2018 Kawasaki Versys 650 Review. There's been a few changes to the Kawasaki Versys since 2017 and here we'll highlight all the bikes features and more. Please follow this link to make a donation. www.paypal.me/pbriar82
Great review. Thanks for putting in the effort. Very sorry to hear about Graham's untimely demise, and I wish his family peace and healing. My sincere condolences.
Was at the Belfast bike show this morning and Theo’s bike really stood out. After your review I’m definitely going for it this year. Great and honest review. I’m 5’7 inch and sat on a lowered version at the show comfortably. Thanks a mill for excellent review. From County Meath Ireland
I had been considering buying a new Versys 650 . I going to do it. Your video clinched it . Well done . I live in Canada , so it's actually the perfect bike . I would imagine the same could be said for Australia.
wow, great review Graham, Kawasaki should sponsor you! It wasn't a bike on my radar really before but now perhaps a contender for me to buy when I move over to Thailand in a couple of years time.
Congratulations on the new wheels, wish you and your family safe, comfortable riding at all times! Cool review, though would still go for the Tracer 900, I understand the comment you made previously regarding servicing needing to be close. Looking forward to some of your route recommendations. Hope to be in Northern Thailand in March 2018.
Andy D more power, more torque, lighter, triple engine, good for a taller rider (I'm 6ft 3in), it is not an adventure bike but a sports tourer, has traction control, different engine modes, adjustable suspension, abs, comfortable for both rider and pillion, you can add a quick shifter, handles very well at slow and quicker pace, think it looks great. The versys 650 is a good bike also, just prefer the tracer.
Great review Graham. I follow a few Thai vloggers and I have recently bought a honda cbf125 and passed my cbt, in the near future I intend to step up to the bigger bikes and get my full licence, so your videos are ticking both Thai and bike boxes! Keep up the good work!
Nothing like the freedom on bike mate. Well done on the CBT. It's wonderful riding up here as there's so much to explore and the roads are in really good condition for the most part. Ride Safe Lee.
Great review, a ton of information. I'm considering to get one of these beautiful machine and worry about the seat height. I'm only 5' 8" and not sure I can handle well.
I am planing on buying a kawasaki versy 650 2014 model . It has 10500km !!i am planing to do 6000 kilometers is it a good bike for the travel ???i appreciate your answer
i have a 2010 and a 2015 versys both have adjustable clutch and brake levers . and the engine mounts were upgraded in 2015 the vibration issues were between 2009-2014 gen 1 and gen 2 models . great bikes ride safe
First review!! That was impressive indeed. This style of bike has never been my cup of tea. That was the case until a few days ago when I tried one out for a day in Hua Hin. I'm sold, what a mile muncher and in comfort with much better handling than I expected. It's on the shopping list :)
Thanks Jack. Have to say I've always preferred a naked bike but Pie really likes the touring style and the more I looked at it and the practicalities the more I liked it ... has to be the most comfortable bike I've ridden. We're just waiting on the panniers and top box. Now the top box can come with a pillion back rest which we'll also install; that'll make sitting back there a dream. Let us know if you get one :)
I see a new Top Gear presenter in the making. Top notch Graham. I know you two have been through a bad patch this last couple of days, but chin up. Feel the love toward you both in the chat.
Any trips planned ? Like the Mae Hong Son loop ? Are you expecting mom and dad to borrow it from time to time ? What do they think about it now that it's been a couple days ?
Graham, just looked Waynes vlog, still makes no difference to me , I take your vlog as I stated this morning, ' at face value ' . Keep them coming for me and the other 4,000. Cheers
I hear it was the 2015 model that had an issue with vibes but I'm guessing it was the 2015 model that fixed it. The new rubber mounts for the engine work a treat; no buzzing in the bars or foot pegs.
Very professional. I’m looking for a dual sport touring bike but you said it’s seat height and weight might be a issue with smaller riders like me so the search continues. Thanks!
Yes us folks with little legs are restricted to some degree. Personally I like the sit up and beg position that a tour bike offers. I do know that several of the manufacturers such as BMW now offer seat lowering kits so if you have a particular bike in mind ask the dealership if they have these available.
Gday mate good review on the versy , how did pie find the pillion seat ? ive seen a few reviews on them and i think you are able to fit a usb fitment in the grommets inside the faring area glad your happy with it take care .
It's nice and comfortable. Today you'll see Pie riding and me on pillion and it's a nice comfortable seat. Yes you can have a USB bank fitted along with a DC Outlet.
