I flipped my wind screen. I think it looks better this way...



What do you guys think??


http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g304/Bear_on_a_bicycle/Picture043.jpg


http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g304/Bear_on_a_bicycle/Picture044.jpg

You might have something there !!!

can I copy you Zoomie :D

Of course!!

Looks great! Where did you get the "Versys" decal?

Bought it from the dealer. It was about $10. Of course they had to order it...

Think I'll try it a try. Thanks.

[QUOTE=Bear on a bicycle;727]I flipped my wind screen. I think it looks better this way...



What do you guys think??


http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g304/Bear_on_a_bicycle/Picture043.jpg


Liked it enough that i did the same.
Thanks for sharing.

t.

Interesting....would be nice to see a 3/4 view and side view :) Does the windshield bend when you bolt it upside down? I was thinking of tinting mine but might put it upside down as well.

Oh and how does it feel on the highway?

Interesting....would be nice to see a 3/4 view and side view :) Does the windshield bend when you bolt it upside down? I was thinking of tinting mine but might put it upside down as well.


Oh and how does it feel on the highway?



It fits, but there is a very slight bending. Maybe not so much bending, more like tension. I didn't have to force it or anything. The bolt holes line up good, it's just the curvature of the wind screen that causes the tension.

As far as highway riding goes, I can tell its there, but it doesn't offer a whole lot of protection. If you're looking for wind blockage, you'll be happier with a taller wind screen. I did this more for the looks than anything else. I think it would look awesome tinted black!! :D


3/4 (ish) view:

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g304/Bear_on_a_bicycle/Picture052.jpg


Side:

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g304/Bear_on_a_bicycle/Picture053.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g304/Bear_on_a_bicycle/Picture054.jpg


Cockpit:

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g304/Bear_on_a_bicycle/Picture056.jpg

Liked it enough that i did the same.
Thanks for sharing.

t.

:D:D:D:D:D:D

I'm getting my versys delivered next week but here's what I'm planning on doing:
Painting the wheels black and tinting the windshield (I will try it upside down too)...
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk120/kawa_007/versys_black-tintedB.jpg

[QUOTE=Bear on a bicycle;772]It fits, but there is a very slight bending. Maybe not so much bending, more like tension. I didn't have to force it or anything. The bolt holes line up good, it's just the curvature of the wind screen that causes the tension.

As far as highway riding goes, I can tell its there, but it doesn't offer a whole lot of protection. If you're looking for wind blockage, you'll be happier with a taller wind screen. I did this more for the looks than anything else. I think it would look awesome tinted black!! :D



It almost looks like it was made to be upside down :P It has the same curve as the tank...I definetly will try it....

I'm getting my versys delivered next week but here's what I'm planning on doing:
Painting the wheels black and tinting the windshield (I will try it upside down too)...



That looks great!! I love the black one! How are you going to tint the wind screen?

That looks great!! I love the black one! How are you going to tint the wind screen?

I'll probably just get some tinting film and cut around the inside edge with a small x-acto...I will see exactly how the edge is made to validate if this will be an option or not...if not, Ill mask the front part of the windshield, turn it over, and spray a thin coat of black paint inside the windshield from about 2 feet away (far enough to give it an even opacity) then clear coat, and from the other side it should look fine, actually this will probably give better results then using film. The biggest pain will be to take off the wheels to paint them, no center stand, and muffler under the bike leaves as the only option (I can see at least) to suspend it from above...but I just love the look of the black wheels, gives it an agressive look...

I'll probably just get some tinting film and cut around the inside edge with a small x-acto...I will see exactly how the edge is made to validate if this will be an option or not...if not, Ill mask the front part of the windshield, turn it over, and spray a thin coat of black paint inside the windshield from about 2 feet away (far enough to give it an even intensity) from the other side it should look fine, actually this will probably give better results then using film. The biggest pain will be to take off the wheels to paint them, no center stand, and muffler under the bike leaves as the only option (I can see at least) to suspend it from above...but I just love the look of the black wheels, gives it an agressive look...


