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Kawasaki Versys 1000
Ontime C.South East Queensland, QLD
Gear selection readout on the dash ?
Does it annoy anyone else if the bike does not have a gear selection readout on the dash ?
Apparently some models doo not have this and need to have one fitted by 3rd party ?
Anyhow, thats just a general thought, I mean bikes have had digital readout on gear selection for 40 years ?
Beats me why on early models the Versys doesnt have one fitted at manufacture ?
SO ...
I have read many , many reviews on bikes to upgrade to from my Suzy Vstrom 2012 650DL.
Am looking at the Suzy 1000 and the kawasaki 1000, both would be either 2017 or 2018 models.
Have read a lot of reviews and both bikes get very good reports on the handling and 'enjoyability' factor,
both get good reviews on the cost of services etc too....
Purchased in March 2016 for $13,000.00.
Year Round RiderVictoria, Canada
- 2 reviews
Perfect 2-up Sport Tourer, after some tweaks (2013)
Update after 2 years of ownership:
Well, I really love this bike. My partner and I have been travelling 2-up on it for at least four months on two continents, with zero issues. At 20k on the odo, runs almost asnew, still sounds incredible, accellerates strong, good breaking and comfort for both of us. Seat could be replaced for comforton longer trips. I give this bike a 9 out of 10 everytime I ride it, which is daily. Very happy.
Original Review after one year of ownership:
Overall, very pleased with this beautiful bike. Recently bought ...
Purchased in June 2017 for $9,500.00.
Other Sport Touring Bikes
IanGold Coast
- 5 reviews
- 18 likes
Love it!
I came of a 650 V Strom and jumped on the 1000 Versys. I loved it when I first rode it, but after a week or so I found it a bit too unstable with the back end unpredictable. I have never had a bike with traction control before and once I changed the traction control from 3 to 1, I couldn't believe the difference, it just flows thru the corners. Love the power (when I need or want it), the big lazy torquey motor just lopes along, it's quiet as a mouse and after getting between 450-490 out of the Strom, 400 km from a tank on the Versys is more th...
Read morean acceptable. I reckon I could do better if I really tried. I find the seat as comfy if not more than the Strom. Headlights are good on low, but a bit ordinary on high. I have fitted engine bars and driving lights which make it better, but better ones again are on the cards very soon, and I want to get rid of the factory Bridgestones and fit Pirelli Scorpion Trail 11's. I fitted billeted, powder coated bar risers, Made my own pannier racks as the factory ones from the stealership were way too dear, had them powder coated and fitted soft panniers (my preferred type) along with a Shad top box and bark busters. the busters have hi level daytime running lights and indicators on them to make me a bit more visible to tin top drivers. I absolutely love the centre stand which is so user friendly and invaluable when you are lubricating the chain or cleaning or adding farkles to the bike. I find it a great long distance tourer and very easy to ride. I am looking at changing the front sprocket to a 16 tooth to lower the rev's a little bit when in 6th, as I occasionally find myself looking for 7th gear. I only have 6000 km on it so far, but as for the V Strom which I put over 100000 km on it, I think the Versys will be just as reliable and fun to ride. I was very disappointed in Kawasaki Gold Coast though after the first service at 1000 km. 3 days earlier, I organised to drop it off 8 am. It took me 30 minutes to book it in as no one was in the service dept, 4.40 pm they still hadn't touched it, but at 5.10 pm it was ready and cost me $245.00 for the privilege. I think they need to lift their game a bit. The next service will be done by the local independent bike guys which the wife and I have used before and couldn't be happier with.1 comment
Find out how Kawasaki Versys 1000 compares to other Sport Touring Bikes
Know better, choose better.
- Verified purchase
Second best bike
Sorry for my bad Eanglish, as it is not my firs language.
I have to admit that I am a HONDA fan, having Honda motorcycles starting with Hornet 900 (2004) and on. My first choice was Honda VFR 800X Crossrunner. Trying Versys 1000 was just a case. I've got one for test. First impression was that bike is very heavy. I just wanted to go back to the dealer, when it came to me, to check the tires inflation rate. Instead of 2.6 and 3.0 (they recomand 2.5 and 2.9, but this is to low for Dunlop tires), they have been inflated to 2.2 and 2.5. Fixing t...
