I Just Got a New MOM!

[Marty]

Yep, I just picked up a new MOM.

Here's a photo of my new MOM!

The remainder of the stuff - that would be the motorcycle itself - will be following me home later this evening.

As I explained to the salesperson - I'm a good rider, but I've never ridden two motorcycles at the same time.

More to follow on the latest two wheeled vehicle that will be taking the place of the empty spot in the garage.

[JV]

Sweet! I wish my shop had a spot that "needed" filling. 

[high-side]

 

[Ogre]

Marty the way you buy new bikes I thought new MOM stood for new Motorcycle Of the Month.

Sorry, just had to......

Congrats, Versys looks like a sweet bike.

[KLRKen]

congrats on the new bike marty, sitting on that bike is like a dream, I love how it feels. now we need to find a way to put like a 190 or bigger on the rear and it will be all set... ken

[TimberWolf]

Guess you were unsuccessful in your "attempt" to talk yourself out of adding the Versys to the stable 

[Hondo]

Looking forward to your thoughts Mr. SoonToBeAVersysGuru -

[Hurricane]

Spot that needed filling? The last time I was in your garage I had crawl over bikes,lathes,welders,wrenches,tires,jacks,tool boxes,torches,hoists,presses,just to hand you another chicken wing thru the spokes of a wheel you were modifying for a 1951 vincent! Must be gonna keep it close by your bedside.Now go on and give us the full Monty on your modified version!

[DragonBreath]

Congrats, Marty!  I didn't realize you had a spot to fill.  You don't make mention of trading anything in, so I assume you are just adding to the stable yet again.  If you need someone to help you keep one or two of those bikes company for a while, I am willing to make a rescue mission down to Florida.   :).....

The writing was on the wall as soon as you posted the "talk me out of it" thread.

[MSGT-R]

Spot that needed filling? The last time I was in your garage I had crawl over bikes,lathes,welders,wrenches,tires,jacks,tool boxes,torches,hoists,presses,just to hand you another chicken wing thru the spokes of a wheel you were modifying for a 1951 vincent! Must be gonna keep it close by your bedside.Now go on and give us the full Monty on your modified version!

Yeah, like he doesn't already have enough to do.. 
Marty, what bike went bye-bye to create that "empty spot"?

[TreeMan]

I was looking at one in a dealership yesterday.  Congrats!!!   

[Marty]

One day, several months ago, one of my riding buddies from Palm Coast had stopped over.  We were out in the shop playing with his KLX and making it a whole lot better.  Out of the blue, he made me an offer for my 1986 Concours.  It was an honest offer and one that was met by a resounding "You just got yourself a motorcycle" response.  I was thinking of replacing the A-1 Concours with the new Concours 14.  However, I've gotten more and more into smaller displacement, lighter weight motorcycles.

I'm gonna say this, if you ever ride a Versys, you will own a Versys.  It's that good of a motorcycle.

Yes, I picked it up today, here are some pics

Other than BRIGHT RED, I have no idea what the shade of red that is.  It is quite bright and a very nice paint work.

Now, for my first impressions of the bike.  I'll sum it up in 2 words.



Yeee - Haw ! ! ! !


This thing is so much fun, some lawmaker somewhere in this country is already looking at a creating a law against this motorcycle.  I must say that if your a "vertically challenged" person, the Versys is NOT for you.  If you have a decent inseam, like a bike that affords a lot of comfort, a tremendous riding position and will more than likely turn you into a raving Hooligan, then the Versys is the bike for you.

I can't remember riding a bike that feels so planted on the stock tires.  I've already found that the pegs can be drug though the corners and the bike will let you correct your line in the middle of the turn.

Without a doubt, if you look up "Flickable" in the dictionary, it will say "see Versys"!  Perhaps it is the smaller mass of the engine, perhaps it is the wide bars, but if you think of going right - you're there like if right now!

As I was riding home, I started having flashbacks to riding my ZRX1200.  The little motor in this bike has a powerband that is smooooooth and wiiiiiide like the ZRX had.  I was a very good Versys owner and refrained from exceeding the 4000 limit on the motor.  I mean the bike now has 23 miles on it, coming back from the dealership.  It's just had it's first heat cycle, so a bit more thrashing on the next ride - probably late tomorrow.

Why would it be late tomorrow instead of first thing in the morning?  Well, I am going to disassemble the rear of the bike tomorrow morning at dawn.  I am expecting to find the same condition on the rear swingarm and suspension bits as the KLR and the KLX.  I intend to run this bike quite awhile.  It is that good and that much fun. 

Kawasaki, at least in my opinion has one fantastic little motor here.  I think this motor in a KLRish frame and it will be an awesome bike.  We're talking 24 pounds difference (according to Motorcycle Consumer News articles KLR650 was July 2007 and the Versys was November 2007).  For that 24 pounds difference, the Versys is pumping 58.7 horses, the KLR650 36.1.  Yes Virginia, the difference is very easily felt.

