2015 Kawasaki Versys LT Full Review and Mods
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- čas přidán 30. 07. 2016
- This is the longest video I've ever produced, but it's a full review after having ridden/owned my Versys for a full year. I've not actually modified anything, but by adding fenders, RAM mounts, power points and changing the windshield could be considered modification. Average fuel mileage 49.7 mpg. Mechanically, it's all as Kawasaki designed it.
If you feel I missed something, please leave a comment and I will get back to you. I'd really appreciate it if you'd like and subscribe. Thank you! - Auta a dopravní prostředky
Thanks for the great review. I am about to purchase my first bike (2015 Versys 650 with 225 miles only!!) and am really excited about all of the great reviews this bike has. Thanks for sharing your great modification/accessory ideas.
this is probably the most informative "real" review, I've seen, for a Kawa Versys 650... good job.!
Yes I second your comment...!!
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I stupidly forgot the account password. I love any help you can give me
@Avi Prince Instablaster :)
@Hassan Leo Thanks for your reply. I got to the site through google and im trying it out atm.
Takes quite some time so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.
@Hassan Leo It worked and I finally got access to my account again. Im so happy:D
Thanks so much you saved my account!
will be buying the 2021 versys 650. thank you for this deep personal review!
Really useful review, thank you. It also show how much can be improved... and how much more can be spent.
For someone that's not a review pro. You did great. Very informative and realistic. Thanks.
Nice review, I've put on the Motech rear carrier & crash bars, both great products & easy to install.
In my opinion the best mod you can do to the Versys or any other bike for that matter is a set of auxiliary lights just to make sure you make yourself as visable as possible. I got the genuine Kawasaki light set fitted, not cheap but worth it safety wise.
excellent video, very informative and helpful, especially to someone like myself who is seriously considering the Versys as my first real bike
thank you for your service sir
prior USAF myself
looking forward to future updates and gear reviews
The Versys is a great value for the money. I've always liked my equipment to do more than one thing and the Versys is the perfect only bike. I like the style and look of Kawasaki's.
Great review, thanks for all the helpful details on your modifications. I am a new rider last year and I am considering this as an upgrade. Nearly all reviews of the Versys 650 are positive. It seems to be a great all rounder
Honest, liked how you refrained from going too in-depth every time. Very informative. Thanks for this!
Thanks for the review... I'm thinking of getting myself a Versys 650 :) This review is very helpful!
thanks for taking the time, great review. I have the 1000 LT very pleased with it. So far I've just changed the screen.
The 1000 is a great bike, no reason to change anything. Just keep up on the maintenance, you'll ride it more than 100k miles. Thanks for commenting on my review.
yeah, just a 12v and a bigger foot for the sidestand on the list :)
Checking this out in 2021 to get some ideas about my versys 2021...still works👍 great job on the review...
Very nice mods! Many things I will look into when I'll have my own Versys 650.
A great job on this video and on all the changes you did on your Versys 650 .
Nice bike. Really good information. I am looking into buying a new bike soon. Learned on a Yamaha YX600 Radian. I am ready to move on. The Versys and the FJ09 are the style of bikes that will suit my needs. Thank you for the no commercials and high quality audio and video. It is really appreciated.
Either the Versys or the FJ09 would be great long term bikes. Only reason I traded up to the FJ is for more torque for mountain roads and long trips. Thanks for the comments and ride safe...
Thanks for the review! I have been researching this bike lately. Have a 2015 just like yours for sale in my area.
Great review...providing links to the items you bought would have been the icing on the cake.
Love the creativity of the radiator guard.
Best made most honest review I have seen so far by far! Get into film making my friend.... Cheers 👍
Cool review, I was taking notes. I'm buying one of these, thanks
Great review, one of the best on youtube!!
Great review thank you so much!
I like your matching white theme... Great visibility.
Thank you for this. You did pretty much everything I'm considering for my new Versys. Wish I could've heard your horn though. Planning to put a Denali Soundbomb on, same as what's on my Z1000. Ride safe.
That speed gun detector is every bikers dream 😊👍, informative review. Bikes looks clean. BTW m midst of buying this one , at present I ride CBR 250 which I adore
Awesome video dude. Love the bike
With arthritis getting worse and riding days getting shorter , I'm looking at smaller and smother bikes . Gonna keep the duel sport Suzuki but want to cover miles quickly on the road . That Kawasaki looks good to me . Thanks
Thanks for sharing. Great info. Pretty sure this will be by next bike.
