2023 Kawasaki Versys 1000 LT SE - Most in-depth review with full tech explanations!
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- čas přidán 11. 05. 2023
- The 2023 Kawasaki Versys 1000 LT SE is a bike full of technology, but how does all that tech really make a difference to how you ride? In this review I give you a practical explanation of the many features of the Versys 1000 so that you can decide for yourself if this is the bike for you!
Want to see this bike in person? Connect with the amazing team at Jim Gilbert's PowerSports here: powersports.wheelsanddeals.ca... - Auta a dopravní prostředky
My 👍 as well as comment right at VDO start ist well deserved Peter 👍
I mulled the (obviously) previous model for my regular (owning two houses 800 km apart has great benefits for us bike blokes 😂) touring, however, I'm passing regularly through the jams of The City of Angels.
That's why I went for something a bit lighter as well as not as wide as the Versys 4-inline with paniers fitted.
Your presentation channel deserves millions of subs for the sheer quality of your content, keep up the good work, Peter 👌
This is one of the best detailed reviews I have seen in years!
I have owned the 2022 1000 LT SE+ for a year. Overall I do love the bike.
For me the knocks are the poor quick-shifter operation, taller seat height, slightly top heavy, no GPS mount(unlike the 650), no built-in TPMS, too tall sidestand and non-adjustable seat. Some nit-picking items are no LED turn signals, no self cancelling signals, no USB jack available, OEM driving lights switch position.
This is an awesome detailed review I have seen!
Peter. I just started riding last September. I have been a road cyclist for the past thirty years and figured if I could survive the wicked streets on a bike, I could surely do it on a motorcycle.
I bought a used Versys 650 and rode it for 4 months. It was a great bike. I am 6 foot 4 inches and 200 pounds. Although it performed well, I really wanted a larger engine for longer rides. So, I got a steal on the 2022 Versys 1000. What a machine. It fits my tall frame like a glove. It is perfect for tall riders. My feet are flat with a slight bend to the knee when at a stop. It is super smooth and highly maneuverable. I do my parking lot drills easily on this bike. Figure 8s within two parking stalls is fairly easy to accomplish for such a big bike. It is steady and a blast on the open road. It feels planted and confident over the road. The engine is super smooth and responsive.
All the creature comforts perform as advertised.
Overall, I have NO complaints!!!
Great machine. Very comfortable to ride with its upright position.
May I ask what the “steal” was and how you arranged it? New or used! Thanks!
How’s the wind protection and helmet buffeting ?
@@houseofroos With the stock windscreen, the wind was hitting me square in the face. I bought a clip on extender and it solved the problem. It was enough to deflect it over the top of my helmet. Not even an issue anymore.
@@houseofroos I bought mine new in January of this year. It was a 2022 model. For the most part, the market was commanding on average $18k for a new 1000. This one had been at a dealer in Houston for over a year. I came upon it on the internet. I paid $14k. The dealer said they were practically giving it away at that price and had never sold one that low before. I believed them as even older used 1000s weren’t priced that low. I consider what I paid a steal with what they were going for new and used.
@@Konastang18 thanks !
GREAT VIDEO !!!
Please remember you do not drive a motorcycle you RIDE it.this was the most informative video ever for the versys ,thanks
Sure. But I think most people understand what I mean.
Yes, you can both ride and drive a horse, but you can only ride a motorcycle. 😂
Great video. Thank you for sharing such analysis. I have a ‘13 N1K. Really, really like it. Did not opt for the sidebags b/c it was a 1200$ touch. Ouch. Like it for 2up but not the best for that. We have a GW which we really like for long trips but it’s not as “fun” when you want to do spirited rides. So, really considering the V1K as I understand it’s v comfortable for the passenger and to keep with the inline 4 power and reliability Question, what type of gas is acceptable for the Versys? Reg or Premium ? Thx again for sharing your review.
I have been riding bikes for 41 years . And it is all over my best of all times for European conditions . Better than anything else in the steep and curvy french Alps .
This is a really great bike! I agree!
Great video, looks like a great bike too. Now I want one lol
Thanks, excellent summary review. Still undecided on a Versys SE or a 1000SX.....this makes me want te Versys.
You know, it's funny, because I really like the Ninja 1000SX and every time I review that bike, I tell myself that's the bike that I want in the future, but then I review the Versys 1000 and think the exact same thing about that bike. I'm a big fan of both bikes.
Go for it if your not after a more sport touring bike. I own the se gt in the uk, It does come with additional fog lights fitted. Defenatly worth a long test ride.
I have 22’000km on my 2022 versys 1000 se. Let’s be honest here, this bike is a sport tourer with up right (adventure) riding position. Like pretty much any bikes if you install off-road tires it will do off-road, limited by suspensions and clearance of course. Most versys owners who ride off-road have a dual sport or dedicated adventure bike. I have a 2021 Tenere 700 for off-road.
I wouldn't say that most Versys 1000 owners have a second bike, but I hear your point. Thanks for sharing your experiences!
@@PeterLoweOne I mean Versys 1000 owners who regularly ride off-road, not every Versys 1000 owners would have a second bike off course. I have never seen a Versys 1000 on the trails, but I do meet a lot of guys with adventure and dual sport bikes who say the also own a street bike. Ride safe!
That’s a bigger engine than my first car! British 850cc Mini 🚙
Only 35hp - ‘wouldn’t pull the skin off a rice pudding’
Same here 😁
My second car did have 50% more of displacement, still the same BHP, however 😁
How can shocks b electriconly controld
I like the bike, a bike you can take touring, ride double, and comfortable. I think the seat height is a bit high for me with my 29" inseam.
It is a tall bike, it fits me well, but the Versys line is a little tall for some people. You'd have to sit across it to know if it will work for you. Thanks for watching!
Turn signal question. I see that in the 2023 some pictures/reviews I see have LED turn signals on both the front and rear (long ) and others have huge non-LED signals. What is the difference? I have a US spec machine that has the huge incandescent turn signals, how doe I get the nice LED ones?
This is a question that I've been trying to figure out for a while. For some reason, some of the larger bikes from Kawasaki seem to get incandescent bulbs in North America, but LED's elsewhere. I'm still digging for the reason why. I'll find out eventually!
I broke into my wife's purse and wrote a check for one last year. Overall, I like the bike and the engineering that went into it.
HOWEVER, THE SEAT SUCKS! It's good for no more that 50 miles at a time before my ass is screaming. It is just too wide in the front, hard as a board and sloped so you naturally keep sliding forward. It needs softer foam and a deeper bucket instead of the hump between the cheeks. It's a touring bike that can't tour with the seat that it comes with. I expected more for 20k.
Great work on the video though. It was very well done.
Great bike. I test drove it. Very comfortable! I would definitely buy one if it had a shaft drive, heated seats, electric windscreen and a hydraulic clutch.
It would have been helpful to have the camera angle match the instrument screen angle when reviewing that.
I was having some trouble working with my tripod to get that perfect. I'll do a tech review in the future where I'll set things up without glare, and closer to the dash to get a better view.
Hello Peter! What's your opinion on having this as a first bike? New rider, and highly considering the Versys 650, but would like enough passing power on the highways and comfort on long drives. Is it worth it, or something you wouldn't recommend?
the 650 is way more than you need. I almost wouldn't recommend it unless you're older and not going to go stupid on highways. It'll be faster than any car you've driven.
@@hahanew thank you. Just curious, if that’s the case, why do a lot of people move from 650s to 900 or 1000cc bikes? Is it even necessary? I don’t have the money for multiple bikes so I’m just trying to get the best for me, forever.
Totally agree the 650 would be best for first bigger bike. Then after say two years progress up to the 1000 version. I went from 125 to 650 to 1000 over say 7 years. To get used to the power and the weights of the bikes. plus when you start to ride with pillion and luggage also changes how you ride and why you ride. rider to pillion and bike to bike coms sat navs, all to get used to, giving your self time to gain experience and skills on the road and other training courses all help your able to ride the bigger bikes safely. No one bike is for ever, Many bikes are for ever, you will find as you migrate to larger bikes the smaller bikes become more fun, eg honda grom, nuts on go cart race track.
I thought the GT was the version with everything?
Hi, late today…. Grandchildren’s day!
Excellent revive over all except is not an beginners why not ? I have take my driving license for motorcycle this year 2024 and guess what I have by this not beginners bike as my first bike directly after driving school I am 194 cm and 119 kg ,I have drove an couple month now I have no problem at all to drive or handling this bike
I'm not saying that NO beginner could use this bike or enjoy this bike, but in general, this isn't a bike that I recommend for beginners. Usually I recommend a bike that is a little lighter, and less powerful for beginners. But a mature rider who is newer to motorcycles could ride this, it just may not be the quickest or easiest way to learn motorcycling. I wouldn't recommend this to younger, or potentially more reckless riders. It has enough power to get you in trouble in a hurry.
I’ve always liked the versys but… Kawasaki needs to up the game on the display, it is simply deplorable, hopefully for 24 they will do something about it
I don't mind the analog tach, but some other bikes in this price class are doing great things with the dash. I will say that all the information is there, but the class has upped the game... I hear what you're saying, it just wouldn't bother me as much as you. Thanks for sharing.
Cornering lights are a useless feature on a motorcycle. A better,wider head light is what should be offered..this guy also agrees which is why he tried selling that feature so hard...
You get to speak for yourself here, but I'll speak for me. Cornering lights are useful because headlight patterns are usually controlled by regulations. Lots of high end bikes have them, and they're useful. You think I'm "selling them hard" I say, it's cool the way they tied the lights to the IMU.
Thanks for watching. 🙂👍