[Group] Kawasaki Versys

[esthermygs]

Yes bro berserk. thats my bike waiting for registration. should be collecting next week.

now gotta headache about luggage boxes. which to get? givi...trax..hepco??? hmmm

any suggestion on pros and cons from fellow riders?

[Fusionjaz]

Yes bro berserk. thats my bike waiting for registration. should be collecting next week.

now gotta headache about luggage boxes. which to get? givi...trax..hepco??? hmmm

any suggestion on pros and cons from fellow riders?

My recommendation is get a 52 liters top box, can hepco or givi. If you have the intend to go touring get a 45 liters or more dry PAC and sling on the pillion seat. This set up facilitate better air flow thUs reduce fuel consumption. If you are in Thailand small town, you can squeeze easily. My 2 cts.

[esthermygs]

My recommendation is get a 52 liters top box, can hepco or givi. If you have the intend to go touring get a 45 liters or more dry PAC and sling on the pillion seat. This set up facilitate better air flow thUs reduce fuel consumption. If you are in Thailand small town, you can squeeze easily. My 2 cts.

 

But i always tour with pillon. So die die need side and top boxes. you know girls lah...wanna travel in comfort.

[ORen]

Trust me, nothin to do with girls or boys - pillion someone for a few hours and you'll want your comfort too

 

For the box choice usually it's the price that makes the choice for you. If you don't have a budget constrain, and no design preference, I'd suggest you go for the lightest set and adequate space to match your needs. They are all pretty similar in sturdiness but if you plan on touring outside Thailand and MY, you might as well pick the more rugged, and reinforced ones.

[esthermygs]

I ve tried lots of boxes on diff kinds of bikes already. just wondering more on aero dynamic benefit.

trax is very convenient top loading but the squareness on my tdm, top speed reduced by 20km/h

givi is side loading very troublsome but more aero dynamic and wont really reduce top speed or stability like 1150GS side boxes.

my theory i think. so need some experienced versy owner advice.

[swoosh]

Hi guys. Saw this at Loois. I'm sure it belongs to one of you guys. Bike's color combo looks good!

 

Firstly, apologies to the owner cos I threw my legs over to have a feel of the seat height of the bike . Was skeptical of the height cos reviews stated that it is a rather tall bike. Anyway I'm quite vertically challenged, only standing at 1.63m. Nevertheless, I managed to tiptoe of both feet. That gave me the confidence to actually want to own the bike. However, haven had a feel of it full tank yet.

 

Read many good reviews about the Versys. Hope to learn more bout this bike on this thread and hope to be able to be riding one in the future.

 

Cheers.

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]244838[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]244839[/ATTACH]

 

the pictures of Versys got my heart fluttering ...

[ocel]

Bro berzerk u r nt the pnly one who sat on tat. Me too hehehe coz hoping to own one too. But need to settle my new home than will head down to loois n consider the new versy. :-)

[Fusionjaz]

But i always tour with pillon. So die die need side and top boxes. you know girls lah...wanna travel in comfort.

 

Then you can consider some of these configurations

 

ZegaPro by Touratech. This one claim to be toughest of course the price is also tough

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg207/fusionjaz/zegapro38blk.jpg

 

 

Trax by SW Motech. I am using this material is soft. Touch wood if you drop, it is suppose to absorb the impact.

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg207/fusionjaz/IMG_4371.jpg

 

Full Trax system ( I have only the side pannier )

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg207/fusionjaz/IMG_0486.jpg

 

Hepco Junior by Hepco Becker. I used to have on my AT. I must this is the toughest compare to aluminium panniers. I never had any visible scratch or dent on these panniers. All you have to consider is about the width and the side loading.

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg207/fusionjaz/hepco-becker-zijkoffer-junior-30-40-enduro-set.jpg

 

Hepco Xplorer by Hepco Becker. Combination of Aluminium and ABS plastics. Looks rugged but the only complain is the hinge. Many users complain the hinge breaks very easily even without any impact. Personally I never had any chance to take close examination of this pannier system. Most feedbacks are from friends.

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg207/fusionjaz/ET610-208-ATT.jpg

 

Well above are some of the products I know. Any other experience rider might want to add in more feedback or choices.

[dicryptor]

I'm using the Hepco Becker Xplorer 45l top box, so far no issues with the hinge. I keep hearing about people having problems with the hinge too but could be because mine is the black version which I am led to believe is a newer version. I can't confirm on this though.

 

As Fusionjaz mentioned in an earlier post, use of a wide top box might cause problems with top open side boxes. Might want to take note of that.

 

I second the idea of using drp-pacs strapped down to the pillion seat. I've been considering to get this, http://www.twistedthrottle.com/article/articleview/461/1/40/.

[ORen]

The main issue with the dry bags, is getting to things inside. You can compartmentalise your stuff in smaller bags inside but it's still more annoying than a box to pack unpack and reach.

 

Which by the way brings the question, how do you pack the content of your boxes when touring for a few days or weeks?

 

Do you use bags inside the side boxes, or do you detach the box itself?

I've seen tourers go for the fabric groceries bag but "that ain't classy"

[dickchingus]

My top box mounting to the rack is actually loose as in there is some allowance for the box to move.. This is recommended by mechanic who installed it.. reason being "touch wood" if anything happen the box can take impact n detach easier then a tighten box to the rack...

