First (working) bike-->Versys!!

[Lewis]

I've just passed 150mi on my new Versys, here is Minneapolis.  I just wanted to say this is an awesome community (especially Marty, geez, info overload!)  I'm glad to have found y'all.  I've got pretty minimal knowledge and nothing much to add, but I wanted to introduce myself anyway.  Thanks all!

I had a '81 nighthawk that never managed to run long enough to get me to the license testing station so two years and a job later I ponied up for the Versys, and I love it. 

bemoaning the end of the season,
Lewis

[Marty]

End of the riding season?

What you talkin' 'bout there Lewis?

Real men ride all year round, 12 months a year, 365 days a year, except on Leap Years, then they ride 366 days each year!

By the way, welcome to the world of the Versys and also to KLR World.


                                                               

So, are there are particular mods you want to do to your Versys?

Let me know and I'll come up with some plans for ya'!

[DragoSapien]

     Pics. please

[Bushawg]

Lewis  to the absolute finest bunch of guys and gals you'll ever want to be affiliated with (oh this is to mushy) but I'm speak'n the truth, anyway glad your heare.

[Machog]

Marty, you are being a tad unfair to Lewis in Minneapolis about year round riding!

Those of us who live in the wet/snowy/frozen north or North of Florida anyway, are subject to some unpleasant winter weather at times. If you are not careful, we'll organize a "winter ride in" at your place for all the Versys owners in the US-should be at least 12!

Machog

[gunny]

  lewis

Yeah, it gets a touch cold there, do what I do, take your coffee outside with you in the morning, throw it up in the air and if it doesn't freeze before it hits the ground, it's warm enough to ride 

[Marty]

Marty, you are being a tad unfair to Lewis in Minneapolis about year round riding!

Those of us who live in the wet/snowy/frozen north or North of Florida anyway, are subject to some unpleasant winter weather at times. If you are not careful, we'll organize a "winter ride in" at your place for all the Versys owners in the US-should be at least 12!

Machog

Machog,

Perhaps you are correct.  I might have been a tad tough on him.  Okay, so I live in Florida where it's normally sunny and warm most of the time during what folks up north call winter.  I live where I choose and love the ability to ride all year long.

If y'all are interested, we are having an event in January, "Tour de Apalachicola-III" just south of Tallahassee, Florida.  It is being held over the Martin Luther King Birthday weekend, or January 18th thru 21st.  It is mostly KLR, KLX and Super Sherpa guys.  However, I know of at least 1 Versys that will make the trip up.  There are a lot of great roads, things to see, super seafood buffets to feast upon and just generally have a grand time.

For more information, check out this thread.  Hope to have some company for the Versys.

[Machog]

Looks like a fun gathering, but it also looks more KLR than Versys type terrain? As we both know the V will not make a good dual sport without some serious mods, larger front wheel, new rubber, major upgrade on suspension, engine guard etc etc.

I do have a KLR, but it won't make it from Seattle to FL, well it would but not with me on it;-) Machog

[KLRKen]

did someone say seafood

[Sly-one]

You mean to say there are places that aren't averaging 85-90 degree days right now? 

[Pilgrim]

Hey Lewis, congtrat's on the new bike.  Been eyeing one up myself so you'll have to add your thoughts to the others here.

By the way here in Montana I look at the winter season as up-grade and improve time.  I just can't seem to do all the things I want to do to my bikes in the summer so this is opportune time to get er' done.  Also lets me keep my hands on the bike which keeps me from going crazy from cabin fever.  My dealer says that only hard core bikers even look at bikes this time of year let alone buy one, so welcome to an exclusive group.

A couple of friends and myself have vowed to ride at least once every month this winter, now we won't say for how long or how far but we are going to ride somehow! I figure I'll just wait for a chinook, find something without ice and roll er' on out.  Join us in our madness if you like!

[Hondo]

  Lewis!

[Lewis]

Thanks all.  I'll brave the cold and wind to just about any temp that keeps the gas lines unfrozen but ice on two wheels still scares me pretty bad. 
I imagine I'll be able to ride until early Dec. if this winter is anything like the last few. 
I'm not yet thinking of mods, some of those european (nothing's here yet!!) accesories have caught my eye.  But I'm still exploring the settings on the standard parts.  I'm sure I'll be asking your advice soon enough; thanks for offering!

If you really want my novice opinion of the bike, well here it is. 
I really like it.  I was looking at the new KLR when I bought it.  The KLR really appeals to me, what with the simple design and go-anywhere attitude.  But I sat on one, and saw it at the dealership standing next to the Versys and that think is monstrous!  I've got no offroad experience with bikes(jumping curbs?) but I know I don't want to start with something that big.  So i figured if I was too scared to go off-road, I'd probably be better off with something safer and more practical for the road.  With more power, comfort, and (sorry KLR) style I bought the Versys.  I think it's very comfortable (6'3" 190lbs) and very fun.  It's perfect for me cause I'm newish and it's very easy to control and drive, but I'm not so new that I should still be learning on a 80's 250. 
For a technical review--I've got almost nothing.  The oil is easy to change.  A center stand would be nice, but so is life. 
Short people have a little trouble getting on the back.  The bike still feels real stable and responsive with by 160lbs brother riding with me.
's all I got

[Sly-one]

Congratulations on your choice of bikes, and thanks for the evaluation/comparison with the KLR. I think there's a lot of folks out there that want to know exactly just that kind of stuff.

[Lewis]

Here's some pics of the new versys with the old nighthawk. (OK, I'm trying to load them, gimme a few minutes!) 
I just listed the nighthawk on craigslist. . .tear*.   It's hard to miss it with that shiny red dragon sitting out on the curb though.

[Lewis]

[Marty]

Lewis,

If it's any consolation, I think the Versys will give you way more fun, a whole lot better service and also be a ride that you can count on for reliability then the Nighthawk was ever able to do.

I know I'm loving mine, a whole lot.  It is one of the most fun motorcycles I have ever owned.  Everything, well almost everything, is almost right where it needs to be.  I find the seat comfortable for multi-hour rides and now that I've lowered the pegs, it fits very well.

Congrats on the new purchase and I hope your old Nighthawk winds up in a home that takes care of it.  To me it's kind of like finding a home for a puppy.