Beautiful review. In detail and stand still. I do not understand why others do their review on the move, it is stupid. I wish everyone to do it like "chuckasaki".
Thanks for watching and for the comments. I try to produce my videos to make sense as much as I can.
When the riding in their vids have no relation to their content I don´t even bother looking it to the end. For me it´s a sign of disrespect.
This vid however is really good :)
Great review and thanks for sharing all your mods! I have the same bike and have had it for a year now. I only have about 1200 miles in comparison, but I work from home so I really can't commute with mine ;) I did the same as you with the accessory outlets (two of them), but instead of having two cigarette lighter style outlets I got a one with a built in USB power supply. It is flush mount so that I don't have issues with the hand guards interfering with the cords when turning the handle bars. Happy riding!
I just ordered a water proof USB socket to replace the 12 volt plug since everything I run can be powered with a USB anyway, so it makes sense to have both.
trublu2nu i
Amazing video, liked and subbed. Can't wait until my 650 gets here!
Great looking bike. Much appreciate your effort to produce this review. I am looking for a highway bike and the Versys 650 is what I currently have in mind. I have pretty much watched all Versys reviews on Youtude. Find this video to be very informative. My previous bike was the Ninja 650 and currently own a Z650.
The Versys is built from the Ninja 650, so they are very similar, but the Versys will give you a little more flexibility. It's good for road trips and mountain roads. Light weight and easy to handle in all conditions.
I have a BMW G310GS and have tons of regret.... I am jealous of your love for your bike!
A bit of the same here. I have the baby GS and the Versys and the Versys is in a different league altogether.
brilliant review ...im so attracted to this bike but all the extra work , which im not a fan of ..i hope i can show this to my dealer and he can get this stuff for me .... brilliant ...
Great review. Very nice bike!
Well done on a review. I got the 2016 version in india, Bangalore. Have finished about 6000 clicks. I got the same or similar stuff from Revzilla. From the vdo looks like you also got a kick stand enlarger. Got me the same swmotech stuff. Someone got it down for me. Good choice of accessories and nice review. Thanks!
Thanks for the comment. I've been very happy with the bike and I love taking it on road adventures. In fact, I'm taking an interesting trip tomorrow and I'll post it when I return.
I still look at other bikes, but I don't see any I like better than the Versys.
Ride safe...
Thanks! Here's to more safe miles! Love the Versys
Great video. Lots of good tips.
Barry
Excellent review !!!
Nice mods, is true with Dunlop to bad tire ... I put in my bike crash bar from givi, gps bars from sw-motech , Oxford heated grip, Side and top case from Shad is more cheap and look great...
Great review. Thanks so much.
Hi Chuckasaki - Any chance you have the link to where I may get same type of crash guard bars. I looked everywhere but cant seem to find the same SW-Motech bar. Other types are available but not the same as the one you have.
Absolute best all around bike on the planet for the buck
Yea man.. good video.. I like this big every much!
Thanks for the review. Can you post a link to the rear axle slider you have?
really nice overview. thanks
good review mate.
Chukasaki, Could you please share the links for all the accesories you purchased.. I am planning to buy bike in india. but i can try to get them from my abroad friends.
can you add links in the description to the crash bars, sliders, etc that you installed on your bike?
Thanks you friends
really nice bike good job!
Great review
It starts at 4:39.
I decided to keep my rear fender too. For the same reasons. I will replace my Dunlops with PR4's when the time comes. I had PR3s in my previous bike (FZ07) and loved the grip and handling.
Compared to the FZ07, what are your impressions of this bike? I've got a FZ07 and a VStar cruiser. I tour on the cruiser because it has more wind protection, but I would love to find bike that is the best of both worlds and consolidate down to 1 bike(I barely have room to garage both bikes right now). This bike looks like it might be that. Is it similar power to the FZ07? Smoother engine?
