[lather]

I've been riding for about 50 years, 3/4 millon miles. Currently down to 4 bkes: 09 KLX250S, 2013 BMW R1200RT, 2015 Yamaha YZFR3 and 2017 Ducati Multistrada 950. In August last year my 2008 Concours 14 was totaled from oin single vehicle crash on a muddy dirt road in rural Kansas on my way home from a trip to Wyoming. I live in Louisiana.
That was my 4th Concours and I loved them but after that last episode and at 70 years old I've decided to downsize my main sport touring ride. I'll keep the RT for coool/cold weather touring but it is too hot for summer!

My search has led me to the Versys 650 LT. I have joined the forum to research any potential long term issues and will probably be posting questions soon.

 

[JT in GA]

Welcome from Georgia!

You are in the right place for info on the Versys 👍🏻

 

[Axel Johansson]

Welcome to the forum. I haven't been a Versys owner for any where as long as some of the lifers on here but I believe the consensuses is they are bullet proof. Their biggest complaint is in the factory lighting

 

[lather]

Thanks for the welcome.

 

[pauldowney]

I've been riding for about 50 years, 3/4 millon miles. Currently down to 4 bkes: 09 KLX250S, 2013 BMW R1200RT, 2015 Yamaha YZFR3 and 2017 Ducati Multistrada 950. In August last year my 2008 Concours 14 was totaled from oin single vehicle crash on a muddy dirt road in rural Kansas on my way home from a trip to Wyoming. I live in Louisiana.
That was my 4th Concours and I loved them but after that last episode and at 70 years old I've decided to downsize my main sport touring ride. I'll keep the RT for coool/cold weather touring but it is too hot for summer!

My search has led me to the Versys 650 LT. I have joined the forum to research any potential long term issues and will probably be posting questions soon.

Welcome Lather!

I lived in Lafayette for 15 years and my wife is from that area, going down to visit relatives this week.
I really enjoyed the 650 but have become a firm believer in the 1000 but I am not a little guy at 6'2" 240lbs.
When it come to a Versys, there simply isn't a wrong choice. I do, however, much prefer the look of the newer iteration.

 

[fasteddiecopeman]

...I haven't been a Versys owner for any where as long as some of the lifers on here but I believe the consensuses is they are bullet proof. Their biggest complaint is in the factory lighting....

WELCOME aboard!

YES - the V650s are pretty much "bullet-proof". The FIRST GEN ones - '06 to '09 - have EXCELLENT LIGHTS (just need to be properly 'aimed'), MUCH better than the Gen 3 ('15 to ...) have. I have a Gen 1, and ALSO have a Gen 3, so I'm very aware of the differences!

 

[Fastoman]

Welcome aboard . Wise decision to downsize @ 70 and the V will suit you in most areas and there is no potential long or short term issue, some minnor cosmetic issue but that is a subject of taste.

 

[HelloFrom2012Versys650]

I've been riding for about 50 years, 3/4 millon miles. Currently down to 4 bkes: 09 KLX250S, 2013 BMW R1200RT, 2015 Yamaha YZFR3 and 2017 Ducati Multistrada 950. In August last year my 2008 Concours 14 was totaled from oin single vehicle crash on a muddy dirt road in rural Kansas on my way home from a trip to Wyoming. I live in Louisiana.
That was my 4th Concours and I loved them but after that last episode and at 70 years old I've decided to downsize my main sport touring ride. I'll keep the RT for coool/cold weather touring but it is too hot for summer!

My search has led me to the Versys 650 LT. I have joined the forum to research any potential long term issues and will probably be posting questions soon.

Welcome to the forum! Many people rave about the performance improvements (better rideability, better low end torque etc.) after reflashing the V650 ECU but that's only available in the Gen 3 bikes. Lots of info on the forum on this, and many other, subjects.

