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24 Jun 2012
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Join Date: Jun 2012
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Kawasaki is good but i am so impressed with Honda...Personally i prefer honda bikes than anyother. It might be due to my personal attachment with this bike. So Can't compare my bike with anyother
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25 Jun 2012
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Join Date: May 2012
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for that money and in that class rarely anything beats versys, terrific bike, something like a middle weight tourer, or touring super moto, whatever you desire, pretty agile, fast, can go hell fast thru corners, can do offroading, and no fabric loose spots, so overall it is a good buy, 6 of my friends ride them, i use theirs a lot, and love it , all of them have more than 50 60 000 km on the clock, not a single problem, so go for it ( and put bigger shield in front )
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25 Jun 2012
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Helsinki
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If the new (2012) DL650 Wee-Strom is not out of your budget range, I´d go and ride it, too. Some clear improvements for road use compared to the older version.
And you can get road tyres on it as well, like I´ve currently got Michelin Pilot Road 3 on mine, and I think this improves the bikes on-road performance nicely. And personally I like Suzi´s v-twin engine more than Kawi´s parallel twin (and it´s got more room for two people for touring, which is important for me). But they´re both great bikes, no huge differences in any key area, so really need to test them yourself, and then decide.
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25 Jun 2012
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tarras
I got a Versys 2007. Had it since new and have managed to get around 33000 km on it. Mainly use it for longer trips: 1-up with tent, camping gear e.t.c. Been very happy with the bike: No technical issues worth mentioning along the way, very nimble, quick and fun to ride. No problem if there´s some gravel road for awhile. At least not in the dry, even with the fitted roadtires. I do not ride gravel/dirt just for fun though. Efter all it´s not the Versys main business if you ask me, with the small 17” frontwheel, exhaust under the engine etc.
Only thing I actually miss while on the road is a centre stand. Haven´t found a good one, likely impossible due to the mufflers odd placement under the bike...
Regarding maintenance
My Swedish manual for Versys (KLE650) 2007 says: every 6000 km (3750 miles). I contacted Kawasaki Sweden back in 2007 before I bought the bike regarding the intervals. Got a deal with them and got the Kawasaki warranty if I made these 6000 km services myself, as long as I had the bigger 12000 km/every years done at Kawasaki. The 6000 km service is just a check of the breaks - Loose bolts, pads, fluid leaks etc. Maybe been changed since 2007 and/or different depending on the country? Think the ER6 and Versys came with ABS breaks in 2007, maybe a reason to this ?!?! Mine is the non ABS-version b.t.w.
Over all I´ve been very happy regarding maintenance. Way cheaper than the Yamahas and Hondas I´ve had under warranty and had to service at the dealers back here. 40000 km between valve checks. Change of engine oil and filter is dead easy and done in minutes. Air filter is foam and can be cleaned. Changed drive chain and sprockets at 24000 km, and they were still looking OK.
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Thanks for answering my question about the service intervals; I guess it is possible that the introduction of ABS shortened the servicing schedule in the handbook.
I like your initiative in making a deal to do the frequent interval services yourself - amounting to checks in any case.
__________________
Dave
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Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)
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Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!
What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK
"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia
"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada
"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa
"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia
"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany
Lots more comments here!
Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook
"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.
Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
New to Horizons Unlimited?
New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!
Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.
You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.
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