| Author | Message | ||
     Unrealtrip |
A 650 no less... http://www.kawasaki.com/Products/product-specifica tions.aspx?scid=6&id=433 (Message edited by unrealtrip on January 05, 2010) | ||
| Ulynut |
Nice bike, but wimpy compared to the Uly. | ||
| Ronmold |
Better looking than last years, they fixed that "insect looking" headlight somewhat. Maybe more of a 1125CR clone than a Uly except the CR would waste it with 3 gears left! Seating position on the '09 was a little cramped for me. This '10 looks the same. | ||
| Two_buells |
OH!OH! the muffler in under the bike!  | ||
| Ulyssesmatt |
If that's the same mill that they use in the 650R Ninja, I gotta tell you: That's a damn fine powerplant. I really enjoyed the 650R that I test rode back in October and I was pleasantly surprised at the power delivery. I can imagine that it's great for a beginner or a short distance commuter. It ain't no Thunderstorm though... | ||
| Unrealtrip |
For sure, it just seemed like a Jr. Uly to me.  esp the way they described it, didn't fit into any existing categories, and everyone that rode one just said it was "fun". | ||
| Itileman |
5 gallon fuel tank and a 160 rear tire - not bad ideas. | ||
| Swampy |
They are nice, but they are still put together wrong, no ZTL brake, Fuel high up in the platform, all those zingy RPMs and a much smaller seat than the Ulysses. I'm all for going forward, but Kaw has a way to go to just catch up. Also there is enough chrome on it to make you think it was made in Milwaukee, it almost looks like one of those China bikes. Sport tourers are supposed to be more functional and those chrome bezzels just plain distract from the purpose of the bike. I have ridden a Ninja 650R Its just another small bike with a vauge feeling. On the other hand everytime I go to my sons shop I do go run a hand over the 09 model Verseys they have sitting in the showroom and longingly think of the Ulysses. "It's a Blast to ride", gosh they said that like four times in that clip. "Fun to ride, riders always have a blast on this bike." Wow, where is Harley-Davidson marketing when school is in session? | ||
| Ronmold |
Way better than a China bike, Thailand built! | ||
| Calamari_kid |
Buddy of mine had an '08 as his first bike and he enjoyed the hell out of it. He recently moved over to a Triumph Tiger. Funny as he wasn't really using all the V had to offer. I'm curious to see what he thinks of the change after getting a good pile of miles in on the Tiger. | ||
| Surfsofa |
I test rode the 09 Versys before settling on the Uly. It was definitely up there for me, but also felt very much like a cheaper variant. My main complaint was the suspension which was simply horrid compared to the Uly's - extremely crude. But, if the Uly would have been too pricey for me I'd have definitely gone for this bike. | ||
| Nutsosane |
Having owned two Uly's and a Versys I feel the bikes are quite similar. The Versys was "soul deficient" but wonderful save the chain drive. If they put a belt on that bike and a centerstand it'd be 'bout perfect. I felt the suspensions were equal quality, though the Uly felt just a tad quicker on turn in. Fuel range, insurance costs, tire expense all favor the Versys. Ergonomically the Uly is a winner for my tall stature and was the eventual death of my Versys ownership. I sold it to my brother and bought an 08 Uly. Happy to be back on a Buell but missing the liquid cooling and revving that ugly Versys to 9k! The new one looks nicer than my 08. Hopefully they fixed the seat this time around. NUTS | ||
| Lens |
Chain drive? No, thanks. | ||
| Towpro |
I have to admit, if I was looking for a bike today, that could very well be the way I would go. But I plan to keep the Uly for several years, so unless the parts scene starts to cut into my riding season the Buell will be sticking around for a while. I really do love my Uly. I am starting to think the black ones really are faster  | ||
| Longdog_cymru |
Versys wimpy???? I don't think so......... Take a look at these videos taken from on board a Versys at Cadwell Park, a fast and technical race track in England. www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7ivn5PeQz8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nDcOz7oOVM&feature =related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvPgdKzViL8&feature =related this track is one of the venues used in the British Superbike Championship and it's not for pussies! Here is Leon Camier, (BSB Champion and WSB rider for 2010), finding out! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9DhGIuLIQo&NR=1 | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
The footpegs are in the way when you put your feet down at stoplights. Sit on one at a dealer and see what I mean. | ||
| Mnrider |
I like it but hate to think about going back to chain drive,too much noise and mess. Does Kawi still have a plant in the U.S.? | ||
| Hooper |
I saw a TON of these in France and Italy last month. They caught my eye, but I didn't realize the engine was only 650. | ||
| Debueller |
