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Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
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  #1  
Old 27 Aug 2007
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New bike for Kawasaki

I was at my dealer and just saw the new Versys , they sell the bike as a dual sport, but to me it is not , anyone tried the best , this could be a new life for the already old KLR ( nothing against the KLR I had 2 and did over 100000Miles with them ) but newer is sometime better.
http://www.kawasaki.com/Products/Detail.aspx?id=246

Hendi
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  #2  
Old 27 Aug 2007
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Hendi,
The Versys seems to be selling well in the UK, on both price basis and for the looks - I haven't heard a word against it from owners I have spoken to and there are now a few on the road here.
I agree it is a road bike in the current form - just look at that exhaust! (pretty it certainly is).

It is rumoured that there will be an adventure/dual sport version to come, probably replacing the 500cc KLE here in Europe.
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Old 28 Aug 2007
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Could be a great starting point for an adventure bike.
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Last edited by mollydog; 26 Mar 2009 at 05:35.
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  #4  
Old 28 Aug 2007
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or you could just save the hassle and get a KTM instead...
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  #5  
Old 28 Aug 2007
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The engine has great potential for an overlander bike ,light ,simple and powerful for it's size . A twin will always have an easier time on the highway than a single and a twin is still manageable on dirt roads .Parallel twins are compact and allow a shorter wheelbase ,my favourite engine type !

But the rest of the bike leaves a lot to be desired IMHO and remains a street poseur machine - not that that is necessarily a bad thing .
Rather like it's sister machine the 650 Ninja ,it somehow misses the mark .
The front fairing is butt ugly too .
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Old 28 Aug 2007
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And don't forget all the mini racers too!
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  #7  
Old 28 Aug 2007
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Versys, KLR, KLE

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dodger View Post
The engine has great potential for an overlander bike ,light ,simple and powerful for it's size . A twin will always have an easier time on the highway than a single and a twin is still manageable on dirt roads .Parallel twins are compact and allow a shorter wheelbase ,my favourite engine type !

But the rest of the bike leaves a lot to be desired IMHO and remains a street poseur machine - not that that is necessarily a bad thing .
Rather like it's sister machine the 650 Ninja ,it somehow misses the mark .
The front fairing is butt ugly too .
Dodger,
I think that the fairing will grow on you as you get used to seeing it - works that way for me with regard to other bikes that have come onto the roads here; I tend not to like something or other about them and then, gradually, I get used to seeing them.
I saw a Versys, front view on, a few weeks ago which I thought, at first glance, was an Aprilia Strada or similar; the point about this is that the headlights (and, therefore, to some extent the fairings) are getting more and more "funky" (not a great word but I can't think of a better one at present).
That style of lighting is now being used by various road bikes/manufacturers.

The other "fashionable" item is the exhaust; the mass-centralised under slung item is definitely growing in availability for the new bike market but it has been around for years; hardly practical for dirt roads etc.
The shock is off-set from the centreline of the bike did you notice? Not sure what effect this produces (well actually, thinking about it, that will produce some un-neccessary torsional effect).

I agree, it will have to be very different in the detail as an "adventure" bike; but Kawasaki know this, surely?!

I am looking forward to there being a much wider choice of twins for dual sport bikes in the future; parallel is good (TDM 850/900 is rarely mentioned herein but it is a very capable bike), V-twin is good as well.
The guys on the Kawasaki KLE threads are having a great time with a very old 500cc parallel twin engine design.
BTW; any new "off-road" Versys will have to be better than the KLE IMO, which is very hard to beat on price in the UK (Also BTW, the new for 2008 KLR seems to have a passing resemblance to the existing KLE in the fairing).
Here's the UK Kawa site, where the KLE can still be purchased:-
Dual Purpose
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Last edited by Walkabout; 28 Aug 2007 at 17:24.
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  #8  
Old 28 Aug 2007
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Kle

Lucky guys , in the US are choice are really very small and so far I didn't see any KLE500 for sale , I wonder if there are different model coming in 08 in the US, it seems like the XT ,the KLE or one the transalp / Valadero will do great in the US or Canada.

Lets hope
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  #9  
Old 28 Aug 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HendiKaf View Post
Lucky guys , in the US are choice are really very small and so far I didn't see any KLE500 for sale , I wonder if there are different model coming in 08 in the US, it seems like the XT ,the KLE or one the transalp / Valadero will do great in the US or Canada.

Lets hope

Hendi,
Here's some speculation about 08, in part based on good rumours etc:-

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...suzuki-28587-3

I don't think you will see a KLE on sale - they will be phased out to keep the emissions people happy!
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Old 28 Aug 2007
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What we MAY get for 2008 and beyond:
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Last edited by mollydog; 26 Mar 2009 at 05:36.
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  #11  
Old 29 Aug 2007
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I'm longing to see a Moto Guzzi Stelvio .
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  #12  
Old 29 Aug 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mollydog View Post

Could be a great starting point for an adventure bike. Go from 17" front wheel to 19", bash plate (a real one), hand guards, racks, seat? Hit the road.


Patrick
There's the key phrase above...

Someone will take this bike as a basis then tweak and change some parts, making a very serviceable overland machine out of it.
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