Kawsaki Versys 650 - First time (Big Bike)

[mark284811]

Hi All,

Just to give a bit of background... so i used to have a CBT and a Gilera GSM (50cc) back in my high school/college days until i could get a car drivers license.

Needless to say.... time has passed on and i never went back to a motorcycle. I've just done my CBT again recently, and have my MOD 1 and MOD 2 booked for the coming weeks.

I've been doing my research for the best commuter bike, as I'll be riding 18,700miles per year to commute to a train station just outside of Manchester, to then hop on a train to complete the last section of my commute by train.

My Journey will be a mixture of A Roads and M roads. And will be approximately 70Miles each way for 3 days per week.

Based on insurance / MPG / Comfort / Features... I had considered the VStrom, NC700, 750GS, Tiger 800, MT-07, ER6 andTracer 700.

So to my question....

1. It looks that the Kawasaki Versys 650 is the best choice for me, does anyone have any real world experience of owning one of these?
2. Luggage is an important element as well, as I'll be leaving all my gear at the station with the bike (Jacket / Trousers / Helmet)
3. Should i be getting an older bike say 2015, for £5k or get a brand new one for £7.5k? The reason i ask is I'm not sure that depreciation on a motorbike works the same way?

Look forward to hearing anyone's suggestions and pros and cons specifically of the Versys 650

Thanks

Mark

[Andy XRV]

My mate had one and he toured everywhere on it. Even to this day he still rates it as one of the best bikes he's ever owned. IIRC the only problem he ever had with it were a few small cracks in the fairings around the fixing holes. I think he did over 20K on it before moving on the Versys 1000.

Great and very underrated bike.

A few pics with luggage

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|https://thumbsnap.com/stEr8Jvz[/url][url]

|https://thumbsnap.com/r5vsUvKS[/url]

[trickywoo]

I’m curious to know why the bike can’t do the whole journey.

That aside the Kawasaki is a good choice. Personally I’d go for the v strom just because the SV base, v twin and gearbox, is so sweet. I certainly wouldn’t pay more for the Kawasaki but if you can get a deal you won’t be disappointed.

[Jazoli]

I had one and thought it was a fantastic bike, I only sold it because it wasn't really quick enough for me, they are massively underrated, I keep looking at cheap ones and might buy another as a day to day bike.

For the mileage you will be doing buy a new one (pre=reg) with full luggage and enjoy it, there are some great reviews on youtube from motorcyclist magazine in the states that do several comparisons with its competitors and the Versys always comes out on top https://www.youtube.com/user/MotorcyclistMag/searc...

[7w7]

A good bike, sold after 4 months due to:

-Too dull for me
-Excessively heavy - 20kg heavier than a Tracer

It's the kind of bike that does everything well, but does it with the least excitement possible. It's very comfy and will never let you down though.

[A500leroy]

look at insurance costs, new bikes tend to cost more to insure than used in my experience

[PurpleTurtle]

No experience of the specific bike, but my first 'big' bike was a Kawasaki KLE500 in the 90s, similar style and (relatively) low bhp meant that I got used to riding something more than a learner bike but didn't get myself in trouble before moving up to more powerful bikes. So a good choice from that perspective.

My only comment as an all year round bike commuter for 20yrs is what are you going to do with all your kit, leave it with the bike?

Where will you park it, undercover? Guaranteed? What happens if not undercover and you get there on a day like today, lashing down with rain, and you have to do some kind of dance to get into your 'civvy' kit to get on the train? What you describe seems to be an immense ball ache to me.

Luggage has decent capacity, but you would need a topbox and two panniers to hold all your riding kit on the bike - any kit with decent armour does not fold up easily. Not only is leaving all that with the bike all day a huge theft magnet for anyone who sees you leaving it there, the two side panniers lose you a lot of filtering room and wil lslow you down in town.

If I were doing your journey (still not entirely sure why you would enjoy the delights of motorcycling, then put the last part of your journey into the hands of public transport) I would go for a BMW CoverAll type suit, worn over your work clothes and just jump on the train wearing that, doing your change as part of your journey or at your destination.

[mark284811]

Andy XRV said:

My mate had one and he toured everywhere on it. Even to this day he still rates it as one of the best bikes he's ever owned. IIRC the only problem he ever had with it were a few small cracks in the fairings around the fixing holes. I think he did over 20K on it before moving on the Versys 1000.

Great and very underrated bike.

Thanks, Andy ! That's some interesting feedback. Especially the number of miles before upgrading to the bigger version!

[mark284811]

trickywoo said:

I’m curious to know why the bike can’t do the whole journey.

That aside the Kawasaki is a good choice. Personally, I’d go for the v strom just because the SV base, v twin and gearbox, is so sweet. I certainly wouldn’t pay more for the Kawasaki but if you can get a deal you won’t be disappointed.

Trickywoo, the main reason I've decided against going the whole journey is due to a few reasons

1. To do the whole journey door to door would be 102miles each way
2. No cost-effective secure bike storage at the end destination
3. Getting all the way into a major city, doesn't not really appeal to me on a motorbike, not to mention the above security concerns

Thanks for your recommendation on the V Strom, i think i'll go and have a look at one in person, as its one of the contenders I've yet to go have a poke around at.

[Dift]

You'll need lots of storage to store all your riding gear.

Might be worth reconsidering the NC due to the helpful "frunk" which should be able to hold your helmet, gloves and maybe 1 boot. You might get the rest in one large top box or 2 panniers.

You'll need both panniers and a large top box to securely store your kit otherwise

[Kizmiaz]

I had one for a year as a company bike. Good for taller riders, boring but as dependable as hell. Rode it through snow etc...all stuff my Blade doesn't do well. I would recommend over an NC.