Bought a 2011 Versys with 3400 miles on her. Needed some TLC to bring it up to snuff. Added signal minder, headlight modulator etc..
Previous ride was a Vulcan 900 which is a great bike, just wanted something different. After riding a cruiser the past 3 years the foot controls on the Versys feel very strange. I have ridden it perhaps 15 miles so far and everything seem fine , no really strange sounds. Only issue is there is a fair clunk going into first gear, but clutch is adjusted properly, need to keep an eye on that.
Tomorrow will be the first real ride on the versys approx 200 miles from N Atlanta, up to the mountains, lots of back roads with twisties etc.. I have been on these roads numerous times with the vulcan so the roads will be familiar. Forecast looks good with temps in the high70s low 80s. I will take it easy being my first time out on a new to me bike with a very different feel to it.
I bought the versys on a bit of a whim so I am really hoping I don't regret it! Did come with a Corbin seat!
I will post back with my impressions after my ride.
Very true. Just bought a new 2016 1000LT and was very surprised with the handling. Unfortunately I have big feet (13's) and my toes of the boots drag when pushed too far and shifting. Could never lower the pegs. :frown2:
Yes will be stopping in at 2 wheels in Suches. 180 over to Vogel state park etc..
Some great riding in the N GA mountains, along with TN and NC. I have a 3 day ride planned for late May including tail of the dragon, Smoky mountain national park, blue ridge parkway etc.
The Versys proved to be a great ride with one exception. On deceleration or braking the slope of seat tends to have you sliding into the tank, which I found to be incredibly uncomfortable . I will try fabricating a space block for the front mounting of the tank to try and level the seat out a bit.
The tranny tends to clunk a bit more than my Vulcan did, but my guess is that may just be the nature of this beast.
The first time the front wheel came off the ground under hard acceleration caught me off guard a bit, that just would not happen on the Vulcan. She does have some power!
The Versys parallel spins faster the the V2 Vulcan but runs nice and smooth, just a little different feel to get use to.
I took it pretty easy on the twisties, still has original tires which are now 6 years old and from what I can gather on this forum are pretty crappy tires to begin with. I really enjoyed the flickability and high ground clearance on the Versys. Had be be careful on the Vulcan as you could catch the frame as there was not much leeway once the peg sensors touch the road.
One biker crashed his sport bike on Wolf Pen Gap (Hwy180) between Vogel state park and Suches. This is a twisty stretch of road similar to the tail of the dragon in TN but not nearly as busy. He was banged up a bit but not too bad, his bike didn't fair as well and ended up off the road and down a steep embankment. Needless to say I continued to take it easy for the remainder on my ride.
I think I will be quite happy with the Versys if I can get the seat sorted out!!
...I will try fabricating a space block for the front mounting of the tank to try and level the seat out a bit. I think I will be quite happy with the Versys if I can get the seat sorted out!...JoH
Raising the seat should ONLY cost about $2, as long as you can 'fab' the steel spacer (+ 2 = 6mm x 45mm bolts, and 12 washers). BTW - I ride w/ the balls of my feet on the 'pegs, so my toes DON'T drag.
When I hear the complaints about the slope of the seat, I question whether the complainers ever rode a sport bike.
If you use your thighs to grip the tank you will not slide forward, will be in more control of the bike, and will not fatigue your arms, hands and upper back.
Your correct in my case, I have never ridden a sport bike. Had standard bike back in the 70s (Honda CB 500-4). Took a 35 Year break (raising a family) started riding again 3 years ago on a cruiser and now on a Versys. I get your point but to be honest I don't want to be squeezing the tank all the time. I hope to get the seat more comfortable for most riding. Being in my 60s I ride for pleasure not excitment.
Rawkstar 320 (a forum member) sells a very good front seat riser, that he 3D prints. I, as well as many other members swear by it. Don't remember the exact price, but .it was about $14. Very good mod for a small price.
Thanks for the input. I think if I can get the incline reduced a bit it will be much better. The bike had a Corbin seat when I got it and it is quite comfortable except for continuos sliding forward. I have made a plate and added some washers to lift the front a bit and really hope that will do the trick. I anticipate still needing to use my thighs as you indicate, just don't want to do it as firm or often.
Thanks for the tip, if the new bracket I made does not do the trick I may do that. He is located between Chattanooga and Nashville and I pass right by there frequently.
JoH
The mod did the trick, fabricated a metal plate and used washers as a spacer. The seat still slopes forward but is very manageable now. Did another 180 mile run today and I am really staring to enjoy this bike. Seems to be shifting smoother now too.
+1, grip the tank with your knees during spirited riding and you will feel more in control. Also slide your initial seating position forward right to the tank during spirited riding, this puts more weight on front wheel which is better for control, cornering and bump absorption. During long cruises however I slide my seating position back to the broader part of the seat at the rear for comfort.
When I brake very hard I find the G forces on my body get transmitted through the handle bars and do not cause me to slide forward in the seat. Wondering if this is an issue of how you sit on the bike and grip the controls or how your handlebars are adjusted.
I have put on close to 1000 miles since I put the bike on the road a few weeks ago. The seat bracket mod solved the issue of sliding into the tank. Not sure what oil was in the bike when I got it but I replaced it with synthetic, adjusted and lubricated the chain adjusted clutch cable and lubed throttle and clutch cable. The bike is shifting much more smoothly now. Still a pretty healthy clunk when putting it in first gear but I think that is just the nature of this beast.
I had enjoyed my vulcan 900 and put close to 20k miles on it over the past 3 years tooling around the Georgia mountains. But I have to say I am enjoying the versys a lot more! I find that I am more comfortable on it and more confident in my riding.
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