Hwy 20 to the end.... - ADVrider

 

Great pics......I have a Versys myself and love it.

 

I ride a Versys or a ZX650R every once in awhile from the shop I used to work at. I think the motor in the three Kawasaki's that use it may be one of my favorites. It's such a torquey motor and has an excellent powerband IMO. It gets really great mileage, and it's power is more than sufficient without any nasty surprises. It's been around for a few years now. It's nothing all that special, but it is just a really fun, solid motorcycle that is a pleasure to ride.

 

Thanks for the link Tom, great pictures! Like I said over on ADV I live right along Hwy 20.....................in IL Not nearly as picturesque.
Dan

 

No riding for me yet. I woke up this morning and it was snowing again. Great Pictures and that is not far from me.

 

I've been torn between the Versys, KLR650, and DR650 for my next bike. I need to figure out what I really want out of it... but I want bad. I'm happy that all three 2013 colors are not to my liking, so I can wait. Great pics. Thanks for feeding my covetous nature.

 

I read this some time ago and forgot to ask Tom a question. I'm thinking of selling my DRZ 400SM, which is about 120 lbs lighter than the Versys. But, it seems to have a similar feeling when sitting on it. Bars, seat, etc. I have never owned a bike that didn't fit on the back of my truck, so I was wondering about how the bike feels in slow traffic. I'm sure the bike is normal at speed, but how's the stop and go aspect? Not afraid of owning a heavier bike, just looking for some input, especially from KLX riders. Thanks, greg.

 

The Versys is considered a Sport Bike on the registration and insurance. It handles very well in traffic. It accelerates very well and with the dual disks in the front stops quickly. Any dealer should let you test ride one. I really like it for a street bike. It has the same engine as the 650 Ninja and corners very well. It does very well in city traffic, agile and responsive.
Tom

 

I don't know...I'd really rate that comparison as an apples-to-oranges deal. The Versys is really a road bike regardless of how they try to package it, and the SM is a dirt bike with street tires. Both are good bikes but quite different IMO. For the pavement, the Suzuki's tranny is very limiting. The Versys will kill the SM in just about every category on the pavement. It has a ton more power, a better power band, more comfort, and much better gearing. The Versys is surprisingly flickable too in the handling department. I'm actually becoming more of a fan of the ZX650R over the Versys but still like both. The ZX looks like a crotch rocket, but its ergonomics are really like a standard motorcycle. Neither bike would feel as light as the 400 in traffic, but what would you expect for a bike that only has half the power of the bike you're comparing it too.

 

Maybe I mispoke a bit. I meant sitting on the Versys compared to my DRZ, in comfort for my back. I was translating that to riding....not comparing bikes in any way. Just wondered how the bike felt in traffic. I've had experience with naked bikes, triumphs, interceptors, etc.
Bikes have a feel when riding that does not necessarily reflect their true weight, which is a big deal when I ride. I always take into account how my back feels when riding bikes. The Versys had a nice upright position, similar to my drz...only.
thanks, g