I am looking at the Versys online and there aren't any at a dealer localy.
I am wondering how tall is the seat? I am only 5'9" with a 30-32" inseam, will it be to tall?
I am a very experienced rider but I do like a bike that fits.

It is a tall bike. The seat and the center of gravity are higher than the last street bike I had (Suzuki SV650S). The Versys felt "tippy" to me the first few times I rode it. Looking back, the riding position of the Versys feels a lot like the last dirt bike I had (Yamaha TTR 230) but of course much heavier. I am 5'11" with a 32 inch inseam and I don't think I would go any higher in the seat department and still feel it was the right fit. When I stop at a red light, if I place only my left foot flat on the ground (rt. foot on the brake) I feel fine. If I put both feet on the ground at a stop, my heels are not on the ground but I'm not on my toes either, and this is fine too. I have heard that the bike can be lowered some, but I like it the way it is. When I'm rolling again, the foot pegs seem perfectly placed for my legs. Hope this helps.

Specifications

Engine Type Four-stroke, liquid cooled, DOHC, four-valve per cylinder, parallel twin

Displacement 649 cc

Bore & Stroke 83.0 x 60.0 mm

Compression Ratio 10.6:1

Maximum Torque 44.9 lb/ft @6,800 rpm

Cooling Liquid

Fuel Injection Digital fuel injection with two 38mm Keihin throttle bodies

Ignition Digital CDI

Transmission 6-Speed

Final Drive O-Ring Chain

Frame Semi-double cradle, high-tensile steel

Rake/Trail 25°/4.3 in.

Front Tire Size 120/70-17

Rear Tire Size 160/60-17

Wheelbase 55.7

Front Suspension / wheel travel 41mm hydraulic telescopic fork with adjustable rebound and preload / 5.9 in.

Rear Suspension / wheel travel Single offset laydown shock with adjustable rebound and spring preload / 5.7 in.

Front Brake Type Dual 300mm petal discs with two-piston caliper

Rear Brake Type Single 220mm petal disc with single-piston caliper

Fuel Tank Capacity 5.0 gal.

Seat Height 33.1

Dry Weight 399 lbs.

Overall length 83.7 in.

Overall width 33.1 in.

Overall height 51.8 in.

Color Passion Red

Warranty 12 months

Good Times™ Protection Plan 12, 24, 36 or 48 months

* Model not available in California

stoneoakvet,
Thanks for the detailed info. Look like it may be to tall for me and such a nice looking bike to:mad:
I don't like the feel of street bikes anymore as I'm aging a bit and it looked a bit more upright and comfortable, don't know why they don't make them adjustable or a tad lower for the average rider.
Looks like I may be stuck going to a cruiser...uhg:(

Hotled,

Just send me an email and I'll send you a pic of a gel seat for the versys.

The 50mm lower and 30mm slimmer Low Gel Seat should help inseam challenged riders.

send it to d.starman@gmail.com

Hotled,

go here:

http://www.corbin.com/kawasaki/

top row Z750s is the similar to the seat pic I was going to send through email and it should lower the seat down to 31"

Don't give up on a one of a kind great machine. Streetfighter makes a lowering kit for the Versys!

I'm 5'10" with a 30" inseam and I manage just fine. I can't get both heels flat on the ground but I'm not on my toes either.

I sent my seat to Diamond and had them lower and widen 1 inch and take away the forward push that was very uncomfortable after 30 miles. They installed the NASA foam and it only takes 1/2 inch. I can move back a couple of inches also, now it's good for 100 miles between stops. I am 5ft 8in and have a 30 in inseam. The seat and the GIVI windshield is a must for me. I am researching the lowering kit but still have not came to a decision.

I'm 5' 10", 31" inside leg and can nearly get both feet flat. I have slipped my foot on gravel recently and dropped it. By the time the foot stopped slipping it was already halfway down. I had considered lowering the height a little, but I think its the high Centre of gravity that's more the issue. The seat is uncomfortable though and I will be looking to see if I can change it in the UK for something more comfortable for long runs.