I like the black wheels as well. I wonder how they would look on the red one (hint hint)?? :D

I like the black wheels as well. I wonder how they would look on the red one (hint hint)?? :D

I'm sure it would look awesome! :) You might find europeen versions on google that have the wheels black with the red body (thats where I got the picture of the black versys with black wheels, I just tinted the wind screen in photoshop but the rest is the original picture).

I saw a Ninja 650R at the store and asked the manager, if he would switch my wheels with those for 150$ and he didnt want to. I checked to see how much it would have cost to buy the Ninja 650R black wheels (identical to Versys wheels...but black) and it was around 1000$CDN for both wheels! So I'll simply take them off, prepare them and bring them to a body shop to have it professionaly done. Shouldnt cost me over 200$...

Edited: I didn't find the red one but this green one with black wheels:
http://www.doxupport.com/JMCNB_Multimedia/Pics/Kawasaki_Versys_08_grn.jpg

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk120/kawa_007/versys-red.jpg

Here I changed the color and tinted the wind screen.

Sharp! This bike loves black accents!

Thanks!

I just got my 2007 (new) Black Versys this morning. After checking the windscreen tinting it with film was not a solution, there's some embossed print inside the windscreen so it would probably come off in days. So I went to a car paint store and bought special transparent primer and custom mixed tinted clear coat. If you do use this technic, make sure to read the instructions. In my case it was only 2 minutes between the 2 primer layers, and then let it dry for 5-10 minutes maximum and then start the clear coat layers, with 10 minutes between each layer.

Ok here are a few pics: As you can see the windscreen is not transparent like if a film was used, but it will be more durable and with a windscreen that size you usually don't look through it when you ride. Total cost: about 25$
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk120/kawa_007/versys.jpg
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk120/kawa_007/versys-3.jpg
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk120/kawa_007/versys-4.jpg
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk120/kawa_007/versys-2.jpg

Looks good! I see what you mean by not being transparent. Did you paint the inside or the outside?

Masked the outside to the edge making sure of blocking the holes with tape, and painted only the inside. It's more transparent when looking from the outside since the surface on that side is perfectly shiny. If I would have had a spray gun, the inside would probably have been as smooth as the paint on your car, making it more transparent. But like I said, you don't really look trough a windscreen that small anyway....well, I assume cause I haven't ridden it yet, passing my exam tomorrow or monday for my license!

Bear on a bicycle,

Great idea and I'll do it as soon as I buy one; btw I've been thinking wouldn't it be funny if that was the designer's initial intention and the assembly line just got it wrong?

It looks Awesome!! :cool:

Cheers,
David

Greeks never wrote obituaries---they only asked one question---Did this person live life with Passion?

Bear on a bicycle,

Great idea and I'll do it as soon as I buy one; btw I've been thinking wouldn't it be funny if that was the designer's initial intention and the assembly line just got it wrong?

It looks Awesome!! :cool:

Cheers,
David

Greeks never wrote obituaries---they only asked one question---Did this person live life with Passion?


Stranger things have happened!!

By the way, do you know why the SR-71 was named SR-71??:D


Oh, & thanks for the compliment!

I just got my 2007 (new) Black Versys this morning. After checking the windscreen tinting it with film was not a solution, there's some embossed print inside the windscreen so it would probably come off in days. So I went to a car paint store and bought special transparent primer and custom mixed tinted clear coat. If you do use this technic, make sure to read the instructions. In my case it was only 2 minutes between the 2 primer layers, and then let it dry for 5-10 minutes maximum and then start the clear coat layers, with 10 minutes between each layer.

Ok here are a few pics: As you can see the windscreen is not transparent like if a film was used, but it will be more durable and with a windscreen that size you usually don't look through it when you ride. Total cost: about 25$

Kawa007,

Don't take this the wrong way - I'm sure you're very nice - but I hate you for being able to get the bike in black. *sigh* I really don't like this bike in red, but it's all that's available to us in the USA. In a couple of paychecks, I'll look into getting mine painted black. :D

Other than the stupid color, I love the bike so far. Did a Sport Touring "Advanced Rider Training" ( http://www.utahsba.com/schools/START/ ) on the West Course at Miller Motorsports Park on the Versys on Sunday and had a blast. It was a good way to break the motor in, get used to the bike (I just bought it last Monday), and have fun "in the twisties" on pristine asphalt with no gravel, cars, deers, etc.