I love this bike. Can't find fault in it. It is simply perfect for me. I am 5'7" and can handle this rather tall bike really well. When new, I found it slower than the FZ-07, but when that Kawasaki 650 engine broke-in, it felt just as peppy as the Yamaha cross-plain twin, and with a lovely sound, unlike the FZ-07 that sounds like a sewing machine! I can commute to work in cold weather because the aerodynamics of the cowl, and the shield protects me from the cold wind. Fuel economy is abt 46 mile/gal, but I haven't checked in a while though. It came with panniers (LT), so I can tour long distances. Things I need to fix/add: new tires, fix the cowl buzz (foam tape here,there), thicker handlebar grips, add a top box...
plus.google.com/photos/photo/104024395519693238283/6391264365887035026?icm=false
C. Ivan Delgado I put PR3's on mine...awesome.
What Pierre said. Good review, thank you.
with winter coming, are you planning on adding some heated grips? if so, please add installation video. I own a 2016 versys. been riding in the twisty mountain roads of GA, NC, and TN. loving it. had to add the airhawk seat cover in addition to the sergeant seat for comfort. Thanks for the vids. u got a new subscriber.
I know some people who live where I do that have heated grips and they really like them. I rode all last winter without them and even did some mountain riding and got caught in some snow, but my insulated gloves and a break every hour or so were all I needed. Heated grips might get a few days use in Phoenix, but that's not enough for me to spend my money on it, so I have no plans to install them.
First I'd like to say nice video. Now have you done any two up riding with another adult and have you done weekend touring? What are your impressions if so.
You've got as much money on mods and gear as you do into the bike XD dope.
Nice Video 🏍👍👍
really nice review Chuck, it would be great if you could post a night riding video with those awesome LEDs. And I do hope the rubber mount is blocking the airflow of those LEDs as it could result in damaging the chip of the bulbs, btw opt7 bulbs are water and dust resistant so you could be better off by removing those rubber mounts altogether. anyways have fun and ride safe. :)
Thanks for the comments, I may consider making a night ride video, since I've not done much riding at night. I modified the light housing covers to to allow air flow, but dust is a huge problem, so I need to have at least some cover. Each light has it's own heat sink and fan and seems to get enough air flow to keep cool. Thanks for watching and hopefully I'll get a night riding video produced soon.
Thanks :)
Beautiful looking bike, I love the white & black. I am looking to buy a new bike and I am down to either the Versys 1000 or the Yamaha FJ 09. I see that you switched to the FJ 09, what made you change bikes and which bike do you like more? Thanks.
I wanted a little more power for the mountain roads and for highway riding. The Versys seemed to struggle a bit in those conditions, otherwise it's a great bike.
How bout bar risers or grip puppies?
very informative
Hi Chuck, great review. I've got a 2014 Versys 650 here in the Philippines, it's just about perfect for the terrible roads here. I've been playing with the suspension settings and it just soaks up the bumps and pot holes here. I've done a bunch of mods too, volt meter, USB and 12volt charger port, Givi luggage, spot lights, even a siren and blinkers to get the crazy drivers out of the way (I'm a member of the Law Enforcers Riders Association of the Philippines so it's allowed.) I've also got a GPS mount, crash bars, charged the tires and brake pads, had the rear brake lever adjusted upwards, didn't like the angle. It's not as powerful as I'd like (my other bike is Yamaha FZ6N with the R6 engine, it screams! But the suspension is hard, as is the seat, and it's loud and buzzy..so only good for short rides). The perfect bike would be a Versys 650 with the FJ9 engine! If only.....
Trevor Evans I've often wished the Versys 650 had a bit more power. Other than that, it was a perfect bike...
chuckasaki imagine if they bored out the 650 to an 800. Now that would be awesome.
Trevor Evans Kawasaki makes an 800cc engine as on the Z800, but it wouldn't fit in the frame. I don't know if the 650 could be bored and stroked to 800cc, then the air and fuel flow would have to be changed too. Doesn't seem worth it, so I just changed bikes.
chuckasaki how's the vibration on the Yamaha as opposed to the Kawasaki?
The Yamaha is smoother, even with the engine being bolted directly to the frame while the Kawasaki engine sits on rubber mounts.
nice upgrades, enjoy your ride. If your going to do race stuff do it on a track.I learned the hard wzy.
I may ride a bit fast at a safe time and place, but no racing or street Rossi stuff. Thanks for watching...
Nice review! Where did you get the front fender extender? Do you have a link to it? Thanks
The fender extender was from revzilla.com. I got one for my other bike from the same place. I don't have a link, but it's easy to search revzilla. It was about $30, I think.
