Kawasaki Versys 1000 LT

[curlyjoe_imp]

I stopped by my local dealer the other day and checked out their adventure bikes. I'm not planning on going off pavement but would like a more comfortable bike for long day trips.

BMW GS ($21K)
Honda VFR1200X (~$16K)
Versys 1000 LT ($13)

The BMW and the Honda are just too expensive in my opinion. Neither comes with any hard luggage so that would add more expense. The versys comes with the hard saddle bags.

Kawasaki is also offering a $1000 rebate for the 2016 versys 1000 so I talked to the sales guy about trading in my 2013 CB1100A. He said since my bike has "high mileage" (~15K) so he could only offer me $4900 for my bike. That would include the OEM rack and 35 L top case and my K&H "high" custom seat. I really like the versys seating position and am hoping that the suspension/seat would offer more comfort for long days in the saddle. I don't plan on taking overnight trips but I would like to take long day trips into northern NH and also Vermont and western Mass. Currently with the CB, I'm really cramped and sore when I take those trips.

I wish I could afford both motorcycles but that's not an option. The Versys seems too be a lot of motorcycle for the money but I'm going to have a rough time giving up the CB.

Does anyone have any thought on pros and cons of the versys 1000?

The versys doesn't do all that well in the press "shootouts" but the price point and a real smooth and sweet in line 4 are pluses for me.

http://www.cycleworld.com/2015/10/26/sup...ons-photos

http://www.motorcycle.com/shoot-outs/201...g-shootout

[beardyweirdy@me.com_imp]

Curly, did you take a test ride?

I just bought a new Africa Twin for the same sort of reasons, but have thought since that I might have been better off with the Versys 1000. It looks a very capable bike.

I was going to sell the CB but I missed it so much when I put it away to sell, that I've decided to keep both.
It's going to be costly but I just don't get the buzz of the Africa Twin that I do with my CB. My girlfriend also doesn't gel with the AT ;-)

That said, since getting the AT I've done several 400-500 mile days which I just wouldn't have enjoyed so much on the CB. I could have done it, but I'd have been totally knackered at the end of the day. With the AT, sat up behind the screen, loping along at great speed up the motorway, I've jumped off the bike at the end of the day and gone straight to the pub to meet friends... fresh as a daisy.

I bought the CB with my own money but bought the AT on the 'never, never' with a PCP deal. Couple of grand down and then payments of £111 pm. I'd never done that before but for a working bike I'm going to keep Std, it's worked out a good thing... worth a thought.

Also, I'm thinking of trading the AT in for something even more practical like the Versys. The monthly payment plan seems to make that easier somehow. I own the bike I love and just rent the bike i need....

[Ulvetanna_imp]

The OP is seeking a "Super Adventure" so the Africa Twin is not going to fill the bill there.

The VFR1200X would probably be a great choice if you are tall and do not really plan on ever taking it off road.

None of the Super ADV class are really going to be smart choices for even smooth dirt roads. Their strengths are in enhanced ride comfort on secondary and tertiary pavement as well as generally longer range and more options for hard luggage.

The Kawasaki is most definitely the best value for the money.

[the Ferret]

Seemed to fair pretty well in the tests you linked to me, only a few positions finishing behind much more expensive bikes, and finishing ahead of several much more expensive bikes.

and I don't know about you, but the electronics stuff the more expensive bikes had scares me a bit more than the simpler LT.

Then there's the dealer situation, parts availability and maintenance costs.

[LongRanger_imp]

CJ, if you decide to trade in your CB at dealership, consider removing the rack and top case, as well as reinstalling the stock seat if you still have it. It's doubtful the dealer would reduce the trade-in value without these accessories, plus you could sell them here or on eBay and recover some value. Good luck with your search.

[4 Paws_imp]

Don't know about the 1000 but it's little brother was a strong contender for me, good bike at an excellent price point.
Owned a GS for 9 years and a mile or two in that period. Nice bike. Not worth the money - purely my opinion. Costs a lot more to outfit the way you want also.

[Olyrider]

+1 on pulling off the farkles if you trade it in. Having worked at a dealership, I can confidently say the trade-in value will not change, just a little extra grousing from them, and they have already low-balled you prettty good! It will be priced at almost $7,000 when you first visit the dealership after the trade-in.

I daresay not a single person who writes the Honda 1200X "isn't fun", "can't be ridden" offroad has ever personally done so. I have. It is just a shade less off-road worthy than the mighty, and mighty expensive, BMW 1200GS. I have owned the 12GS, and currently have an 800GS. I regularly ride forest service roads and logging roads with my 65 yr-old friend on his stock (including skidplate!) 1200X. He has owned an 1150GS, 1200GS Adventure, NC700X, Suzuki DL 1000. This bike is his favorite, by far, on AND off road, and he swears he won't buy another bike without the DCT. He is impossible to keep up with. The third rider (on a water-cooled 12GS Adventure)in our group is an MSF instructors instructor as well as an off-road coach. He can't keep up either, although he is closer than I am.

The fellow with the 1200X left last week on a Seattle to Memphis trip, and back, on that bike. It's still almost stock because none of the Touratech parts are here yet. They are all in Europe.

IMHO, of course....

[curlyjoe_imp]

@Olyrider

Hmm.. maybe I should give the 1200X another look. The one this dealer has is their first one in but it doesn't have DCT. However, I have no interest in going off the paved roads although many are in desperate need of repair around here.

Clearly I should give this more thought and try to work out 2 bikes in the garage.

[Ulvetanna_imp]

+1 on pulling off the farkles if you trade it in. Having worked at a dealership, I can confidently say the trade-in value will not change, just a little extra grousing from them, and they have already low-balled you prettty good! It will be priced at almost $7,000 when you first visit the dealership after the trade-in.

I daresay not a single person who writes the Honda 1200X "isn't fun", "can't be ridden" offroad has ever personally done so. I have. It is just a shade less off-road worthy than the mighty, and mighty expensive, BMW 1200GS. I have owned the 12GS, and currently have an 800GS. I regularly ride forest service roads and logging roads with my 65 yr-old friend on his stock (including skidplate!) 1200X. He has owned an 1150GS, 1200GS Adventure, NC700X, Suzuki DL 1000. This bike is his favorite, by far, on AND off road, and he swears he won't buy another bike without the DCT. He is impossible to keep up with. The third rider (on a water-cooled 12GS Adventure)in our group is an MSF instructors instructor as well as an off-road coach. He can't keep up either, although he is closer than I am.

The fellow with the 1200X left last week on a Seattle to Memphis trip, and back, on that bike. It's still almost stock because none of the Touratech parts are here yet. They are all in Europe.

IMHO, of course....

Each class of adventure bike has its venue; the Supers are intended for pavement or reasonable surfaces. I think people generally do whatever they want, such as [url=http://nypost.com/2016/07/25/woman-pays-ultimate-price-after-getting-out-of-car-inside-tiger-exhibit/]getting out of a car while in the middle of a drive through tiger park. It doesn't always turn out to be a good idea.

I only say this to cause some potential buyer who may think they'll "be fine" on one of these enormous boat anchors to think twice. And I have plenty enough experience off and on road to know that that the bigger they are, the harder they fall.

[the Ferret]

CJ you might consider looking for a used ST1300 Honda or Yamaha FJR or Suzuki Bandit 1250. Im sure you can find a clean fairly low mile example of those for around $5 K and still keep the CB