2019 Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE LT

WildcatGreg

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Dec 19, 2018
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The Versys is a great sport touring bike but it is no ADV bike. I had a left over 2016 1000 LT and it was an excellent road bike but that is it. The inline four will lift the front wheel in the first three gears no problem. The ride modes and traction control were really good as well. Just not an ADV bike.
 

ace50

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Jacked up streetbike. And an ugly one at that. Keep trying Kawi.
Haven't been around in a while, just looking at old threads. Ran across this one about the new (then) 2019 Versys 1000 of which I have now.
After owning a S10 for a few years, this post just makes me laugh! While the S10 is a great bike, it has to be one of the ugliest bikes out there.
Don't like the BMW GS either. But that's just typical of ADV bikes. You could throw the Vstrom in there too!

I love my Versys, looks and everything. Loved my 2012 S10 too. Just wanted an updated bike with all the whistles, which it has.
 

Streethawk

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Aug 26, 2020
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San Antonio, Texas, United States
I've ridden the latest gen Versys 1000. Kinda rode it hard. Incredibly well balanced (and comfy) bike! Although inline fours are not my thing, the engine is a blast! 1043 ccs o' pure fun! Didn't care about its looks at that point. I own a 2nd gen Versys 650 (I can appreciate ugly bikes ;) ) and was truly surprised by how flickable the 1000 was in comparison! Overall, considering the tech, great value for money too. As we have similar riding styles, I enjoyed watching Schaaf briefly put it through its paces. Check it out!

Kawasaki Versys 1000 sound [RAW Onboard]
 

Sierra1

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Joshua TX
Calling the Tenere ugly, while you have a Versys, is like the pot calling the kettle black. :D I see a lot of Multistrada influence in the appearance. The price is getting close to the Tiger's. Which I think is a beautiful bike. But for what I want/need . . . . the Tenere can't be beat for the price.
 

Donk

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Wait a minute, how can you say "Multistrada influence" when comparing pots and kettles? That just seems wrong.
 

yen_powell

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Jun 19, 2018
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257
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UK
I bought my Versys new in 2015 and sold it to a friend so I could buy the ST12 in 2020. In that time I did 103,000 miles with only one minor break down when a wire frayed and stopped me activating the starter motor. Even then I managed to bump start it on a slope and ride 50 miles home. To date it's been my most reliable bike. It also got me two speeding convictions after a 29 years of point free riding.

The engine is better than the ST with more low down torque, but I prefer the seating position of the ST12 and the ST seems to have superior build quality (early days still of course but it's looking good). I also have to say that from some angles the Versys has a face for radio, whereas I think the Yamaha is a thing of beauty from all directions.

I went through 3 chain and sprocket sets on the Versys, with a 4th fitted not long before I sold it. I hardly had to adjust them, when they need adjusting more than a few times I would replace them. I did keep them oiled though, especially after rainy rides. One of the reasons I chose the Yamaha was for the shaft drive. More to the point I wanted a shaft drive that wasn't German as I expect them to last longer than a chain and sprocket set normally last me. UKGSer is one of my favourite websites for the tales of woe. This is a character flaw I know.
exit shot.jpg
 

ace50

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The Versys is a great sport touring bike but it is no ADV bike. I had a left over 2016 1000 LT and it was an excellent road bike but that is it. The inline four will lift the front wheel in the first three gears no problem. The ride modes and traction control were really good as well. Just not an ADV bike.
That's just it, I never took the S10 off road. It is still a great road bike though. Just not a Versys!
 

Longdog Cymru

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Jul 21, 2018
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Swansea, Wales, UK
Hi yen_powell, my Versys ownership went pretty much like yours but without the frayed wire. It was bomb proof with an amazing motor and I would still have another Versys. I wanted an S10 for a long time but even after 4 years of S10 ownership, I still compare it with my Versys.

Oh, and by the way, I have the same “character flaw” as your, I have been a member of UKGSers for almost 20 years!
 

Jlq1969

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May 5, 2018
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Argentina
I can't go against the opinions of the Versys 1000, because I haven't owned one or driven one. but I see that the benefits of the tetracilindrico, are similar to the S10 at least on asphalt. which does not imply that this tetracylindrical has "hidden" more benefits inside it.
 

ace50

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Calling the Tenere ugly, while you have a Versys, is like the pot calling the kettle black. :D I see a lot of Multistrada influence in the appearance. The price is getting close to the Tiger's. Which I think is a beautiful bike. But for what I want/need . . . . the Tenere can't be beat for the price.
2020 S10, try and explain that color combo? o_O

I got my new 2012 S10 OTD for $10K (a leftover) and actually got the newer clutch replaced for free.
My 2019 V1K was $13.5K OTD. With all the upgrades, it was well worth it.
I have to admit though, at full price, it's probably not worth it.

The 2 things I liked about the S10 was the stock suspension and after I had it re-flashed was the low down torque!
Yes the shaft drive was nice, but with Dupont chain-saver, chain maintenance is a breeze.
 

Streethawk

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San Antonio, Texas, United States
2020 S10, try and explain that color combo? o_O

I got my new 2012 S10 OTD for $10K (a leftover) and actually got the newer clutch replaced for free.
My 2019 V1K was $13.5K OTD. With all the upgrades, it was well worth it.
I have to admit though, at full price, it's probably not worth it.

The 2 things I liked about the S10 was the stock suspension and after I had it re-flashed was the low down torque!
Yes the shaft drive was nice, but with Dupont chain-saver, chain maintenance is a breeze.
Incredible price on your V1K! Belated congrats on that! To me, the 17" wheels and the tuning of its inline four, make the Versys 1000 far more capable (and fun) in the corners than the S10. I too have had my S10 reflashed and it's truly a 2014 era poor man's KTM now! Ha ha! Just wants to GO! I'm also 100% spoiled by the shaft drive. The S10 is my first shafty and I'm hooked! Regarding the chain maintenance on the V1K, DuPont Chainsaver is some miracle stuff. Great choice! I also regularly use a chain alignment tool to ensure rear axle alignment whenever I adjust slack. I have not yet found swingarm hash marks that will accurately straighten the axle. Since using the tool, I get much longer life from my chains.
 

Donk

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Burlington, WI
I went from my S10 to a KTM and never looked back until a friend showed up with his I think '18 V1K. He has the Holeshot Corbin seat on it and while I'm not a fan of Corbin and have never paid much attention to the V1K it is a mighty fine combo. I'm not ready to trade my KTM for one but I was impressed with the basic package. Throw some money at the suspension and you'd have a pretty good bike.
 

ace50

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May 19, 2015
Messages
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I went from my S10 to a KTM and never looked back until a friend showed up with his I think '18 V1K. He has the Holeshot Corbin seat on it and while I'm not a fan of Corbin and have never paid much attention to the V1K it is a mighty fine combo. I'm not ready to trade my KTM for one but I was impressed with the basic package. Throw some money at the suspension and you'd have a pretty good bike.
The Versys is the first bike I've had with electronic suspension. Absolutely love it. To be able to change on the fly to road conditions is wonderful.
 
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