Howdy-

G-Ray here. I've been waiting for the Versys to show up here in Southeren California. Last year, at 50, I got my 1st bike, a new Sportster 883. I put 15,000 miles on it in 15 months. It has been fun but I've been thinking of getting something more sporting yet comfortable for an old guy. I'm also not really "down with" the Harley "lifestyle". The ocassional dirt road would be a blast too.

The seat height may be a deal breaker as I'm 5'5 but I have sat on these and have no problem with height: Ninja 650 R, SV650, and Yamaha FZ6. If they would ever send one to Del Amo Motorsports I'd sit on one! I don't want to lower the bike if it compromises the suspension. Lower seat is OK but lower travel is not. (See the Harley XL883L --- awful!)

Big question is the engine - Will I have to wind it out like a chainsaw or is it indeed a torquey, low key, sort of thing. I guess I need to know: Is it buzzy and whiney?

Thanks and I hope I'll be an owner soon.
G-Ray

I just brought my versy home yesterday. What a great ride. I am nearly 42 and a little too heavy to lean over a tank. I don't need the harley life style either. I have been looking at this bike last fall. It was between it and the the 650r. I hated the ninjas handle bars. I am only a little over 5 foot 6. I am doing fine. They loosened the suspension a little for me. It dropped almost an inch. I am on the balls of my feet. I think it will be a ok. They sell a gell seat which I am told will drop it 2 inches! I don't know if I need that or not. I am a little heavy for my height. I go about 190. I love the thing. I can't wait to go out tomorrow evening. Good luck

I just brought my versy home yesterday. What a great ride. I am nearly 42 and a little too heavy to lean over a tank. I don't need the harley life style either. I have been looking at this bike last fall. It was between it and the the 650r. I hated the ninjas handle bars. I am only a little over 5 foot 6. I am doing fine. They loosened the suspension a little for me. It dropped almost an inch. I am on the balls of my feet. I think it will be a ok. They sell a gell seat which I am told will drop it 2 inches! I don't know if I need that or not. I am a little heavy for my height. I go about 190. I love the thing. I can't wait to go out tomorrow evening. Good luck

Tim, if you decide you want the gel seat, I'll ride my ass out to W(BG)V and trade you for mine! Unfortunately, I managed to get a tiny (<1/4") cut on the pillion portion, but it's otherwise like new. I'm too tall for the damn thing.

AlexDz, Would you say that the seat takes off a whole 2" from stock? Also, would you consider it comfortable, butt-wise? That is, if your legs weren't too long for it could you sit on it all day?
TIA
Glenn

I just brought my versy home yesterday. What a great ride. I am nearly 42 and a little too heavy to lean over a tank. I don't need the harley life style either. I have been looking at this bike last fall. It was between it and the the 650r. I hated the ninjas handle bars. I am only a little over 5 foot 6. I am doing fine. They loosened the suspension a little for me. It dropped almost an inch. I am on the balls of my feet. I think it will be a ok. They sell a gell seat which I am told will drop it 2 inches! I don't know if I need that or not. I am a little heavy for my height. I go about 190. I love the thing. I can't wait to go out tomorrow evening. Good luck

Good luck with the new bike! I wish we would get them out here. My dealer said I should check back with him at summer's end. He may have some then. I guess that means 2009s for us left-coasters. Frustrating! Just a matter of evap cans for the gas tank.

AlexDz, Would you say that the seat takes off a whole 2" from stock? Also, would you consider it comfortable, butt-wise? That is, if your legs weren't too long for it could you sit on it all day?
TIA
Glenn

I can't really say how much it takes off, as my only experience with the stock seat was a quick sit at a dealer last weekend, but it is a significant difference. The gel seat was already on the bike when I bought it used. As far as comfort, I suppose it's OK. Since it sits deeper in the "scoop" that the seat forms, I think it's less roomy (back-to-front) than the stock seat, and I feel somewhat locked in to that spot. But the cushioning is fine, I didn't get monkey-butt from my long ride last week.

Tim,

I have both the original stock seat and the low gel seat. I have not noticed the 2" height drop that is alleged from switching to the lower seat. In fact, I think I am going to put the stock seat back on. Has anyone else had the same result?

I had the same experience, sold the gel seat, and put the stock one back on. I sure didn't see a 2" drop in the gel seat.

Welcome to the forum, g-ray88! Seems like you've gotten a lot of good info about the Versys's seating and suspension . . .

As to the issue of torque and "whining," well, I think you'll really like the Versys. I had a Sportster 1200 - and I'm sure that my Versys is quicker off the line than it was! It pulls right from the first crack of the throttle - and the torque stays consistent on up through the revs and the gears. There's a little bit of vibration to the Versys, but nothing like a Sporty, and it doesn't have the overwound feel of a four-cylinder bike. The Versys is clearly a twin cylinder internal combustion engine, although it doesn't really care about shaking in imitation of the "Harley lifestyle!"

Get a Versys and come ride with us! :)

Kevin McClearey

Welcome to the forum, g-ray88! Seems like you've gotten a lot of good info about the Versys's seating and suspension . . .

As to the issue of torque and "whining," well, I think you'll really like the Versys. I had a Sportster 1200 - and I'm sure that my Versys is quicker off the line than it was! It pulls right from the first crack of the throttle - and the torque stays consistent on up through the revs and the gears. There's a little bit of vibration to the Versys, but nothing like a Sporty, and it doesn't have the overwound feel of a four-cylinder bike. The Versys is clearly a twin cylinder internal combustion engine, although it doesn't really care about shaking in imitation of the "Harley lifestyle!"

Get a Versys and come ride with us! :)

Kevin McClearey

Thanks, Kevin! Great description. You've pretty much sold me.
If I feel "right" sitting on it - if it ever comes to this restrictive republic - I will join you.
g-ray