Read morehat was just amazed. So have doped my decision to buy again a HONDA and bought Kawi. I believe this speaks for itself. This bike is fantastic solo, with pillion is incredible, as touring and as commuting bike. I would like to have some more power, but it does well as it is also. Sorry for the Ducatti fans. But I find it better than multistrada 1200, and I just tried multistrada 950 which is a good bike, but to soft in front wheel. Much to soft. Why second best bike. I also tried BMW S1000XR. I have to admit, that it is a fabulous bike. To expensive for me, but great. Problem is that incredible buzzing, especially at left handle bar. Will take in few days 2017 year model as they said, they have fixed that buzzing. Will see.
biggusTuross Head
- 2 reviews
- 5 likes
Magic bike
Had the Versys 1000 for six months now and just got the 6k service done. When I took it for a test ride, I realised how much fun I had been missing in these past ten bike-free years. I bought the thing on the spot :)
I am very pleased with the bike overall. It certainly goes very well, has an amazing amount of torque, and feels very nimble. I can't compare this to anything else that is current, since my bike history is stuck in the 70s, but I can say that I am a vey happy camper.
At 196cm, I need a physically tall bike, so if you are a sh...
Read moreorty, you might struggle to get your feet down, so this is something to consider. The trip computer tells me that I am averaging 17.4 km per litre, and that translates to 360+ km on a tank, and I find that pretty amazing. I live in the country though, so city dwellers won't see those figures around home, but should see them once out on the open road. I would buy one of these in an instant if this one disappeared! Solid, nimble, amazing torque, nice 'feel', handles well, comfortable, stands out, great fuel economy, excellent for two up riding. The windshield vibrates, but that was pretty easy to fix. No centrestand, but paddock stands are an adequate workaround.2 comments
I live in Adelaide, use mine for commuting and 17 km/l is not uncommon in city traffic; 15.5 to 16.5 km/l when I face a week of very heavy traffic; never below this. When riding on the open road, it's...
Read more always on or above 21 km/l. I've ridden more than 16,000 km so far and I really love it. If Kawasaki could make it with shaft drive, it would be undoubtedly the best bike ever made. I had a problem with a squeaky sound coming from the chain once, but a PDOiler fixed it.I have recently fitted an aftermarket centre stand. My wife has been a lot easier since then.
FPiragibeMetropolitan Adelaide, SA
- 9 reviews
- 18 likes
- Selected Review
Unbelievable: It's Even Better Than the VERSYS-650!
This bike started amazing me the first time I engaged the 1st gear and left the dealer. I intended to buy a VERSYS 650, but changed my mind when I compared the two. I was a bit afraid of being sort of a "Guinea Pig", once this is this bike's first series, but decided to run the risk and buy one. Great decision!
On my way home, the engine was so smooth and responsive that I rarely needed to downshift. A few days later, I was in the highway, bound for the Yorke Peninsula, with my wife as a pillion. I couldn't feel any difference in handling by...
Read more having her as additional weight. In 6th gear all the time, all I had to do to overtake whatever was in front of me was a slight pressure on the throttle: there was a buzz (I wouldn't call it a roar) from the engine and, immediately, the speedometer started rolling up like crazy. After 250 km, I took a look at the fuel figures: 4.8 litres per 100 Km! Amazing! In city traffic conditions, it said I was doing around 5.8 l/100km. By any means, very good figures for the performance I was getting and a 4 cil, 1043 cc engine, still in the break in days. Media reviews said there's a vibration problem at high revs, but I'm still waiting to see it. So far, I've felt no vibrations at all, but my bike is still in the break in period, and I don't push it too much. The saddle is pretty comfortable, both for rider and pillion, and the traction control can help a lot when crossing gravel roads. But it's definitively not made for those (Kawasaki has never said so, too). Riding quality drops a lot when you enter unsealed roads, but this bike is a "gem" on any sealed way. The bike is not very lengthy, and doesn't feel as heavy as its 240 kg might make one think at first sight. It's surprisingly light to handle, and does corners like a sports bike. The throttle is responsive at all revs, which makes riding it a relaxing experience.Questions & Answers
Robasked
Quality control should be revised
No answers
NickHasked
Im looking into getting a versys for my first sport-touring bike. My previous bike was a 04 Vulcan 800. im 6'5 and a little over 250. would a versys 650 be enough power. or should i just save up and get the 1000?
