A Versys Adventure

[spklbuk]

With all the banter about delivery dates, I got so antsy that I took matters into my own two wheels!

Warm up adventure tour. ChecksWrecks, I have the first route laid in, are you saving your beer money?

adv versys

 

[2XADV]

Looks like a fun ride for a day. Good exploring and good scenery. The Versys can do more than your tires would let you doo. Tire limited for sure.

Just watch out you don't hit any of those big steel trees on that gravel road!

 

[spklbuk]

Have a set of the new Pirelli Scorpion Trails coming...gonna be good! Well better at least.

And yep, it was a fine day. The steel trees are a spanky new addition. Hadn't been all the way thru in years. Lucked out and only took one mis-turn. Realized it after 3-4 miles and backtracked.

There is an absolute maze of new roads just waiting on my new Tenere!!!

 

[2XADV]

I don't know about the new Pirelli Scorpion Trail tires. Will need to look those up for the Versys.

 

[fredz43]

I don't know about the new Pirelli Scorpion Trail tires. Will need to look those up for the Versys.

I had them on my 08 KLR. Great for what they are, 95/5 road tires.

 

[Mfriday]

I had them on my 08 KLR. Great for what they are, 95/5 road tires.

Also had them on my 08 KLR.......agree with fredz43!

 

[~TABASCO~]

Looks good Jim... can you post a GOOGLE map of where that is ?

 

[MotorcopBBQ]

Nice video

 

[SisuTen]

I don't know about the new Pirelli Scorpion Trail tires. Will need to look those up for the Versys.

Pirelli makes the Scorpion Trail in the right sizes for a Versys, 120/70-17 front and 160/60-17 rear. Should be good to go!

Love my Versys, and your right it's tire limited for gravel and fire trails. It's the rim size and wide section of the tires that cause a lot of the wishy-washy action in dirt. The Scorpion Trails should help a bit.

Much like the FJR owners here, the Versys owners seem to have caught on to the Super Tenere, too. Seems to be quite a few.

Over on http://www.kawasakiversys.com/ they have done a pretty thorough study on dual sport tires for the Versys. While there are some solutions for mild off-road and gravel use. "Most" seem to agree dirt riding is not it's cup of tea.

S-Ten

 

[spklbuk]

Looks good Jim... can you post a GOOGLE map of where that is ?

Here ya go...http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Western,+Shawvers+Crossing,+WV+25984&daddr=Layfayette+Spes+Road,+Rupert,+WV+to:Brier+Knob,+WV+to:Jacox,+WV+to:38.058094,-80.367908+to:Co+Route+9+to:Clintonville+Post+Office,+Crawley,+WV&geocode=FasfQwIdI0Ex-ykBL_BQchhMiDEbe_KiB3-ZfQ%3BFWD-QwIdkM8y-ynxIRujsBZMiDE1PxNCJz-5pw%3BFe9KRgIdXlU1-ym7zXd9k3NMiDFzeDuWhnTcDQ%3BFbowRQIdvJk2-yknFZdkJnBMiDF3QUDOrV9Dsw%3B%3BFdrVQwIdWC00-w%3BFWI2QgIdVRwy-yEKpGmTyCH5Tw&abauth=8b9baac1:c97LOsZ0FI6cY7SBlRMsZinxrnw&hl=en&mra=dpe&mrsp=4&sz=13&via=4,5&vps=8&ei=TdcaTumLI6mGyAWI_ZSMDw&jsv=353b&sll=38.034707,-80.353146&sspn=0.062871,0.109692&num=10


Take some extra fuel and be prepared to spend the night! ??? There is an absolute maze of new roads what with the mines, timbering and wind mills. I've lived here all my life and used to work in those mtns everyday and I was guessing all day...fortunately I guessed well! And remember, bear hunters are your friend, they know all the roads! Now all you have to do is learn to speak native Appalachian. )

...OR...You could take me along as a translator as I'd be happy to show y'all (we can get lost as a group!). So when is everyone cranking up their new S10 and coming over? :lamp: :exclaim: Know of a great out-of-the-way campground nearby. Jax, think of it as an Alaska prep trip.

