I'm planning a 3-month or longer trip round Europe (probably longer now, someone wants to pay me to spend a month in France at the start of it, it's a hard life!).

I want something primarily comfortable but also fairly versatile. One bike that keeps being suggested as a possibility is the Versys, but mostly the suggestion is accompanied by the phrase "I've heard that..."

I've found a couple of owner sites, but while some have trip reports they mostly seem to be a few weeks then home, so don't give any idea of what it's like in terms of long-term reliability. I know it's a new bike on the market so there won't be any 10-year-old ones around, but some idea would be nice! Aside from anything else, I'm curious about it... :confused1:

For info, other possible contenders are 650 V-Strom, Transalp and KLE500, all of which have plenty of fans. Gonna sort some test rides as soon as I get my backside in gear... Although any other options welcome!

And if i don't find anything that suits, sod it I'll save the cash and stick with the GPZ!

Laura

I vote for the Suzuki V-Strom (either flavor)! I've over 32,000 miles on my DL-1000 Strom and have only changed a light bulb and two tires!

Laura, 117 page Versys thread on ADV...

Versys owners checkin - ADVrider

Enjoy.

Hi Lo ra,

I have put 6,300 mi. on my '08 Versys this year and they've all been good.
My longest trip has been just over 2,000 and included the Smokey Mountains in Tennessee, the Dragon in N. Carolina and the great roads winding through the Ozark mountains in southern Missouri. I have not had to add a drop of coolant or oil (between changes, which I do pretty frequently to break her in gently). Two slight adjustments to the chain. I bought a larger windshield, mirror extenders and some soft saddlebags and a tank bag as accessories. The handling is superb - I've never ridden a bike with better feel for the road. The power band is a pleasure in town and out. I was comfortable during 8 and 12 hour days in the saddle. My last bike, a BMW R80G/S gave me 10 great years. I had seriously considered the WeeStrom and Ulysses, not to mention waiting for the new BMW 800GS, when I came across the Versys and it immediately shot to the top of my list. Bought it the next day. Haven't looked back, except through the rear view mirror now that I can see around my arms. The bike is built good, performs good. Who cares how it looks -- the rider is on it, not gaping at it from the sidewalk, unless that's your thing. Besides, looks good to me when I park in front of a glass front business and stare at us like a loon. The best bike for you will be whichever one you choose, so not to worry, can't go wrong on two wheels.

happy trails,
S.

Hi Laura,
If you're lucky, Maria 41 will show up here

__________________
Patrick passed Dec 2018. RIP Patrick!

I own a DL650, and have ridden the Versys a bit. Its a great bike, loves the twisties, and surely you can tour with it.

Still the Wee is much more of a tourer. More room, better wind protection, even smoother engine. Havent tried loading up the Versys like Ive loaded the Wee, but I dont think you would be able to put as much load on a Versys, without its handling suffering a lot more than the Wee.

1-up, and a light load on board, and I could choose either one of these (or even the BMW650GS twin - which I think reminded me of the Versys in many ways)... 2-up and a lot of weight on the bike, and the Wee wins by a country mile.

If you put some stickier street tyres, like Metzeler Z6 to the Wee, it will stay with both the Versys and the 650GS twin practically anywhere where theres tarmac.

The Wee is also more offroad-capable than the Versys; neither has much ground clearance, or is highly capable for that, but the Versys has its exhaust silencer in a bad place, exposed underneath the bike.

In the uk they do/did a GT version of the vstrom, with suzi luggage, centre stand and heated grips. New they only cost £500 more than non-GT versions. So if you decide on a vstrom try and find that version.

My personal opinion (haven ridden both) is that the DL (650 and 1000) are better for long day touring.

A zx6 is a fantastic tourer, and I know where there is a very good example which may be for sale. :-)

Thanks for that!

Versys remains a contender, though from everything I've read I think it will ultimately come down to an old transalp (for lower budget & unobtrusive battered traveller look) or a v-strom (cos I really want something shiny).

Off to sort some test rides...

Laura

Nice one!

If you're on a budget a TA is a top choice.

Is it a 600 or 650..?

Look forward to pics..!

__________________
Beware the dark, mechanical bird.

Hi Laura, as Patrick said I got one!

I bought it a few months ago after my BMw F650Gs disintegrated.

Love the handling. Incredibly easy to ride, very forgiving and so much more peps than my beemer!
I will be using it to travel around Europe at Spring and summer. Planning to do a loop from London to St Petersbourgh and back in Sept. Little 3 weeks blast.

So far it has been a very pleasant bike. I looked at the weestrom at the time but thought it was too ugly (sorry I do not mean to offend owners!) and too bulky/heavy. The Kwak feels very light. I would not do off-road with it (at least not bumpy ) as the exhaust is not in a good position and I do not plan to fit a bash plate.

It was a far too tall for me but I bought a lowering kit from a company in the US and also got the seat scooped out by a company I use for my bikes regularly (cheaper that the Kwak low seat and more comfortable).

SO all in all I am very pelased wit h it and it seem so far very reliable. Start any time even if I leave it for few weeks and try to start in the cold. So I'm a happy owner!
I will fit soft panniers and maybe some sort of crash bars or protectors to protect the paint. I do tend to drop my bikes !Ooops!

Let us know what you get!

Cheers,

Maria

__________________
Maria

www.franglais-riders.com