This motor is very different from the one in the Ninja 650R.  Yes, they have the same bore, stroke, weight and external dimensions.  However the Versys motor is "tuned for mid-range power".  During the testing, MCN found the Versys has 20% more power than the Ninja 650R does at 5500 rpm.  Now this is very real "street" power.  You can feel it.  As I look at the dyno chart in MCN, it shows the real fun starts to happen at 5200 rpm and continues right up to 7500 rpm where there is a long flat where max horsepower stays for almost 1500 rpm.  Under 4000 rpm, the chart shows a max of about 30 horsepower, so I've only felt about half of what is available.  What I have felt is quite nice and very smooth.

Yep, I'm happy with my new bike.


More to follow.

[TreeMan]

Ya did good Marty! Very NICE bike 

[Darth]

Way to go Marty, congrats on the new scoot !
An older buddy in Ft. Worth has the twin to yours and LOVES it.
He's had all kinds of bikes and says, "This one is the *neatest* bike I've ever had, except for the Harley KR 750 flat tracker !"
High praise this...the KR was a "back door" factory supported race special he raced for several years on the national pro circuit. His best finish as a pro was 3rd at the Springfield Mile. He raced the XR in the last Daytona race on the old beach course, and the old boy can still flat *ride* a motorcycle.
You are in fast company there, bro. 
And pictures ! This thread is worthless without more pictures !

[Ron_NC]

Congrats Marty! I knew you would pick one of the new models up. 

[Hurricane]

Its on now !This is gonna be gooder and gooder I can tell already !

[Machog]

And you said you were going to wait-yea right!! This bike can't wait, it has to be ridden. Congratulations, now you can start spending more money on the various 'got to have' farkles!

Machog (aka another Versaholic)

[Sly-one]

I knew you wouldn't be able to stand it! I only got to sit on one at the dealership, but it sure felt nice, even just sitting still.    

After long considerations about my riding style & preferences, I really think this is the bike I should own. I'm just trying to figure out how to afford payments for a new bike and the higher insurance at the same time. 
Besides lubing the swingarm, what other mods are you planning? Come on, we all know how you love to take things apart & make them better. 
What's your opinion of the pipes, in looks, function & sound?
Marty, have you ridden a 650 V-strom, and if so, how doew it compare to your new "Flying V"?

[Marty]

Talk about putting a person on the spot . . . . .

"How does the Versys compare to the V-Strom 650?"

It has been a couple of years since I've ridden the V-Strom 650.  However, aside from the additional power of the V-Strom 1000, the two bikes (V-Stroms) are quite close.  I ride a V-Strom 1000 on a regular basis.

Okay, now the prejudice and perhaps a bit of truth will be coming out.  I think the Versys is the most freakin' fun bike I've ever had.  From what I felt yesterday on the ride home, the Versys is a purist's motorcycle.  If you like to ride a motorcycle, the Versys will put a smile on your face.  I haven't found anything to not like about the bike.  All the parts and pieces are there, I just have to sort them out.  I have never had a new motorcycle leaned over as far in the first 25 miles as I did with the Versys last night.  There is one turn on the way back from the dealership that I've ridden for years on many different bikes and styles of bikes.  Last night I noticed the Versys just kind of glided through the curve with almost no discerable effort.  It's a 60 mph sweeper and the Versys just ate it up and wanted to go a bit faster.

If I have any reservations about this bike, it is the fact that I will become a true Hooligan as the bike will respond when leaned upon.  My V-Strom also likes that curve, but you need to put out a bit more effort.  I don't know if it's the big wide handlebars giving the rider all that help, but this bike rocks!

Let me get some mileage on the motor so I can start finding out what is ahead of me in the power department.  More to follow.

[Krazo]

A big congrats to you Marty!

Your observations are exactly parallel to mine. It is one FUN bike.

Please let us know what your are doing to the poor thing in the shop...you know it would rather be riding! Its great right out of the box.

[MSGT-R]

If I have any reservations about this bike, it is the fact that I will become a true Hooligan as the bike will respond when leaned upon

As if you aren't already?...

[mcrider18]

Congrats of the new Versys Marty.  I test rode one during the Honda Hoot this summer.  I LOVED it!  Kawasaki made an excellent bike with it.  The motor is very smooth and strong.  It pulls strongly regardless of engine speed.  Even at high rpms at it's smooth. 

Rick

[KLRKen]

marty. any small wheelies yet......

[Marty]

I have been sickeningly good on the bike.  Once I have 100 miles on it, have fresh oil in the bike, then I will start to use my "break-in" procedure.

Looking forward to that.

No wheelies, at least not that I remember.

I can see the bike has a lot of potential.

[KLRKen]

sounds like you are doin it right. you gonna bring that bike to tdaIII..ken