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Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Anchorage Alaska
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New Versys 650 LT owner in Alaska
Riding season came early to Alaska this year, and I'm buying a new 2018 Versys 650 LT this week - picking it up after the shop installs heated grips and a DC power plug. Any recommendations for other "must-have" accessories? Any good tips for getting the most out of this bike?
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Join Date: Jul 2008
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aboard!Check for posts from "AlaskaJeff" and "beezerboy", then PM them - they are BOTH Alaskans.
Ed
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'08 V AZ, '15 V650LT BC
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aboard and enjoy your ride - be safe.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 38
Although they are really pricey, I like my SWMotech off-road foot pegs. If you have the LT, you should already have the factory hand guards in place. IMO those do about as much as the heated grips (I have Oxfords) to keep the hands warm. I've also just installed Givi engine guards. Hopefully will never really need them. The contact points when you drop it are the hand guards and the bottom corners of the factory luggage - don't ask how I know. Oh, and the turn signals - they are actually the first contact point. So remove the bolts holding them in. The rubber grommet at the base will do the job well enough by itself. Drop the bike and they will pop out, just carefully work the grommet back into place. For bonus points I've fiberglassed the inside of the body panels that they are mounted in.
Enjoy!
-dm
Enjoy!
-dm
-dm
Member
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Anchorage Alaska
Posts: 5
Quote:
Originally Posted by dbmccrohan
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Although they are really pricey, I like my SWMotech off-road foot pegs. If you have the LT, you should already have the factory hand guards in place. IMO those do about as much as the heated grips (I have Oxfords) to keep the hands warm. I've also just installed Givi engine guards. Hopefully will never really need them. The contact points when you drop it are the hand guards and the bottom corners of the factory luggage - don't ask how I know. Oh, and the turn signals - they are actually the first contact point. So remove the bolts holding them in. The rubber grommet at the base will do the job well enough by itself. Drop the bike and they will pop out, just carefully work the grommet back into place. For bonus points I've fiberglassed the inside of the body panels that they are mounted in.
Enjoy!
-dm
Enjoy!
-dm
My other mistress
Welcome! Enjoy the early riding season.
It's been swell, but the swelling has gone down.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Anchorage Alaska
Posts: 5
Quote:
Originally Posted by fasteddiecopeman
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aboard!Check for posts from "AlaskaJeff" and "beezerboy", then PM them - they are BOTH Alaskans.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Salt Lake City
Posts: 919
Welcome aboard!
Tires. Get different tires! I'm installing today the second set of Pirelli Scorpion Trail II on my 2015 V650. They are much better at everything than the factory tires. There is a whole range of tire options out there, from knobbies to highway to dual sport. Factory tires suck pretty bad at everything imho.
I replaced the front turn signals with micro size LED signals. They don't hit the ground. R&G Racing sells some nice ones and the mounting adapter you'll need.
The seat bothers some due to the forward lean. You can shim the nose of the seat up with something homemade or buy a cheap plastic gizmo someone here is making on a 3D printer, or you can get an aftermarket seat.
There are a lot of adjustments you can make to the ergonomics with handlebar risers to move the bars up and/or back, lower the foot pegs, lower the suspension overall, etc. A lot of people go to a larger windshield.
Tires. Get different tires! I'm installing today the second set of Pirelli Scorpion Trail II on my 2015 V650. They are much better at everything than the factory tires. There is a whole range of tire options out there, from knobbies to highway to dual sport. Factory tires suck pretty bad at everything imho.
I replaced the front turn signals with micro size LED signals. They don't hit the ground. R&G Racing sells some nice ones and the mounting adapter you'll need.
The seat bothers some due to the forward lean. You can shim the nose of the seat up with something homemade or buy a cheap plastic gizmo someone here is making on a 3D printer, or you can get an aftermarket seat.
There are a lot of adjustments you can make to the ergonomics with handlebar risers to move the bars up and/or back, lower the foot pegs, lower the suspension overall, etc. A lot of people go to a larger windshield.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 38
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fly-Sig
View Post
Welcome aboard!
Tires. Get different tires! I'm installing today the second set of Pirelli Scorpion Trail II on my 2015 V650. They are much better at everything than the factory tires. There is a whole range of tire options out there, from knobbies to highway to dual sport. Factory tires suck pretty bad at everything imho.
I replaced the front turn signals with micro size LED signals. They don't hit the ground. R&G Racing sells some nice ones and the mounting adapter you'll need.
The seat bothers some due to the forward lean. You can shim the nose of the seat up with something homemade or buy a cheap plastic gizmo someone here is making on a 3D printer, or you can get an aftermarket seat.
There are a lot of adjustments you can make to the ergonomics with handlebar risers to move the bars up and/or back, lower the foot pegs, lower the suspension overall, etc. A lot of people go to a larger windshield.
Tires. Get different tires! I'm installing today the second set of Pirelli Scorpion Trail II on my 2015 V650. They are much better at everything than the factory tires. There is a whole range of tire options out there, from knobbies to highway to dual sport. Factory tires suck pretty bad at everything imho.
I replaced the front turn signals with micro size LED signals. They don't hit the ground. R&G Racing sells some nice ones and the mounting adapter you'll need.
The seat bothers some due to the forward lean. You can shim the nose of the seat up with something homemade or buy a cheap plastic gizmo someone here is making on a 3D printer, or you can get an aftermarket seat.
There are a lot of adjustments you can make to the ergonomics with handlebar risers to move the bars up and/or back, lower the foot pegs, lower the suspension overall, etc. A lot of people go to a larger windshield.
Mine has Shinko 705/805 dualsport tires. I have no idea how they compare to OEM.
-dm
-dm
big red bitch
ya, fix the seat & the turn signals. get a fender extender. think about tires... especially if gravel is in your future. mostly enjoy a great machine
if I'm answering your question I assume the basic points have been addressed, such as: did you do a compression test? is it still on fire?
Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Salt Lake City
Posts: 919
And get a radiator guard!
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