I talk a lot and I like motorcycles. Thought I'd combine the two in the hope of entertaining you all.
I'd love it if you join me for my first ride impressions, long term impressions and personal opinions.
More support from you all motivates me to create more content :-)
Пікірлер
You can Grab A lot of Meat Pies with the Bike
Nice video. What area are you driving through please(town and country)? Looks nice! Thanks!
Very informative video. Thank you. Advice: Don't go "ahhhh" so much. Sounds like you keep beeping the malfunctioning horn. If you are indeed honking the horn to warn pedestrians or small animals, that we can't see, I apologize.
I was able to get a ride on one and it’s very surprising I am looking at replacing my Harley 883 Iron 2017 and at the moment I have the BMW 310GS in one corner (my gf has one) the KTM 390 Adv and this is somewhat the wild card choice. I would be like putting on the pannier and the lights and all that, I did test the new Enfield 450 Himalayan nice but it wasn’t my thing. So I am looking at 2024 models
Nice review! I rode the 650 and 400 back to back and was surprised that i found the 400 much more fun. I particularly liked the chassis, it corners as if on rails, and the willing engine that is surprisingly gutsy for a 400 twin. Like you i didn't like the clocks, i notice the new Z500 clocks are much improved. The one thing you didn't mention was the exhaust, I'm a tall guy with big feet and found my heel on my right foot constantly hitting the exhaust, if it was me I'd simply have to have a different can to make it rideable. If the price hasn't gone crazy on the z500 and the chassis is still as good, it's going to be a gem.
Great video! Do you know if they are still being sold new in The Netherlands? Thank you
Beautiful scenery
Nice test but I'm waiting on Triumph to produce my perfect bike. It'll have the dimensions of the XC, the engine of the Speed Twin and the looks of the T120. I live in hope.
thats some lovely road to ride around
The performance package seems silly to me but to each of it's own. I'd prefer to install a windscreen, crash Guard/bar, a frame slider crash protector and bags for groceries, huehue. But first I must take the license and I've heard that here in Netherlands it's pretty hard. Well, I'll do my best.
Ps. I will make a correction: I will not install guard bar but only slider crash and engine cover (if it doesn't come in stock).
Great review! Making me doubt as I was going for a CB500X but a 2017 Versys 300 popped up for sale nearby and slightly cheaper even
What did you end up getting? I hear both are really good
@@KF1 now 8 months with the Versys 300. I’m happy with it, it’s a great platform for me into motorcycling and adventure riding. Done about 7000km on it already. I’ve also tried a few CB500Xs, if the budget reaches, I would get that though honestly. The torque difference alone would be worth it. Having said that, end of the day both are good bikes for what they’re designed to do and it just comes down to preference and adapting a bit to the bikes strengths and weaknesses. Happy anyway and enjoyed many Alpine passes on it and will keep it for at least another 12-18 months before I will likely move on to something a little bigger. Doing an Offroad course on it next week 👍🏻
@@roaminguero Thanks, that's right on. Happy riding!
I like the styling of the guage cluster but don't like the styling of the bike lol. I wish the CB300R and Svartpilen 401 had a guage cluster like the Z400. I also prefer the Twin over the single. I just wish the Z400 had a more classic/retro look.
Just closed the deal on one yesterday. Looking forward to enjoying the experience and using it as my first ADV bike.
I have the same bike, not even R1 can keep up with me in the twisties
Please tell me what camera are you using, where is it placed and how do you get voice to it, I like your video, it’s really nice 😒
Having a hard time choosing between the Duke390 and Z400. I live in the Philippines and it gets really hot in here and I do not know which one should I get between these two. I will be using the bike mainly for commuting and once in a while will be using it in the twisties. Which would u recommend for me?
I don't have a lot of experience with the Duke. The z400 will not disappoint. The Duke has more low grunt / fun at low speeds and hills. The z will offer a bit smoother ride. Both are excellent motorcycles.
@@winglessoracle2967 thanks for the reply! Considering the kawasaki now after seeing it in person.
Now 66,150 KM on my 2019 and 0 problem. Very reliable little bike.
Many Thanks! At 75 years young, I'm already looking for my next & probably last bike. I'm riding everyday (Thanks to the Tropics where I live) a 192 Kg* 660 cc 2010 Yamaha & I thing that if I'm still in shape to ride at 80, I'll switch to a lighter bike with a lower seat. Beside the BMW G 310 R (164 kg* i.e. 28 Kg lighter & 2 cm lower seat), I like the Kawa 400 & the Kawa Versys 300. By the way, two 300 went around the world with two Frenchman/woman with no major problem: kzread.info/dash/bejne/c4N9xKV-kbCZnLw.html *All fueled up
The Rebel is worth a look.
I just got the 2022 ABS version of it. Happy with it so far. Is it easy to change out the grips for heated ones? And the cost to purchase the heated grips? Did you have the dealership install the grips?
