Greetings! This is my first post here having come over (well not yet..) from a BMW F650CS forum for the past few years (started riding only 4 years ago at the ripe age of 40...)I'm seriously considering the V, and would appreciate (like many others have) your collective well informed opinions...Reasons for considering the change:
-Beemer is a great bike, kinda quirky, like the V, but the V has two cylinders (smoother), a bit more power (without being a crotch rocket), cheaper and more available farkles
-I like new toys as much as the next guy...
-I ride 80% on pavement, but do a fair amount of dirt roads/gravel around the cottage.
-I want something a bit more touring capable in terms of comfort, power, not "hurting" as much at 120-130km/h
-Am getting 70+ mpg (imperial) with the Beemer and the V is (not as good but) considered a high mpg bike.
-Will be passing the Beemer on to my wife after I do some lowering and bar adjustments - have just sold her Vulcan 500 - hoping the Beemer will get her out more frequently!
A few thoughts on what I would do to the V based on sitting on it and reading lots of posts:
-forward sloping seat needs to be fixed. Easy way to raise up the front edge? I've done the foam adding thing to the Beemer seat - better, but still hurts after an hour or so..
Here's an easy way to raise the front:
http://www.kawasakiversys.com/forums...x+washer+front
He also did a complete rework:
http://www.kawasakiversys.com/forums...light=seat+fix
-I am 5-11", 180lbs and am a bit of a buffetting freak - I would want the tallest aftermarket screen and maybe the Madstad bracket to "fiddle" with the angle - recommendation on which screen?
Not sure about the best, but here's a good place to start:
http://www.kawasakiversys.com/forums...ght=windscreen
http://www.kawasakiversys.com/forums...earchid=100302
-current issue (not serious) is legs too bent - may opt for the peg lowering blocks I saw somewhere. Do you not need to adjust the shifter and brake lever position if you do this?
Yes. How to:
http://motowerk.com/Documents/Web_Ka...structions.pdf
...and the peg lowering blocks make a nice difference & are well worth the price.
-ABS? I have it on the Beemer...not sure the cost is worth it..
We can't get it in the US, but I would've if I could've, just because I've never had it on a bike...
That's about it for now - not too much encouragement would cause me to commit! Cheers!
Dave
Ottawa, Canada
'02 BMW F650CS (going to the wife)