My wife got me this bike for my birthday just a few days. I’ve been on a KLR for the last 10 years. You may have seen it at muddy creek. Green 2nd Gen. Anyway, after watching this video I may consider converting to ADV. Thanks for the tip
Neat! Got a MK1 Versys 650, and with PR4's it's just scary on gravel. Spent a whole day on the Zumwalt learning how to ride on that stuff at highway speed. Any improvement that makes it more of an ADV bike and less of a track bike would be a good thing 👍👍
@@mxgryan but, how is that tire at 90mph on a highway? A bigger wheel helps with irregular surfaces and potholes, but wouldn't thinner wheel/tire be what you're really after? It's the fatness that makes it slippery on gravel. The contact patch is too wide, and it makes the front end float on gravel instead of cutting into it.
@@chadkline4268 No, its not the fatness that makes it slippery on gravel, its the height. And I couldn't possibly care less how it does at 90mph on the highway. Or 80. At 70, which I still don't ride at, it performs fine.
@@mxgryan I don't understand how the height/diameter of a tire changes stability in gravel .. ? Hmmm, I mean, to some extent, I agree, but in a practical sense, it seems to me that a narrow tire will steer better on gravel because there will be greater resistance to the tire sliding sideways because a) it cuts deeper into gravel, and b) if the gravel is not deep, a narrow tire will find firm ground easier than a fat tire that may just find more gravel to stay on top of.
Some people, or even most, will want to retain the sporty side of the Versys while increasing it's ability on other terrain. In some places in the usa, the speed limit is 80mph and you might get stopped for doing 70mph because it's too slow and endangers other traffic.
I look forward to seeing how those "off road tires" work "off road" on a Versys 650's 17" wheels. I'd also like to know how that front brake line performs during off road trail rides ? I would recommend just mounting your brakelines properly. That kind of stuff could get you a ticket, and a police officer may not 🤷♂️ let you ride it away, with all of those plastic zip ties,... 🤦♂️ holding your motorcycle together ?
Fantastic, I appreciate all my Indian viewers! Oil seal as in oil seal for the fork? I have had 0 oil seal issues at all..but, I haven't ridden much offroad, mostly gravel and some dry dirt. If I'm going offroad I usually hop on my DR650!
@@mxgryan Great. The V seems quite sensitive to bad roads, especially if the left preload is at a softer setting. Mine blew just because I had set it soft. Identical issues faced by others who rode it over broken roads with low preload in the left and high damping on the right. And... Replacing the oil seal on the preload side is a massive PITA, as I am sure you were aware.
4:36 Ten thousand miles. and these bikes can go for how long before an overhaul ? ? ? A Kawasaki Versys 650 should last for MORE THAN 100,000 MILES ! ! ! (if you maintain it properly).
Did your brake line bracket break the front fender? The bracket that holds the brake line underneath the triple clamp it's the fender when it's raised and cracks it. It happened to me. The solution is to remove that bracket and use zip ties there also
I'm looking at the MC24 Invader to get the same 120/90 size aspect ratio. I've already been playing with disconnecting rear Abs on case size difference is as issue
@@BMRTV I couldn't image not being able to skid my rear tire (if and when I wanted to). I have heard lots of negative reviews, regarding ABS on motorcycles. (Malfunctioning) It's good to disconnect them, ride safely, and know how (and when) to use your brakes.
I'm thinking about putting a set of Shinko 705 tires on my Versys 650. They're a 70/30 tire. I think that they should work fine off road, and still pretty good on the asphalt, as well.
Did that not change the bike geometry? How did you like it after you tested it out? Wheres the best place to order this tire. You did say it was in fact a back tire correct? sorry for all the questions
I'm worried that tire will be too fat and unwieldly on the dirt. I ride dual sports and the tall skinny front wheel is the way to go. I wonder if there is a 19 inch front wheel for the Versys.
My wife got me this bike for my birthday just a few days. I’ve been on a KLR for the last 10 years. You may have seen it at muddy creek. Green 2nd Gen. Anyway, after watching this video I may consider converting to ADV. Thanks for the tip
My wife got me a cookie 🍪 for my birthday 😂😂
Neat! Got a MK1 Versys 650, and with PR4's it's just scary on gravel. Spent a whole day on the Zumwalt learning how to ride on that stuff at highway speed. Any improvement that makes it more of an ADV bike and less of a track bike would be a good thing 👍👍
This changes the entire machine. You'll love it!
@@mxgryan but, how is that tire at 90mph on a highway? A bigger wheel helps with irregular surfaces and potholes, but wouldn't thinner wheel/tire be what you're really after? It's the fatness that makes it slippery on gravel. The contact patch is too wide, and it makes the front end float on gravel instead of cutting into it.
@@chadkline4268 No, its not the fatness that makes it slippery on gravel, its the height.
And I couldn't possibly care less how it does at 90mph on the highway. Or 80. At 70, which I still don't ride at, it performs fine.
@@mxgryan I don't understand how the height/diameter of a tire changes stability in gravel .. ? Hmmm, I mean, to some extent, I agree, but in a practical sense, it seems to me that a narrow tire will steer better on gravel because there will be greater resistance to the tire sliding sideways because a) it cuts deeper into gravel, and b) if the gravel is not deep, a narrow tire will find firm ground easier than a fat tire that may just find more gravel to stay on top of.
