Anyone got one/test rode one?
Opinion please
Opinion please
Versys 1000 SE GT
- Thread starter daviedevs
- Start date
I rode the naked iteration of the z1000 recently. It's a fabulous motor, all the expected top end madness but super tractable from 2000 revs. The fuelling was absolutely perfect making it very easy and rewarding to ride.
I would imagine that a version of that motor in an adv bike chassis would make a great proposition, esp for those who rarely stray off road.
I rode the sx1000; the versy; and the 900se one after the other; i wanted the 900 badly at the time but it was abit small for the pair of us; Versy was large and comfortable; handled well and was nice to ride; but i already have a GS 1100 that i more than enjoy so that ruled it out;; the Sx was the suprise package ; low; comfortable; handled well; and more to the point ; the Mrs could get on and off easy and she said she felt like she had her own space on the back so my money went on the SX. The Versy is still a very good bike but it would stuggle off rd i think.
Just been to view one, and although very nice, its a no. The pillion pegs are 5cm higher than on my current 1290 SAS and SWMBO is of short leg and dodgy knees, so she would struggle to get on board. Shame really because I kind of liked it. Think I will just need to locate some adjustable pillions pegs for the KTM.
Hip issues may force me to find a tank narrower than the Goldwings and one of the bikes of interest is the Versys 1000. Most, if not all, praise rider and pillion comfort.
Check out:
Big Rock Moto and Daily Rider
Check out:
Big Rock Moto and Daily Rider
Its very comfy but just too tall for her.
Ended up with the Versys after all!
Can I be so bold as to ask how tall your Mrs is? I've discounted these sort of sports tourers for 2 up as our last one...back in the late 90s, a VFR800 cause her no end of knee pain...she's 5ft 7 and is obvioulsy now 25 yrs older...so unlikely to have magic'd some better knee joints. (Sorry OP...for hijacking thread)
She's 5'8 Davey; and has arthritis in her knees and hip so the hopping on and off is never going to be easy; once she's on she could stay there without much problem; but i suppose that kind of thing is to be expected at our age;; she also prefer's to see over me than sat directly behind my head; something the SX does very well .
Well the Versys now has around 1200 miles on the clock. All extras fitted and ready for our 2.5 week Euro adventure at the end of June. I am still not convinced with the KQS system. Up changes are quite smooth, but downshifts are like a bucket of stones. Guess I will just use the clutch for the downs from now on. Shame really, as the rest of the bike is great.
I had a Versys 1000 for 5 years, a brilliant bike and I never, ever missed not having a QS. I have a Yamaha Tracer9 GT+ now, another brilliant bike, not as comfy as the Versys but my Tracer9 has a QS and I never use it, I just can’t see the point of having a QS on a road bike.
It helps with the downshifts on the European passes to stop her on the back nutting me....however the Versys will still be done with clutch. I will take it in for a thorough check when I get back from our next tour.
I've recently got a 1000sx (same engine gearbox) and agree the up shift is ok but with the down shift I think it's down to revs and age/mileage on the gearbox. I've just had a 1K 5 day tour of North Yorkshire and having done 200 miles a day I find I am getting used to the limitations of the system. For me on the down shift 2.5K rpm and don't do multiple gears just one at a time and not 2 to first. Since I've been back I have taken my S1000xr (gen1.5) out and the 2 quickshifters are comparable. If your doing a tour it's a good opportunity to try to work with it and find out what works for you.
Totally agree with your early Z1000sx comment I am realy impressed with it smooth, fast, good brakes and suspension you can setup. Now got 3k miles since last October including 3 month winter off the bike, great all round bike only down side it the OEM(rubbish) Bridgestone S23 luckily nearly worn out front down to 2mm back 3mm. Anyone looking for one there's plenty of 2024 un and pre. reg. bikes and I paid £9,999 for a 23 model last year, nil miles 4 years warranty a lot of bike for the money. I'm glad Lind closed in Norwich otherwise I probably would not have got the Kawasaki.
Thanks for this. The plan is to do this tour, approx 2500 miles ish, and see what its like after that. I never downshift to 1st anyway as a rule, as I usually come to a halt in 2nd....but on the passes you sometimes need 1st on the hairpins. As i said I will definitely be using the clutch at those points...dont want a sudden lurch when at 5mph!
Back from our Corsica trip...what an awesome machine. All day comfy and no numb bum. Only downside for me are the BT tyres. They will be replaced before I do any more distance rides. They have lasted well, but definitely feel a tad on the hard side.
So after much debate with her indoors, and a few test rides, Multistrada, Stelvio, etc we have decided that the Versys is a keeper.
So in March I am heading back to A Bike Thing to have a Chigee A10-5 and some brighter DRL's fitted, plus relocate my Garmin XT.
Bike currently has just over 4500 miles on it now, so I have swapped the tyres for a set of PR6's. Far softer feel to them than the original tyres. Full test will come in May when I get my free annual "lads tour" pass. 5 days over to Belgium to ride some of the Wallonia routes.
So in March I am heading back to A Bike Thing to have a Chigee A10-5 and some brighter DRL's fitted, plus relocate my Garmin XT.
Bike currently has just over 4500 miles on it now, so I have swapped the tyres for a set of PR6's. Far softer feel to them than the original tyres. Full test will come in May when I get my free annual "lads tour" pass. 5 days over to Belgium to ride some of the Wallonia routes.
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