable seat, more comfortable than the GS. The pillion seat is also shaped so that you don't have your passenger sliding up your arse all the time. Well thought out. Ladies, check out that hump, you know you want it.
The handlebar is also nice and wide like I like them. I got the bike with an MX bar fitted, but I put the stock bar back on so as to be able to fit the bar ends again.
The screen is crap, Over 140kph you are fighting. This is what the stock screen looks like.
ExtrasI fitted a Kappa screen that I sourced from Topbox (and may I say what a pleasure it is to be able to get things locally). It is identical to the Givi.
I was afraid it may be too big, but it turned out fine, and it transforms the bike. It works. I have no qualms to use the bike for touring now. I would say it is the first must do on this bike, get a proper screen.
Check out the quality.
You may have noticed a pair of extra passenger pegs set high up; I fitted those for the kid.
Seeing as it is used as a taxi and runabout I also got a topbox from Topbox (excuse the pun). Quite the modern look, actually reminds me of Marvin from the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
I'm thinking of pulling that Kawasaki sticker off to clean things up a little. Should I start a poll?
It also came with an aftermarket pipe that looks much like the stock one. It makes a serious noise though, bit of a screamer, doesn't sound like a twin at all. Maybe someone knows what make it is, I don't.
The only other extra I will fit is a pair of hand protectors, I am not used to riding without them and feel a bit naked. I also find that on top of it being cold, the wind blasts my fingers closed. I'll probably look at getting light duty bark busters ala the 640 to sort that out.
The badBeautiful as it is, the bodywork is fitted with crap push-connectors. This makes it rattle in various places. If it was a BMW, I would have taken it to the dealer in disgust. Now I just pad here and there with sticky foam strips. There is still one or two to fix though.
The left mirror blows back in the wind. It is not fixable by tightening and I will look for after market mirrors, I am not keen on the square look anyway.
I'm trying to think of more negatives but there just isn't any. It's a flippen well sorted bony.
Dual Sport?I don't know. I haven't ridden enough gravel to say. To date I have only done 2000km on the bike.
There are some things that count against it though:
- A smaller front wheel than a GS
- The exhaust sits right under the bike, prone to serious damage
- No belly plate at all
- The power delivery is too viscious
- Snatching at anything under 2500 revs will not allow technical stuff
The air intakes sit nice and high though. Right on top of the motor.
It may well still turn out to be a lekker gravel road bike, although I think that the short wheel base may make it twitchy.
ConclusionThe short version - I love it. It helluva fun to ride and is put together well both aesthetically and ergonomically. When you get on it, it feels absolutely natural.
I got the bike to serve as my daily runabout, and to be used by my wife on the longer, more road biased trips. It is ideal for both.
Is it a better commuter than the GS? One would think so as it is lighter and smaller, but no. The smooth low revving torque of the GS is just effortless in traffic. Is it a better tourer than the GS? No, but pretty damn good and half the price. Brand new they are R65 000, I got mine with 4000km on for R52 000.
And still, damn nice to look at.
Topic: So what's the Versys like? (Read 2809 times)