Nice review sir. I love this bike very much but I'm 5 foot 5 and having doubts because I'm not a tall guy and this bike looks tall too. Can this bike be my first big bike?
Hallo.. Beautiful bike! I considering to buy this bike but I don't know how she react on highway.. With a woman and 3 koffers on a trip about 2000 miles can I ride at 140 km/ph? Thanks
I REALIZED THE CHIANG RAI DEALER AFTER I WATCHED YOUR OTHER VIDEO. IT'S GOOD TO KNOW THAT THE SERVICE IS GOOD AND THAT THERE IS A TRIUMPH DEALER THERE TOO. I REALLY LIKE THE TIGER 800, BUT TURNED TO THE KAWASAKI VERSYS 650 AFTER SEEING ALL THE GREAT REVIEWS. I WILL BE LIVING IN KHON KAEN AND SHOULD BE THERE SOMETIME AT THE END OF MARCH OR EARLY APRIL. THANKS AGAIN FOR THE GREAT REVIEW OF THE 650......SAL
I must admit I'm a fan of the Triumph Tiger, really like the Triumph triple. The Versys is a great all round bike but no electronics apart from the ABS. I'm planing on a 6 month review in a couple of months.
Hey you two !! Thank's much for the Review. The Kawa 650 Versys is on my short list to buy in the next few month's. Your review has helped already. I Wonder what fuel milage it get's at freeway (70 - 75 MP Hour ) speed's ?? Happy Riding & Be Safe !!!
Nice to hear that, I’m 174 and this is my dream bike, I’m used to riding a harley davidson rocker and a Ducati Multristrada 1200s GT but ists just too much power and waay to big for my height.
I have a 2016 model and I tested the 2018 and the only difference I saw was the gear indicator which is hard to see. The windshield is still awful in any position for a 5'9 foot + rider. I changed mine the same week for a Givi, I heard the VStream is a good choice as well. The mirrors are awful for me standing at 6'1, I see my elbows, I changed my out and got the Kawasaki Z800/z9000 model which is the same style but lower and longer outward. the OEM side cases are weak and any fall you would have to get them repaired or replaced. I suggest you don't buy them and get an aftermarket aluminum or soft case. If you want a nice sound you cannot replace the exhaust with a slip on. You will need to change the entire exhaust systems or get something custom modified. Besides all that I love my Versys 650, an all great all-rounder. I'm hearing buzz that they may come out with a Versys X650 to replace the KRL650 that will be discontinued at the end of 2018/2019
Nice video, nice family, God bless! The bike looks cool in this colour scheme. The only down for me is the weight, it is so heavy! I own a 2012 cbr 600f but you quite do not feel the weight when riding, but I guess the weight of my bike is around 200 kg. I am considering the versys x 300, it is a lot less powerful but for sure more agile. Thanks for sharing!
She weighs in at 217kg and a bit more with the panniers and top box but weigh even more when full. The only difficult part is moving the bike around but when riding you don't feel it at all and it's surprisingly agile. The Versys X 300 looks like a really nice bike but I'm not sure of the details.
As always, I much enjoyed the vlog or review, "Ride safe!" One thing though, tires, they do not look to me from the video that they would preform well in mud or even dirt. They look like highway tires.
GREAT VIDEO GRAHAM. WHERE DID YOU BUY IT? I AM PLANNING TO BUY ONE WHEN I GET TO THAILAND IN MARCH. LOOKING FOR A GOOD DEALER WITH GOOD SERVICE. ANY SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANKS AGAIN.
Had a sport touring , 900 Ninja back in the day and it a was a great bike, comfortable crazy fast , Kawasaki makes good quality machines ,congrats and U be safe , cheers!
Please don't go to fast when making the videos, for the non bikers we want to have time to appreciate the beauty of the surroundings you want to show us, and hope you're still gonna show us life throughout those little sois around the village and else. Otherwise pleased for you and Pie with the bike and both stay safe.
5loquesea I wholly agree. I'm always disappointed when the view is hurried. I want to really LOOK at what I'm being shown :) I image to slow it down would take a bit of discipline for anyone who is experiencing the beauty in person. It would be for me!
Yes ridden it in Chiang Rai City and it does get very congested there especially where the are repairing the roads. The Versys is a heavy bike at 217kg, add the panniers, top box and other bits and it's more so but it's very well balanced - at just a couple of km per hour I can keep the bike upright. If you looking to buy definitely take a test ride.
Some of the improvements you mentioned have been on the Versys since 2015. The fully rubber mounted engine and rubber mounted handle bars.The gear indicator was added in 2016 The adjustable levers were on the 2010 2nd generation Versys
