It looks like mr Kawasaki has put all the options a GTR needed on this instead of a new 1400 :censored:
https://www.morebikes.co.uk/56137/world-launch-kawasaki-versys-1000-se-grand-tourer/
I think you are right. No need for a gtr in uk with that one available. Shame no shaft drive.
Quote from: PRD on February 16, 2019, 08:20:39 AM
I think you are right. No need for a gtr in uk with that one available. Shame no shaft drive.
I totally agree just the 1 thing missing shaft drive :yes:
At £16000 on the road, it SHOULD be very good
Quote from: Burchy on February 16, 2019, 09:52:37 AM
At £16000 on the road, it SHOULD be very good
but every thing is included at that price. Some manufacturers make you pay extra for panniers etc.
Sorry don,t agree the gtr is a much better bike and better finished off ,only thing missing is cruise control which can be added
Quote from: Lloyd on February 16, 2019, 04:23:04 PM
Sorry don,t agree the gtr is a much better bike and better finished off ,only thing missing is cruise control which can be added
:mfr_lol: The finish on all the latest Kawasaki products is far better than any of the 4 GTRs that I have owned, additionally, if you check the specification of the Versys1000 GT SE you will see that it is not just about the addition of Cruise Control
Don't get me wrong, the GTR is an outstanding bike however it is now somewhat dated in todays marketplace..... it's a fact :yes:
I looked in a versys before i had mine they were side by side and im sorry but the overall finish on the versys was not that good ,as to suspension when you fined your setting its done just another expensive thing to go wrong ,but ha we all have our own opinion, not running kaw down i,ve had them and only them for over thirty years
Rog, your right, the new Versys looks like a cracking bit of kit and lighter than a GTR, I loved every minute of my GTR and only sold it when it was to heavy to push around easily, I also agree the GTR is now long in the tooth and won't be replaced so this Versys could be the answer.
As a Multistrada rider £16k is cheap for what you get, well worth considering.
Quote from: Lloyd on February 16, 2019, 08:30:17 PM
I looked in a versys before i had mine they were side by side and im sorry but the overall finish on the versys was not that good ,as to suspension when you fined your setting its done just another expensive thing to go wrong ,but ha we all have our own opinion, not running kaw down i,ve had them and only them for over thirty years
Which model year Versys were you looking at ? I ask because I have witnessed a massive improvement in the quality and finish of all Kawasaki products in today's product line up, this is a fact right through the current range/line up ....... you only have to visit your local Kawasaki dealership to see for yourself :yes:
Your observations about suspension and settings are confusing, however we all have our own opinions/views :smiley:
FWIW I too have owned many, many Kawasaki's over many, many years :smiley:
2018 model with boxs fitted ,at cradley kaw brand new in green
It's a nice colour, but the panniers look tiny. If you have panniers fitted to a bike you should at least be able to get a helmet in one, or is that expecting too much?
Quote from: Lonewolf on February 18, 2019, 05:18:58 PM
It's a nice colour, but the panniers look tiny. If you have panniers fitted to a bike you should at least be able to get a helmet in one, or is that expecting too much?
good point wonder how size compares to GTR in litres. Somebody will know.
The GTR panniers look bigger.
The SX panniers are 27 litres. Think the GTR are 35
i thought the Versys panniers are 28Litre capacity, the GTR1400 are indeed 35 Litre
The Versys panniers, despite their unusual shape (maybe form over function) will accomodate most full face helmets
Quite a drop in capacity that. If two up travelling that will limit things. Especially if a woman is involved!!
Quote from: PRD on February 18, 2019, 08:12:08 PM
Quite a drop in capacity that. If two up travelling that will limit things. Especially if a woman is involved!!
The same panniers are used for all models now
I don't like the shape and appearance of the latest panniers, however they are capable of carrying more than their looks might suggest even with the superb quality fitted inner bags that are included. :yes:
Quote from: PRD on February 18, 2019, 08:12:08 PM
Quite a drop in capacity that. If two up travelling that will limit things. Especially if a woman is involved!!
The panniers are for the women you have the top box and your pockets and how much you can wear 😂👍 :whistling:
Quote from: pross on February 18, 2019, 09:12:30 PM
The panniers are for the women you have the top box and your pockets and how much you can wear 😂👍 :whistling:
Now I see where I have been going wrong. Thought it was equal rights......
Having owned a couple of bikes with smaller panniers it's a struggle to pack enough clothing, toiletries etc for a 2 week trip away on the bike for two people. I have no such problem with the GTR panniers and a 47 litre top box. I have one pannier, the wife has one pannier and the top box has the wife's overspill and essentials,(read that as 40 of the 47 litres) :lipsrsealed: waterproofs, tyre repair kit etc.
Quote from: Robbieben on February 19, 2019, 01:23:50 PM
Having owned a couple of bikes with smaller panniers it's a struggle to pack enough clothing, toiletries etc for a 2 week trip away on the bike for two people. I have no such problem with the GTR panniers and a 47 litre top box. I have one pannier, the wife has one pannier and the top box has the wife's overspill and essentials,(read that as 40 of the 47 litres) :lipsrsealed: waterproofs, tyre repair kit etc.
just another reason to keep the good old Gtr. Panniers on the k16 are smaller than ours as well.
To put this into realistic perspective, the difference in volume of say 8 litres per pannier equates to a fair amount of whiskey (my choice) or vodka (her choice).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Sg7yAxqrrs
Some may find this interesting....granted it is one persons view/opinion... look at the quality of finish :wink:
Looks nice.
