[Slower and Slower]

Spotted this one this morning. Seems a fair account.
They report gear change a 'clunky'. I think that it's more like the rider hasn't learn't to matched the revs to the gear's 'happy' speed.
My new bike (2,000 km now) still has a very heavy to operate gear selector operation in first to second. It's like there's a house brick bolted to the selector.
Other gears are all reasonable. My recent ride of a brand new zero km H2 SX show that Kawasaki can do a LOT better when they need to (more $$$, snickedly snick !).

Rob.

2022 Kawasaki Versys 650/LT

The Kawasaki Versys 650 is a middleweight adventure-tourer that’s comfortable tackling a variety of roads. Updates make it even more competitive in its class.

www.motorcyclistonline.com

 

[twowheeladdict]

Even my budget KLX300SM has one of the smoothest shifting transmissions of the 26 bikes I have owned and another 30 I have ridden more than around the block.

 

[OtherRoad]

Well I finally picked mine up about half an hour ago and I have few miles on it, but I would not say it is "clunky"shifting, but I guess that is relative to my riding quite a few known clunkers in the past.

 

[james75]

Compared to other bikes I've owned, the shifting on the Versys is a bit clunky. My son's Yamaha MT07 is buttery smooth compared to it. That said, do I have any regrets buying the versys? NO. Would I buy the Versys again? YES.

 

[stefandmig]

Certainly 'clunkier' than the 5 previous bikes I've owned, but I'll take faultless positive engagement and somewhat clunky over false neutrals and missed shifts like on some of the bikes I've owned that had high mileage.

 

[fasteddiecopeman]

My new bike (2,000 km now) still has a very heavy to operate gear selector operation in first to second. It's like there's a house brick bolted to the selector.

Quite a few of us riding V650s found that, when we changed to a FULLY SYNTHETIC oil (15w-50 Mobil1 for ME), the shifting became (AND REMAINS!!!) much smoother.

 

[dddd]

I have yet to read the description of what they feel is clunky.
I'd bet 99% of them is actually just the clutch plate unsticking from neutral, and nothing to do with the gears...

 

[jpd]

Kawasaki used the positive neutral finder and that can make the shift from first to second require a longer lever motion with a solid lift. Pre load the shifter a little and when you pull the clutch it will jump into 2nd easer. Go ride a big cruiser and then tell me the versys is clunky.

 

[dddd]

Where is the 7 extra pounds over the 2015 with abs...?
Something severe happened, certainly not just plastics, led lights, TFT or traction control software...

I really hope the KTRC stays off after cycling the ignition....

 

[OtherRoad]

No idea where the all the added weight came from, but there is the also new windshield and seat and the changes in the framing for the plastic, a pound here a few ounces there can soon add up, things rarely get lighter.

The KTRC seems to default to mode 1 after power cycling from the Off selection, at least it can be shut off temporarily, not like the ABS.

 

[_Big_Mac_]

Sometimes a difference in reported weight is due to updated measuring method, e.g. different amount of fuel in the tank. I read some markets have regulations that "wet weight" must mean "full tank" rather than a nebulous "ready to ride (to the nearest gas station)".

I don't know if that's the case here tho.