Having a chance to test ride Niel's 2016 Kawasaki Versys 650, I couldn't help it to chase the bike around the Hardknott Pass. Don't tell Neil. Do you have experience with this bike?

@jeffjeffmenser1120

4 жыл бұрын

The bears have been taking out my trash lately, a little worried about my Versy, the bears might eat it and get unleaded gas! The bike works well, and handles quite nicely, took it up to a ton a hundred miles an hour and it seemed quite nice.

Good review. Swapped Kawasaki ZZR1400 to versys 650 year ago. Haven't regretted it. Sometimes would like a bit more grunt but not that often. As said does everything well, maybe not great. But love the all around ability and lightness of it. So easy to swing around back roads.

@MOTOTravelUK

2 жыл бұрын

You are right. The bike is very agile. The lack of grunt is made up by the elasticity of the engine. Still think it's a belter 👌.

Wow the scenery !

@MOTOTravelUK

9 ай бұрын

Not to shabby 😉

Great, honest review, one of the best i have seen in a while & would have to say there is no bias so well done - i am currently looking at the 2022 Versys 650 & with its advancements since that model am very excited

@MOTOTravelUK

2 жыл бұрын

Chris, thanks. Glad you enjoyed the video. This bike was a total surprise for a big lad my me. Loved every minute riding it. It is a proper work horse. Keep it up. Steph

Brilliant rig and review! Cheers

@MOTOTravelUK

4 жыл бұрын

Welcome 🙏

Bought one new in March 2019. I absolutely love it. Have done a lot on it, from a 600km day on the motorway to a 150km one on little mountain roads. Couldn't be happier with it. More than enough power on the road and very comfortable. Not the best at anything at all, but really good at everything. So if you can own only one bike and have a sub €10k budget, it's an absolute no brainer.

@MOTOTravelUK

4 жыл бұрын

Made up for you. Enjoy every minute. It, a not what you have. It's all about what you do with it. Congratulations my friend. Stay safe.

@ESX021

4 жыл бұрын

Have you rode with a pillion? I'm thinking of getting this bike and am wondering if its good for a tour with a pillion

@ContreRiposte

4 жыл бұрын

Haven't ridden it with a pillion yet. My wife only gets in/on vehicles if she is in charge 😃 A friend has asked if she could join me for a ride instead, but we haven't got around to it yet...

@ESX021

4 жыл бұрын

@@ContreRiposte ah right, let me know how it goes! I probably won't be riding with a pillion daily but will likely take the gf along for a tour every now and then

@MOTOTravelUK

4 жыл бұрын

@@ESX021 no I haven't still have to try it out

I just bought one Versys 650 2021, and almost crying of joy.

@MOTOTravelUK

2 жыл бұрын

Congratulations , great choice 👏

What a lovely honest opinion.Thanks.

@MOTOTravelUK

4 жыл бұрын

You are very welcome.

It's very fun to see the scales fall from your eyes regarding the Versys. I have two(!) of the gen 1 650's. I bought the second one after I shipped the first one to Europe. The one that is in Europe has been to Alps several times, and has been toured on both solo and two-up. It's been ridden all over England, Wales, and a bit of Scotland, and it's been to the IOM three times. By the way, my favorite road in England is the one that goes over Wrynose and Hardknott passes. The Versys gives nothing away to larger bikes in that environment. It's a bike that is easy to ride, and is remarkably easy to ride quickly. I have gotten quite accustomed to surprising riders on larger bikes. One tip is to let the bike rev. It makes peak power at about 8500 rpm, and while it's tractable down low, it's so much happier if kept above 4K. The engine gets smoother and most responsive if you keep it spun up a bit.

@MOTOTravelUK

5 жыл бұрын

Lol. I'm very open about bikes. I'm no Fanboy. It is a great bike, very different to my GS but I would be very happy touring with it. The only thing is I'm 6'1 and I'm struggling with standing up on the pegs. Traveling behind Neil is very enjoyable. I can't lead as I have a different pace to Neil. But that has nothing to do with the bike. So I give it a big thumbs up. Checked out the 1000 last weekend and it's just not as nice. Thanks for your comments and ride safe.

