[Haroon]

Originally Posted by mobike008

I would request someone knowledgeable like "Haroon" to maybe throw some detailed light in simple layman language for all of us to understand this feature better

Very sorry, honestly not so knowledgeable to comment on that, besides, I haven't ridden the latest V650 to make a comparison. Ofcourse being 'spoilt' by the tele-lever front suspension on my GS (that is more of a mono-shock under the fuel tank) which is in a league of its own, the front dive is more pronounced under hard braking on most other bikes with regular front suspension. In the case of the new Versys since each fork handles a separate function of rebound & pre-load I would guess if set up correctly, when changing from a sharp left lean to a sharp right lean or vice-versa, the front end may transition a bit more smoother without much bulky feel. Maybe if you can ride different bikes back to back on some sharp curves you can see how it feels and share your experience.

Btw, on another subject of the inadequate headlight power that many V650 riders have reported since Lo-beam works only in one of the twin headlight assembly, and although LED Aux lights are the better & less complicated solution, unless you are using the high-end Clearwater lights etc (that cost a bomb!) whose intensity can be manually adjusted and also modulated with your stock lo-hi beam switch etc, most other LED lights generally blast into the eye of oncoming riders/drivers, hence you could consider going for the below set up for regular city use and using the aux LED lights in heavy fog, very early morning riding or dark badly lit highways etc

http://www.doubletronics.com/en/cate...dlight-module/

[mobike008]

Black Knight trying hard to be conspicuous after being sandwiched between it's much bigger brothers during our last weekend 220kms ride to Vikarabad

[VW2010]

@mobike..

Those look big man. Wow. Are you in the center They look fantastic. I think i will go towards these tour specialists in future but now eyes are all set on some nice race specs

[killjoy]

Originally Posted by mobike008;3932812/

Hi Killjoy ( Do you have the habit of killing joy or it's a nice sensational name like the "Dark Knight"...LOL)
Honestly, I didn't quite understand your post. I'm assuming your referring to side grab rails. If yes, that is already available on the motorcycle?

I think Oreen has clarified what I was referring to. I thought the Versys would also need a separate grab bar if you remove the saree guard. Now I know it doesnt

[dkaile]

Originally Posted by mobike008

Some of the upgrades in mind :
Power Port

May I suggest this high quality 3.1A Waterproof power port from Ali Express - http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-...901527525.html and its less than 1k. The quick disconnect SAE port can also be used to charge your battery, if needed, by a compatible charger, like the one I got - http://www.aliexpress.com/item/12V-C...325926316.html . I have got a few items from Ali Express recently and am quite satisfied with their quality.

[shan_ned]

mobike008,
There is no need for having the gear indicator. Once you get used to riding your bike for a couple of months or so, you will figure out the gear level on your own. I too felt the need for gear indicators in the first few weeks, but as time passed by, I was able to figure it out on my own.

Just for your information, here is the speed per 1000 rpm for each gear.
1st gear: 6.5 kmph
2nd gear: 10.7 kmph
3rd gear: 13.7 kmph
4th gear: 16.5 kmph
5th gear: 19.0 kmph
6th gear: 21.5 kmph

The above figures will give some hints in figuring out the gear level. At least I can figure out the 4th/5th/6th gear easily.

[Jaggu]

Originally Posted by gthang

I would suggest sticking with the pillion settings all the time. Low air will lead to premature wear.

And bent alloys, your bike has easy adjustments for rear shock use that insted of lowering air pressure. Worth it.

Originally Posted by shan_ned

mobike008,
There is no need for having the gear indicator. Once you get used to riding your bike for a couple of months or so, you will figure out the gear level on your own.

Is this OE stuff? If not stay away, they give up after a while. A friend is facing issue in his Z800 now, though it was said OE like and imported from Japan

Last but not the least once again congratz Avi, invest more on ride accessories bags etc, that is what you need with such a bike. Also do take a break after 80-100 kms, we have come across many horror stories of people getting into trouble trying to push the range game. You might feel aok but will not even realize that the tiredness has hit you.

