Kawasaki Versys 650

[Barry]

Hey guys, it's my pleasure to tell you that I own a Kawasaki Versys 650 since last week. I was lucky that I had the chance to get my hands on one with merely 400 km on the clock, instead of having to wait 3-4 months or whatever the current waiting time is.


IMG_20150610_180755.jpg

IMG_20150610_180829.jpg

IMG_20150619_122408.jpg

IMG_20150619_122435.jpg

IMG_20150619_130556.jpg

[bikerdoc]

Congrats Barry, I know another MCM member here on this forum is going to be super jealous, as the new restyled KLE650 is his MC of choice here in PRC. So how did you come to be in the unique and fortunate position to get yourself the new-to-you Versys?

Look forward to a review and RR when you have a bit of time to ride those wheels. A wee bit of a comparison to your JH600 would be an interesting review too IMO.

[bikerdoc]

BTW FWIW, if you are looking for any parts/accessories there are plenty of options sourced/available from Thailand for the Versys 650 given the KLE650 is manufactured there. I suppose that once the Versys starts making its way into the local MC scene, there'll likely be an increasing number of parts/accessories available on the likes or Taobao and the like. Given the numbers of locals starting to move back and forth between the mainland and Thailand, loads of Versys specific items will find their way into the rears of car boots/trunks and SUVs making the journey to and fro.

[prince666]

My bike of choice for China well done mate . Had a chance to ride the old model and to view the new one in Thailand early in the year

[Barry]

@ bikerdoc: Long story short, one day I was talking with Motokai on wechat, he mentioned something about Versys. I asked him "what's a Versys?" I didn't even know about the existence of this bike . So he told me this bike was in available in China now. I started doing some online research, and read several reviews. After that I thought this is the bike I want to have. Talked to some Chinese colleagues about it, and a friend of one them just got one. My colleague rang the BJ Kawa dealer for me, no display bike and at least 3 months delivery time. I still hadn't seen one in real life. Busy with work, I often asked my colleague if I could somehow meet his friend to check out the bike. Nothing! After several weeks, perhaps a month and a half my colleague send me a link of his friends' Versys. He was selling it. The exact reason why he was selling it still remains a secret. Anyway, I bought it and am very happy with it.

As for parts, most parts that I would like to have are already available on taobao. However they're cheaper in Europe, so I'll have a friend bring them in for me.

[DavidC]

Great machine! Will you add panniers or top box to it? Any accessories or mods?

[ChinaV]

Great bike for China!

[Barry]

Gear indicator, heated grips, hand-guards, 12v plug, few protective parts and possibly the additional LED lights are some of the original Kawa parts I would like to get. Rear mud guard and probably some GIVI topbox. Will try to get most of it from abroad.

As for comparison to the JH600, what can I say? It's a different price range to begin with obviously.

- 48kw vs 27kw
- parallel twin vs single cylinder
- double front brakes with ABS vs single front brake
- rear brake with ABS vs rear brake

[Lao Jia Hou]

Congrats Barry! We had fun on our JH600s but it became time to move on. I wish you many miles of smiles on your new mount.

Cheers

[ZMC888]

So jealous!