Kawasaki Versys?
 

i just happened to be near a local Kawasaki dealership today, so I dropped in and had a look at the bikes they had. I really liked the Versys. It seems to be a cross-over between a roadbike (17" rims, street tyres) and a bigger dirtbike. For some reason I can't find it on kawasaki.com, so maybe it's only sold in Europe.

The German page about it can be found here: http://www.kawasaki.de/versys/

This concept really makes sense to me for travelling. You have enough reserves for even bad roads, and it's probably better on the highway than the real dirtbikes (like a XT). Of course it probably won't help you with crossing the sahara but I guess you'll have more fun taking the long way round. :)

Anyways, I'm thinking about buying one, so I'm curious if anybody has some first hand experience with the Versys.

Cheers
buebo

The versys is a brand new model here in the uk and i've not seen any on the road yet, i'm guessing people are waiting for the winter crud to clear from the roads before they buy in the spring.
I've seen one up close at the NEC show in november and it looks a real nice bike.
Its got the same motor as the ER6 which has had rave reviews over here for its ridability, most testers have commented on the engine saying how user freindly it is with lots of useful power where you need it.
I found the versys very comfortable to sit on (i'm 6"1'), theres a nice drop from the seat to the footrests so your not all squashed up when riding. The reach to the bars was good and didnt feel like there was any real weight on my wrists.
All in all i was very impressed, I prefered it to the new truimph tiger which is a similar style but wasnt, for me, quite as comfortable.
The problem is kawasaki are now selling of the old KLE500's here in the uk for around £3000. Thats 3 grand for a brand new bike with proven reliablity and full 3 year warranty which has got to be worth a look.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...an1/versys.jpghttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/colsan1/kle2.jpg

Versys Some cautions
 

I know we saw the Versys at the Calgary Bike Show. Then I read the info on the Kawy website.
Seems the rear sub-frame is only able to caryy either a top case or a bag set ( which they are going to make available) but not both due to the weight restrictions.

The engine is aparallel twin so I immediately equate it somewhat to the V STrom 650 which while not as stylish is definitely a proven RTW bike already.

Kle 500
 

I have been looking at the KLE for some time, it looks a good value bike, The old KLE650's have been very popular around the world a part from the UK.

I was wondering if the 500 would have enough poke and how reliable they would be, beacause at the price they are well woth a second look, the Kwa Versty looks more morden but it has its draw backs i.e luggage capacity. small wheels.

Any feed back on the KLE500 form owners would be worth look at

The KLE500 has a hardcore little fan club on this site. Personally, I think it's a fantastic bike, but I haven't ridden the versys, so I can't compare. I have ridden the ER6-n which has the same engine and i have to say that it's a very good engine with a resonable amount of poke, but out of the two, the KLE engine is older and more reliable and is used on two other very popular bikes, namely the ER5 and the GPZ500, so worldwide spares availability would probably be better. On balance, I'd guess that the versys is a lot better on the road. Also, having 17" fronts would probably make life a lot easier tyre-wise. 21"s are murder for finding road tyres.

Thanks Colsan!

Yes those pics you posted clearly show a big trailie in there!! A few changes would do the trick....and the Versys is CHEAP!