I know a few on here have had , or have one , whats good and bad ?
Last bike was a gtr1400
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 :yes:
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.
What about the power, how does it cruising at 85
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, :yes:
Admittedly it's not everyone's choice but it works for me
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.
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.
Quote from: trousersnake01 on April 17, 2017, 11:05:05 PM
What about the power, how does it cruising at 85
is our speed limit not 70?
Quote from: GTRpilot on April 18, 2017, 07:08:11 AM
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 :mfr_lol:
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 :yes:
And you do not have that daft key fob!
Quote from: O.C. on April 18, 2017, 10:22:10 AM
Forgive me but I don't see the similarity in looks between the Versys and Varadero...but that' probably just me :mfr_lol:
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 :yes:
As I said, "It might be different with the Versys", so thank's for confirming that. My mate really rates his.
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.
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.
Quote from: trousersnake01 on April 17, 2017, 11:05:05 PM
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
Any sign of the dreaded weave?
Quote from: viper on April 17, 2017, 08:22:15 PM
I know a few on here have had , or have one , whats good and bad ?
Last bike was a gtr1400
I just moved to a GTR here from a Versys 1k - I liked mine...
Pro's:
1. Comfortable - No matter what the road surface
2. Capable - What do you expect from a Kawasaki 4 cyl
3. Reliable - never had a problem in 4 years
4. Handlebar position was/is great, never considered or needed risers - I did however stick some Barkbuster handguards on it
5. Everything was easy to get to unlike the battery on the GTR for example !!!
6. Wiring in new stuff didnt require 2hrs of panels off !!!
7. Came with a hugger!!
Con's
1. Wasnt great on fuel consumption - returned around 130-140 for a tank
2. Didnt have a gear change indicator - I got uysed to my one on the ZZR and missed it, had to get an aftermarket one
3. I had a 2013 model and frankly it was/is ugly :) - Kak colour and what was the deal with the headlight (New ones look very nice though)
4. I found that it being a 1000cc that you had to wind it up a bit to make it do anything, I missed the effortlessness of the ZZR and the GTR simply purrs to whatever speed I want now.
5. I'm a big fella and felt that if I needed to do some serious touring with the wife, the suspension would have needed to be changed
Original Screen is/was poo, replaced it with a Givi Airflow, was much better
Other than that, it was a capable bike. On my ZZR I could manage maybe 45mins before I need a break, the Wife managed around 30 mins. First time we were out on the Versys we clocked up 3hrs straight. Roads we wouldnt have even tried with the ZZR.
Hope that helps
130 - 140 per tank :shocked: , I easily get up to 200, and the latest Versys is a looker, you are correct that the earlier model was the ugly duckling, Oh and the OEM screen is pants :mfr_lol:
The latest version has improved economy, lighter assisted clutch, better performance and an integrated gear position indicator :yes:
I'll admit that it aint a GTR but it is bloody good :smiley:
200 Miles !!
Wow, my 2013 was a dog on fuel, and it did try in ECO/Low power mode for a few tanks trying to get it higher, maybe say 160 tops.
I do like the new ones though, twin headlights makes such a difference.
Glad they included the gear indicator, I dont use it too much but I do look at it now and again.
Deposit paid and ordered today , hopefully getting it after we get back off hols end may
:banana: :banana: :banana:
Quote from: viper on May 04, 2017, 07:37:30 PM
Deposit paid and ordered today , hopefully getting it after we get back off hols end may
:banana: :banana: :banana:
Congratulations, pics and details when it arrives :clap:
Quote from: viper on May 04, 2017, 07:37:30 PM
Deposit paid and ordered today , hopefully getting it after we get back off hols end may
:banana: :banana: :banana:
Without wishing to sully the conversation - what colour?
green and black , of course !
Viper. Don't worry about fuel consumption, mine always does 240+ miles per fill up. Has never done less than 55 mpg, and on a Euro trip to Austria/ Italy averaged 61 MPG over a 2750 mile trip. The big V is a great bike. Enjoy it. Geoff. PS Where have you bought the bike from?.
When figures are quoted for what people get out of a tank ,is that to the fuel light or is that to the figure quoted then go and fill up , I get 150-160 then go fill up on the gtr so probably 50 mile to running out ,so you could say 210 to a run out of fuel , can get light to come on at 130 m or going very steady will go to 175 , , my ktm 1050 will do 200m then have 50 left so 250 to a tank , an extra 2 litres in the tank on the gtr would have been better once the fuel gauge drops all I think about is hope I don't run out ,when your touring abroad the miles soon rack up , :biker3:
Quote from: 100milesaway on May 05, 2017, 08:47:20 PM
Viper. Don't worry about fuel consumption, mine always does 240+ miles per fill up. Has never done less than 55 mpg, and on a Euro trip to Austria/ Italy averaged 61 MPG over a 2750 mile trip. The big V is a great bike. Enjoy it. Geoff. PS Where have you bought the bike from?.
TBH I have not even thought about fuel consumption , couldn't say what my GTR ever did to the gallon anyway .
Ive ordered the bike from Robinsons in Rochdale
just looking to buy a puig screen . some state they are for models up to 2016 , some say upto 2017 , is there a difference ?
also some say will not fit the touring model, again whats the difference ?
I believe that there are changes to the 2017 Versys that make the screen fixings different from earlier models, although I seem to remember that on the Versys Forum someone has adapted the earlier screen to fit.
The Versys 1000 has its own dedicated forum, if you are interested.
My Versys has brought me home from France this afternoon, in all 1,900 miles in some ten days. All went well, with an average fuel consumption of 53 mpg at AutoRoute speeds, mostly in temperatures that exceeded 30c.
Quote from: viper on May 27, 2017, 03:32:26 PM
just looking to buy a puig screen . some state they are for models up to 2016 , some say upto 2017 , is there a difference ?
also some say will not fit the touring model, again whats the difference ?
all versys 1000 are the same base bike, the diffeences are the equipment that is subsequently attached, panniers, top box, hand guards etc.
The 2017 model versys has a seat lock positioned to the left rear side panel rather than on the rear panel adjacent to the number plate, it features a gear position indicator as standard plus other smaller improvements, BUT the screen attachments have been improved by adding rubber cushions which require larger holes in the screen .
Puig Screens for pre 2017 models wont directly fit a 2017 model,
do a 200 mile trip on Saturday on the v1k, averaged 51 mpg , that's 2 up and 50/50 motorway miles and B roads and a bit of low mpg stuff getting up to horseshoe pass in Llangollen