New Versys

KLR BOB · May 27, 2018

Hello From Eastern Washington

Just bought a new 2017 650 versys in Las Vegas with 1 mile on it. It goes in the stable with my 2000 KLR with 13,000 miles that I got used in 01. Put about 300 miles on the Versys so far but I have to say when I got back on the KLR it felt like old home week.😊 Trailored the Versys home but side tripped to Moab Ut. Unloaded and rode for a day during a 4 wheelers / rock climbers rally. They expected over 500 machines for the weekend. Man those guys know how to spend $$$. Met John from Ohio in the McDonalds parking lot that loves to long distance tour ride and pretty much 100% camping.
Finally got to meet the infamous
Fred Hink at ARROWHEAD MOTORSPORTS in Moab where I have purchased the doohickey and other KLR parts over the past few years online. Great guy, Fantastic on line ordering and an expert on KLR's. Fred was doing his normal helping out travelers when I arrived. 3 guys from Kansas. One on an African Twin with front end wobble that Fred just fixed with a new balanced tire (Gotta love that guy)
The trip to Moab was a ☑ the box for my bucket list for many years now. Have recently met some adventure riders going thru my home town of Kennewick Wa from Seattle finishing a round trip to Texas and British Columbia rider finishing a round trip to Los Angeles. Need to do a few things to the KLR and then ride parts of the WABDR & ORBDR this year.

Having a Good day = Riding a KLR
Having a bad day = Ride a little further
😊

Damocles · May 28, 2018

Congratulations on the Versys! Rode a borrowed one through the southern Appalachians (about 3000 pavement miles) a couple of summers ago; great bike! Has highway manners a KLR650 can only dream of.

Off-road? Don't know. Although Kawasaki DESIGNED the bike to be VERSATILE (hence its name), I feared DROPPING my ride and boogering a bike not mine. Might take the risk on MY Versys, if I had one!

The Versys twin-cylinder, 180-degree cranked engine really SINGS! Some enterprising craftsmen have implanted Versys engines and drivetrains (6-speed, IIRC) into KLR frames; seems like the factory ought to, also . . . Generation 3 KLR650s!

KLR BOB · May 28, 2018

Thanks Damocles

As far as the dropping part that's what my 2000 "Green" KLR (drop in nice soft area) and the 225 Yamaha Serow (drop where it happens) are for. Lol
I totally agree with the twin or at least the 6 speed in the KLR. That would be a great improvement but like some others have suggested it might take it out of reach,dollar wise, for a lot of relatively new riders. My wife's from Southern Idaho and we are planning on taking all three bikes for some fantastic riding this summer. The Versys OEM tire is going to need to get worn out first. I'm thinking of going to the Mitas but not the Dakar model. I see a lot of good reviews on it. I have 606,s on the KLR. Great for off road but man do they sing on the road. The knobs are starting to crack at the base and I've seen other guys post the same problem. Well, the sun is shining, just finished my honey do (mow the lawn) 😩
and I think I here the Versys calling
😳😀😎

KLR BOB · May 29, 2018

Just took a short ride down to Oregon and back. Rode back with a couple of guys riding new Harley's from Couer d' Alene Idaho. They were headed home from spending the weekend on the Oregon Coast. Beautiful weekend for that !!

Oh man
Ive just been looking at touratech's
Washington an Oregon back roads
discovery routes and I'm gettin the
itch. I'm thinking the KLR and
Yamaha 225 are going to make the
6 day trip to ☑ off another bucket
list item. Damocles. You might note
that the Versys is not included in the
trip. I'm picturing it in the dropped in the rocks video in my head and it seems like it would be better served sitting in the garage, Lol
At least until it gets its first small scratch 😩

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