Kawasaki Versys is here
- Thread starter TonyBKK
- Start date
Was at Kawa CM today and as luck would have it, they had just received a new MRA Vario Touring windscreen.
While in the packaging it didn't look much bigger than stock but I said what the heck and got it anyway - 7,000 Baht. I didn't even have time to try it yet - need to play around with the different settings. But I can already say it's worth the money because it just looks fantastic. See here!
Attached files
While in the packaging it didn't look much bigger than stock but I said what the heck and got it anyway - 7,000 Baht. I didn't even have time to try it yet - need to play around with the different settings. But I can already say it's worth the money because it just looks fantastic. See here!
Attached files
I know, right
Good to see you today Ron.I was at the dealer to bring them my proof of residency. When I was about to leave I asked one of the owners whether they have the MRA Vario screen now, more out of habit than anything else, I'd been asking about this since I got the bike. And there it was, fresh out of the box! An early xmas present! 10 minutes later it was on my bike
I've been going a little faster on the canal road, with the wing all the way up it's way, way better than the stock screen. MRA know what they're doing. Givi and Puig seem to be a little larger, but they're also MUCH uglier.
The big day arrived this morning. My friend Leif gave me a ride to Pattaya to fetch my new Versys. After an hour of fiddly fucking around with paperwork (all of which could have been done long before I arrived), my wife & I were on our way back to Ban Phe, a 75 km trip. The cheap bastards gave me enough gas for about 2 km, so that was the first task. Then I could finally settle down and ride. Once south of the slums of Pattaya, traffic thinned out a bit and I could concentrate on the ride.
The first impression was the torque. A couple of time while leaving a traffic light, I felt the forks top out and the front tire was was lightly floating. Awesome! Some have been complaining about the stock brake pads, but I found them quite acceptable. Granted they take some pedal/lever pressure, but they are very progressive and quite linear. However, with my wife riding pillion, I didn't think it would be prudent to pull a stoppie or two.
Direction changing was very impressive. The suspension geometry, tire profile, and low mass all add up to a very low effort and smooth lane change. Carving a quick curve or three showed very confident stability that increased with more throttle after the apex.
So far, I am very pleased with the V Bike. It's faster than my former R1150RT, and significantly more nimble. The only complaint I have is wind noise and turbulence. I assume that is caused by the fly screen, and I will play with the different positions and see if that helps. Also at 120+kph, the turbulence is lifting my 'safety hat' off my head. Very annoying indeed.
That's all for now, I'm a happy camper now.
The first impression was the torque. A couple of time while leaving a traffic light, I felt the forks top out and the front tire was was lightly floating. Awesome! Some have been complaining about the stock brake pads, but I found them quite acceptable. Granted they take some pedal/lever pressure, but they are very progressive and quite linear. However, with my wife riding pillion, I didn't think it would be prudent to pull a stoppie or two.
Direction changing was very impressive. The suspension geometry, tire profile, and low mass all add up to a very low effort and smooth lane change. Carving a quick curve or three showed very confident stability that increased with more throttle after the apex.
So far, I am very pleased with the V Bike. It's faster than my former R1150RT, and significantly more nimble. The only complaint I have is wind noise and turbulence. I assume that is caused by the fly screen, and I will play with the different positions and see if that helps. Also at 120+kph, the turbulence is lifting my 'safety hat' off my head. Very annoying indeed.
That's all for now, I'm a happy camper now.
[Huh - the forum just ate my post - oh well]
Congrats on your new bike
I find the MRA Vario Touring screen a huge improvement over stock. Just a slight breeze at 150 kph. This is the one sold Kawaski-branded in Europe. Givi and Puig screens have pretty good reviews too - and they look huge.
Congrats on your new bike
I find the MRA Vario Touring screen a huge improvement over stock. Just a slight breeze at 150 kph. This is the one sold Kawaski-branded in Europe. Givi and Puig screens have pretty good reviews too - and they look huge.
Hi Nikster
Thanks for the congrats. Much appreciated. I changed the screen to a steeper angle and tried it out today on an 85km jaunt. The wind noise is still unacceptable, although my helmet no longer lifts off my head. I find it weird that my Phantom naked bike had no wind noise at all, even at 120kph. Perhaps I should try taking the screen off and see what that is like. The noise may be due to other tupperware parts.
Where did you purchase your Vario screen? It it available here in Thailand?
Cheers
Thanks for the congrats. Much appreciated. I changed the screen to a steeper angle and tried it out today on an 85km jaunt. The wind noise is still unacceptable, although my helmet no longer lifts off my head. I find it weird that my Phantom naked bike had no wind noise at all, even at 120kph. Perhaps I should try taking the screen off and see what that is like. The noise may be due to other tupperware parts.
Where did you purchase your Vario screen? It it available here in Thailand?
Cheers
Locally produced engine guards available for the Kawasaki Versys!
These are modeled after the SW Motech engine guards but are a lot less expensive and actually feature an improved design, borrowing from the locally produced Ninja 650R no-cut frame sliders these engine guards feature a steel cross bar that connects both sides for added strength.
I'll post up more pics as soon as I receive mine!
Let the Good Times ROLL!
Tony
These are modeled after the SW Motech engine guards but are a lot less expensive and actually feature an improved design, borrowing from the locally produced Ninja 650R no-cut frame sliders these engine guards feature a steel cross bar that connects both sides for added strength.
I'll post up more pics as soon as I receive mine!
Let the Good Times ROLL!
Tony
Tony,
Where do you get these engine guards from and how much??
Cheers
Dave
Where do you get these engine guards from and how much??
Cheers
Dave
TonyBKK;262985 wrote: Locally produced engine guards available for the Kawasaki Versys!
