Versys owners checkin

[motopreserve]

Those are some great looking vistas! Must have been fun on the V.

[Oh2RideMore]

Spooned on the mt60 front anakee rear combo. Bike seems to fall into turns easier, more nimble. Not sure if it is the new tires, or the tire combo. Installed an aux outlet on the bars, changed the oil, and new tires. Bike is ready for tomorrows trip to New mexico and colorado. Hoping the mountains are as nice as those above.

[outsidein]

Originally Posted by mdaniels

It was posted in this thread a couple weeks back. I did the mod and it does make a difference in the low-end. Pretty easy to do overall.

Syncing the throttle bodies, as described in the service manual, will have a significant effect on smoothness. As the valves wear one cyl may start to draw more which means the explosion in one cyl is slightly more powerful than the other. Syncing the throttle bodies compensates for this and evens them out. Always a good idea to do after a valve adjustment and annually.

Call me a doubter. I don't doubt the sincerity of those that have done this but sometimes when it comes to perception it can be influenced by belief. Since the engineers at Kawi probably did some R&D and testing and probably know more about things than the guy who came up with this mod, I would like to know more about the science behind it and would like to see a dyno done of a modded bike before and after before I would consider doing this to my bike.

[hansi]

Originally Posted by flying_hun

Maybe Caribou? That's what the side cases appear to be.

The topcase is a B&W international "Type 55" outdoor case, had one mounted on my Ulysses. Pretty sturdy, absolute waterproof, room enough for a Nolan helmet. Electronic/camera stores sell these cheaper than Caribou: http://www.itcelectronics.com/produc...ducts_id=14290

[Bigolechalupa]

Originally Posted by hansi

The topcase is a B&W international "Type 55" outdoor case, had one mounted on my Ulysses. Pretty sturdy, absolute waterproof, room enough for a Nolan helmet. Electronic/camera stores sell these cheaper than Caribou: http://www.itcelectronics.com/produc...ducts_id=14290

Thanks hansi!
PS-- any idea of which mounting kit was used for the side cases??

[Rob7711]

Any of you guys experienced premature chain failure on your 2012 V? A buddy of mine is now on his 3rd chain and we only had the bikes (new) in April this year. Mileage done so far is just 7k km. The oem chain lasted about 5k while the 2nd which was a DID gold lasted just under 2k. His chain just kinks up and the o rings shreds off.

I have had no problem with my bike other than losing my exhaust cap (which just fell off) and the oem chain is doing fine though the dunlops are toast. Our regular mechanic has had 3 cases of such chain failure (including my buddy's).

[Oh2RideMore]

Versys has been a great 2 up bike thus far, on all surfaces including gravel, pavement, grass, and sidewalks.... Got in a 600 mile day yesterday, much to my pillions dismay. Temps have been all over the place from 111F to 60F. MT60 and anakee seem to be a good combo for this type of riding, mostly pavement with gravel thrown in. Have too much weight over the rear axle, and bike is really wheelie happy.

Airhawks do make riding easier on long rides.

From Melanie Memorial Ride

[outsidein]

Originally Posted by Rob7711

Any of you guys experienced premature chain failure on your 2012 V? A buddy of mine is now on his 3rd chain and we only had the bikes (new) in April this year. Mileage done so far is just 7k km. The oem chain lasted about 5k while the 2nd which was a DID gold lasted just under 2k. His chain just kinks up and the o rings shreds off.

I have had no problem with my bike other than losing my exhaust cap (which just fell off) and the oem chain is doing fine though the dunlops are toast. Our regular mechanic has had 3 cases of such chain failure (including my buddy's).

I had to replace my chain at 17,000km which is premature however it was due to me mounting the rear wheel with the slider blocks in the wrong way which put too much tension on the chain. Running the chain with too much tension for only 300km was enough to kill the front sprocket and chain. If you keep your chain clean and lubed it should last at least 24,000miles.

[wb57]

Originally Posted by Rob7711

Any of you guys experienced premature chain failure on your 2012 V? A buddy of mine is now on his 3rd chain and we only had the bikes (new) in April this year. Mileage done so far is just 7k km. The oem chain lasted about 5k while the 2nd which was a DID gold lasted just under 2k. His chain just kinks up and the o rings shreds off.

I'd check alignment of the sprockets. Could have a bad hub or just not aligning/tightening the chain properly. Cleaning/lubing the chain properly? Replacing sprockets when replacing the chain? My guess is there's nothing wrong with the chains.

Mine's got 10K miles (16K km) and I've had to adjust it exactly twice. Once when replacing the rear tire and once at another point. And it was not out of spec at that point, just near the limit.

[flying_hun]

Originally Posted by Oh2RideMore

Have too much weight over the rear axle, and bike is really wheelie happy.

Party! I've had the same experience hitting a roller with my wife on board.

Where are you riding?

[Kankujoe]

Originally Posted by flying_hun

Just returned a few days ago from riding in the Alps where Rockwallaby (Paul) tracked me down in Briancon. He's riding a TDM and misses his Versys, and I was riding my blue Versys. Here are a few shots from the ride:

My blue Versys is on the LH side of the group of bikes at the top of Col d'Agnel.


Out in front of the inn where we stayed.


Paul with our innkeeper, Genevieve.


Paul on his TeDiuM near the top of Galibier:


Credit where credit is due - all of the above photos were taken by Mattzz on this forum. He was my primary riding partner on this trip on his F800R.

At the top of the Col d'Izoard.



The Col de la Colombiere on my way north back to the UK.


Then it was on towards Yorkshire where my Versys now awaits my return. North Yorks was big fun! A friend from Harrogate came out to show me around a bit, and it was lovely.

Great photos!

[Oh2RideMore]

Originally Posted by flying_hun

Party! I've had the same experience hitting a roller with my wife on board.

Where are you riding?

Followed rt 66 from stl to new mexico. Down to white sands, back up to santa fe, on to durango, now in moffat relaxing in a yurt at a hot spring. Headed up to independence pass tben back to stl via back roads.

[flying_hun]

Originally Posted by Kankujoe

Great photos!

Thank you!

Originally Posted by Oh2RideMore

Followed rt 66 from stl to new mexico. Down to white sands, back up to santa fe, on to durango, now in moffat relaxing in a yurt at a hot spring. Headed up to independence pass tben back to stl via back roads.

That sounds like a great ride!

[y2blade]

I rode the new Honda NC700X last Friday and liked it...going to try the Versys sometime soon.

[allanmac]

Had my 09 versys in green for a couple of weeks now and if the sun ever shines here again I will take some pics of it .

Iv had most of the rest of the beasts found on this forum, a 955i tiger a varadero a wee and vstrom a multistrada 1100s plus various sports bikes nakeds etc and have to admit im really impressed with it.

Haven't missed the performance of the bigger bikes so far and am finding it so easy to ride. Was a bit worried that id miss the extra oomph but for the roads here in not very sunny scotland its just about perfect.

Cheers Allan