@kurtsunderbruch4711

5 жыл бұрын

@@MOTOTravelUK , I'm 6'3" myself. You can get peg lowering blocks for it. I've got them on one bike, but not the other, but will have them on both soon. As for the 1000, I have one of those too (gen 2), and have put over 43K miles on it. It's a lovely and refined bike, and a big comfy couch of a thing. I've stiffened it up with aftermarket suspension, but it's just not nearly as much fun as the 650 despite having vastly greater power.

I had a lot of questions about the Versys. Your review checked them all off! A shopping I will go!

@MOTOTravelUK

2 жыл бұрын

Glad I could helping out

Swapped my zx10r for a Versys 650 best thing I have done. So much funnier to ride on twisty roads and works excellent for touring. ✌️

@MOTOTravelUK

Жыл бұрын

The 650 is a little monster!

Good presentation of the bike and its capabilities. Very informative.

@MOTOTravelUK

3 жыл бұрын

thank you very much.

@Christian-xd3vg

3 жыл бұрын

@@MOTOTravelUK Sure thing, but now it makes it so much harder to decide what bike to choose in the near future. A tourer, it surely should be, but yet, I always thought of something more nostalgic-cool, like the Kawasaki Vulcan 650s or Vulcan 900 custom/ LT until this 650 Versys got my attention. Now I'm a troubled man in the fast market-place of bike-world .... Any suggestion?

@MOTOTravelUK

3 жыл бұрын

@@Christian-xd3vg Well they are all great bikes, but you have to go with your gut. You know what is best for you. I'm a BMW guy and I know many shortcomings of the GS. But, I also know what to appreciate. So check the bikes out and go for it. Don't listen to other people, trust your gut.

@Christian-xd3vg

3 жыл бұрын

@@MOTOTravelUK Yes, you're right, in the end, it's my decision. Today, I looked at some brand new Triumphs Bonneville t120, and some were reduced down by about $ 2,500.00 - 3,000.00 below regular pricing. Very pretty bikes, especially the scrambler 1200, also to have at a bargain right now. Unfortunately, I can't jump on it now, and those bikes won't be around for long. But thanks for your thoughts, anyway. I hope in the spring of next year I will have a clearer sight of things to come up with something great to be proud of and happy with. Meanwhile, I do my research and continue window-shopping.

Best bike for real world scenario.. Let's put it like this, if i can only own one bike, versys 650 would definitely be it. Best bike on the planet! Affordable, easy to ride, reliable, cheap to maintain, it has enough power, frugal gas consumption etc etc!

@MOTOTravelUK

4 жыл бұрын

+ricardo corminal 💯 with you. It is an excellent bike. 👍 Thank you for dropping by.

Cool, I have the same windscreen you are using, works great

@MOTOTravelUK

4 жыл бұрын

Cool 👍

I have a 2018 model bought new in spring 2019. I like the upright seating position with feet underneath me. The bike is top heavy with a high seat. And when you add 40lbs of fuel (tank is up high too), it's even MORE top heavy. If you are not familiar with it, it could catch you off guard. 2018 model engine is very very smooth. I've heard that earlier models had vibration problems. But I do like the bike. At 65mph, vibration is almost nonexistent.

@MOTOTravelUK

4 жыл бұрын

Hi John. I can only agree with you. The bike is very agile compared to my GS. I wish there would be another 2' more ground clearance as the front has a habit to bottom out. Have you tried the 1000cc? A very different beast, so different in everything. Thanks for stopping by John. Best Steph

Nice video, thanks for trying the bike. Switched from my sport-touring BMW (R1100S) to the Versys mostly for riding position/comfort and bopping around on poor roads etc. Loving it so far (2017 model). Had to get used to the higher revving engine but it begs to be ridden.

@MOTOTravelUK

5 жыл бұрын

It is a great bike. But so different from a BMW. 👍 Thank you for sharing your experience.

Two brothers pipe, larger front sprocket, smaller rear also, liked it

@MOTOTravelUK

4 жыл бұрын

Working great.thanks for dropping by .

I am on my 2nd versys (2015)gt and tour with mate's on 1000cc + bike's I never have trouble keeping up😉

@MOTOTravelUK

2 жыл бұрын

Nice 👍

What screen is there on that, as it doesn't look like the stock one?