Very weak suspension compaired to a Uly. Or a KTM 990. Or a Multistrada. Or a BMW 1200 GS. Of course a Versy comes in at a lot less $ than most adv bikes, except for a wee strom which has weak suspension too. I would love to have one for a second bike. (Message edited by debueller on January 06, 2010) | ||
| Thrill_ride |
I tested this bike before buying my uly. It felt cheap and was lacking in power. It did rev. higher and handled good, but it the uly is much better in my opinion. | ||
| Towpro |
we all bought Uly's as our first choice. But since someone else decided not to make any more Ulys (and figured we would buy a big chunk of chrome instead) , I guess we should be looking at the Versys thinking "could this be our next bike?" I guess there is no sense in comparing it to a bike that is no longer produced, right? wonder how it looks with bags on it, and a review by a passenger would be nice. | ||
| Thrill_ride |
Looks good with bags. There are color matched set available. My passenger said it was not as comfortable. Not saying its a bad bike. It does feel cheap, and the bars and pegs feel real buzzy while riding. After about 30 min. My balls were numb too. | ||
| Buewulf |
Personally, I think the 2010 makeover looks great. Nice engine with a surpisingly satisfying and broad spread of power, but I think I'd probably yearn for more juice eventually. Perhaps Yamaha will bring its new Super Ténéré stateside. Won't hold my breath on that one though. An '08 I rode was a little buzzy in the way that P2's can be, but the rubber mounted engine on the 2010 should fix that. It was super comfy with an aftermarket seat, but I have no experience with the stock seat. (Message edited by Buewulf on January 06, 2010) | ||
| Sprintex |
When I bought my 06 used in 08 I was looking at the Versy and Wee Strom for about the same money. The Uly won. Just way more bike, no need to upgrade the suspension, came with bags good seat. No regrets. Though if they ever made a Versy like a KLR I would be tempted. | ||
| Highlander51 |
I owned an 09 and I liked the bike, but the suspension was very stiff. Way over sprung. This bike is more of a super-motard than a duel-sport. The motor was really the best part of the bike, and it handled great on smooth twisty's. If they put a 19" front wheel for better tire selection, the duel-sport part might of made sense. | ||
| Froggy |
You're joking right? If I jump ship, its to a GS1200 Adventure, or a Multistrada. | ||
| Buellerxt |
The Versys is a cool bike, no doubt. I've test ridden it and it is quick, responsive, agile and fun. I like them a lot but with the Uly in the stable I'm feeling good! | ||
| Pso |
When wife needed to move from her Scg due to comfort issues, we attemtep to find a bike that she would like for day long trips. Tried a Versys but ended up w/a wee strom. (the smaller v-strom). I had a fork seal leak the day before my vaction trip to New England last fall so took her bike. enjoyed it emensly. No shortage of power. If and when I need to change out from my Uly, which I hope is a long way down the road, I will seriously consider the smaller V-strom (it would be nice if were belt driven by then). Records show it is darn near indestructable. first thing however is I would redo the suspension. When I ride the Strom and then the Uly immediatly after it, I get a big grin on my face and think "A HA" this Uly is the bike, but I can still go for 10 days on the Strom. As a result of the Stroms 6 speed I never realy missed the power (except one time on a twisty mt. in NY and needed to downshift twice to crank through the curves). Also fit an dfinish of the Strom was head and shouldes above the Versys. I do like the more industrial apearance of the Versys over the look of the Strom. | ||
| Judd |
I think Kawi messed up with this. They already had two other 650s based off this one platform. One of the others was a naked bike/street fighter {ER-6N} the other is a sportbike {Ninja 650R}. The Versys should have been slotted even more towards the dirt. The should have included more travel, front wheel should have been a 19 and the rear wheel should be narrower although I suppose one could drop down to a 150 back there without too much to worry about. Kawasaki could have used this platform and gotten very close to the GS800 at a much lower price but they basically made three street bikes from the same platform. Triumph did the same thing, the old Tiger was great and it would have really been great had it dropped alot of weight and gained alot of power,,,,,, and left all the good dirt stuff alone. But nope, they {Triumph} redesigned it lowering weight {great} and adding power {good} but they took away the long travel suspension and the good wheels {spoked and 19 front}. Basically turned it into a street bike and they already had the Streetfighter. I really wish one of the Japanese manufacturers would just make a decent alternative to the GS series and maybe the KTM Adventure. Maybe the new Tenere will make it here. | ||
| Swampy |
The other problem is the passenger area, I use my XT for two up and the Versys I don't think will cut it. Like I have been saying, It will probably take ten years before any other manufacturer catches up in their technology. |
