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16 May 2017
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2011 G650GS or NEW Versys 650 dilemma
Hi fellow adventurers. I have a dilemma with which bike to buy.
I'm an English ex-pat almost at retirement age, and having sold my trustee VFR750 several years ago I want to do some adventuring on my home island of Palawan, Philippines.
The choice is between a VERY low mileage (4800km) 2011 BMW G650GS loaded with lots of extras (crash bars, Givi top box and rack, skid plate, radiator guard, headlight guard etc. etc) BUT at a seemingly very expensive Php530,000 (US$10,000) or the much cheaper NEW Kawasaki Versys 650 at a mere Php380,000 (US$7600).
Now I know bikes are ridiculously expensive in Philippines (thanks to a 30% import duty), but the asking price of the BMW seems HUGE!
In my experience the 'extras' which the owner is using to bump-up the price can't be 100% added onto the 'value' of a used bike. They just help to sweeten the deal.
As I'm going to be doing 70% touring (with my wife on pillion) and 30% occasional gravel road, even if I could get the price down on the G650GS, what's people's opinion of spending more on a 2011 BMW as opposed to a NEW Kawasaki?
Crazy or worthwhile?
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16 May 2017
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2011 G650GS or NEW Versys 650 dilemma
Crazy IMHO
if the extent of your off roading is decent gravel roads make sure you have a good 50/50 tyre on the versys and i'm sure you'll be fine (opinion based on riding a Vstrom on dry tracks so hopefully someone with specific versys experience will be along soon).
Are there other options? KLR650?
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16 May 2017
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The franglais-riders
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The Versys will do fine. I have owned 2 V and one ER-6N (and a f650GS single).
When I lived in Brazil, the BMWs were insanely expensive due to huge import duty. I bought an ER-6N, as it was so much cheaper. I took it through rough unpaved roads around the state of Rio and it was fine. although it did not fare well on sand with those road tyres 
I did gravel roads with the Versys around Europe in the past. Those Kwaks are fine bikes. Never missed a bit, even after staying all winter sitting outside, the V always started.
I forgot to add that the V is incredibly well balanced, it never felt like it "wanted to go" down, unlike the F650GS which spent a lot of time on its side!
So my opinion? Get the V.
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17 May 2017
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versys is really capable bike, suspension is quite good for this price range
when I was testing it. For me though is a bit short.
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17 May 2017
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LoloPD
what's people's opinion of spending more on a 2011 BMW as opposed to a NEW Kawasaki?
Crazy or worthwhile?
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You might like the reviews contained in this thread:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...s-thread-65709
__________________
Dave
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17 May 2017
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Versys, hands down
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17 May 2017
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Thanks to everybody for their invaluable input.
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17 Jun 2017
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I've added the Suzuki V-Strom 650 to my list as it would appear to be a little better at light off-roading than the Versys. So the choice is now between a 650Versys, the V-Strom650 and the slightly used BMW G650GS.
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17 Jun 2017
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LoloPD
I've added the Suzuki V-Strom 650 to my list as it would appear to be a little better at light off-roading than the Versys.
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I don't think so, kawasaki verys has better overall suspension, plus is lighter.
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17 Jun 2017
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Sorry, menbers I am going for the BMW G650GS. 
Not talking about the cost just talking about the bike.
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17 Jun 2017
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R.I.P.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LoloPD
Hi fellow adventurers. I have a dilemma with which bike to buy.
I'm an English ex-pat almost at retirement age, and having sold my trustee VFR750 several years ago I want to do some adventuring on my home island of Palawan, Philippines.
The choice is between a VERY low mileage (4800km) 2011 BMW G650GS loaded with lots of extras (crash bars, Givi top box and rack, skid plate, radiator guard, headlight guard etc. etc) BUT at a seemingly very expensive Php530,000 (US$10,000) or the much cheaper NEW Kawasaki Versys 650 at a mere Php380,000 (US$7600).
Now I know bikes are ridiculously expensive in Philippines (thanks to a 30% import duty), but the asking price of the BMW seems HUGE!
In my experience the 'extras' which the owner is using to bump-up the price can't be 100% added onto the 'value' of a used bike. They just help to sweeten the deal.
As I'm going to be doing 70% touring (with my wife on pillion) and 30% occasional gravel road, even if I could get the price down on the G650GS, what's people's opinion of spending more on a 2011 BMW as opposed to a NEW Kawasaki?
Crazy or worthwhile?
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So, you want a bike to do Two Up touring ... on an Island? Do you plan to leave the Island at all? Seems smaller bikes could work OK ... one for each of you. (low cost as well!)
The BMW G650 is clearing over priced and very heavy with all the added extras on it ... most of which you may not need if circumnavigating a small island.
For your planned use, I would not pay for a new Versys either. Better buy a nice used bike.
