...maybe there's more I need to do? Adjust the idle (the idle sits just under 1K I believe).

Check your OWNER'S MANUAL. In the MANUAL it should advise you that "Idle Speed = 1,250 > 1,350 rpm". YOURS is way too low, and a LOT of us keep it higher (I use 1,500 rpm on BOTH my V650s).

 

That was helpful. I adjusted the idle speed to just under 1500 and that certainly made a difference. It's still more pronounced than my other bikes I've owned but adjusting it did help. Thank you!

 

BTW - at an idle speed of 1,000 rpm your battery will be dis-charging at idle, ESPECIALLY when your radiator fan comes ON.

 

TPS adjustment seemed to have helped the jerkiness coming off throttle for me quite a bit. It's a delicate procedure and you need a multimeter (or really just a voltmeter) and you should purchase or rig up a harness that allows you to measure as you adjust. Kawasaki says it is not adjustable, but it is - I don't recommend you go into this blindly though.

Throttle Position Sensor/TPS/Modification / MK-1 MK-2...

My main throttle sensor voltage was at 1.061 V at idle throttle opening (standard: 1.005 - 1.035 V), and 4.03 at full throttle opening. (standard: 4.2 - 4.4 V) So I decided to set full throttle at 4.2 V, which gave me 1.091 V at idle. This raised idle speed and fast idle speed a bit which I the...

www.kawasakiversys.com

Just a slight adjustment to TPS and sub TPS was all that was needed. That TPS connector is a frustrating puzzle. I think it took me multiple attempts over days to figure out how to unlatch it.

 

Engine braking is an added advantage for any motor vehicle as it allow better control over braking and cruising without harsh braking. The versys engine braking is very good as i don't have to pull in my brake lever if i want slow down. Technology has developed at a very fast pace and may not be same in all model range, it about adjusting to technology and enjoy the ride.
Be safe.

 

I don't think anyone is complaining about engine braking as a rule. The complaint is about the Versys throttle cut being so much more abrupt than on other bikes. Some people adapt to it better than others I'm sure. My gf was always a good sport about slamming into my back every time I came off throttle, but making some adjustment was welcome to us both.

 

The engine braking you're experiencing s because whe the throttle is closed, the injectors are shut off. this is an emissions action, but results in the abrupt off / on throttle jerkiness. I have fuel cut deleted in the gen 3 flashes, but infortunately the gen 2 software doesn't include it. The workaround of dialing the tps up is so that the ECU never knows the throttle has been fully closed, so fuel cut never applies.

 

I have fuel cut deleted in the gen 3 flashes, but infortunately the gen 2 software doesn't include it. The workaround of dialing the tps up is so that the ECU never knows the throttle has been fully closed, so fuel cut never applies.

To be clear, I adjusted my tps within spec but close to the limit and experienced a noticeable improvement. I think it's more manageable now but I don't think I've completely removed the fully closed throttle condition from the state machine.

 

Thanks everyone the info has been informative. I don't mind engine breaking, but it seems that the Versys is so prominent in comparison. And not sure I want to tackle TPS adjustments

 

My v650 is what I call an abrupt bike. When I compare the seat of the pants feeling to my c-10 every thing happens faster. The acceleration feels snapper even though I know I get to a higher speed on the c-10 sooner. (or at least with fewer gear shifts) The engine braking feels stronger and the Versys will flick side to side easier. The c-10 is a bigger heavier bike with better wind protection so it mellows out some of the seat of the pants feelings.

I find that I need to tap a brake just to turn on the brake light when I ride the Versys as the engine braking is so effective in stop and go traffic. The off to on to off throttle response with F/I is much faster and with the EPA idle fuel cut off it is almost like you turned off the key. On top of that the bike has a short wheel base so the front to back weight transition are more noticeable. Smoothness of your part counts a great deal.

 

My v650 is what I call an abrupt bike. When I compare the seat of the pants feeling to my c-10 every thing happens faster. The acceleration feels snapper even though I know I get to a higher speed on the c-10 sooner. (or at least with fewer gear shifts) The engine braking feels stronger and the Versys will flick side to side easier. The c-10 is a bigger heavier bike with better wind protection so it mellows out some of the seat of the pants feelings.

I find that I need to tap a brake just to turn on the brake light when I ride the Versys as the engine braking is so effective in stop and go traffic. The off to on to off throttle response with F/I is much faster and with the EPA idle fuel cut off it is almost like you turned off the key. On top of that the bike has a short wheel base so the front to back weight transition are more noticeable. Smoothness of your part counts a great deal.

The real issues is that the c-10 is carbureted and the versys is EFI. To illustrate that it's not the weight or wind resistance. the c-14 in stock tune, basically the same weight as the c-10, is horribly abrupt in it's throttle transitions.

 

I've got a 2014 Versys 650 I picked up last season with 2500 miles, it now has 6k. Fantastic bike.