@MOTOTravelUK

4 жыл бұрын

It is all stock, nothing changed on the bike. Cheers for dropping by.

I have a Versys Gen 1 Great bike but crap suspension that can be sorted out with some effort. What I want to know is WHAT HAPPENED TO THE GLOVES?

@MOTOTravelUK

4 жыл бұрын

Hi Simon. The gloves made it back. Neil never knew 😁

I know it’s been a while, but do you know the windshield that was on that Versys?

@MOTOTravelUK

4 жыл бұрын

Sorry I don't know. It is one of the cheap Chinese ebay thingies. Working fine though.

hahahaha...........no just no :)................my gloves man my gloves !!!!.....thanks for the nice honest review mate.....

@MOTOTravelUK

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks again mate was fun. 👍😁

I'm currently riding a 2014 650 Versey, that I purchased new in 2016 for $4800 U.S.. I had been riding 1000cc + bikes since 1980. My last ride was a ZRX1200, from 2001-2016. Adjusting to a 650 parallel twin took some getting use to. I added some bar risers and lowering blocks, both helped for standing on the pegs whule on dirt roads. The bike is great on back roads and durt roads. On the interstate, the bike is very comfortable cruising at 65mph. Faster than that, things get a little buzzy. In closing, I have to say the Versey is a very good middleweight motorcycle.

@MOTOTravelUK

4 жыл бұрын

The Versys is a great little bike. Little not because of the engine, more the size. I'm 6'1 and the bike is just to small for me. Coming from a GS I value the dimension of a bigger bike. But saying that, riding the Versys is just absolutely fun. Thanks for your comment and ride safe!

@elitetileandstone

4 жыл бұрын

@@MOTOTravelUK, I'm 5'8 and just tested a new 1250 GS. I really loved the torque it produced. That is what I miss about my ZRX1200.

@MOTOTravelUK

4 жыл бұрын

@@elitetileandstone LOL they are great bikes.

@elitetileandstone

4 жыл бұрын

@@MOTOTravelUK, I just subscribed to your channel. Stay Safe, Rich

@MOTOTravelUK

4 жыл бұрын

+elitetileandstone thank you Rich.

Hello bro, I ride Versys650 aswel at Thailand.. 😋😋

@MOTOTravelUK

4 жыл бұрын

Excellent choice 👍

I've put over 40,000 miles on my 1st gen Versys 650. I know your not used to the bike but, noticed you have the revs a little too low while test riding.

@MOTOTravelUK

4 жыл бұрын

Hi Mike. The 650 is an awesome bike. You right about the revs during the test. I have to say the engine was fantastic even in the low RPM rage. You can't really see it but the hill was very steep. A lot of riders wouldn't even go there. That little bike is a work horse. It put a smile on my face. Thanks for dropping by.

@mishimposble

4 жыл бұрын

@@MOTOTravelUK The 650 is designed with usable mid range power in mind. Although it has some torque If you get another chance to try it out on more open roads I'd like to watch. I'd Imagine your BMW power curve would take some getting used to. It seems it may be more of a low end to linear delivery?

@MOTOTravelUK

4 жыл бұрын

Mike Anoneemus You go a point when it comes to my preferred engines. Always said my old BMW is a Mule. The 650 is a happy engine. I liked that a lot. Of course, having only half the cc of my mule, you know the difference. I can ride the 650 all day long. My only qualm is I'm 6'1, and I feel a little cramped in. With a bit of tweaking, no problem making it my everyday runner. I do understand why people are so fond of this bike. Cheers and stay safe, my friend.

I feel that the throttle response is too much snatchy

@MOTOTravelUK

4 жыл бұрын

Not sure what you mean.

@souravchakrabarti5029

4 жыл бұрын

@@MOTOTravelUK i find that when I am slowing down, close the throttle and then open it again to accelerate there is a sudden hesitation followed by too quick acceleration.

If are just on back roads or city a versys is the best but when you hit the interstate the versys ain't a good bike for that you need a 1000 versys but they do cost a lot more but if you want to go that is what it takes

@danielfrancis2847

4 жыл бұрын

I rode across the US on a Versys 650, interstates and country roads and deserts and mountains. Worked great.

@theradiantchild

4 жыл бұрын

@@danielfrancis2847 wonder how it would be with a pillion