Anyway, back to the windscreen and wheels... After looking at the pics, I too am wondering if the assembly line didn't get it wrong. It does kinda look like it should be upside down. And speaking of mounting it in alternative ways, has anyone tried flipping it over - so the inside faces out? Since the tiny windscreen is pathetic at actually blocking any wind, would it work to have the "scoop" face out and flick the wind up? I know that some windshields have a little flip up at the top to kick the wind over the rider (http://www.calmoto.com/SHOP/a9708089.html for one example, though it isn't for the Versys). Since the bike is goofy looking already (I love it, but I do admit it's goofy), why not go whole hog with the flippy windscreen?? :)

Disclaimer: I took physics a VERY long time ago and remember pretty much none of it. :D

I love how the black wheels look! I want to get mine painted too!! Let us know how it goes.

Jen

p.s. I really don't hate you - I'm just jealous. :(

Kawa007,

Don't take this the wrong way - I'm sure you're very nice - but I hate you for being able to get the bike in black. *sigh*

You hurt my feelings :P hehe. I was lucky cause I was able to find a new 2007 model. In 2008 even in canada, it's red or blue here too, in europe they have black wheels...even luckier...

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk120/kawa_007/versys-1.jpg

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk120/kawa_007/versys-2-1.jpg

Here are 2 new pictures I took a few minutes ago with the tinted windshield upside down...does give it a sportier look I think...

Yes it does! That looks great!

The flipped windscreen does look a little better. I tried it out today, but the wind was horrible. I think I'll flip it back right side up.
BTW, I agree with Jen, the black Versys looks awesome.

I was looking at some National cycle windshields in a catalog, they have some small handlebar mount type, (slipstreamers) that could maybe be drilled to mount on the stock V mounts, look like a larger version of the stock one i may be able to get my hands on a used one, to drill on and see how it fits and works....mmmmmm....PS i'm loving this bike, and this forumn, very informative, thanks

one word. genius



i am going to do this, but i think im just gonna take that versys decail off and leave it off. this way i can change it if i am going to be doing a longer trip at faster speeds.

I was looking at some National cycle windshields in a catalog, they have some small handlebar mount type, (slipstreamers) that could maybe be drilled to mount on the stock V mounts, look like a larger version of the stock one i may be able to get my hands on a used one, to drill on and see how it fits and works....mmmmmm....PS i'm loving this bike, and this forumn, very informative, thanks


If you do, post some pics. I visited the national Cycle web site, but couldn't find the slipstreamers. Do you have a link??

Who's got the best price on the Givi windscreen?

I tried flipping mine but it was useless for me either way. I'm only 6'2" but have to really duck down to notice any windblock at all from the screen even at the highest setting. So, I plan on ordering a larger one to throw on for long trips. For my daily commuting though, I just removed the whole thing along with the brackets and personally think it looks great.:yeahsmile:
My wife took our camera on a trip but this is pretty much what my V looks like right now.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c391/pinnick85/zaksversys.jpg

Looks interesting without the screen/mount... I'd like to see a pic of what it actually looks like, especially from the front. Personally, I found exactly what you did, the screen really didn't do anything for me but for ascetics I followed bearonabike and flipped mine anyways.

I'll try and find my other camera and take pics when I get off work.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g304/Bear_on_a_bicycle/lurker.gif

Wife doesn't get back till next week and can't find my other camera:mad:
So, even though it doesn't do it justice, I will post some (horrible quality)cellphone shots :badidea: ......

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c391/pinnick85/0625081746d.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c391/pinnick85/0625081746b.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c391/pinnick85/0625081747a.jpg

thanks for posting those pictures I now know I will NOT (its just not for me but looks good on red) take the windscreen off , but will flip it.