Ok well I finaly found one to sit on. It is definetly to tall for comfort for me and would need the Gel Seat and possibly the lowering kit. That is around 600.00 additional cost as far as I could tell, so I did something everyone will get mad over.
I went with the V-Strom 650 with a factory Gel seat thrown in for free as well as a set of hand gaurds, so I hope it all works out.
The Versys sure was pretty tho!

I'll see you over at stromtroopers.com.

The V-Strom crowd is much like the Versys crowd.

after reading all the latest posts on the versys height and suitability for riders it really comes down to individual choice, I'm 6ft tall and find no problem at all with the ride position or reaching the floor,, after riding several different types of bike over the years I don't think the versys is top heavy in fact I believe its weight is very well distributed,, ( try the Yamaha TDM 900 now theirs a top heavy bike ) again its down to choice and I believe confidence!!! On any bike if you lack a bit of confidence you will find it hard to relax and take control... for what its worth Ive read on other forums that a few laaadies short in the leg department ride their Vs with confidence and no problems.. With all the choice out there in the bike market its a big decision but I personally think the Vs the best all-round bike I have owned its a blast to ride, Its great value for money, its comfortable on long rides, it definitely not boring, AND I FIND THE ORIGINAL SEAT GREAT FOR MY ARSE,,, perhaps I've got a weird arse ha ha,,,,,,,:D so get that bike and enjoy yourself. yahoooooooo

To each his own, The Vs and the Wee Strom have virtually the same seat height (33.1 vs 32.3). The gel seat for the Vs lowers the seat height to 31.1 and the gel seat for the Strom lowers it to about 31.3. Again almost identical.

I own both of these bikes (DL1000 V Strom and Versys), both OEM seats and both gel seats.

IMHO, both of these bikes are an absolute blast to ride. Best bang for the buck you can find. The Vs Gel seat is a very wierd shape more like a U. It's also more narrow than OEM. Unless you are small, don't even think about it. On the other hand the Wee Strom gel seat is basically the same shape as OEM just slightly shorter.

The key difference is the distance between the seat and the pegs. The Strom has much more leg room (I'm guessing 2-3 in, I can measure if you really want to know).

Either way, you can't go wrong.

This has been an interesting thread. I am 5 foot 6 and a half with a 28.5 inseam. I have 250 miles on my V. I had them lower the adjustment on the suspension. I am doing fine so far. I am on the balls of my feet at a stop sign. It is a little tough to back up, so I will consider the gel seat. I grew up with a couple taller dirt bikes. The one I remember was an early 80's CR 125. I guess I am just used to it. As someone said, it is individual choice. So far, I love this bike. I am a little heavy........just a little over 190.

Interesting point Tim, I remember my MX days, "who needs to touch the ground". My head usually hit the mud before my feet.

If it makes you feel any better, I weighted 190 in high school. I'm slightly heavier than that now :-)

Maybe we'll meet up on the road someday and I'll tell you my West Virginia ride story, it involves the "hospital" in Richwood.

Well since the day I made this post I have had the chance to sit on both bikes and that .8" makes a big difference in feel and so does the fact that I can get the Wee at 6295.00 OTD also makes it very attractive, and I also like the peg positioning a bit more.
The Versys was hard to turn down believe me! It is a nice looking bike indeed and I'm sure well worth it, just doesn't fit me as well:(

You will love the Wee Strom. It's an awesome bike.
Get your wallet ready, the strom has by far the most farkles available than any other MC around (not counting Harleys).
The best farkle I have on mine is the Corbin Dual Canyon Seat, it's excellent.
Second best is the Superbrace. Enjoy.

I sent my seat to Diamond and had them lower and widen 1 inch and take away the forward push that was very uncomfortable after 30 miles. They installed the NASA foam and it only takes 1/2 inch.

How much did that cost?

I have to take back some of the bad mouthing I did on the Vs Gel Seat.
I spent some time on it today. It's more comfortable that the OEM seat because it cures the sliding forward into the tank. It shortens the seat height, but also reduces leg room by about 2". It has minimal foam to achieve this, so it is a bit hard.

So after riding more, I could see where it would be an improvment over OEM for many.
It just cramps my legs too much.