Curious how normal it is to have pretty significant (harsh) engine braking when decelerating. What I mean is that as soon as I let off the gas my deceleration is pretty significant - more so than other bikes I've owned (Vulcan custom 900 and an older semi-restored '81 KZ1000 cafe racer). I rarely need to use my brakes and I can stop relatively quickly with just engine braking. Got me thinking when I've noticed pictures and videos of guys doing no hands on their bikes - there's absolutely NO WAY I'd be able to do that with the sudden deceleration I experience on my bike. This is my first sports oriented bike so I chalked it up to that fact. However, I'm beginning to wonder if this is normal. Thoughts?

I've been riding motorcycle for over 20 years. I've driving manual transmission vehicles my entire life. I know how to operate a clutch and do so smoothly - however my Versys is the most challenging vehicle I've owned for really smooth shifting. I've adjusted the clutch cable and have experimented with that - maybe there's more I need to do? Adjust the idle (the idle sits just under 1K I believe).

Are you sure your chain isn’t binding because of rust? Put on a rear wheel stand and roll the back tire in neutral to make sure there is no binding and rear wheel is free. Just sayin.

 

Booster plug should better the solution, one is coming in for me I let you guys know if it helps. V650 sure do have strong engine brake than a lot of people use to. Also going 14T F 47T R sure make the engine brake even stronger. All because Emission standards making manufacture "choke the chicken and clipping wings".

 

16f and 45r sprocket, love it

 

to improve the smoothness of engine braking, learning rev-matching technique is a good idea. having a slipper clutch helps, but rev-matching is better if one wants to downshift.

 

I would never run my front pressure at THAT low 15 or 16psi. (I run 36psi.)

Good luck.

 

We talking about sprocket tooth. Hahaha no we don't run that PSI either. 30PSI front 33 rear

 

I've got a 2014 Versys 650 I picked up last season with 2500 miles, it now has 6k. Fantastic bike.

Curious how normal it is to have pretty significant (harsh) engine braking when decelerating. What I mean is that as soon as I let off the gas my deceleration is pretty significant - more so than other bikes I've owned (Vulcan custom 900 and an older semi-restored '81 KZ1000 cafe racer). I rarely need to use my brakes and I can stop relatively quickly with just engine braking. Got me thinking when I've noticed pictures and videos of guys doing no hands on their bikes - there's absolutely NO WAY I'd be able to do that with the sudden deceleration I experience on my bike. This is my first sports oriented bike so I chalked it up to that fact. However, I'm beginning to wonder if this is normal. Thoughts?

I've been riding motorcycle for over 20 years. I've driving manual transmission vehicles my entire life. I know how to operate a clutch and do so smoothly - however my Versys is the most challenging vehicle I've owned for really smooth shifting. I've adjusted the clutch cable and have experimented with that - maybe there's more I need to do? Adjust the idle (the idle sits just under 1K I believe).

Mine is the same. I hardly need to use the brakes much. Just a love touch to the front brake so my brake light comes on. I noticed that the sprocket on my x 300 is a bit larger than normal. That will get me going but also account for the quicker slow downs. I don't mind at all as long as I remember that brake light.

 

i think that 650 engine braking is like in any other bike

 

I've got a 2014 Versys 650 I picked up last season with 2500 miles, it now has 6k. Fantastic bike.

Curious how normal it is to have pretty significant (harsh) engine braking when decelerating. What I mean is that as soon as I let off the gas my deceleration is pretty significant - more so than other bikes I've owned (Vulcan custom 900 and an older semi-restored '81 KZ1000 cafe racer). I rarely need to use my brakes and I can stop relatively quickly with just engine braking. Got me thinking when I've noticed pictures and videos of guys doing no hands on their bikes - there's absolutely NO WAY I'd be able to do that with the sudden deceleration I experience on my bike. This is my first sports oriented bike so I chalked it up to that fact. However, I'm beginning to wonder if this is normal. Thoughts?

I've been riding motorcycle for over 20 years. I've driving manual transmission vehicles my entire life. I know how to operate a clutch and do so smoothly - however my Versys is the most challenging vehicle I've owned for really smooth shifting. I've adjusted the clutch cable and have experimented with that - maybe there's more I need to do? Adjust the idle (the idle sits just under 1K I believe).

Nope, you're not alone. I have an x 300, so my bike is even lighter than yours and I could probably ride all day and never touch a brake!! The thought I have on mine is that my rear sprocket seems a bit large for a street bike. I have looked around and found that mine is bigger than most, not that that is a bad thing!!! Really, I have not looked into the matter because right now I'm coming off a Yamaha R7 and still getting the feel for the smaller bike. I think that when it's time for new tires, I will have that rear sprocket changed out for something just a bit smaller. God Bless and Be Safe.

 

I'm beginning to wonder if this is normal. Thoughts?

installing a booster plug will fix this problem easily and quickly. But please search for ECU reflash - it could give you more benefits (but it's more expensive and you'll have to ship your ECU to be reflashed)