 

Wats the rational, I dun quite get it..

[esthermygs]

Hmmm so much choices....think i will settle for givi sides. aero dynamic..smaller bike width...and can fit a helmet.

[esthermygs]

Fusionjaz..where u get the headlight guard from? Ventura from motoworld? how long order waiting time

[BeRZeRk]

esthermygs bro, why didn't you get the Versys tourer version? Think it comes with handguards, windsheild and side cases which i think looks rather sleek

[BeRZeRk]

http://www.kawasaki.co.uk/News/Details/3409B3E6116

 

Maybe can ask Mr Lee for a free upgrade too! Lol

[esthermygs]

I agreed its nice and what we all wanted. but Tourer version only avail in usa and uk. Singapore bike shop only bring in basic version. So we need to spend extra money to turn it into our own tourer version.

[ocel]

Btw is the kawasaki box reliable.? Hope mr lee cn give some xtra accesories other than raincoat n or helmet. :-)

[dicryptor]

Btw is the kawasaki box reliable.? Hope mr lee cn give some xtra accesories other than raincoat n or helmet. :-)

 

It's actually a Givi box, rebranded. Same like what SW Motech did with the barkbuster hand guards.

[dicryptor]

The main issue with the dry bags, is getting to things inside. You can compartmentalise your stuff in smaller bags inside but it's still more annoying than a box to pack unpack and reach.

 

Which by the way brings the question, how do you pack the content of your boxes when touring for a few days or weeks?

 

Do you use bags inside the side boxes, or do you detach the box itself?

I've seen tourers go for the fabric groceries bag but "that ain't classy"

 

From the link i posted, it looked quite easy to access bag. Can't really trust adverts though. You've had experience with dry pacs?

[Fusionjaz]

 

I second the idea of using drp-pacs strapped down to the pillion seat. I've been considering to get this, http://www.twistedthrottle.com/article/articleview/461/1/40/.

 

Since I travel alone most of the time, I am going to try the dry pac the next trip.

I eyeing on wolfman drypac

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg207/fusionjaz/Wolfman_Expdedition_Dry_Duffle_Black.jpg

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg207/fusionjaz/aoz20107845_w800_h532.jpg

Edited May 14, 2012 by Fusionjaz

[Fusionjaz]

Fusionjaz..where u get the headlight guard from? Ventura from motoworld? how long order waiting time

 

Ya bought from Motorworld. The waiting time very subjective one.

So happen when I wanted it, they have ready stock.

[HanzHummer]

Hi guys,

 

I've been reading reviews about versys1000 and they are AWESOME. Currently i am riding a XR400 and am planning to upgrade. However, i have a few queries and i don't know who to look for until i chance upon this group. Hope you guys can help me.

 

1) To me the XR400 is a reliable bike for everyday use, to and from work, and the occasional weekend trail rides. I am wondering if the versys is somehow similar to that of the XR400 where i can ride everyday without issues and still able to travel up north occasionally?

 

2) There are many people i know who do tell me not to get a Kawasaki mainly because of the;

i) agent : Not reliable.

ii) parts issues : If the bike is down, parts are hard to come by and it will take months before you can ride again.

 

Thank you in advance.

[Fusionjaz]

The main issue with the dry bags, is getting to things inside. You can compartmentalise your stuff in smaller bags inside but it's still more annoying than a box to pack unpack and reach.

 

Which by the way brings the question, how do you pack the content of your boxes when touring for a few days or weeks?

 

Do you use bags inside the side boxes, or do you detach the box itself?

I've seen tourers go for the fabric groceries bag but "that ain't classy"

 

If you are considering dry pac, you should get the duffle dry pac. It is easy to access since the loading/unloading is from the width side. Getting the tube dry pac will have assess problem because of the depth of the bag.

 

When I tour, I will have my clean clothing stow in a vacuum bag. It helps to create more room.

Yes I do have my clothing pack in the recycle material bag and put in the Trax aluminium pannier. When I reach the hotel, I just bring the recycle bag with me to the hotel room. ( no dust or dirt enters the room )

[Fusionjaz]

Hi guys,

 

I've been reading reviews about versys1000 and they are AWESOME. Currently i am riding a XR400 and am planning to upgrade. However, i have a few queries and i don't know who to look for until i chance upon this group. Hope you guys can help me.

 

1) To me the XR400 is a reliable bike for everyday use, to and from work, and the occasional weekend trail rides. I am wondering if the versys is somehow similar to that of the XR400 where i can ride everyday without issues and still able to travel up north occasionally?

 

2) There are many people i know who do tell me not to get a Kawasaki mainly because of the;

i) agent : Not reliable.

ii) parts issues : If the bike is down, parts are hard to come by and it will take months before you can ride again.

 

Thank you in advance.

 

Read thread 1369 from this page to witness the reliability of this machine.

 

Read thread 1362 from this page. Where got parts issue...?

[dicryptor]

Fusionjaz..where u get the headlight guard from? Ventura from motoworld? how long order waiting time

 

Hope you don't mind me adding in but I got my headlight protector from Biketech. Its not Ventura but Powerbronze, UK. When I was there they happened to have ready stock so I grabbed it. Not sure how long it would take if you need to order.