More pics from an earlier journey to same ballpark (be patient there is some trivia in the beginning):http://s158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/spklbuk/adv_versys/?albumview=slideshow

 

[spklbuk]

While there are some solutions for mild off-road and gravel use. "Most" seem to agree dirt riding is not it's cup of tea.

S-Ten

But it absolutely THRIVES here WHOOHOOO :exclaim::

 

[SisuTen]

But it absolutely THRIVES here WHOOHOOO :exclaim::

I'll see your WHOO-HOO and raise you one Yee-Haw!!

Versys is the best bang for the buck I've tried.

S-Ten

 

[TierHawg]

If it wasn't for the ST I've got on order, I'd be owning a Versys as my next bike.

 

[SisuTen]

If it wasn't for the ST I've got on order, I'd be owning a Versys as my next bike.

Fortunately, I don't have to sell the Versys to get the S-Ten. I want to put a few miles on the new bike before I decide which to keep, but I will keep only one. My guess is the Yamaha will win out simply because it's better suited to two-up riding.

Now I also have my eye on a Motus (I'm a fickle beast). I'm intrigued by the engine (1650CC (100 inch) pushrod overhead valve V4 with direct injection, 160hp/122fT/lb torque without going over 8000RPM, and sounds amazing) which was developed by Katech Engineering and Pratt & Miller Engineering. Both have amazing talent. (I worked for P&M on a C6RS Corvette project a couple of years ago). Yeah, probably a pipe dream since they say the bike will go for over $20K

S-Ten

 

[CJBROWN]

Thought I would bring this thread back up as it fits my quandry. First post here...

I too am an avid Versys owner but thinking S10 for doing more of the 2-up we've been doing. Wife and I are about 370lbs combined so we've almost maxed out the Versys. That means no gear with us. I would like to (as she would as well) make some muli-mile trips with luggage, exploring, touring, and then have a road-oriented adventure bike for myself as well. The other runner up is Tiger 800.

My concerns are the huge bike specs cuz I'm not too big of a guy - 5-10 175lbs. Been riding for 40 years.

Also the additional cost. Everybody agrees the little Versys is a huge bang for the buck. I have about 7K miles on mine, over two and half years, so it's just sport riding and few trips, nothing major, no commuting.

Malcolm Smiths has the big yamaha semi coming this weekend with demo bikes. I'm signed up to go try one out.

Would love some feedback here. Been enjoying the forum, lots of Super Teneres!!

 

[spklbuk]

CJ,
I bought my S10 specifically for 2-up duty with more flexibility in road choice. I thought that I would keep my Versys as a nice compliment to the Tenere. Ultimately, I no longer needed the Versys (and these folks can tell you how many times I bored them with Versys threads...still love that little bike).

The S10 carries its heft so well that it will simply leave you scratching your head. The biggest home run Yamaha hit with the machine. PLUS Mrs. Brown will love the comfort.

After demoing the XC800, I questioned its 2-up capability. If it was going to be just me riding, I may have had to toss a coin to decide between it and the Yamaha.

All I can tell you is that if you demo a Tenere you are doomed and will be assimilated. And that is from one Versys rider/Versys Forum member to another...you have been warned! ;D

 

[xr400guy]

mmmm...I am a Versys owner and avid Versys forum reader...but..
I just found this site after sitting on a s-10 in the showroom and am now starting to salivate.
Do I need to start to worry about some kind of s-10 fever ?

 

[CJBROWN]

I rode one, along with a R1200GS, and the two tiger 800 models. Replaced my Versys with a Tiger 800XC.

 

[spklbuk]

mmmm...I am a Versys owner and avid Versys forum reader...but..
I just found this site after sitting on a s-10 in the showroom and am now starting to salivate.
Do I need to start to worry about some kind of s-10 fever ?

Just don't do a demo ride...it was my downfall! But as stated above, it was a toss-up between the S-10 and the XC800 (I rode them back to back, same day). Two-up capability ultimately made up my mind but sure did like that triple.