Ridiculous Comparison: Owner's Review BMW F750 GS & Kawasaki Versys-X 300 

Im 60yo new rider and I have Versys 300x. Great little bike I've put 2k miles in 6 months. I'm looking to upgrade because I'm interested in longer touring trips on highway. Where I live people drive 70 to 80 on highway and the Versys can do it but it's buzzy and I get a slight vibration in handle bars and pegs that eventually leads to numbness. It's an absolutely great back roads bike and is most comfortable around 40 to 60. My riding skills have progressed pretty quickly and I do practice and feel more confident to handle a bigger bike. Looking at all the mid size adventure bikes.

I went down to a Versys x 300 from a life of riding all kinds of bikes. It's by far my favourite bike of all time. I installed Hyperpro progressive springs in the front and an adjustable rear shock. Good investment but if I wanted to save money, I would have just gotten the front springs, best bang for the buck. I ride 50/50 so good tires are a must. If I was to buy a second bike, I'd look for a Ninja 400 for the track near by. I think as we get older, we appreciate smaller, lighter spirited machines that still put a smile on our faces.

Great review. Appreciate your honesty. At 66 I have been riding for 52 years. I had a Versys 300 and very much enjoyed it. Traded it for a Kawasaki W800 then grew tired of the bulk (almost 500 lbs) for a daily rider. The Kawasaki dealer had no Versys 300's to trade on so I got a killer deal on a G310GS. I am having a blast on it. Perspective point here. When I started riding in 1970 people were riding across the globe on 250s and 500s. We would have stood in awe of bikes like the Versys 300 or G310GS. Take care and ride safe my friend.

Thanks for the comparison. I still ride the x300. Someday I will move up. It's good to know the x300 could cover all those miles.

Love my 2020 X300. Left over at $5500 OTD. Commuter and, weekend fun. On the highway often 70 mpg, handles trails but true about hills being a smaller engine. I went 15 tooth front sprocket before I even started riding it.

I've been looking for someone to talk about the 750 as an owner.Thank you!

Mode do seem to be a joke. My Africa Twins has rider modes an 99.9% of the miles on that bike have been accumulated in my custom use mode. I really wish they made these bikes available with less tech. Most of it is not needed.

Great video! I had a very similar experience. I started riding as a mid teen, but then only ride a very few times on friends bikes, less than 30 minutes each, until my mid 60s. Bought a 15 year old Kawasaki KLR 250 (yes 250). Rode it mostly off road and Jeep trails and some single tract & got comfortable on pretty rough mountain passes. Sold that bike for a Husaberg FE390 (incredible dirt bike, but had to do upgrades to get it street legal). Kept it but bought a Versys X300 and LOVE it - still have it - great commuter and also take it on some medium Jeep roads in the mountains of SW Colorado. GREAT around town but had the itch for more power and bought a Vstrom 650XT. I might be crazy, but I'm keeping all three, Husaberg (for serious off road), Versys X300 (for light offroad and 70 mpg commuter), and the Vstrom 650XT. Ride all three, depending on my mood, route, and destination. We've now ridden about 50% of the TransAmerica Trail (wester half, Oregon to NW Arkansas) most on the Husaberg, Moab, UT to Silverton, CO on the X300. YES, this little 300 IS, INDEED, a legitimate Adventure Bike! Ridden within its design parameters, not outrunning the suspension, being patient at 10,000 feet elevation and going steep hills with a head wind, etc. the little ADV bike will do it. (Deep sand on Mitas E07s is not recommended!) For long trips, very hard to beat a properly set up 650 - 850 ADV, bike. Long trips (several days) on the Husaberg seat is brutal, but doable, esp on rough terrain. And the X300 for things in between is not a bad choice. I might be the last one I would sell if need be, but the Vstrom is too good to lose also. Suggestion to all: no matter your age, if you can physically swing it, just get on and ride. Bite the bullet, go for broke, get training if you need it, get the RIGHT TIRES for the job, pack the panniers and GO. Consider going with a friend if you're 74 years old! This guy is a great example of starting our right and progressing as you gain experience. Thanks loads!!!

I think you made a great choice. I bought a used 1200 GS that had been upgraded with almost everything I wanted, and it was cheaper than a new 750 or 800. I also agree that cruise control and heated grips are awesome. Ride safe and enjoy.

I have both the Versys 650LT and the X300. With your penchant for long road trips, the larger motor os a definite improvement in rideability. The Beemer is a great bike, and I think the Versys 650 stacks up very well against it for 40% less money. That said, the Beemer can easily be a lifetime bike for you. It does very well on pavement and can still handle well-groomed dirt roads without fuss. Plus both Versys and F750 models have a shockingly large aftermarket mods portfolio! Ride safe!