No prob^^^^. To others, the pics are crap but it seriously only takes 5-10 to remove the brackets so you can see firsthand on your own bike what it looks like. You just remove the sideshrouds and there are 2 bolts on each side that hold them on.

you may have just given me a project for Saturday morning if its that easy

you may have just given me a project for Saturday morning

Saturday morning? haha, you could have been halfway done in the time it took to write that:D

Flipped mine this morning I like the look and I get more wind on me too from it but I like that feeling

this is just a great idea, i was going to order the decal but i decided not to. now im taking it on a long trip so i think im gonna put it back up.

NICE! I'm going to do the same! Thanks for sharing. RMK

Flipped and blacked out....

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a28/K4XA/Screen02.jpg

Flipped and blacked out....

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a28/K4XA/Screen02.jpg

what did you use for paint ? I have a black bike , I m thinking that would look great

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk120/kawa_007/versys-red.jpg

Here I changed the color and tinted the wind screen.


That looks good it goes well with the trim under the tank. Good work... :clap:

I tried it out last night, didn't notice too much difference in the wind, but what I did notice and not until it was dark out, was that it catches some of the headlight. I found it distracting enough to put it back to the original orientation. Looks great though.

what did you use for paint ? I have a black bike , I m thinking that would look great

It's Krylon Fusion. It's made for plastic and requires no priming. All I did was wash it with soap and warm water and wipe it down with alcohol.

I bet if you put some black edge trim at the bottom that it wouldn't light up the windshield.

I was thinking about that, I'm actually looking into vinyl decals, maybe I could work that into the design. Another thing I was thinking was making have the carbon fiber look.

I tried it out last night, didn't notice too much difference in the wind, but what I did notice and not until it was dark out, was that it catches some of the headlight. I found it distracting enough to put it back to the original orientation. Looks great though.

So I changed it back to upside down. I used some static cling vinyl tint and cut out the punisher symbol, it fit best with the windscreen upside down and I think the tint might block some of the headlight light.

So I changed it back to upside down. I used some static cling vinyl tint and cut out the punisher symbol, it fit best with the windscreen upside down and I think the tint might block some of the headlight light.

That is bad ass!!!!

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g304/Bear_on_a_bicycle/thumb.gifhttp://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g304/Bear_on_a_bicycle/thumb.gifhttp://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g304/Bear_on_a_bicycle/thumb.gifhttp://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g304/Bear_on_a_bicycle/thumb.gif

That is bad ass!!!!


I agree!! I like it a lot!

Very cool tint job. I have the Givi windscreen so I don't think I'll be flipping it around, but the idea of tinting with with the cling vinyl is a great one. I put a strip of it on the upper part of my helmet visor and it works great.

When I was originally looking into the idea I contacted a local shop that does vinyl, the rep didn't think that the static cling would hold up in the wind or rain, so far I've proven her wrong with the wind, haven't had it out in the rain yet though. I saw some stuff in Canadian Tire that is carbon fiber look and molds with heat, which was the problem with the tint I got, the curve of the wind shield was a bit of a problem. It started out on the headlight but it was too curved, so if I can find some stretchy cling tint I will be putting it on the head light. Heres a pic I drew while thinking of the idea.

An interesting trick I saw on a TV show is to lay a sheet of cheeze cloth over the area to be painted and then spray paint. It leaves a very interesting pattern. Would look good in red on the screen. :thumb:

I decided to try this today because someone had claimed that it helped with wind buffeting. Others hadn't noticed any difference or thought it caused more problems.

In any case, I went out to the highway. At ~75 Mph things did seem calmer. I'm 6'1", and the highest setting with it mounted normal hadn't helped much.

So...I'll be damned! Of course, maybe I was just slouching more today and I was just imagining things. ;)

As others mentioned, it does catch light from the headlight. It will definitely be distracting at night if you don't black it out somehow.

