Kawasaki Versys 1000 LT

[curlyjoe_imp]

wow I'd love to pick up a 17K mi ST 1300. Probably last me the rest of my life lol

The ST1300 doesn't have ABS but the FJR does have combined-ABS.

Anything I should look out for on the ST1300?

[the Ferret]

No they are pretty much trouble free like all Hondas. The red one are pretty. Hope you get to test ride them. Wait till you try out the electric windshield lol, you will be amazed.

[Olyrider]

No they are pretty much trouble free like all Hondas. The red one are pretty. Hope you get to test ride them. Wait till you try out the electric windshield lol, you will be amazed.

I'm partial to the ABS brakes on "my" ST1300. Looked around until I found an excellent used one with ABS. It's a heavy bike. Didn't take too long to find a pristine one ten miles away.

I always caution people looking at the ST1300's that they put out a "lot" of heat around the engine/fairing/fuel tank. A "lot"! That's not a problem in the Seattle area where temps are cooler, but I doubt I would own one in a hotter climate. (They probably "all" put out heat in this class, but I don't have experience with the other models.)

[redbirds_imp]

No they are pretty much trouble free like all Hondas. The red one are pretty. Hope you get to test ride them. Wait till you try out the electric windshield lol, you will be amazed.

I'm partial to the ABS brakes on "my" ST1300. Looked around until I found an excellent used one with ABS. It's a heavy bike. Didn't take too long to find a pristine one ten miles away.

I always caution people looking at the ST1300's that they put out a "lot" of heat around the engine/fairing/fuel tank. A "lot"! That's not a problem in the Seattle area where temps are cooler, but I doubt I would own one in a hotter climate. (They probably "all" put out heat in this class, but I don't have experience with the other models.)

That's why I sold my red 2005, could not take the heat in this climate. Otherwise, an excellent, trouble free bike. Only mods on mine were a lowered contoured seat and Heli-bars for a more upright posture. Honda could have done something about the heat as Yamaha did on the FJ1300 but chose not to.

The electric wind screen was trick. I was always amused to watch the indicated MPG go down as I raised the shield to it's high position.

[the Ferret]

Heat bothers some on the ST doesn't bother others. Same goes for the FJR. As far as that goes, same goes for the CB1100. The heat on the CB has bothered me more this week than the heat on my ST.

[Lord Popgun]

The heat on the ST1300 doesn't really bother me either, and I usually ride it in the Heat we are having now. The tank and fairing pockets will get HOT.

I did install the fairing deflectors (not the mirror ones though) and that seems to deflect some heat from the heads away from your legs. Also some rain. I guess that was a side benefit. The deflectors are supposed to be for cold weather riding, but help in the heat.

I have the HeliBar risers on mine too. The one with the Ram Ball mount and Powerlet outlet. If desired, a GiPro gear shift indicator can be fairly easily installed. Like on the CB, just a tad harder to route the cable.

[4 Paws_imp]

Don't recall heat being an issue for me on my ST.
Still my favorite "ex-bike".
Decent in town, great on the road.

[Kiwikevin_imp]

Hi curlyjoe, have a look at these reviews by a chap in the south Island of NZ. He has some great insights to the Versys 1000..

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCovPz3w...61w/videos

[curlyjoe_imp]

Hi curlyjoe, have a look at these reviews by a chap in the south Island of NZ. He has some great insights to the Versys 1000..

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCovPz3w...61w/videos

Thanks Kiwikevin. Looks like a great bike for 2 up riding however, my wife is scared to death of motorcycles so I'll be riding solo. I do think I'll like the riding position on adventure touring type bikes.

I guess the 650 versys is an option but the bike has no centerstand!

Heat produced by the ST may be a problem in hot weather I guess but the CB also is a bit toasty in the 90 degree F weather we've been having.

[Ulvetanna_imp]

Hi curlyjoe, have a look at these reviews by a chap in the south Island of NZ. He has some great insights to the Versys 1000..

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCovPz3w...61w/videos

Thanks Kiwikevin. Looks like a great bike for 2 up riding however, my wife is scared to death of motorcycles so I'll be riding solo. I do think I'll like the riding position on adventure touring type bikes.

I guess the 650 versys is an option but the bike has no centerstand!

Heat produced by the ST may be a problem in hot weather I guess but the CB also is a bit toasty in the 90 degree F weather we've been having.

The 650 is a pretty agile bike and makes respectable power, but for the type of riding you mentioned in the first post, and compared to the bikes you mentioned, it's not going to offer the all-day comfort of the larger machines.

The twin is adequate but a bit anemic in the last analysis; brakes are not what you'll find on a bike with a higher price point, nor is suspension.

For that kind of money the F700GS is a very good option. For the majority of adventures, it's a better choice than the 800. The 800 is peaky, geared lower, and has more vibration in the bars. It's also quite a bit taller.

However, the 21" wheel and extra suspension travel and ten additional horsepower do give it the edge in a few areas. The 700 is much better on the pavement, though.