So listen to the paranoid's; its the ride not the destination nor the kms / kph that matters.

[r.K]

Originally Posted by Sheel

Try blipping when you are going down the 'box.

Hard to get used to but once accustomed, you simply can't do w/o it. Heck, I try [muscle memory] to do this in a scooty as well.

I did not have any idea about throttle blipping till I came across your post. Thanks for the info!

Useful link about throttle blipping:

[abhinav.s]

Originally Posted by Jaggu

So listen to the paranoid's; its the ride not the destination nor the kms / kph that matters.

Totally agree about the range game!! Specially in the summer months you will not know how soon you can get dehydrated and start feeling light headed. But to Avi's credit, i think he was only guesstimating in terms of comfort how far he can ride this bike compared to the other bikes that he had owned in the past and never meant to push outside of the comfort limits of fatigue that hits the rider. Will let Avi comment further though.

[MileCruncher]

Congrats Avi on getting another awesome beast in your garage. I have been itching for a while to upgrade from the D390 and the V650 was the perfect bike both in terms of power and price point. However the saddle height is what spoiled the party. However will take your suggestion and check YT for videos for tips for short riders.

Will be following this thread closely.

Ride hard but ride safe!

[VW2010]

On long distance commutes with group we follow a simple rule. Ride an hour but break for 15 minutes atleast. It's only time we use as a parameter. The early morning start means the first stretch is usually the longest with target as breakfast spot. Usually post breakfast split is also on the higher side for a nice long lunch break.

Post lunch it's mandatory 1 hr breaks. And by 7 things have to come to a stop. If I ride alone I like night rides. Group rides are strictly in day light only.

[mobike008]

Sorry guys for the late reply as I'm terribly swamped with work. Also, replying to posts in part as I don't want a "super long" post that contains replies to all.

It would be an eye-sore. Don't you agree?

Originally Posted by navin_v8

Dark Night Eh! Avi your naming conventions are as good as your ownership reviews. Thanks for giving an insight about your experiences with the Versys 650. Some of them photos are amazing wherein both you and your friend are riding on dirt trails with your respective motorcycles. I remembered McGregor and Boorman from the Long Way series.

Haha! Thanks Navin. Many friends of mine know this crazy fascination of mine of naming my vehicles from many years. So the moment I start buying a new vehicle (bought quite a few in last decade) all friends (fellow mods too) start the naming business and everyone comes up with some hilarious names that we all laugh about before I decide the most sober out of that lot. So just imagine what other names could have been..LOL!

Originally Posted by navin_v8

I would like to know how does the braking feel on those dirt trails compared to tarmac? What braking ratio did you use while riding on the dirt trail?

Braking is improving day by day and I'm getting quite comfortable with braking. Important point to note, as speed increases the braking improves. I mean you don't have to grab the front brake as much as when your at lower speeds

It was same case even in dirt. I was using 70:30 and 60:40 for braking even in dirt trail

Originally Posted by downsouth

Congrats Avi on the new steed, I was wondering where you had disappeared suddenly. With a superb ownership thread online no wonder you are busy out here.Wish you many miles of happy and safe riding. Looking forward to riding with you very soon.

Hey Chetan. Thanks dude. Please bear with these tourers. They cannot keep up with you pocket rockets. And, lets ride next weekend when your back in town

Originally Posted by gthang

Hi there.Congrats on your new bike.

A whole new segment, whole new set of opportunities and experiences for you, I hope.

Thanks Gthang. Yes. It's a beautiful feeling to be riding this bike. It's very comfortable, smooth and powerful. Surely feels like bliss!