Flipped mine..Oh hell Yeah! :thumb::yeahsmile:

Hola from Uruguay!
Got a black one last week. Black with black wheels, but comes with SILVER radiator and side frame covers!!! GRRRR!!!
The colored ones have GREY plastics, so I asked the dealer if he would change/trade them with another bike. I told him the green and red would look better with silver plastics, but of course he woudn´t do it.
If anybody with a colored Versys want´s to trade for silver plastics, I need your gray ones NOW!!!!
Contacted 3 vendors, including Kawasaki USA (I´ll be visiting San Diego in a week) but nobody knows the part numbers for the gray plastics yet!
I also plan to anodize the aluminum footrest frames in black.
I´ll post some pics in a while.
Hate me for getting the European version? Think again, with import taxes to this mafia government, these bikes cost $13.500 US Dollars here!!!
Cheers!
Juan Carlos

Hola Juan Carlos, bienvenido al foro!

Looking at other markets, it seems your black is the same as the one sold in Europe.

http://www.kawasaki.co.uk/Objects/w428h321_00000340445DDDDF.jpg

The US Red comes with radiator and frame covers that are silver too. I doubt you'll find any gray replacement plastics.

http://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/images/sport/08-versys.jpg


These are the part numbers for US parts, in case you want them anyway:

Foot Pegs:
Description STAY,STEP,FR,LH,P.SIL - 35063-0310-458
Description STAY,STEP,FR,RH,P.SIL - 35063-0401-458

Pivot:
Description COVER,PIVOT,LH,P.SILV - 14091-0739-458
Description COVER,PIVOT,RH,P.SILV - 14091-0740-458

Radiator:
Description COVER,RADIATOR,LH,P.SIL - 14091-0750-458
Description COVER,RADIATOR,RH,P.SIL - 14091-0751-458


Suerte,

Gustavo

So the gray plastics would have to come only from Europe...! Thanks for the good info Gustavo! Hmm, gets complicated being so far away... I think I´ll have to paint or sandblast (?) them. Any tips?

A quick comment (probably for another thread): ¨Sorry, but these bikes ARE NOT FOR BEGINNERS with stock transmission.¨ I don´t know why some magazine testers said otherwise. Beginners beware: Not the ideal lerning scenario!

I got a lot of weight shaved from the top, by removing the passenger handles and heavy handlebar mirrors (put some nice light ones low on the fairing). Waiting for a lowering rear spring. I think better than a link, cause it also improves suspension.

You think the same japaneze on the assembly line who put the stock screen upside down, also swap the plastics fron different models? :)
My screen will only go right side up every winter.

See how much better it looks with gray plastics?
The ugliest bike I ever loved.
http://gallery.kawasakiversys.com/data/500/medium/Pl_sticos.jpg

Take them off and paint them.

Take them off and paint them.

That's what I did. Also painted my screen too because it's useless for me anyways haha. I used the leftover satin black that I had from the side pieces. I taped off the Kawi "K" and painted it from the backside so it can't scratch or get messed up when I wash it. Crappy pic I know but you get the drift. The K is clear and the rest solid black.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c391/pinnick85/IMG_0231.jpg

I tried flipping mine but it was useless for me either way. I'm only 6'2" but have to really duck down to notice any windblock at all from the screen even at the highest setting. So, I plan on ordering a larger one to throw on for long trips. For my daily commuting though, I just removed the whole thing along with the brackets and personally think it looks great.:yeahsmile:
My wife took our camera on a trip but this is pretty much what my V looks like right now.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c391/pinnick85/zaksversys.jpg
I did the same thing but the bike was ugly in my opinion:mad: so the shield went back but there was noise again which was without shield not present at all. In order to solve this issue I made adjustable holders which allows me to put the shield more horizontal but not to increase the gap between shield and mask. Now it looks perfect:clap: with no noise or buffeting.
Any interest there?:confused:
The price for the holder (laser cut INOX/CNC machined Aluminium alloy) is 48.-EUR (+additional postage 8,30 EUR Economy or 12,85 EUR Priority
More informations at algard@siol.com:welcome:

:D

http://members.cox.net/michealmims/versys14.jpg

How about an upside down screen with a vario on top???