I'm bought my first bike, the Versys x300 this year. New rider and first bike at age 60. I'm already wishing for more power, and better stability at 50 mph+. I'll give it at least another year or so. Considering Versys 650 or a Triumph 660 or 850. I'll now also take a look at your BMW 750 GS. Thanks for the video and motivation!

My channel is dedicated to the upgrades and mods on the Versys X300. The X300 is a great choice for a first bike or for just keeping it light. Thanks for the comparison.

I have a 2021 750GS and was told that I could use the quick shifter both up and down. Down shifting the throttle needs to be all the way down and upshifting is best with full throttle. You can also have the suspension on road and gas respons on dynamic. I am almost 78 still riding and will do so as long as it is fun. I hope you have many great trips on your bike.🙂

Great Job...many thanks 👍

I’ve risen dirtbikes and road bikes. I had a 2015 versys 650. Loved it. Sold it because at the time I wasn’t riding enough and had gotten a new job. I should have kept it. I’m only looking at the versys x300 for soft off-roading because my local shop has a clean 2018 with 9000 miles for $4000 and it has a upgraded windshield, seat, center stand, and crash bars.

300x is way better for offroad, you just found out you don’t offroad much so the bmw is much better for strictly pavement, perfect choice for a beginer noob like yourself all the assists help too! Good choice!

For picking up your bike...the Eastbound Moto Wench is a big helper, and confidence maker. I bought a heavy Africa Twin in 2020, and by 2121 I was no longer able to pick it up (muscle weakness from Vaxx). I waited two years for Keith Products to get me a Dirt Napper, finally discovered the wench. $286 all in.

great road bike... too heavy for any serious off-road work (as was my KLR 650.). You're not old yet. When you hit 72 and still want to go off-road, you'll wish you had the lighter bike (I'm glad I have it now...the KLR and the Himalayan were too heavy to pick up off-road). I've had 64 bikes in 55+ years of riding from small to very heavy and right now I'm all done with heavy bikes (except for my 2021 Moto Guzzi V7 Stone Centenario). I'm really enjoying the new Versys right now and going to do the NMBDR next summer.

I currently have the x300 and a Yamaha Super Tenere 1200. Both are great bikes. Apples and oranges.

Very good video thanks ,you have a new subscriber Rab Scottish borders

What sprocket change should you make on the versys? 15 or 13 teeth?

Difference between the Beemer and the little Kaw, In short, everything. My old KLR and I will give you a run for your money though.lol

I don't trust that crazy road automation stuff. Too much to go wrong. German over-enginerring at it's finest. I've got 2 Mercedes Benz and they're 20 & 23 years old respectively. Solid & not too complex. For cycles, I just scored an 08 V-Strom 650, immaculate garage kept @'13k miles. $3650 What sense is there in buying new, when theyres Garage Queens aplenty ?

Thanks for the interesting insights. So the riding modes and cruise control are of limited value, and swapping bulbs to LED on the X300 is super easy .... so if you live in a country where high cruising speeds are impractical, the extra power of the BMW is of no value .... so save on the cash and weight and get an X300

If you're considering the Versys-X 300, watch my 4-year, 20,000km comprehensive review: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-qEB0XWVmTu8.html

Hello easily amused person! Versys-X owner here. I do more off-road so suspension upgraded, 21" front etc. If I upgraded I would go for longer suspension travel and lighter bike. That bike does not exist. Yet...? Oh, on the opening photo where you show the 2 bikes facing each other especially the Versys-X is packed too high up. Don't do that. Get side luggage. On the versys-x with my height 186cm (6.1ish) I get handlebar whobble when I have heavy topcase and not sitting totally in the front of the seat.

Is the bmw a better bike? yes, for sure. Is it better for your use? yes, most likely. But i have to disagree with you that you outgrew the versys x300. that bike is a lot more capable than the skills you show on your riding. Obviosly you did a great trade, no doubt about it, but the versys can do lots more, and can take you to the same places that your new bmw, (even to some places that i would prefer the kawaski than the 750gs) over all I agree with you except that you did not outgrew the versys and that you absolutely do not look like you are 52 years old.

rediculous comparison. Should be versys 650 vs 750gs

You just wait untill the Bema starts to let you down and then see how you feel ? In my humble opinion having riden for over 50 years and had a few Bemas they are very very overated and a complete rip off when it comes to parts etc So good luck and I hope you dont need it !! "luck that is"