I have to say ..in a strange way I quite like it :yes: ..BUT it looks as if it needs much bigger luggage or a least a bigger top box and maybe a Kawasaki bag .. those diddly panniers won't be good for much when out and about. I was always pleased with the overall finish too.
Quote from: Rusty on February 22, 2019, 07:04:39 AM
I have to say ..in a strange way I quite like it :yes: ..BUT it looks as if it needs much bigger luggage or a least a bigger top box and maybe a Kawasaki bag .. those diddly panniers won't be good for much when out and about. I was always pleased with the overall finish too.
I'm not sure what type of bag you mean, the luggage does include very good quality Kawasaki branded inner bags for the panniers and top box :yes:
I agree the panniers aren't what I would call 'practical' but as I previously mentioned they do hold more than I thought :smiley:
I do like the bike but I think the panniers are too small for serious touring. The BMW GS loses a lot of capacity on one side due to raised exhaust as well.
I had the opportunity to have a good look at the new 2019 Versys this weekend and without a doubt it looks great, I like the TFT Screen which is similar to the Ducati Multi screen, a great touring bike for one person I'd say, panniers let it down for two up longer trips.
I'm looking at the Versys as a replacement for my GTR. Regards panniers, just fold the clothes differently and take less, we always take far to much crap with us, "Just in case", and never end up using half of it. Hopefully I can still fit my Givi maxia top box on it which will give more room :popcorn:
Quote from: GTRpilot on March 05, 2019, 03:06:16 PM
I'm looking at the Versys as a replacement for my GTR. Regards panniers, just fold the clothes differently and take less, we always take far to much crap with us, "Just in case", and never end up using half of it. Hopefully I can still fit my Givi maxia top box on it which will give more room :popcorn:
I have a Givi Maxia Monokey which I use on the standard plate, it works perfectly
The big question is, is the new Versys worth the extra £5 grand just for electronic gizmo's? :popcorn:
Quote from: GTRpilot on March 08, 2019, 11:26:24 AM
The big question is, is the new Versys worth the extra £5 grand just for electronic gizmo's? :popcorn:
It seems to be the way all the manufacturers are going, more electronics for safety and comfort means a bigger purchase price, doesn't matter which manufacturer these days, If and it's a big "IF" Kawasaki were to update and replace the GTR I think we would see a price tag near £18,000.00 in todays market.
Quote from: Robbieben on March 08, 2019, 12:20:29 PM
It seems to be the way all the manufacturers are going, more electronics for safety and comfort means a bigger purchase price, doesn't matter which manufacturer these days, If and it's a big "IF" Kawasaki were to update and replace the GTR I think we would see a price tag near £18,000.00 in todays market.
Yep, I think your right. Gone are the days when motorcycling was a cheap form of transport.
Yep it's a leisure market now and yet they should be encouraging use of small bikes to get around and help save the environment. Instead we have one person per car sitting in jams. And then massive 4 X 4's....
IMHO it is extremely unlikely that the venerable GTR will be re-introduced especially since KHI now have an extremely modern and competent line up of alternatives..... HS SX SE ...... Z 1000 SX & VERSYS 1000 (several versions). The GTR did not meet Euro 4 emissions requirements let alone the impending Euro 5 requirements.
The only real way to find out about the qualty of the latest version of the Versys 1000 is to try one for yourself :popcorn:
OOI, only the top of the range Versys1000 SE GT costs around £16000, other versions are more competitively priced :yes:
Good write up in this months Ride magazine for the Versys. I'll be keeping my GTR though.
Quote from: O.C. on March 08, 2019, 06:44:29 PM
IMHO it is extremely unlikely that the venerable GTR will be re-introduced especially since KHI now have an extremely modern and competent line up of alternatives..... HS SX SE ...... Z 1000 SX & VERSYS 1000 (several versions). The GTR did not meet Euro 4 emissions requirements let alone the impending Euro 5 requirements.
Yes, I agree, I think the supercharged platform is the new evolution for Kawasaki, though I do hope they release a real touring version to replace the GTR. The H2 SX is great, I've tried one but just not suitable as a replacement for my GTR taking into consideration that I use it for longer 2 up tours with the wife. Though if I was to leave the wife at home....
I had a look at the new Versys 1000 se yesterday. I really liked it but chain drive and the panniers are too small. Will definitely
Consider it if I decide to get rid of gtr though.
Roger .. I may be mistaken in my old age but I thought Kawasaki did soft luggage too ? Like a strap down bag for the rear seat ? Perhaps not, but I am glad you found plenty of room in what was already there. Lots to choose from out there .. Kriega are always very good quality. :yes:
Quote from: Rusty on March 15, 2019, 08:03:50 PM
Roger .. I may be mistaken in my old age but I thought Kawasaki did soft luggage too ? Like a strap down bag for the rear seat ? Perhaps not, but I am glad you found plenty of room in what was already there. Lots to choose from out there .. Kriega are always very good quality. :yes:
There may be such an item in the Kawasaki accessory range but I'm not aware of it. Kawasaki hard luggage does include branded inner bags nowadays and they are very good quality plus they fit the panniers/top box perfectly
https://www.kawasaki.co.uk/en/accessories/Merchandise/Luggage?UidCat=0201W0YNBkU9Iw&UidSubCat=0634WlhZXFhaWllYWF1cXVxRUFlZUVFZWkYNBkU9Iw
IMHO Givi are the best at that kind of equipment :yes:
Excellent .. I should know better than to query you ! :mfr_lol:
Quote from: Rusty on March 16, 2019, 09:33:06 PM
Excellent .. I should know better than to query you ! :mfr_lol:
Oh, I don't know about that :sweatdrop: :mfr_lol: