Versys? You jumped too soon!

[Winston Smith]

Just got back from having the K16 serviced and was given use of a new R1200GS for the day.

You may recall, I bought a GS last year and couldn't get on with it ending up with me px-ing the GS and GTR for the 16.

Well.  The new watercooled GS is phenomenal - really.  I was blown away by it, fantastic handling and power delivery, with an engine so sweet and so unlike the previous version.

I know the Versys is a Kawasaki, and some people 'bleed green', but the new GS would undoubtedly turn a few in the search for this style of machine.  It also handles with a brliliant front end feel (unlike the Versys!)

The front lifts very easily in the first three gears due to the power available, but is so predictable.

Fantastic bike, worth a look if anyone else is thinking of going adventure style.  I really think it will affect BMW's Adventure sales until the upgrade that bike too.

[Kwikasfuki]

Was the vibration still an issue. That's why me and the GS never got on

[O.C.]

Its still a Boxer twin, plus its probably about £4,000 more expensive its even uglier than the Versys and that's saying something 

Once bitten twice shy for me Chris, so thanks but no thanks   

[Kwikasfuki]

OC, shouldn't you update your bike in your profile? ;)

(Yes, I know I should as well, but how can the admin not have a GTR  )

[100milesaway]

Just got back from having the K16 serviced and was given use of a new R1200GS for the day.

You may recall, I bought a GS last year and couldn't get on with it ending up with me px-ing the GS and GTR for the 16.

Well.  The new watercooled GS is phenomenal - really.  I was blown away by it, fantastic handling and power delivery, with an engine so sweet and so unlike the previous version.

I know the Versys is a Kawasaki, and some people 'bleed green', but the new GS would undoubtedly turn a few in the search for this style of machine.  It also handles with a brliliant front end feel (unlike the Versys!)

The front lifts very easily in the first three gears due to the power available, but is so predictable.

Fantastic bike, worth a look if anyone else is thinking of going adventure style.  I really think it will affect BMW's Adventure sales until the upgrade that bike too.

A mate of mine owns an r1200gs and loves it, BUT last week whilst his was in for service (£ wince) he borrowed one of the new water cooled ones, and he said that the engine was an absolute gem, but the rest of the bike was nowhere near as good as his 012 model. Anyway I dont think that you can compare the 2 bikes, the BM that he borrowed was 13,500 sqid, my Versys was 8,500 with full luggage, ABS and traction control. Another point, where do you get the idea that there is a problem with the Versys front end?. Have you ridden one?. I have done 2,500 miles on mine and have yet to find any problem at all. 

[O.C.]

(Yes, I know I should as well, but how can the admin not have a GTR  )

There ya go 

And that's a question we've all been asking you for too long 

[Ros]

I'm off to the Beamer and Versys forums to talk about how brilliant my GTR is 

[O.C.]

I'm off to the Beamer and Versys forums to talk about how brilliant my GTR is 

Too late Ros, already been there and done that 

[2kwacks]

Now it's not very often myself and geoff agree infact we mostly slag each other off most of the time but must agree with the "oldboy" on this point there is nothing wrong with the versys 1000 front end I've done 2 x 300 mile rides around north wales to get the 600 miles in! that's needed to have it's first service done as soon as possible and I took the versys around some of my favourite twisities  at first I was a bit cautious with it being the adventure type bike with the scorpion trail tyres fitted, but at no time did it give me any negative  feed back infact.. I soon found myself riding the versys the same as I do on my ZZR and the zx6r I use to have

[Winston Smith]

You know I am a fan of the GTR, just chatting about a new bike experience.

Yes - I have ridden the Versys thou, great, relatively inexpensive, litre bike, and a good ride, but I found the front end 'vague' - maybe cheap suspension, long travel or both.

Virtually no vibration, or the noise, of the previous incumbent.  Felt almost in-line tbh, a bit triple-like.

Just saying that it's a great bike, albeit more expensive, and that on no account should you ride one if that style of bike interests you and you are considering the Versys 

[tommytool]

Well I've just bought a Yamaha XT660 Tenere with all the touring gear. The GTR is no adventure bike and having done Morocco on the Tiger I wanted a change and the ability to do a bit of off road. My driveway is so churned up now i need nobblies anyway!

The key thing is i still have the GTR - 12000 miles in 11 months and I'm still loving it with no intention of changing.

Have I ever been seriously tempted to buy a BMW - er...... no thanks.

[pistole]

- the K1600 and the water cooled GS share the same switchgear.

- that alone will stop me buying a BMW.

- and never ever be a beta tester for a 1st year BMW motorcycle. You will be burned beyond recognition.

.

[O.C.]

You know I am a fan of the GTR, just chatting about a new bike experience.

Yes - I have ridden the Versys thou, great, relatively inexpensive, litre bike, and a good ride, but I found the front end 'vague' - maybe cheap suspension, long travel or both.

Virtually no vibration, or the noise, of the previous incumbent.  Felt almost in-line tbh, a bit triple-like.

Just saying that it's a great bike, albeit more expensive, and that on no account should you ride one if that style of bike interests you and you are considering the Versys 

As you know Chris I did have a flirtation with the BMW marque, one of the machines I owned, albeit for a short while, was an R1200 GS, which was bought in P/X for a K1300 GT EE which was a bike with a stonking engine, but riddled with faults, I bought the GS because no other dealer would offer me a sensible deal for my newly purchased K1300  (probably because the K1600 was imminantly due for release) and I did make extensive enquiries, so I ended up at Alan Jeffries P/Xing my GT for a used GS, which was a non 'Adventure' model but was kitted with lots of Adventure accessories.

I had ridden a couple of GSs before so kind of knew what to expect.

In short I made a BIG, BIG mistake with the GS, it may be a capable bike with all the attitude of adventure riding, but it simply wasn't the bike for me, or for that matter Gillian, who found the pillion seat and position very uncomfortable, the luggage (Vario) was poor  mainly due to the shape in order to accomodate the exhaust.

I couldn't live with the GS steering or suspension, switchgear was crap (I know that's now improved), and the twin engine simply wasn't for me, and to be blunt once I swung my leg over the GTR demo at MCO bikes I simply couldn't wait to get rid of that bloody GS 

The GS isn't everyones cup of tea and I'm sure the new updated, part water cooled, version does have a great engine which may well pull wheelies in 3rd gear, but that isn't a feature that I need.

The Versys is a bike which suits my and Gillians needs at this time in my life, and I'm sure that it wouldn't suit everyones taste, but it ticks my boxes....OH BTW, I have experienced absolutely no issues with the front end being ponderous, in fact its been a revelation, even on those Scorpion tyres

Any way ~ must dash ~ I'm heading off to get the Versys first serviced ~ 600+ miles after two weeks...lovin it 

Each to their own I guess 

[Ros]

The key thing is i still have the GTR

There you go - Tommy knows the score 

[O.C.]

I have 5 bikes in my Rev shed, but alas I can still only manage to ride one at a time