Kawasaki Versys 650 launched at Rs. 6.6 lakh

Dust_Harl · 28th February 2016, 00:19

Praveen: I stay in Nagarbhavi in Bangalore and can catch up with you in the second half to swap the bike and test ride. Anytime after 2:30 is fine with me and we can take a ride on either nagarbhavi inner ring road or nice road so that you get a good stretch to check the bike.

I got few accessories installed today and on my return noticed some new sounds at high speed in my bike. So I need to check if that was one off or something that I need to be worried.

You can PM the time if second half works for you.

praveenkm · 28th February 2016, 00:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dust_Harl

Praveen: I stay in Nagarbhavi in Bangalore and can catch up with you in the second half to swap the bike and test ride. Anytime after 2:30 is fine with me and we can take a ride on either nagarbhavi inner ring road or nice road so that you get a good stretch to check the bike.

I got few accessories installed today and on my return noticed some new sounds at high speed in my bike. So I need to check if that was one off or something that I need to be worried.

You can PM the time if second half works for you.

Dust_Ha

thanks for the response, 2:30 sounds fine for me. Being a new member guess I don't have rights to PM yet. May be you can mail me at praveenkm2005@gmail.com your contact details, to reach you.

VW2010 · 28th February 2016, 06:25

For fun we went bike shopping and saw the the versys 650, Versys 1000, Z800 and what not. But having sat on both i can clearly tell you the Versys are far better for tourers while the z800 to me felt somewhere in between.

Also few pictures of the 1000 and its rear mods/options. The size is exactly the same between the same.

We also saw so many bikes that i can say the current R1 is a machine of engineering marvel. Period

But for the versys crowd here are few pictures and for tourers a potential mod to carry stuff.

killjoy · 28th February 2016, 09:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Odeen12

There's some confusion on this. The official website does not highlight if the bike has a slipper clutch. The same goes with the international reports that i could find of. Only in the Indian automotive coverage, does it say it has a slipper clutch. Kind of confusing. There are aftermarket slipper clutch ad ons available.
I'd suggest blip while downshifting till you confirm. On the other hand if for the price it does have a slipper clutch that is an awesome add on from Kawasaki. Super stuff

Haha, I know dude, have had the bike for close to 6 months now, no slipper clutch! I was just yanking their chain....

mobike008 · 28th February 2016, 09:31

PDI Completed :

As promised by dealership, I was part of "uncrating ceremony" and we got out two bikes and picked one (it was a lottery system

) as both were identical (but, obviously) and there was nothing to really tell them apart

Thankfully this PDI was done with help of two of my pals who arrived in style (Harley Electra Glide and RD 350) which added to the folks gawking at the whole thing as it was done just outside the showroom which is housed in a big commercial complex in heart of the city

Kawasaki Versys 650 launched at Rs. 6.6 lakh-img_0525.jpg

Kawasaki Versys 650 launched at Rs. 6.6 lakh-img_05301.jpg

We all did a walk around the bike and gave it cursory glances to check on scratches, dents, any broken or cracked parts etc. Apart from this, there was nothing really that we could do

Glad to note the bike that we selected had "1KM" on the odometer

Kawasaki Versys 650 launched at Rs. 6.6 lakh-img_05581.jpg

Jet-thrust · 28th February 2016, 14:26

Congrats !!
Waiting for more pics and a detailed review.
Have fun and happy riding !

v12 · 28th February 2016, 15:54

Congrats Avi!! So when are you going to get delivery?

Dust_Harl · 28th February 2016, 17:21

Many congratulations Avi. Looking forward for your initial report on the beast.

mobike008 · 29th February 2016, 08:17

Baby Versys Delivered

Yesterday the long wait came to an end. Showroom guys were ready by 10:30am. I told them will reach by 10:30am but, got delayed and reached only around 11:15am wherein 3-4 of my friends were already at the showroom before me. Embarrassing isn't it to make your friends wait?

As we entered the showroom, V650 was waiting in all its glory mounted on a glass pedestal. Washed and Polished. It was gleaming from all angles

There was a cake cutting ceremony and lead mechanic explained all the features including how to set the suspension settings and at what times to use them.

Dealership (on my request) delivered the bike with a full-tank of petrol (21 Litres)

A few pictures were taken and off we went to a friend place for a lunch party that I was hosting. Prior to joining them for a lunch, took a quick 20kms city ride to get a feel of the bike.

Firstly, bike is indeed BIG !!! But, when you start riding it feels quite light and nimble. Fit and Finish of the bike is top-notch..

I loved the view from the bike; feels like your sitting on top of a something and unlike previous rides where you sit into a bike...Fantastic riding position. My wife commented she felt like sitting on 1st floor of an apartment

Handle bar width is spot on and feels great to hold them wide especially since I was used to shorter bars of my previous bikes. Initially makes you tense if you can weave your way through thick traffic but, felt really easy but, will know when I am stuck in thick traffic. Yesterday being a Sunday traffic was relatively thin

Suspension is excellent, makes you feel as if your gliding over the road. Tried going over a few speed bumps and light bad patch road. I think it's too premature to comment anything further. Will know its quality only after putting on more miles

I was actually little disappointed with braking. It was not grabby or as affective of Bonnie. One of the first things that impressed me on a Bonnie was its braking system. But, comparatively Versys 650 braking is progressive and didn't feel as effective but, I am given to understand being a brand new bike, brakes and tyres need to bed and hope the braking feel improves over time. Appreciate comments from existing owners

Handling I cannot comment as my wife was clinging on to her dear life and repeated warnings of riding slow so had to ride in a straight line most of the time

Power seems pretty good (almost similar to Bonnie) and small twist of throttle gives you ample power at hand

Another thing I was bit clueless is the gearing. I just didn't know in which gear I was in during this short ride. I'm riding a 6 geared bike for first time so it was hard to make out this aspect. Clutch and gear shifts were not exactly smooth. Felt both slightly on harder side ( Again comparison with Bonnie's butter smooth clutch and gearing). Hope this too improves over time

Finally, ended the day (lunch party ended at 5pm) with a little fun and I got all girls and short guys of our group to mount the bike for fun's sake...They were all pretty intimidated with bike's size...LOL!

