Bought one of these a couple of months ago. 60+ years old, masses of driving experience, but very little on bikes. Absolutely love my X 300 and it'a piece of cake to ride over all the various road surfaces I find in Thailand where I live these days.
Why isn't it an adventure bike you ask? Because it doesn't require a mortgage to buy and doesn't take a support team to pick it up when it goes down. And you can't pretend you are Ewan while parking at the local coffee shop.
@@cycletorquedotcom they market it now as an adventure bike and is in that que at their motorsports site, great video by the way, excellent footage, etc, thanks,
I've had this bike for 2 days, and love it! It's my first real Japanese bike, not made in Brazil or India. I love the design, the ergonomics and comfort (the seat is hard but the position compensates), the way the engine pulls hard for most of the range is, a nice experience, and i thought it was going to be weaker down there (based on RU-vid reviews), but it does pull on low revs like a very small dirtbike (125-150cc) which is sufficiently snappy for me, it won't wheelie but it does pull. Kawasaki gave us a very very complete and competent bike, from every stand point. Like you said, it's not the best at 1 thing, but it's great for everything, the weight is well distributed, i have a 30kg lighter bike that has a higher center of mass and it's harder to move by hand than the versys 300. I just need to save money for 50/50 tires, becayse i won't be going uphill with these tires, i want to sell them for cheap and get really good tires.
"Not a go everywhere". I've gone off pretty far on my Versys 650 on some Michelin Road 5, so with the weight savings and proper 50/50 19" tires, it should be a dream on the little one! Too bad dealers won't let me try it offroad, I really hesitate betwen this one and the KLR 650.
It really is marketed as a "Mini-adventure" bike. Technically it's an "adventure/touring" bike. And it's very capable off-road with a skid plate and engine guard/ side protector. Lots of guys have taken these on the BDR (Backroads Discovery Routes) in the US and there's lots of videos that show it's totally capable off-road, as capable as it's big brother the KLR 650. This is not just a commuter/highway bike.
I have always said this, don't judge the off road capabilities of a motorcycle while using street tyres on it, but only Ryan from Fortnine has ever adressed that. I know how much can a nice set of tyres boost the confidence on a bike that's not entirely suited for off road.
Yes it's kind of a fair point; but you don't put TKC80s on a ZX-10R and you can't test a bike and talk at length about its potential off road capabilities with tyres it hasn't got. Keep in mind his primary goal is to get you to click on his videos and buy stuff from the proprietary online store. We are of the opinion that if you’re considering a Versys-X 300 only to put decent adventure rubber on it and ride off-road lots, you might be a better candidate for a KLR650. If not, and you’re just looking for more off-road confidence you won’t get good mileage out of adventure tyres and inevitably revert to the original set instead of buying a new ones. In that case you’re better off sticking with what you’ve got, dropping the tyre pressures a little bit off-road and taking things a little slower.
Cycle Torque it doesn't have to be extreme, we are talking about the Versys x 300, not a ZX10R, so your comparison is way out of the range mate, you're not dragging me out with that one, a ZX10R has NOTHING that says "yeah, this bike could go off road fine". The versys x300 has a 19 inch front wheel and more suspension travel than the typical sportbikes and cruisers, tell me that those features are not compatible with off road or adventure. Now, that bike uses narrower tyres than what typical adventure bikes use, 130/80/17 on the rear, oh guess what, that's exactly the same fit of the Dunlop Trailmax that I'm currently using on my 200cc naked bike, and i like its grip on road better than the Dunlop 900tt i used to use, for off road is even more evident. Something that most reviewers don't realize yet, is that, not all markets are the same, perhaps you guys look at adventure bikes just for fun, as a toy, but it's not the case everywhere. There are countries with a large percentage of dirt roads, not just asphalt, so going off road to get from point A to point B, is not for adventure pr fun, it's LIFE, it's what we live with, is not an option. Now back to the topic, the bike DOES have some of advantages over cruisers, naked and sport bikes, to hit off road(rim size, rim type, suspension travel, ground clearance, etc), i believe that a set of correct tyres for the bike, can accentuate its capabilities, my Dunlop TMX is like at 70% of its life and I've used it for 11.500 km. Now, i know that for pure adventure, dirtbikes are just better, case closed, but the Versys 300 can be seen as a tool, for people who work with their bikes, that carry packages and ride 150km a day, 5 days a week, without having to use 3 gallons a day, and then on the weekends, a toy to have some fun on the twisties, or just a nice ride to enjoy a nice day on the beach with your couple, it doesn't need to be the best at 1 thing to make sense, after all, it's a bike built for more than just touring, so the compromises can be understood. Now this last point is totally my own opinion, i don't want to have to ride/own a buzzy dirt bike, because i like street bikes a little more, plus i wouldn't feel confident enough about cruising on a dirtbike or "adventure" bike, at 120km/h with knobby tires, pushing the engine a lot or burning too much gas per km.
Yeah, we're on the same page - the ZX reference was extreme - only to point out there's a limit to what you're saying (like your pure adventure/dirtbike point). :)
Cycle Torque yeah of course hehe, the tyres alone won't turn a street bike to an off road machine, just like street tyres won't turn a dirt bike into an agile twisties machine, all i wanted to point out with my first comment was to say that tyres can help a bit. (Mainly because most reviewers tend to ride the Versys off road like they were going to fall at any moment, really scared).