Some people, or even most, will want to retain the sporty side of the Versys while increasing it's ability on other terrain. In some places in the usa, the speed limit is 80mph and you might get stopped for doing 70mph because it's too slow and endangers other traffic.
Looking forward to hearing how it still behaves in twisties. Looks fun.
Thanks Firesail! Update video coming!
I look forward to seeing how those "off road tires" work "off road" on a Versys 650's 17" wheels.
I'd also like to know how that front brake line performs during off road trail rides ?
I would recommend just mounting your brakelines properly.
That kind of stuff could get you a ticket, and a police officer may not 🤷♂️ let you ride it away, with all of those plastic zip ties,... 🤦♂️ holding your motorcycle together ?
Lots of people in India looking at your video. Great job.
One question. Did you face any oil seal issues while off roading on your bike?
Fantastic, I appreciate all my Indian viewers!
Oil seal as in oil seal for the fork?
I have had 0 oil seal issues at all..but, I haven't ridden much offroad, mostly gravel and some dry dirt. If I'm going offroad I usually hop on my DR650!
@@mxgryan Great.
The V seems quite sensitive to bad roads, especially if the left preload is at a softer setting. Mine blew just because I had set it soft. Identical issues faced by others who rode it over broken roads with low preload in the left and high damping on the right.
And... Replacing the oil seal on the preload side is a massive PITA, as I am sure you were aware.
@@mvjoshi I am not aware. Is rebuilding the forks on a Versys a big PITA?
4:36 Ten thousand miles. and these bikes can go for how long before an overhaul ? ? ?
A Kawasaki Versys 650 should last for MORE THAN 100,000 MILES ! ! !
(if you maintain it properly).
Did your brake line bracket break the front fender? The bracket that holds the brake line underneath the triple clamp it's the fender when it's raised and cracks it. It happened to me. The solution is to remove that bracket and use zip ties there also
Nice job! I did Mitas E-07 120/90-17 to my Versys650 as well!
I'm looking at the MC24 Invader to get the same 120/90 size aspect ratio. I've already been playing with disconnecting rear Abs on case size difference is as issue
@@BMRTV I couldn't image not being able to skid my rear tire
(if and when I wanted to).
I have heard lots of negative reviews, regarding ABS on motorcycles. (Malfunctioning) It's good to disconnect them, ride safely, and know how (and when) to use your brakes.
I'm thinking about putting a set of Shinko 705 tires on my Versys 650. They're a 70/30 tire. I think that they should work fine off road, and still pretty good on the asphalt, as well.
@@intergalacticbasketballdro7186 Off pavement down steep rocky hills and it chitters away constantly.
@@intergalacticbasketballdro7186 Great on hard pack roads and rocky climbs. Stink in mud but all combo tires do so I don't hold that against them.
Found it ! Great job mate ! Thanks a lot
No problem 👍
Did that not change the bike geometry? How did you like it after you tested it out? Wheres the best place to order this tire. You did say it was in fact a back tire correct? sorry for all the questions
I'll put it to you this way...I'd have sold the bike if this didn't fix it. Now I'll probably never sell.
@@mxgryan sweet!!!
@@dancheatham5106 aomc.mx/87-470XR.html
Buy it from US!
I'm worried that tire will be too fat and unwieldly on the dirt. I ride dual sports and the tall skinny front wheel is the way to go. I wonder if there is a 19 inch front wheel for the Versys.
There's not, which is why I went with this tire.
Is that a homemade radiator and exhaust guards? If it is that's damn nice work
Yes haha. I just bought some wire mesh from Lowes and threw it on there
czcams.com/video/MT0gbY_dYuY/video.html
Does a Shinko 705 provide similar results? Lift and handling like a 19"?
I run these on my KLR. Have you had it mud with these tires? How does it handle in Mud? Thanks
I just cannot understand why you got an asphalt tourer if you drive 90% of the time on gravel..?
@senraXD I already have dual sports. I wanted something that can carry more weight, parallel twin modern fuel injected engine, ect.
To balance things out, what are you using on the rear?
I have a TKC80 on the rear.
Excellent and thank You, my friend.
Think imma do a set of pro taper bars on my 14 versys
Like maybe the new Pro Taper Adventure bars?
@@mxgryan haven't seen them! Imma look into them I was gonna get se cr highs! I might go see if a local shop has a few pair in stock
Do they only come in 1 1/8 or they come 7/8 pretty sure the versys is 7/8 bars
@@greentravelingmachine tha5s a good question. I've installed them on KTM 390s, the 1 and 1/8s tho
@@mxgryan if they make em in 7/8 imma snag a pair but I don't think they do
Sweet bro. I really like this bike. I kinda think I'd like this bike and get tons of use out of it if I had one.
As long as you do this mod you would! And it's cheap!
Does the fender smack the lower triple now?
No.
What tire pressure did you run off road with those tires dude?
Usually I run 20-40 from offroad to regular road
@@mxgryan thanks dude
Ia the steering not very slow?
No, the width of the tire didn't change much. How fast so you need the steering on a 400lb adventure bike anyway
This is grrrrrreat!
Thanks Brandon!
Still no offroad videos ?
I don't really "offroad" on the Versys...i do a lot of gravel and a few smooth dirt roads. Anything gnarlier and I ride the DR650 or WR450F.