Hello, I am a long time rider, over 30 years, mostly off road. However, my last two bikes were dual sport/ADV bikes. I currently ride a 2022 KLR 650 and before that a KLX 300, which was the first motorcycle I had legally driven on the road. Recently, I sat on a 2024 Versys X 300 and liked the feel of it. However, I have some reservations about pulling the trigger and getting one. My better half would have a fit if there were 2 motorcycles in the garage. So, that being said, the KLR would have to go. I enjoy the KLR 650 for its dual purpose use. I ride a lot of gravel roads, some double track and single track. I also commute with it several times a month. My first question is, would the Versys, non modified, with a more aggressive tire, handle single and double track? I see that it does in promotional videos but, I don't believe everything I see in ads. My next question is, what mods are available to help the off road performance? My last question, what problems do these bikes often have? Thank you in advance.
Grandpa Death
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24,384 Posts
WELCOME aboard!
I went from a KLR650 to the Versys650, and I have ridden MANY THOUSANDS OF MILES on dirt 'wearing' tires like these running 39 and 42 psi, w/ NO AIRDOWN, EVER!
2012:10:23-001 by Ed Copeman, on Flickr
2012:10:24-044 by Ed Copeman, on Flickr
DSC01647 by Ed Copeman, on Flickr
DSC03823 by Ed Copeman, on Flickr
I went from a KLR650 to the Versys650, and I have ridden MANY THOUSANDS OF MILES on dirt 'wearing' tires like these running 39 and 42 psi, w/ NO AIRDOWN, EVER!
2012:10:23-001 by Ed Copeman, on Flickr2012:10:24-044 by Ed Copeman, on FlickrDSC01647 by Ed Copeman, on FlickrDSC03823 by Ed Copeman, on Flickr
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24,384 Posts
Yes - SHINKO E-705s, and I JUST corrected my first post in this thread: I RUN 36psi F and 42psi R, NEVER air-down, and use "DYNA BEADS" for wheel-balancing!
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24,384 Posts
I run those pressures because a fellow I had followed for years, jdrocks (build-threads, LONG rides, etc) recommended 36/42 and NO air-downs, and I figured I'd 'hitch a ride on HIS COAT-TAILS', and over 200,000 MILES on V650s I'm HAPPY I DID!!!
Here's the day I met him (at D2D, in Dawson City).
DSC00344 by Ed Copeman, on Flickr
DSC00347 by Ed Copeman, on Flickr
and the next day as he was heading out.
DSC00349 by Ed Copeman, on Flickr
Here's the day I met him (at D2D, in Dawson City).
DSC00344 by Ed Copeman, on FlickrDSC00347 by Ed Copeman, on Flickrand the next day as he was heading out.
DSC00349 by Ed Copeman, on Flickr
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24,384 Posts
I'm SURE that there are OTHER dealers around...!
I bought my FIRST (of three) V650s - an '08, when it was declared the BEST BIKE OF THE YEAR, SOLD at around 105,000 MILES(!!!) in 2022, and followed THAT w/ a 'left-over' '09 (in 2011) which was a WRITE-OFF after a low-side (AT SPEED) on the Dempster Hwy in Canada's Yukon in 2015, but was STILL RIDDEN DAMAGED ABOUT 3,000 MILES to Kelowna where it was replaced with a 2015V650 LT that I then rode till May 2023 when I gave it to my son (w/ about 95,000 kms on it) who then rode it back to the MONTREAL in the Quebec area.
DSC04299 by Ed Copeman, on Flickr
P6212179 by Ed Copeman, on Flickr
IMG_2297 by Ed Copeman, on Flickr(I'm the one wearing orange!)
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