I think this is my perfect and ideal 2nd bike. I'll keep my honda xl200r for the trails, the Versys looks like a good addition for the longer road trips with maybe some fire roads thrown in
It is the Hummingbird of ADV bikes and a very good one at that. Adventure touring is about back roads dirt roads and some trails. Taking your time and enjoying it. Not racing along the highway or rock climbing or going through swamps. It is one of the most best bikes for a true adventure rider, it goes where most people will go, and do it very good. Take one on a real adventure for a couple of weeks then come back with a great big smile on you face. I have only had mine for a week and got 1000 km on it but it dose windy roads, dirt and gravel roads better than most bikes, and for off road riding it is very good just take your time and pick your spots. But don't try rock climbing unless you get a bash plate, it is not made for that. and it is not made for racing off road just take your time and you will be fine, and don't go stupid on it.
I have a full license, had a lot of bikes but I just want a versatile around bike that is easy to ride, capable and doesn't Costa lotta including add on extras. Will do me. It's not a single, parallel twin.
On a few reviews I have heard about people complaining about the high revving at highway speeds. It's not something I am too concerned with as I know these engines can be revved all day long. It will be interesting to see if anyone has put on extra tooth on the front and if this is a worthwhile modification...?
I have owned many bikes of all sizes, including my current bmw R1200RT. I bought one of these for the light weight to put on the back of my RV. It's a great little bike and one of the easiest to ride I have ever been on. The riding positions nice, and yes the seat is hard ,but there are several options to address that out there. I was surprised it felt ok after an hour. I plan riding two up with my wife and the factory top case will be the back rest. It's is a somewhat flimsy case but should do the trick. I have gotten past break in so can't vouch for full power but it feels promising. My ford Kawasaki, very impressed, left over 2018 saved me a nice chunk of change
I've had a few bikes. This is my favourite. The only thing it can't do well is overtake. Make it in 400c and you have a perfect bike....light, zippy, versatile and fun to ride.
As an older owner / rider , I have to say it is flat out the most fun motorcycle I have had in years . I made my own skid plate and bought the factory "engine guards" and also made my own hand / lever guards . If you wish to know anything about this bike , check out the following link on ADVRider . ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-2XXPGE0klmc.html It is way more of an adventure bike than many that claim to be . Nobody made aftermarket accessories when I bought mine and we have an ADV get together in Enterprise Oregon where we ride around Hells Canyon in June . Did not wish to destroy the pipes , oil filter or bottom of engine . The 4.5 gallon tank gives it a real good range also . It is quickly becoming my favorite motorcycle ever , and this is my 88th bike . The seat is the worst seat ever ! Several aftermarket seat makers offer a replacement and there are also several pad / upholstery kits available .
Henry Zabel you sir, seem to know a lot about what you're talking about, i agree that most channels are underestimating the off-road potential of the bike, just because it's not a typical adventure bike with a 21 inch front rim and plenty of torque on the lower rpms, because... That's what defines a dirt bike, not necessarily an adventure bike.
I to am getting close to being a older rider to, at 70 I have been riding for about 55 years. Just got mine Versys X a week ago and have only 1000 km on but so far love it, have been doing windy roads dirt & gravel roads , and some light off road. Back in the 60's we used road bikes off road all the time, and never had a problem. The one thing I can not understand is why they do not put center stands on chain drive bikes, makes chain maintenance so much easier. These young riders keep saying the want lighter ADV bikes and when they come out with one they call it a beginner bike, with out even trying it.
It is a small displacement adventure bike and with the right tires it does extremely well off road. Get one and take it off road. You will be pleasantly surprised.
It is a mini adventure bike, and it's from the aspect a road bike that can be taken offroad, vs. daul sport(enduro), which is a dirt bike designed to be used on the roadways as well, so, as a road bike configred for the dirt as well, it's an adventure bike, a small touring machine, I use it as an adventure bike, I've now ridden my 2021 X300 everywhere I rode my XT225, literally, though it doesn't handle some things as well, it gets the job done, it will haul me and about 50-70 pounds of gear from town to mountain top. I call it my mountain goat. What I would like to do is try to swap out the 300 with a Z400 drivetrain if that were possible, swap them both since the 300's drive train would suit the Z400 very well considering it's lighter and would handle very properly if swapped out. I would also think the VX300 would handle the swap fine as far as powering the machine; might have to reconfig the sprocket ratios etc.
What do you mean it is not adventure bike. Its more adventure then most ktms and bmw,s. But you need to chang rear shok vs spring. The bike is very stiff.
The only negative thing that I've ever heard about this bike is the seat. I've been considering trading my present bike on the the VERSYS X 300 but I haven't found much info regarding after market seats.
Try the seat for a while it I find it not too bad just have to get use to it. and a good sheep skin makes a big difference. I was tolled that seat concepts make a very good one for the 300 x . The Versys X 300 is a great bike, and puts a smile on your face dose almost every thing very good.
Or somebody looking for something very light if Yamaha would sell its XT 660 in America I wouldn't have the bot the x300 ( just don't understand Yamaha
@@Jeremy-fy1sz lol basically. This is more adventure than any other adv bike. Add on a couple spare cans and you can easily get a 500 mile range out of it...
I would like to know how much Kawasaki is paying these people to make these videos. This bike has no low end torque, and it doesn't get the fuel mileage that the KLR 650 does. If this is the best Kawasaki can come up with, I may have to switch brands. I have ridden Kawasakis for years, but if they don't come up with something better than this, I won't be riding them much longer.