Originally Posted by gthang

Kawasaki, and other, manufacturer recommendations are for slightly better roads than our uneven potholed strips of tarmac called roads.I would suggest sticking with the pillion settings all the time. Low air will lead to premature wear

This is great input. Honestly speaking, ever since I got the bike I have not checked the air pressure even once. I normally go for a 50-75kms ride 2-3 times a week alone early in morning and our lazy petrol bunk fellas don't have air pressure open until atleast 8am (by that time I'm back home and getting ready for work)

Will try both pressure once and stick to one that I'm comfortable with

Originally Posted by Vasuki

Congratulations Avinash. Hope you've a great time with this vehicle. I have not seen 650 in flesh but 've climbed upon 1000. It has massive road presence.BTW just want to know how to decode Kawasaki VIN? I'm going to take delivery of Z800 soon and have received the engine & chasis number.

Thanks Vasuki. That term is absolutely right "climbing" the bike is apt for Versys...haha! Man I cant swing the leg over it if I wear a tight jean.

Engine and Chassis number on V650 is located in center console and right side of the engine side. Not sure which one is which. Will check and confirm back when I ride the bike again

Originally Posted by Urban_Nomad

Heartiest congos Avi bhai. Glad to see you having fun from the get go. If your Bonnie thread was anything to go by, I am defintely looking forward to your updates. Wish you many wonderful miles with the Knight.Did you mean the opposite; as is blipping while downshifting, not upshifting? I mean, there is no need to blip while upshifting. You need to match revs when going down the gears IMO. Would love to hear more on this from you

Thanks Karan. I know lot of members loved my Bonnie thread and I get lot of PM's asking queries even now. Hope to keep this thread equally informative for folks planning to buy this motorcycle

Blipping is sudden throttle input & output and in that millisecond you change the gear. Is my understanding correct for the term "blipping". If yes, then I use blipping mostly when upshifting as it helps me change gears faster and without any sound/effort

Never practiced Clutchless shifting. Would love to know the exact way to shift without using clutch?

Originally Posted by Urban_Nomad

Just start with "Motorcycle sag adjustment" and have fun playing around with the settings

Fantastic video. Just saw till 4:00 mins. Will check it out in leisure

[Urban_Nomad]

Originally Posted by mobike008

Blipping is sudden throttle input & output and in that millisecond you change the gear. Is my understanding correct for the term "blipping". If yes, then I use blipping mostly when upshifting as it helps me change gears faster and without any sound/effort

Never practiced Clutchless shifting. Would love to know the exact way to shift without using clutch?

Hey Avi bhai - Blipping or Rev-matching is best described in this awesome video by Kieth Code. I would also recommend watching the complete "Twist of the Wrist" video whenever you get a chance. This video is an excerpt from the same

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrbZJbXwgrY

Clutchless shifts are real simple. You can do this for moving up any gear except for 1st to 2nd. Your bike should be in mid to high RPM (dosnt work well at all with low revs), with your foot under the gear lever; kinda "loading it up" with a little bit of upward presure (Like you are getting ready to upshift). Then momentarily, get off the gas a little (do not close throttle fully) and at the same time, upshift. No cluch and super smooth. Just like blipping, timing is the key. You may falter at first but keep practising and you'll figure it out soon enough I am sure

Take care!

[VW2010]

@Urban Nomand

You put it right. In fact over few weeks you will automatically get into a point where your acceleration gets (Feeling) uninterrupted though you do take a fraction of a second to get it to Zero.

The science is here in this link

https://rideapart.com/articles/how-d...-shifters-work

The quick shifter is exactly what you are doing. Cutting that signal to ECU to get it ready. I have never used Clutch in the last 6 years for up shifting post 1st gear. And believe me i have tried this even in a Bullet And the reason to be in high RPM is to make the ECU believe the blip is a signal for potential gear shift.Alternatively get a quick shifter as power parts and forget about clutch based up shifting for good.

Imagine the seamless gearbox that will start filtering in a couple of years time. That will take bike riding to a different level where you start concentrating on road and stop worrying about throttle play, clutch and whatever.

[pawan_pullarwar]

ok, so coming weekend I am going to test ride and decide weather to sell my Bonneville or keep it .

How is the ride in a city traffic compare to Bonneville? I guess for highway cruising and long touring it is definitely way better than Bonneville? I am planning to do North east ride in coming months, where most of the roads are broken, I am guessing Versys will perform better than Bonneville.