These are modeled after the SW Motech engine guards but are a lot less expensive and actually feature an improved design, borrowing from the locally produced Ninja 650R no-cut frame sliders these engine guards feature a steel cross bar that connects both sides for added strength.
I'll post up more pics as soon as I receive mine!
Let the Good Times ROLL!
Tony
Kawasaki Rayong factory QA team checking out my bike at Kawa CM today
They diagnosed my fallen off exhaust cover as bad weld and are going to replace the exhaust under warranty. I was a bit disappointed to learn they don't get discounts from Kawasaki, or bikes to ride around on. Never heard of "eat your own dog food" I suppose?
Attached files
They diagnosed my fallen off exhaust cover as bad weld and are going to replace the exhaust under warranty. I was a bit disappointed to learn they don't get discounts from Kawasaki, or bikes to ride around on. Never heard of "eat your own dog food" I suppose?
Attached files
Hi Guys!
I've received a lot of inquiries about the locally made engine guards and other accessories for the Versys so here's what I know of so far:
I've got a line on two different engine guard manufacturers here in Bangkok and am hoping I can get samples before everyone takes off for the New Year Holiday.
The Thai-made engine guards are basically "refined" copies of the SW Motech and Givi brand engine guards. By "refined" I mean that the Thais have taken these expensive imports and actually improved on their design. Don't know if that makes much sense but hopefully I'll soon be able to show you in pictures what I'm trying to explain.
I expect the Versys engine guards will retail for around 5000 Baht but prices are not yet fixed.
Bash plate... Haven't seen a locally made one yet...
Pipes... Most common local brand I've seen on the EX650s and Versys is Tsukigi:
I believe the Tsukigi retails for about 10000 Baht. Here's the same pipe on a Versys-
In the pic above you can also see an Aluminum Radiator Guard. That retails for 2000 Baht.
I've seen some GP-style prototypes from Tyga that look amazing but I'm not sure if they are available retail yet.
And then there are all of the locally produced knockoffs of such brands as Akrapovich, Yoshimura and others. I'm not interested in knock-offs and don't know what they sell for.
YSS has already developed a shock for the Versys. In addition to a progressive spring, preload and rebound damping the YSS is also adjustable for RIDE HEIGHT! I've ordered one and will post up pics and a review once I've received it.
Let the Good Times ROLL!
Tony
I've received a lot of inquiries about the locally made engine guards and other accessories for the Versys so here's what I know of so far:
I've got a line on two different engine guard manufacturers here in Bangkok and am hoping I can get samples before everyone takes off for the New Year Holiday.
The Thai-made engine guards are basically "refined" copies of the SW Motech and Givi brand engine guards. By "refined" I mean that the Thais have taken these expensive imports and actually improved on their design. Don't know if that makes much sense but hopefully I'll soon be able to show you in pictures what I'm trying to explain.
I expect the Versys engine guards will retail for around 5000 Baht but prices are not yet fixed.
Bash plate... Haven't seen a locally made one yet...
Pipes... Most common local brand I've seen on the EX650s and Versys is Tsukigi:
I believe the Tsukigi retails for about 10000 Baht. Here's the same pipe on a Versys-
In the pic above you can also see an Aluminum Radiator Guard. That retails for 2000 Baht.
I've seen some GP-style prototypes from Tyga that look amazing but I'm not sure if they are available retail yet.
And then there are all of the locally produced knockoffs of such brands as Akrapovich, Yoshimura and others. I'm not interested in knock-offs and don't know what they sell for.
YSS has already developed a shock for the Versys. In addition to a progressive spring, preload and rebound damping the YSS is also adjustable for RIDE HEIGHT! I've ordered one and will post up pics and a review once I've received it.
Let the Good Times ROLL!
Tony
Hi Tony,
I'd be interested in getting an aluminium radiator guard. Could you please provide contact details for the suppliers?
Many Thanks
P
I'd be interested in getting an aluminium radiator guard. Could you please provide contact details for the suppliers?
Many Thanks
P
What gas mileage are you guys getting? I took 2 pretty accurate readings recently - compare trip meter km vs. liters put in tank, and made sure it was completely topped up every time - and both times a rather disappointing 14.5 km / l.
On the ER-6n I usually got 16 km/l or just a hair under. Could be because I have been riding the Versys mainly in the city, stop and go, short trips with cold engine etc. Still...
On the ER-6n I usually got 16 km/l or just a hair under. Could be because I have been riding the Versys mainly in the city, stop and go, short trips with cold engine etc. Still...
Hi Nikster,
Have done a couple of thousand K's on my Versys now - 1500 or so on the highway at around 23 Km/L or maybe just a little more if cruising - the rest in Bangkok traffic at about 21 Km/L.
At the rate your bike is using fuel maybe you should consider the savings with Gasohol, but otherwise I tend to agree it's a sham. When I first picked my bike up the mechanic who did the pre-delivery setup warned me off Gasohol as it can apparently cause problems gumming up the fuel system if let stand for a month or two - at least that's what I think he was getting at...
Cheers
Have done a couple of thousand K's on my Versys now - 1500 or so on the highway at around 23 Km/L or maybe just a little more if cruising - the rest in Bangkok traffic at about 21 Km/L.
At the rate your bike is using fuel maybe you should consider the savings with Gasohol, but otherwise I tend to agree it's a sham. When I first picked my bike up the mechanic who did the pre-delivery setup warned me off Gasohol as it can apparently cause problems gumming up the fuel system if let stand for a month or two - at least that's what I think he was getting at...
Cheers
Well that is what the Owners Manual says, they also warn you not to use gasohol with a certain higher percentage (depending on the kind of mix).
I do not know what kind of gasohol they sell here in Thailand. With what is it mixed? And at what percentage? And are all gasohol of different brand name they same?
Chang Noi