I will be in Delhi most of this week so might squeeze in a short ride tomorrow morning. Otherwise, have to ride it only next week. Sigh!!!

Till then....here are a few pics of this gorgeous bike !!!

v12 · 29th February 2016, 08:27

Congrats on getting delivery of your Versys 650 Avi!! Waiting for the detailed review now (or should I say Official Review

).

I knows it's too early to ask - but what modifications have you got lined up for her?

mobike008 · 29th February 2016, 08:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by v12

Congrats on getting delivery of your Versys 650 Avi!! Waiting for the detailed review now (or should I say Official Review)

Haha! Thanks Allen. Have a terribly hectic schedule at work/travel this month...Hope to get down to a review sometime later in this month after getting an opportunity to munch a few miles

Quote:

Originally Posted by v12

I knows it's too early to ask - but what modifications have you got lined up for her?

I have consciously decided to go real slow on adding accessories. Immediate that comes to mind are :

1. Transparent 3M wrap to protect the bike from scratches etc

2. Engine Guard

3. Saddle Bags ( I'm really not keen on Panniers but, don't mind spending money on good quality saddle bags---Any recommendations?)

That's about it for now...Will see what I might need as we go into future !!!

navin_v8 · 29th February 2016, 12:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by mobike008

Baby Versys Delivered

Congrats to you mate and welcome to this side of the world of ADV tourers

. I knew your inclination since the day the I read your posts while being astride the Triumph Tiger. Good too see your desire being fulfilled.

Quote:

Firstly, bike is indeed BIG !!! But, when you start riding it feels quite light and nimble.

This is what I have been always saying about big brawny ADV tourers. Nice to see my words in action. I appreciate your experience about this one.

Quote:

I loved the view from the bike; feels like your sitting on top of a something and unlike previous rides where you sit into a bike...Fantastic riding position.

Handle bar width is spot on and feels great to hold them wide especially since I was used to shorter bars of my previous bikes.

Suspension is excellent, makes you feel as if your gliding over the road. Tried going over a few speed bumps and light bad patch road.

Traits of an ADV tourer. You will enjoy it and appreciate it even more when you take it on paved dust trails. Ride it more to know it more.

Quote:

I was actually little disappointed with braking. It was not grabby or as affective of Bonnie.

Looks like it has progressive braking(most of the ADV tourers have progressive braking which actually is a boon while riding on off road trails), did you try using both the brakes in the ratio of 6(Front):4(Rear) or 7(Front):3(Rear).

Quote:

Power seems pretty good (almost similar to Bonnie) and small twist of throttle gives you ample power at hand.

Does it have Flat Torque Curve, meaning the bike doesn't jerk while accelerating and pulls cleanly(without downshifting) while riding in higher gears at lower speeds? I am slave of FTC phenomenon hence asking.

Quote:

Another thing I was bit clueless is the gearing. I just didn't know in which gear I was in during this short ride. I'm riding a 6 geared bike for first time so it was hard to make out this aspect.

I believe the LT version of the Versys650 comes with a gear indicator, is your's equipped with the same? and don't worry you will get used to it as I did while riding the KTM Duke 390 and Suzuki GS150R.

Quote:

Clutch and gear shifts were not exactly smooth. Felt both slightly on harder side ( Again comparison with Bonnie's butter smooth clutch and gearing). Hope this too improves over time.

Looks like old school technique of running in the transmission parts, no wonder Kawasaki recommends the first service at 250 kms, if I am not wrong. It will improve with time as it did on my Tbird500 wherein the gears and clutch became ultra smooth after first service.

Once again Congrats and awaiting your ownership thread. I am sure you have good quality riding gears. Ride Safe.

Quote:

Saddle Bags ( I'm really not keen on Panniers but, don't mind spending money on good quality saddle bags---Any recommendations?)

Well if you are keen on saddle bags then there is an all weather option(ideal for ADV Tourers) from Dirtsack called the Frogman. They come in two versions one is a saddle bag while another is a tail bag(which can be mounted on the rear seat if riding alone or on the carrier flat plate at the rear if riding with pillion). I have been using Dirtsack tail bag and vouch by its quality and usefulness. Also the rains are not too far from now so a waterproof luggage system is a blessing while riding in the rains.

anandpkumar · 29th February 2016, 14:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by VW2010

For fun we went bike shopping and saw the the versys 650, Versys 1000, Z800 and what not.

Where exactly is this? From the looks of the bikes on display it does not look like an Indian city. Have not come across a high end multi-brand motorcycle shop in an Indian city (I could be wrong about this)

mobike008 · 29th February 2016, 15:28

Quote: