I would like opinions from people who have ridden both (f650gs Dakar vs Versys) on how they compare. I have a Dakar and I have an opportunity to sell it and get a Versys for a very good price. The Dakar is a great bike, but I have been wanting a twin for a while, ever since I bought a Husky TE610 Thumper anyways. So the Versys would be a two up tourer and everyday bike and the Husky will be the hardcore adventure bike... what do you think?
pfft.. going form Euro brands to the cheapest of Jap brands you will notice the huge difference in build quality.. the Dakar while a little underpowered is a better dirt bike than the Versys but a worse road bike. For what you have in mind, i.e. a tourer/road bike.. perhaps a VFR or even DL would be a much better option.. the Versys I founf to be okay.. and just okay.. I couldn't like with a) the colour and b) the lack of fit and finish quality
what your saying makes sense. that te would cover all your offroad and overlaps your dakar quite a bit. it looks like your a thrill seaker too which means the versys is your kind of street bike with a little offroad ability. I rode a gs 650 a year ago and felt the versys was only a little worse of a dirt bike,, mostly because of suspension and weight of the gs.. that wasn't a dakar though! i'm sure the dakar with a 21 front wheel would be a much better dirt bike than a versys. you can putter around offroad with the versys but nothing serious. for the same weight the dakar isn't in the same league as the versys for power, even lugging the versys will be much more fun. If you wanted a real purpose adventure or open road bike the versys may not be a good choice, its not a great 2 up bike either but ok if those rides aren't too long. Good luck!
Then... '05 Dakar Now.... '08 Versys Dakar... think KLR with considerably better road manners. It has more grunt than the KLR but it's also no Mr. 3% body Fat. Versys... way... way fun road scoot. Think a Supermoto/SV 650 hybrid. Real fine commuter, light tourer, will kick the Dakar's butt all over the twisty bits. I disagree with the build quality comments above. It's nicely put together. Nothing real trick but then there doesn't need to be. Good brakes... better than good chassis, better than good motor, better than good handling. Hmmm... maybe that's why there selling like stink in Europe. Sounds like a great scoot for what you're looking to do. Get the hard bags and a taller screen... go cross country.
Say what? My ZX12R is a far better built and far more reliable bike than the R11GS it replaced could ever hope to be. And I'd put my VFR up against any BMW for reliability or build quality. BTDT. The Versys has been getting great reviews: motorcycle.com has a pretty good one.
ah.. but the Honda usually has the highest build quality of the Jap brands.. any Kwaka I have seen, ridden, touched was never finished well.. plastics were crap.. paint shitty and switchgear very cheap in feel.. I wouldn't spend my own money on one
The Versys is one of the best motorcycles on the road at any price. Well built, well sorted, and wildly entertaining. With a TE in the garage already, I think the Versys would be an incredible stablemate. I'm looking to put one in my stable, eventually, to compliment my XRR.
I am sorry but I have to strongly disagree.. The one I rode had ill fitting plastics.. the plastics still had rough mould marks around their edges.. the paintwork had blemishes and was very thun.. the switchgear was rubbish.. the suspension was average.. the brakes were just okay.. the engine was okay, but just.. the whole bike just screamed "cost cutting" to me.. cheap and nasty.. but it was fun to ride.
I think the Versys is a great machine and the only fault I find is I would have liked a 19" front tire and better (firmer) front suspension. With the stuff I have added I would go anywhere the other bikes are supposed to go. I have the KLR for dirty, rough stuff. I think it is funny how we compare and complain about dual-sport bikes. We all are looking for the perfect bike, just wish they would build it and it would cost under $13k.
I'm not going to stick up for the Versys, but I have worked on two F650 GS's, and was sorely disappointed in the build quality of those bikes. Everything feels cheep on them. From headlight mounts to taillight mounts, and damn near everything in between. Stamped steel brake and shift levers. Torx bits everywhere. Ill fitting plastics, nearly impossible to tighten battery lugs etc.. I hate working on my buddies 650GS, everything about it feels poorly made, poorly engineered and difficulty to access. The only thing it's got going for it is that gem of a motor.
no arguments there... but I do feel it's better than the Kwaka.. Rhino - go look for yourself mate.. the only way you can decide
Mate the deal I found wont't help you... we are at opposites sides of the planet! You guys get a WAY better deal on bikes in the States than we do down under. Thanks for the comments everyone else... I will try and ride one myself this week. I have looked at the bike before but didn;t ride it, I got to say the finish looked pretty good to me... but I come from a dirt bike background not a road bike one and hence anything painted and shiny impresses me! I will post my comments once I have had a blast on it!
Both bikes are great bikes! The GS is very good for an all day machine for both pavement and dirt roads, as long as it doesn't get too muddy with dual sport tires. Have never put full knobs on it as have a 650L for serious full on dirt days. Have had the GS for 7 years with no issues as far as quality or reliability. Got a used V a couple of months ago and it is a super bike for pavement adv riding. Will run Deals Gap way faster than I can!! As there are no real serious dual sport tires in 17" fronts that would limit the off road stuff. The seat will need some work for more than 2hr stints, at least for me. It is well put together. Remember, years ago before the DT1, dirt bikes started out on the showroom as street bikes!!! Used to race Hare Scrambles with a guy who rode a late 50's Sportster!! It's all on what you have and just go for it at reasonable speeds according to what you're on. Just have lots of fun!!!
Note that every negative comment in this thread on the Versys is from one poster. Does not make him wrong, but he is in the minority. Mostly good reviews and some info here http://www.versys.co.uk/ Dollar for dollar, the Versys looks like a great buy. It is on my short list, along with the Wee-Strom, and odd as it may sound, I really like the 1250 Bandit. Haven't ridden one yet though. In Canada we get the "1250-SEA" model with ABS, lower fairing, and hard bags - looks tasty! http://moto.suzuki.ca/Home.aspx?province=ON&culture=en-CA
With some progressive front forks and MT-60's the Versys is a good dual sport. I have the fender extender, MT-60's, Happy-Trail bash plate and engine guards. It does well, but I will agree the 17" front is a bit squirly, but so is my KLR 21" in sand and it has full nobby tires. The front springs are my only gripe and it is a tad buzzy, but a great bike.
Put some suspension $$ into the Dak and have both bikes in one. Nothing you can do about the power, though and I completely understand.
Maybe they send the second-hand units to PA... I've never, ever seen one like that. In fact, I can say with absolute certainty that the Kawi build quality is substantially BETTER than any 650GS I've encountered.