My dealer installed them but it was an easy job according to them.
The first gear is a grainy year like you would find in any bigger truck tow truck 3-ton trucks 2 ton trucks Jeeps what it's for is if you ever get it stuck get off your bike put it in first gear and gauge it and walk beside it therefore your bike and you will become unstuck in that situation in any other situation you will start off in second gear all the time like on the street at a stoplight you're going to be in second gear if you're going down a hill at the downslope you'll be in third gear this bike is actually one of the best adventure bikes I've ever owned
I really enjoy your reviews! No wasting time with cut scenes, you get straight to the point, you’re unbiased and easy to hear. The scenery is amazing and you keep the format the same for all your videos. I really hope one day you start uploading again soon. Thanks and take care!
Really nice video! I bought this motorcycle in March of 2022. I ride it 2-3 times a week and nearly 5000 miles. Very good bike.
Just the video l needed. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Well I finally got to test drive a 2019 on of these , omg how lame - no power , the clutch , clutch assist and slipper clutch combined make downshifting gaf , then there's the screaming engine and your barely moving..I wanted to like it bad but no way.
cant wait for the 400
Get the 650 , do yourself a favor.
scenery in this video is absolutely gorgeous
My wife is enjoying her Versys 300. We have pretty much done all the “needed” mods, sprocket, lights, grips etc. it’s a great big little bike. I occasionally sneak it to commute to work on now and then. ;-)
What change did you make, did the sprocket change require any other changes and please describe the result.
@@Vested_Investor No the sprocket is a direct swap not other changes needed other than adjust the chain. It seems to have dropped about 400 rpm at 65 mph if I remember correctly.
@@Vested_Investor I have a video on my page with some of the mods. I need to make a new one.
Say exactly the sprocket swap is
@@MikesProjectsandHobbiesMC no
Great review. I've downsized myself and mostly ride smaller dual sports. I like the low-end grunt of a single. Is that missing in this small engine? And do you get tired of the high revving nature of it?
Yes you miss the grunt I of a single thumper but you quickly get used to riding high rev.
thx for the vid.. when I get my x300, the first two items that will be ordered ahead of time are a bash plate and a set of mitas mc24 invader tires.... i think those will be perfect for the x300.
How would it fit a 5'6"
Relatively well but I do think you'll need to tiptoe slightly. As far as adventure bikes go this one has a low seat. There are low and higher seat options available so be sure to get a good test ride before you buy one.
Noone in the states understands zed, we say zee.
Looking at English streets gives me anxiety, I like the tiled brick look but there are no side barriers and houses are right on the street. I wouldn’t like riding there haha
This is holland 🤣
Looking for my first bike and have been drawn to the Z400 for price and looks. This might be the 4th review I’ve watched on KZread and each one was very positive for overall riding experience. Wingless - really excellent review! Your tone, pace of speaking and commentary were spot on for me. The views of the town & countryside were beautiful - luck you for such a pretty area to ride. New subscriber.
it’s a great first bike! got mine this month
Got the z400 as my first bike a year ago, the only complaint I have is the crappy mirror position but other than that a great bike
I just purchased my almost new 2017 Kawasaki X300 Versys on Monday of this week. It had 1540 miles on the odometer and looks absolutely brand new! It was delivered to me by the original owner on Tuesday April 13, 2022 which is the first day that I rode my new motorcycle. The previous owner rode it to my state so that he could rest assured that I would register and title his motorcycle before he turned it over to me. First let me say that I am 68 years old. I am 5-10" tall, weigh 269 pounds and I have a 29/30" pants inseam. I looked all over for specifics on whether this motorcycle would be a good fit for me. I knew it was tall with the seat height at 30.9". But would I fit this motorcycle well. I already had a bad experience owning a 2002 BMW R1150GS that was a huge machine, a real monster. That BMW proved much too tall and heavy for me to safely handle so I sold it right away. I replaced that BMW with a 2001 R1200C Pheonix which proved much more manageable with it's seat height of a mere 29.9". But it is a 1200cc machine which means it is VERY heavy! So I bought a little Honda Grom which proved to be so much fun that I thought to myself, "wow, look at what I have been missing." Then I discovered a Blog online where a girl named Noraly is riding her 2022 Honda CRF300L from South America to Alaska. She calls her site "Itchy Boots" where she posts 3 videos per week on average. After watching her great adventures for a couple of months I decided that I must have a motorcycle just like hers. But then I discovered that the Honda CRF300L is nearly impossible to acquire right now unless you are willing to pay $2,000 over MSRP. Yikes. That is when I discovered the 310 BMW and the X300 Kawasaki Versys. I went with the Versys for several reasons. First, it was availability. Next was value and finally after watching many reviews on KZread I liked the twin cylinder water cooled engine making 40hp. So I bought one! I have ridden it 60 miles so far. This is what I can report. First, it IS TALL. We lowered the rear shocks to the lowest factory settings and now I can almost flat foot the motorcycle. It actually seems manageable although I almost dropped it going up the ramp into my shop today. Scared me a bit. The motorcycle is whisper quiet. I like this because my Honda Grom snarls like a mad dog with it's aftermarket Vance & Hines pipe. Really it is too loud. But the X300 has a very nice exhaust note. I do not plan to change this. Next, This motorcycle handles beautifully. The ride height seems tall but the bike is so friendly in every situation. I just love my new X300. Finally, this motorcycle is geared very low. Extremely low. But I guess Kawasaki wanted it this way. I go through the gears to find that I am in 5th at 37mph lol. I hit 6th at about 43 mph and that is the last gear. It seems like it should have a 7th & 8th gear lol. The bike redlines at 12,000 rpm. Whoa, that makes it a screaming machine. When you ride 65mph the engine turns 7,500 rpm. This is very alien to me and seems insane. But there is tons more throttle left after that, all the way to 12,000rpm. Amazing! This bike gets 51mpg so the high rpm must be efficient. I researched re-gearing the bike but you cannot alter it very much without disturbing the engine's code(s). For this reason I plan to leave mine all stock. Finally, the seat is very hard, most uncomfortable. I rode 40 miles today and my Fanny wanted off of this torture device. I guess I am spoiled by the Corbin Seat on my BMW R1200C. Finally, my biggest concern was, "will this motorcycle have enough power to haul my fat butt around lol". Yes it does! The low gearing is so powerful that this little Kawasaki doesn't even know that I am onboard. I get the impression that the X300 could carry a circus elephant if one was so inclined. I hope this little report will help others decide to buy a X300 Versys. I sure am happy with mine. So lite and easy to handle. That is where the fun is!!!
Thanks for the amazing report. As for gearing, I considered adding a tooth to the front sprocket (15 in stread of 14) but everyone I spoke to about this modification said it wasn't worth it and some even changed back to the 14 as they missed the low gearing so I kept it stock.
Well that was a fist full but worth every comment well done !!!
Epic comment 👏
The sound of that little Ninja engine at 9,000 rpm is sooo intoxicating. Even with stock exhaust. Like that Formula 1 sound. She's definately a keeper !! 🤩
Agree across the board. That terrible, terrible dash is very off-putting. I'm shopping now and I'd probably have bought one weeks ago if the dash weren't so atrocious. Also the mirrors are perfect for looking at your elbows, not much else. I'm almost certainly going to buy one anyway, I'll just live with the dash and I'll replace the mirrors ASAP.
Really nice review - thanks for posting!
Good review. I like you spent time on the seating. I agree mirrors are ugly and screen needs updating. Subscribed.
Thanks for the video informative yet funny probably without trying.
Hell yeah
Small adventure bikes and dual sports make no sense anywhere you can’t ride them. You being in England makes this a horrible decision. You have to live where you can use it.
If he was in England he would have had a few head on collisions 😅
Is the use of the word “street fighter” a specific reference, or does this bike just somehow remind some people of skinned joints, broken glass and busted hands? I don’t really get it.
Great review + appreciate the detailed breakdown on XC vs XE! Agree with the safety features being gated behind the XE: irresponsible of Triumph here and they need to do better.
Great review! I own a Versys x300 & I too am very surprised with it performance for the price. I use it to commute & on weekends it’s my Adventure Touring bike. It’s a great bike for what it is, lite weight, easy to ride, fun bike. 👍
Found your channel as I have a Versys 300 but would love an XE. Your reviews are fantastic and it’s a shame you don’t have the time to make more. Maybe in the future........
Just traded up from the z400 to a Versys 650. No regrets, but I do miss how light and nimble the z400 feels.
You are correct as a 5ft 3 woman I love this bike, I have a full license but it has every thing I want. I not sure I would ever sell it, I would just get another bike. It is stable, smooth, and light.
Update! I have now had this bike for 3 years and still love it. I have since bought two more bikes 😅 so I was correct, what ever happens this bike is a keeper. I have updated the rear suspension with an Ohlins to suit my weight, I am very light and the standard shock could not be adjusted. Replaced the tyres with Michelin Road 6 which made the biggest difference to how the bike handles. Had a custom seat made and added ASV leavers. I have done over 7000 miles on it and it has never let me down.
390 is better
Nice video. I've always thought of Kawi as lb4lb the hardest hitter of the big four and IMO this bike exemplifies that when you compare it with the MT-03 and CB500F. Built from the ground up with a new frame and engine it's all buff no fluff and with killer looks to boot - love it (I'd even take the cluster over any fancy TFT!) Again cheers for the great review, I'm sure this channel would take off if you ever do more of the same.
Thanks for the kind words.