How is the bike on the highway? Is it smooth? Do you feel bad vibrations through the handle bars and hands around 80mph? I want this bike but want to make sure it's smooth with no vibes bc I want to drive long Distance. Thanks
It's pretty good in the highway. 70 - 80 mph is pretty good, faster that 80, the ECO turns off, but overall MPG is pretty good. No real vibes other than what you'd expect of a twin. I hate the turbulent air behind a truck, but on a clear road it's smooth and stable.
Hi man, great review of your mods.
I own the same bike, just in green color, I have mounted the genuine LED fog lamps, tidy tail, rear mud guard and the rear hugger.
I'm looking for the mirror extenders, LED low and high beams, telephone holder and USB socket.
This bike is great for the road conditions in the country I live at the moment, Thailand, but I'm not very happy with the HP. If it had 20 HP more it would be a complete bike in my opinion.
You can go full throttle in first gear, the front end doesn't really pop up that easy.
Can you please give me more info about the LED Headlights you have mounted?
Cheers
I recently did a review on the LED headlight upgrade. I didn't go into installing them, it was a bit of a pain, but if you remove the side fairings it's easier. czcams.com/video/wv2Sm2mNHMs/video.html They work well on the Versys, but I've been told that they don't work as well on different bikes since not all light housings are the same. I hope this answers your question.
Ah good old Luke AB. my last duty station. I post this inquire after watching your vid almost a year late, but would like to know what tank bag and water bottle holder you have.
Luke was my last duty station too. The tank bag is a Sedici Como that was on sale at Cycle Gear and the bottle cage was from a local bicycle shop. It seems to work well on a motorcycle too.
www.cyclegear.com/accessories/sedici-como-tank-bag
Thanks for the info, ride on and be safe
Thx for the video, never considered this bike until the salesman asked me to sit on it. Boom, bought. You say this bike is not a off-road bike and Kawasaki doesn't really categorize it well but it is very off-road capable. I will be swapping back and forth between supermoto and ADV setups. Haven't seen anyone doing any engine upgrades or programming though, anyone have any suggestions there?
Def dig those engine crash bars 👍🏻
The Versys is a very capable bike, the only off road or off pavement riding I've done with it were places you could drive a normal passenger car if you were careful. I never looked into engine mods, but it seemed pretty good as is. The factory seat was comfortable, but not so much after an hour or more. The rubber foot pegs seem to wear out quickly, but they're not expensive and easy to replace. Good luck and ride safe...
Cruisey DFR
Depends on your definition of off-road. It can certainly do gravel/dirt roads/not-so-shallow river crossings even with the stock tires. The only real problem, I noticed, is on sand and mud. The bike is simply too heavy and has too little power for those.
Do you still have this bike? Wouldn't mind meeting up for a ride sometime. Good review & loved it being at LAFB.
I don't have the Versys anymore, I have and fj-09 and still ride on the base every so often. This time of year is great for riding and there are some place I want to ride before it gets hot.
I'm on the facebook group. facebook.com/groups/LukeMotorcycleRiders/ or message me here, I'm always up for a ride.
Had an 09 Versys 650 Just got a 2016 Versys 1000LT ....Both are great bikes..
The 1000 is a great bike, I'd love to have one, but I'd probably hold onto my 650 too.
Yea, I got rid of my 650 when my girlfriend started riding with me and got an FJR. She was pissed she liked riding on the back of the Versys better. So when offered a test ride on the 1000 at a dealership i brought her along. She liked it so we traded in the FJR for the Versys 1000.
I hoped that my wife would have eventually rode with me, but having never even ridden a bicycle, riding on two wheels is too strange for her. I think the Versys 1000 would be my next bike. I really like the taller stance and flexibility of the Versys.
chuckasaki My girl never wanted to get on a bike. When she was young she rode passenger on a scooter in Hong Kong. Scared the shit out of her. But a buddy i ride with his wive rides with him and the two girls became friends so she wanted to give it a try since her girlfriend was going and now she loves it. She knows i'm careful when she's on with me. I have to have a taller bike because i have a messed up hip and knees. So the Versys is perfect.
Do you feel the need for a center stand to clean and lube the chain? I feel like I would have to add a center stand if I get this bike.
Ryan O'Connor
I installed one made by SW MOTECH and like it a lot, even though it's not without its flaws.
Thanks for the video Chuckasaki real nice, I need to ask a few things so a really apreciate if you can help me because tomorrow I will buy a Versys but like yourself I´ll love to protect it. So I check the page of R&G for the protectors but they send from England. The same thing with crashbar, so I need to ask, is no other place but in the US that I can buy those things? And if you can bring me the name of the protect of the thing you bought in Amazon. I really apreciate if you can answer me. Thanks and regards.