With all the smallish Chinese and Indian Imports around maybe you would be better off buying 2, 250cc bikes? You ride one, your partner rides the other. Just a thought. The latest 250cc ADV dual sport bikes are pretty good and FUN!
Also, if you really want a project, look into riders who are taking older Versys
650's and converting them to ADV dual sport bikes. Google is your friend or look the thread over on ADV Rider about riders doing projects with the early Versys bikes. They do really well once modified. The new ones are not as good
for a ADV bike.
Ride a few different bikes, see which ones work for you. Maybe you can get your wife riding too? Women ride all over Asia, so why not? 
Last edited by mollydog; 23 Jun 2017 at 05:06.
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19 Jun 2017
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mollydog
So, you want to bike to do Two Up touring on an Island? Do you plan to leave the Island at all? Seems smaller bikes could work OK ... one for each of you.
The BMW G650 is clearing over priced and very heavy with all the added extras on it ... most of which you may not need. For your planned use, I would not pay for a new Versys either. Better buy a nice used bike.
With all the Chinese and Indian Imports around maybe you would be better off buying 2, 250cc bikes? You ride one, your partner rides the other. Just a thought. The latest 250cc ADV dual sport bikes are pretty good.
Also, if you really want a project, look into riders who are taking older Versys
650's and converting them to ADV dual sport bikes. Google is your friend or look the thread over on ADV Rider about riders doing projects with the early Versys bikes. They do really well once modified. The new ones are not as good
for a ADV bike.
Ride a few different bikes, see which ones work for you. Maybe you can get your wife riding too? Women ride all over Asia, so why not? |
Thanks for your comments. However there's absolutely ZERO chance of getting my wife on a bike of her own (apart from her 125cc Mio scooter) so a thought of 250cc is definitely not on the table.
My home island of Palawan, Philippines has mainly just 1 main tarmac road which runs north/south along its 500km length. Apart from 1 or 2 small tributary roads, everything else will be gravel or compacted sand/mud.
The reason I started looking at the V-Strom was that most YouTube reviews said it was better at occasional off-road than the Versys. Reviews also reckon it's slightly bigger than the Versys which I'm thinking may help if we're 2-up touring. I'm 182cm and 85kg so I don't want to feel cramped.
The new V-strom is about the same price as the fully loaded (5000km used) BMW G650GS.... both about 20% more expensive than the new Versys.
Decisions.... decisions !
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19 Jun 2017
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R.I.P.
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I must be missing something. Your missus already rides a scooter ... and she can't move up to a 250? Come on! Dozens if not hundreds of riders ... including women ... have gone RTW on 125cc scooters and even smaller! Check out the Postie bike travel tales ride report!
But what ever makes her (and you) happy. On gravel roads I would have to agree
that the Vstrom 650 is the go. The 19" front will give WAY better feel and control than the front 17" on the Versys. Both great bikes but off road ... Vstrom.
As you say, it's also a lot roomier. True. I did 90K miles on mine. Plenty or luggage room, BIG wide seat, super comfy riding ALL DAY.
But do not buy new. You're simply pouring money down the drain. (unless you must finance it or some credit trap you're in?? :help smilie
FACT: A reasonably looked after Vstrom will go over 100,000 miles if cared for.
(160K km) So find a clean, low km. 2nd hand one and tell your wife it's NEW. 
You guys be careful out there ... you got some wild "drivers" there!
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19 Jun 2017
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mollydog
I must be missing something. Your missus already rides a scooter ... and she can't move up to a 250? Come on! Dozens if not hundreds of riders ... including women ... have gone RTW on 125cc scooters and even smaller! Check out the Postie bike travel tales ride report!
But what ever makes her (and you) happy. On gravel roads I would have to agree
that the Vstrom 650 is the go. The 19" front will give WAY better feel and control than the front 17" on the Versys. Both great bikes but off road ... Vstrom.
As you say, it's also a lot roomier. True. I did 90K miles on mine. Plenty or luggage room, BIG wide seat, super comfy riding ALL DAY.
But do not buy new. You're simply pouring money down the drain. (unless you must finance it or some credit trap you're in?? :help smilie
FACT: A reasonably looked after Vstrom will go over 100,000 miles if cared for.
(160K km) So find a clean, low km. 2nd hand one and tell your wife it's NEW.
You guys be careful out there ... you got some wild "drivers" there! |
Simple answer to the New v Used is simply down to availability....used ADV/tourers just hardly ever exist in Philippines.
Re :- the slight more ability in the gravel ....YES entirely due to front wheel size of 19" v 17".
..... and just to go and view these at the dealers is a 1 hour flight and overnight hotel stopover . Hence my wanting to gain as many opinions before I travel so I know what to expect.
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19 Jun 2017
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mollydog
I must be missing something. Your missus already rides a scooter ... and she can't move up to a 250?
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it's not that easy, on scooter she can ride in skirt.... 
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