New to Forum - 2009 Versys 650 - Tire & Windscreen Suggestions?

276 Views 13 Replies 6 Participants Last post by Rosesal, 4 d ago

Rosesal

Discussion Starter · 7 d ago

I just joined the forum to learn more about what direction I want to go with my recent purchase, a 2009 Versys 650 with 11,500 miles on it. I recently sold my 2017 Versys 1000 that had a little over 5,000 miles on it. So far I am very impressed with the 650 torque and performance. Took a 150 mile lunch ride yesterday and got 53 MPG, even with quite a bit of hard riding.

My 2 main questions are what size and brand of tires to go with for 50/50 riding on the stock 17" wheels and suggestions on adding a larger windscreen to help deal with the strong Kansas winds?

I appreciate those that are more experienced with this bike.

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Axel Johansson

· #2 · 7 d ago

Welcome from Texas. You're fixing to open up a can of worms with those two questions

There are MANY threads on the subjects. I'm 100% street so no help, running a Puig windshield that I think does me well. Well as said...let the party begin. 😎 BTW you should ask about oil too..😉 Have fun, enjoy the ride and be safe out there.

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JT in GA

· #3 · 7 d ago

Welcome from GA !

I had Heidenau K60 Scout front and rear on my Versys 300 when I bought it ... replaced the rear with a Shinko 705 last year. The Heidenau was a little better in the dirt/gravel ... more so if it turned into mud (which I usually try to avoid). The Shinko is a good bit better on the road.

Not sure how much off road you plan to do ... if you are a very handy in a shop, check out @jdrocks v649 build threads ... not much stock anything left on his bikes ... but they are crazy capable. For the "normal" off road most folks would do with the 650 or 300 versys ... I'd say something like the Shinko 705 / K60 Scout / Trailmax mission would be a good on/off combo tire.

You'll probably get some useful comments here ... but you'll find a lot of in if you search around too.

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Rosesal

Discussion Starter · #4 · 7 d ago

Thanks for the quick response and warning. I ran a Puig windshield on my 2017 Versys 1000, but it was a smoke colored and hard to see through at night. Would like to find a larger clear windshield for the 650, if possible. I ride mostly on the street, but have to traverse about half mile of rock driveway each time I go riding. The current Michelin street tires are hazardous. Thanks so much!

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AmbientMoto

· #5 · 7 d ago

A lot of us run 705's. It'll do everything from dirt to gravel to 18 hours of tarmac on them and they're great.

If you're wanting to stick to street, I'm sure some riders will chime in, but I can't help. I've used Pirelli Angel's to good effect but I've used 705's for a long time since then.

One of the main considerations with tires is this: do you want to retain the stock SIZES or do you want to play around with them a bit? You can put a tire on the front that gives you the same rolling radius as a 19" tire. I'm not saying it's like putting on a spoked 19" wheel... but you can feel the difference. Same with the rear... some use a larger rear and together with the front it gives a bit more clearance. It also looks killer

For example, the stock 120/70 front gives you a tire diameter of 23.62". A 130/80 will increase that to 25.2" and a 120/90 will take you to 26.26". You will have to raise the front fender to make room. Easy to do.

For the rear, you can go with a 150/70 and a 170/60.

I agree with @Axel Johansson ... lots of opinions, lots of options... riding goals will be the main factor.

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Axel Johansson

· #6 · 7 d ago

Rosesal said:
Would like to find a larger clear windshield for the 650, if possible. I ride mostly on the street

Here's the Puig I run, I also have a pothole infested gravel road I live on before seeing pavement and I survive it on Dunlop roadsmart 4"s I recently put on and very happy with. Here's the Puig and also a tire size calculator @AmbientMoto

170/60-R17 vs 160/70-R17 Tire Comparison - Tire Size Calculator | Tacoma World

160/70-R17 tires are 0.79 inches (20 mm) larger in diameter than 170/60-R17 tires and the speedometer difference is 3.1%

www.tacomaworld.com

Amazon.com: Puig 9421W Touring Screen Kawasaki VERSYS 1000 17-19 C/Clear : Automotive

www.amazon.com

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fasteddiecopeman

· #7 · 7 d ago

WELCOME aboard!

I run SHINKO TRAIL MASTER E705 tires on BOTH my '15 650LT (which my son will leave w/ tomorrow morning) in stock sizes, and on my '08 in sizes 130/80 x 17 [raised front fender] and 150/70 x 17, and HAVE for quite a few years. Here's the link to a thread I started a long time ago.

Raising the front fender for BIGGER tires!

As I'm in the process of putting a set of Metzler Tourance tires onto my V (150/70x17 rear, and a 130/80x17 on the front) I knew I'd need to raise the front fender for clearance. Seeing as the 130/80 stands about 1.5" taller than the 120/70 stocker, I knew I'd need to raise it AT LEAST .75"...

www.kawasakiversys.com

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Rosesal

Discussion Starter · #8 · 7 d ago

Axel Johansson said:
Here's the Puig I run, I also have a pothole infested gravel road I live on before seeing pavement and I survive it on Dunlop roadsmart 4"s I recently put on and very happy with. Here's the Puig and also a tire size calculator @AmbientMoto

170/60-R17 vs 160/70-R17 Tire Comparison - Tire Size Calculator | Tacoma World

160/70-R17 tires are 0.79 inches (20 mm) larger in diameter than 170/60-R17 tires and the speedometer difference is 3.1%

www.tacomaworld.com

Amazon.com: Puig 9421W Touring Screen Kawasaki VERSYS 1000 17-19 C/Clear : Automotive

Amazon.com: Puig 9421W Touring Screen Kawasaki VERSYS 1000 17-19 C/Clear : Automotive

www.amazon.com

Thanks so much for the additional information. Will the Puig windshield fit a first generation 2009 650 Versys?

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Axel Johansson

· #9 · 7 d ago

Rosesal said:
Thanks so much for the additional information. Will the Puig windshield fit a first generation 2009 650 Versys?

Here's the one for 2009

https://puigusa.com/en/tuning-motos/windscreens-for-fairing-bikes/touring-screen?bike=7183

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Rosesal

Discussion Starter · #10 · 7 d ago

Thanks so much for all the feedback on both tires and windshields. Will probably order the Shinko 705s. On the windshield, apparently Puig doesn't offer a clear windscreen that will fit my 2009 650. I had a dark smoke colored Puig windshield on my 2017 1000 and it was difficult to see through at night. Want to stay with a clear unit if possible. Thanks

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AmbientMoto

· #11 · 6 d ago

For windscreens... Madstad is amazing. I put their bracket and a large screen on a few years ago, now I use the bracket and a screen I made myself, saving the large screen for longer trips.

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fasteddiecopeman

· #12 · 6 d ago

I modded the 'shield from a Yamaha Majesty scooter to work on my Gen 1s - TWO so I did the mod TWICE! Here's a pic of the 'sectioned' Majesty screen, and ON the V.

DSC03642 by Ed Copeman, on Flickr

DSC03645 by Ed Copeman, on Flickr

DSC09010 by Ed Copeman, on Flickr

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Fastoman

· #13 · 4 d ago

Welcome aboard and enjoy your ride. Be safe.

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Rosesal

Discussion Starter · #14 · 4 d ago

Thanks so much for the feedback. I have ordered a set of the Shinko 705s for my bike. They will arrive on 5-31-2023.

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