Congratulation on your choice. Most of the things I got from revzilla.com, twistedthrottle.com also has a lot of things. Revzilla is pretty quick and they ship free over $39.00
Sliders were the highest priority, but luckily, I've never dropped my Versys.
www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/sw-motech-crash-bars-kawasaki-versys-650-2015
www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/rg-racing-front-axle-sliders-kawasaki-versys-650-2015
amzn.com/B00N8IFXG2 When I got these, the bolts were the wrong size, so I had to get some stainless bolts from Ace Hardware.
The Versys is a very good choice. Today, I sat on a Kawasaki Concource, but as nice as it is, I don't think I would want to part with my Versys.
You didn't ask, but the original seat on the Versys wasn't the greatest, but it may be okay for you. If it isn't, here's the link for an awesome seat.
www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/sargent-world-sport-performance-seat-kawasaki-versys-650-2008-2016
I hope this helps. Thanks for watching my video's..
Hello, my new friend.
Wow! It's such a healing and useful 💗❤💖 motorcycle video.
I'm going to watch your full video.
I'm happy to be your great channel friend.💘💞💚
Have a happy 🌷❤💛 day.
👍👍👍🤙👌
The last model was higher, and possibly slightly larger tires( not positive on the tire size.) Thats why the older model was better at off road than the new model. The new model is like you said, more of a street bike.
Versys owner here. Interestingly we have most of the same accessories. Love the white. Metzeler Roadtecs are even better than Michelin IMO, I've had both. They just seem to have a little more sporty feel to them. External LED driving lights are the best way to get more light and are
I've always liked Michelin, they worked pretty well, but I'm not getting them again. LED's wired to the high beam is a smart way to add light. The camera on my helmet is a Sena Prism.
Your about the same size as me, I'm 6ft 230lbs, I'm thinking about getting this same bike for commuting to and from work but I'm wondering what kind of gas mileage your getting.
My apologies for neglecting something as important as fuel economy. My average is 49 mpg, sometimes I look at it as I'm riding and on level ground 50 or so mph it will show 65 or so mpg. Been running just 87 octane in it, and makes no difference running 91 octane, so I just use regular gas. Thanks for watching my video.
They make H7 bulbs that are the same size as the halogen oem bulbs and you don't have to remove the fairing...
where are you.... I see an F-4 phantom jet on display...cool!
You said your first bike after the msf course..was it hard riding it as a first bike
The Versys is actually very easy to learn on.
@@dogsnmotorcycles I did the same course n being 5'11" this might be perfect 👌
Interesting - starts with the side stand down.
Yes it does and will in neutral. When you put it in gear is when it will cut off when the stand is down
I mount my v650 from the right side and dismount on left side...makes it much easier
Tell about your bottle holder please
The bottle holder is from a bicycle shop. It seems like a logical place to keep a water bottle handy.
HA, "ugly look" of the pre 2015s..... I think the 2015s and newer are the "Ugly" looking version :) . But I ride my 2011 Versys as an ADV bike and really like the 2010-2014 style the best out of the three generations of the Versys. Great review though. I've been to Tyndall many times in my 20 year AF career as a weapons troop. Took part in the live fire exercises in the 80s and 90s.
Find or buy a pencil. Sharpen. Snap tip. Crush tip. Dab search finger of glove in powder forcefully. Introduce powder to interior of finger. Combine powder with material. The graphite will communicate electricity to your phone surface.
Your dash looks drastically different from the 2015 Versys on the website, and the one I am buying. Whats the deal with that?
My windshield is different and I have a RAM mount for my phone on the handle bar. Only thing different from stock on the dash is the 12 volt power.
Oh wait, is this the 650? Is that why the dash is so different?
The 1000 and 650 look very similar, but the dash is different. If a 1000 would have been available in white, I probably would have bought it.
What is holding you water bottle?
It's called a hand, jeeze .
your saying the app is not glove friendly its not the APP its your phone that is not glove friendly
So many questions about his gear and accessories. Why don't you people google Versys650 accessories and learn some things for yourself.
I’m gonna leave a comment..why would you get rid of one of the best alround bikes you can buy plus being reliable and dependable and you go and by a shit box tracer...rocks in your head.........
It is a long. DNF.
The 1,000 is better.
Great review!