 

[GeoGator]

I've been riding for about 50 years, 3/4 millon miles. Currently down to 4 bkes: 09 KLX250S, 2013 BMW R1200RT, 2015 Yamaha YZFR3 and 2017 Ducati Multistrada 950. In August last year my 2008 Concours 14 was totaled from oin single vehicle crash on a muddy dirt road in rural Kansas on my way home from a trip to Wyoming. I live in Louisiana.
That was my 4th Concours and I loved them but after that last episode and at 70 years old I've decided to downsize my main sport touring ride. I'll keep the RT for coool/cold weather touring but it is too hot for summer!

My search has led me to the Versys 650 LT. I have joined the forum to research any potential long term issues and will probably be posting questions soon.

Welcome; I had an 09 650 and have a 21 Versys-X. Both are great bikes. Get a Versys, you will like it.

 

[lather]

Thanks for all the replies!





























































































































































































































































Welcome Lather!































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































I lived in Lafayette for 15 years and my wife is from that area, going down to visit relatives this week.































































































































































































































































I really enjoyed the 650 but have become a firm believer in the 1000 but I am not a little guy at 6'2" 240lbs.































































































































































































































































When it come to a Versys, there simply isn't a wrong choice. I do, however, much prefer the look of the newer iteration















































[/QUOTE]Thanks for the welcome Paul. I have cousins in Lafayette. I Could get a good deal on a lightly used 1000 but I'm 5

 

[INTHEWIND]

WELCOME aboard!

YES - the V650s are pretty much "bullet-proof". The FIRST GEN ones - '06 to '09 - have EXCELLENT LIGHTS (just need to be properly 'aimed'), MUCH better than the Gen 3 ('15 to ...) have. I have a Gen 1, and ALSO have a Gen 3, so I'm very aware of the differences!

The new 2023 LED lights are awesome, no need for aux lights.

 

[csab]

Welcome to the forum. I haven't been a Versys owner for any where as long as some of the lifers on here but I believe the consensuses is they are bullet proof. Their biggest complaint is in the factory lighting

I don't have any comparison, but I have no problem with the lighting of the 2023. That's one part they changed, I think even from 2022. All LED now.

 

[lather]

I don't have any comparison, but I have no problem with the lighting of the 2023. That's one part they changed, I think even from 2022. All LED now.

Glad to hear that. The incandescent bulbs on my other bikes don't last long and are all a pita to change.

 

[lather]

I see that tghe Gen 3 started in 2015. Is the 2022 and 2023 Gen 4?

 

[csab]

I see that tghe Gen 3 started in 2015. Is the 2022 and 2023 Gen 4?

Yes.

 

[lather]

Yes.

thanks!

 

[Axel Johansson]

Glad to hear that. The incandescent bulbs on my other bikes don't last long and are all a pita to change.

The LED set up is one sealed unit, non replaceable bulbs if something goes out I believe replacement is $1k+

 

[csab]

The LED set up is one sealed unit, non replaceable bulbs if something goes out I believe replacement is $1k+

So I just looked, and you are right. It seems that this was introduced in 2022, but the 2023 diagrams are not readily available yet. But OEM price of the LED lamp is over $1000. That's insane. Hopefully it either never dies, or I can find a cheap aftermarket replacement.

I swear if you had to build this bike from the OEM prices of the parts, it would cost $100,000.

Why do Japanese companies do that? Toyota is the same. Makes me want to buy a GM car.

 

[Axel Johansson]

So I just looked, and you are right. It seems that this was introduced in 2022, but the 2023 diagrams are not readily available yet. But OEM price of the LED lamp is over $1000. That's insane. Hopefully it either never dies, or I can find a cheap aftermarket replacement.

I swear if you had to build this bike from the OEM prices of the parts, it would cost $100,000.

Why do Japanese companies do that? Toyota is the same. Makes me want to buy a GM car.

I'm not sure if you could find it aftermarket, if you could it would probably be Chinese and years down the road. Factory part prices are always high, way to make more money, that's why we have the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act

 

[lather]

I just confirmed that the 2023 still does not have cruise control. Somehow during my research of various bikes I got the wrong impression that it did. I would think with all the new electronics they would have included cruise control.