Dirt_Dad
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On Friday I was offered the chance to ride anything in a certain row of bikes in a dealership. I was quietly disappointed the cool looking, low screen Honda Goldwing was not part of the offer. I had already ridden one of the several Harleys in the line, and the Harley look-a-likes didn't interest me. I saw a Versys sitting there at the end of the row and thought that could be interesting. It looked big enough that I wondered what the 1000cc bike would be like.
I didn't make it out of the parking lot before I realized I was not on a 1000cc bike but the 650. Dang...I considered turning around, but I had time to kill and, what the heck, it's a motorcycle. About 5 miles into the ride I pulled over to see if it had a mode button. This thing has to be in rain mode. Nope, no mode button. Bummer...it really is doing its very best.
So rather than return it and see if I could grab something more interesting, I decided to see if I could objectively evaluate the bike for my buddy (GM of the dealership) and provide him some value to my ride. I did about 40 miles on the bike. Running it up to redline to see if there was a power band anywhere (there's not). I turned off the key to park and take the above picture . After the picture I noticed the after market hand grip controller was still lit up indicating a mid-range setting.
I'll admit for me it was the most boring bike I can recall ever riding, but they are not trying to sell it to me. Who would like it? I think it would be a near perfect bike for someone wanting to try Adventure riding, but who may be a bit intimidated. There is absolutely nothing scary about this bike's performance. It is gentle, predictable, and already setup with luggage. It feels light and very easy to maneuver. I didn't ask the price, but I assume the over 21K on the odometer should make it affordable. So depreciation should be minimal if it doesn't work out. Take the cases off, and this could be a great beginner bike. Easy to shift, finds neutural easier than any bike I own, and did I mention it's gentle? I could easily see teaching a person to ride on this bike.
So I returned to the dealership, suggest to my buddy what kind of rider might like that bike, and let him know it was mis-wired. He had it taken to the shop to correct the wiring and we both felt like we got something out of my ride.
I didn't make it out of the parking lot before I realized I was not on a 1000cc bike but the 650. Dang...I considered turning around, but I had time to kill and, what the heck, it's a motorcycle. About 5 miles into the ride I pulled over to see if it had a mode button. This thing has to be in rain mode. Nope, no mode button. Bummer...it really is doing its very best.
So rather than return it and see if I could grab something more interesting, I decided to see if I could objectively evaluate the bike for my buddy (GM of the dealership) and provide him some value to my ride. I did about 40 miles on the bike. Running it up to redline to see if there was a power band anywhere (there's not). I turned off the key to park and take the above picture . After the picture I noticed the after market hand grip controller was still lit up indicating a mid-range setting.
I'll admit for me it was the most boring bike I can recall ever riding, but they are not trying to sell it to me. Who would like it? I think it would be a near perfect bike for someone wanting to try Adventure riding, but who may be a bit intimidated. There is absolutely nothing scary about this bike's performance. It is gentle, predictable, and already setup with luggage. It feels light and very easy to maneuver. I didn't ask the price, but I assume the over 21K on the odometer should make it affordable. So depreciation should be minimal if it doesn't work out. Take the cases off, and this could be a great beginner bike. Easy to shift, finds neutural easier than any bike I own, and did I mention it's gentle? I could easily see teaching a person to ride on this bike.
So I returned to the dealership, suggest to my buddy what kind of rider might like that bike, and let him know it was mis-wired. He had it taken to the shop to correct the wiring and we both felt like we got something out of my ride.
I absolutely love my gen 3 Versys 650 LT. She gets ridden pretty hard but gets lots of TLC too! Most recently a valve adjustment. I've ripped it around multiple tracks (out braked an MT-10 at turn 12 at COTA! OE brakes are not bad!), done some light off roading in the Ozarks on it, commuted for years with it, instructed students with it, ridden hours in downpours on it and ran some multi day tours on it. VERsatile SYStem indeed! 