3 answers
Buy the 1000 and you'll be happier in the long run. The new 650 really is a great bike but with your height and weight I think you'd find it physically a bit small for comfort. The power would be OK as it has around 70hp and 45ft/lbs of torque, better fuel economy and cheaper running costs etc, but it's not a very big bike. There are quite a few used V1Ks around at very good prices, especially the original 2012-14 model, and I'd look at those first as there isn't much difference between the current and the first models. You can find a very good low km used V1K for way less money than a new 650. Also, the 2015 and onwards 650 is far better than the earlier models and the only one worth considering, but there aren't many of the non-LAMS versions around. I like mid-sized bikes and actually intended to buy one of the new 650s last year until I discovered it would have to be ordered in as the dealer only stocked the LAMS version. You'd probably find a used current model VStrom 1000 round the same price as a used current model V1K, and they are worth a look as well. Much better bike than the original VStrom 1000.
I agree with Henry, I think the 650 might be a bit small for you given you are a big bloke. Also the older 650 Versys could get pretty buzzy at speed. The current shape Versys 1000 has some improvements over the 2012 to 2015 model, It also comes with a centre stand standard which the earlier model did not..I have heard the handling is better and it gained a couple of HP. The Versys 1000 is a pretty competent bike and will do pretty well everything you ask of it. If you are into wheelies they are pretty good at this in the first two gears even with the traction control in level one. The setting keeps its memory too unlike other bikes.
I have moved on from my 2014 Versys 1000 but I did think it was a pretty good bike. It is hard to find the perfect bike however as there are always some improvements you want to make to suit your individual needs.
I also owned a 2012 Suzuki 650 Vstrom (non lams) and it was an awesome bike and although only a 650 made good power and torque and was never found wanting in the company of much bigger bikes. They are very comfortable, handle very well and fuel economy is outstanding averaging 4.2 litres per 100km. Even at 6ft 5in you won't find it uncomfortable.
Best thing to do is try out a few and you will then work out which is going to be best for what you want to do with it. Also check out youtube reviews to see what others think about the bike you are looking at buying..
Best of luck
Frank
Go for the 1000cc.you won't be sorry. I am sis six 105 kilos and the bike is perfect for me.
Battleaxeasked
Hi guys
We are going on a Aus round trip. My wife fancy the Versys 1000. What is the lowest it can drop. How comfortable is it for long distances?
Thanks Battle axe
3 answers
Hi Battleaxe the new model (2015) is better than the older Versys 1000 and better on the eye too. You also get a centre stand as standard. Not sure what you mean by "what is the lowest it can drop" though. They are a pretty quick bike with pretty good torque at lower revs than the Z1000. I had to modify the seat on my 2014 model but others reckon it is not too bad. My wife liked the pillion seat which she found comfortable. The Kawasaki 1000 motor is bullet proof so you won't have any reliability issues. They also like putting the front wheel in the air in the first 2 gears.
Hi frank. My wife is bit short in legs department.72cm hight is already a stretch for her. She would like to move away from cruizer style .she likes this one but we will need to lower it... hence my question what is the lowest it can drop? Loweringkit? Cheers pierre
Hi frank. My wife is bit short in legs department.72cm hight is already a stretch for her. She would like to move away from cruizer style .she likes this one but we will need to lower it... hence my question what is the lowest it can drop? Loweringkit? Cheers pierre
Details
| Category | Sport Touring Bikes |
|---|---|
| Release date | Jan 2012 |
| Manual | Download manual |
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Ian
I have just fitted a Skene "Intelligent Headlight Control" module which allows both hi and lo headlights to be on at the same time (at a lower brightness) and fitted new Cree driving lights as well. I...
Read more have also fitted a bike GPS and an auxiliary power socket. I have done another 1300 km since my last review and the more I ride this bike, the more I am enjoying it. Do yourself a favour and take one for a spin, you'll love it.