Versys 1000 ??

[viper]

I know a few on here have had , or have one , whats good and bad ?

Last bike was a gtr1400

[O.C.]

I now have a Versys 1000, needs must

Its much lighter (about 10 stone) than the GTR, I find it massively easier to ride due to it being lighter and its obviously easier to move around for the same reason

It is a very, very competent bike which does everything you ask of it, it will take you out for  a Sunday spin and it will handle longer tours with ease, I must say it is also extremely comfortable

The OEM screen is crap and is one of the first things to be replaced, the panniers are odd shaped and not as large as those on the GTR, it is also chain drive, and whilst I would definitely prefer shaft drive I must say that the latest chains are very substantial and don't require much adjustment, most owners saying that they adjust them about every 6 months depending on mileage

Otherwise I really cannot fault it except perhaps to say that it doesn't have the same presence as the GTR

I loved all of my four GTRs but had to take the decision to get a lighter more manageable bike, the Versys 1000 was the only choice for me

For anyone contemplating a Versys then I would strongly suggest a test ride     

[viper]

Thanks OC , I'm testing demo next Saturday so will let you know how I get one . Yes the screen does look awful and I will change it . Sholdnt have to do much more as it will be the Grand tourer .

Ive been off a bike for the last 18 months and its time to get back in the saddle .

I was keen on the Pan and we rode one last Saturday , although I like everything about the pan , there was something that just didn't feel right , it just felt like a bit of a dinosaur . It is the ultimate tourer but maybe we wont get to exploit that feature enough to justify the rest of its usability.

[trousersnake01]

What about the power, how does it cruising at 85

[O.C.]

there is more than enough power TS, it will happily cruise at 85, although I haven't done so

Many owners on the Versys1000 forum regularly use their bikes for continental touring and it is more than capable of handling that with ease and comfort.

I find it extremely easy to ride, in fact it feels almost like an automatic as it pulls so strongly in 6th gear,       

Admittedly it's not everyone's choice but it works for me 

[GTRpilot]

Had a Honda Varadero 1000cc which is similar to the Versys in looks.
Found it a bit top heavy when moving it around. It was okay with just the rider, but with a pillion and luggage all your overtakes etc had to be planned days in advance. That roll on power struggled.
Might be different with the Versys. My mate run's a bike tour company and rides one as does his wife. But no pillion.

[flatfour]

I bought a new Versys 100 GT in June 2015, following three years with the GTR. I enjoyed the GTR, however when my daughter started to ride her own "big bike" on our annual holiday trips, it was not worth me continuing to haul around the extra weight and bulk of the GTR for solo use and the occasional day trips that my wife joins me on.

For me, the Versys is much better than the GTR or its BMW K1200 RS predecessor. It is far, far lighter and, whether because of the weight reduction or gearing, accelerates much more quickly from low engine speeds. It also stops more quickly. I use it for everything, so much so that the older bikes that I always took on the shorter local trips to bike meets, the bank etc. are now in need of riding simply to keep them running properly. The larger tourers were never this convenient to use for me.

In my view, the build quality is also better than the GTR, the top - box is firmly mounted to its rack and does not wobble around and is of much more solid construction than the item fitted to the GTR, for example, whilst fairing plastics are also rigid and seem well made. The screen I changed for a Power Bronze Touring Screen. The seat is satisfactory for me (I did replace the GTR seat with a Top Sellerie) and, except for fitting a Power Bronze belly pan because I liked its appearance, the bike is unchanged from standard GT spec.

In all, I think that the Versys is a superb bike. It also returns 57 mpg with my use, the GTR gave 45 mpg and the BMW 43 mpg as a comparison. I have fitted Pirelli Angel GT tyres.

Warranty claims to date have been for one pair of front discs, due to a "grab and release" feeling for the final few yards when stopping. Changed without any problem, by the selling dealer.

[PRD]

What about the power, how does it cruising at 85

is our speed limit not 70?

[O.C.]

Had a Honda Varadero 1000cc which is similar to the Versys in looks.
Found it a bit top heavy when moving it around. It was okay with just the rider, but with a pillion and luggage all your overtakes etc had to be planned days in advance. That roll on power struggled.
Might be different with the Versys. My mate run's a bike tour company and rides one as does his wife. But no pillion.

Forgive me but I don't see the similarity in looks between the Versys and Varadero...but that' probably just me   

The Versys is much lighter to manoeuvre around than the GTR, I cant compare it to a Varadero as I've never owned one

What I can assure you about is the Versys' 1000 ability with 'roll on' power, which outstrips the GTR hands down ....yes really, and my last 2016 GTR was by far the best I ever owned      

[PRD]

And you do not have that daft key fob!

[GTRpilot]

Forgive me but I don't see the similarity in looks between the Versys and Varadero...but that' probably just me   

The Versys is much lighter to manoeuvre around than the GTR, I cant compare it to a Varadero as I've never owned one

What I can assure you about is the Versys' 1000 ability with 'roll on' power, which outstrips the GTR hands down ....yes really, and my last 2016 GTR was by far the best I ever owned      

As I said, "It might be different with the Versys", so thank's for confirming that. My mate really rates his.

[ChrisB]

We had a look at the Versys yesterday with the same thoughts as others when comparing to the GTR. Our only problem is that my wife is a relatively short person and struggles with the GTR footpegs to get on the bike. OK when riding, just an issue when getting on or off. The Versys rear pegs appear even higher and with the top box aiming even further skyward made us strike it off my potential wish list for a GTR replacement. if you have a pillion on a regular basis, make sure they go with you for a test ride. Mrs B loved the back of R1200RT but I hated the thing.

[flatfour]

Rather strangely, my wife (5' only) needed the footrests lowered on the GTR, however after having the lowered footrests transferred to the Versys, she found that they were not needed and I took them off. She has not had problems in getting on or off the bike during the times that she has ridden on it with me since.

It might also be worth noting that my wife has had a hip replacement and we did expect problems, however they simply did not materialise!

My back - up plan was to buy a BMW again if necessary, probably an R1200 R or RS (lighter than a K Series) and I still have a hankering for one these, however the product quality is, to my mind at least, in need of some serious attention before I would consider either of them.

[viper]

What about the power, how does it cruising at 85

when the pan is cruising its fine , however when you when accelerating there is much more vibration and noise then I was expecting , the gtr engine is whey whey smother which I wasn't expecting over a V4 .

The pan is a great layout and a much better overall package if you want a full blown tourer , but that engine just annoyed me . Very smooth gearbox and superb wind protection

[GTRpilot]

Any sign of the dreaded weave?