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-   -   Kawasaki Versys 650 launched at Rs. 6.6 lakh (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/superbikes-imports/171682-kawasaki-versys-650-launched-rs-6-6-lakh-26.html)

If you want to become a psychotic rickshawala then you buy the Versys 650 :D

http://youtu.be/rByTiz8PWB4

Haha nice to know you being focused on what you like and the Versys650 sure is the best that money can buy when it comes to ADV Tourer class of motorcycles currently available in India. Kawasaki themselves would've been taken by surprise by the response they are getting in India for this model. I hope they pull up their socks and get to work.

In the mean time let me dish out some names for your would be Versys650. How about Black Brawler(tall and intimidating looks) or better Black Bird(as this motorcycle can go anywhere coupled with adequate speed and stealth like characteristic thanks to its ultra smooth and silent engine):)

^^ Lolz. Loved the review by the "Nana". Quite honest and it takes a nice dig at RE's Himalayan when it says it delivers torque but with ample power to boot. But then you can buy 3~4 Himalayans for the price of this Kwakker, though I know, the comparison is not on a similar keel. As a single no-nonsense motorcycle it does attract but I will reserve the final judgement till I get to ride one. But as a 2nd/3rd bike in my garage I would definitely like to ponder what all extra this bike can do that a Himalayan can't for my Leh travel requirements and as a general every day runaround in Indian conditions.

Seems both HB and SW are out of stock. :( Will have to wait about 3 weeks to get the stock back.

@guys who have got he delivery:
Wanted to ask hows the engine breaking on the baby versys? And the chain noise? Is it as sensitive as 390? Does it require lubing every 500 kms?

Sorry, I got the last one :)

I guess all set for Friday delivery unless HDFC throws some surprises in the last minute. Keeping my fingers crossed. In addition, I have ordered the following and the next batch of accessories to follow soon

1. Backbursters Handguard
2. HB Crash guard
3. HB Sump guard
4. HB top case mount (easy fit, folding type)
5. 2 USB port charger (2A)

I am ordering the Radiator grille guard today from Evotech. Hopefully, all of them should arrive by this weekend to keep me busy.

The following were out of stock and hence goes in the next order:

1. Denali D4 Aux
2. HB Junior flash black top case and side panniers
3. Centre stand
4. Ram mount for mobile

Please post your accessories list.

There is absolutely no news of when the bike will come to Hyderabad. Last I spoke to the Kwacker dealers head here was on Monday and he kept saying they are not delivering/ready to be dispatched. Blah Blah!

He has promised to give me 1 out of 3 bikes that comes in first lot. Now the question of when it arrives is guess that is as good as when will I become a "Millionaire"? lol:

Just told him, I wont call again. Just call me when it's here and I will come and take the delivery. Hope it's in 2016 !

LOL! Thanks Navin for the thought. Both sound good as I like some zingy names

Folks buying the V650, I have patented to above names that Navin proposed. Please don't use:D

Kidding apart, Agree the V650 has received an overwhelming response and looks to be a bigger hit than the N650 ( not sure if it really was a big hit)

Look forward to members sharing their ride experiences more and more here so guys like me standing on the wall can take an elegant swan dive(decision) towards the V650...Haha!

Just saw up close the stock tire of the V650 in the video Avi posted and a small word of caution to new riders of Adv (sport) touring bikes. That Dunlop Sportmax tire is a 100% road based tire and if you have been inspired with the Paris Dakar riders or CS Santosh standing on footpegs & riding, please don't presume (just coz this bike comes in the Adv category) that by standing on the pegs you can just zoom off ahead of your riding buddies on regular bikes on muddy/slushy stretches. Coz in addition to off-road riding skills, the tire also makes a big difference in getting the required traction in the different surfaces helping you keep the rubber side down! Thats why depending on the kind of riding you do I personally recommend to put the right tires when it comes time to change your stock rubber. I have photo-cropped & put together here below the examples of tires normally used in these kind of bikes just in case some of you are not familiar. Anyways, in most of your riding scenarios the best recommended tire type would be the 80% tarmac/20% dirt kind of tire, though the 50% street/50% dirt would come out with flying colors in Leh, Kardungla circuits.

^^ and that's why I feel the pirelli mt60 is the best tyre for this bike. Available in stock size and if reviews are anything to go by, decent for mild off-roading and barely any loss of traction on the tarmac compared to road tyres

Could please post by how much these accessories will set you back. Thanks.

The total comes to around 70k for hand guards, engine and sump guards, usb port, top case mounts alone. The aux lights are not in stock and are on order. I am not sure if i will end up paying some duty for the radiator grille guard that I ordered from evotech-performance site.

Came across this review from The Hindu this morning. Somehow, this review is on the negative side. He writes that the bike feels heavy and difficult to manoeuvre. I think this point no one had reported earlier.

Any thoughts?

This is the Autocar mag review, which raises important points since ADV bikes are relatively new to India. Our folks are mostly sub 5'10" inches in height and used to lighter, less tall bikes. So he does raise some valid concerns. It's good to see objective reviews where the auto hacks don't go on only gushing nonstop about every new vehicle.

What works for the international bike riders may not necessarily work from an Indian subcontinent perspective. Also, at the end of the day, we pay much more than the rest of the world for the same product, so it's good to see that the review is not a rehashed press release.

Versys 650 is a fantastic sports tourer and perception of it being an adventurer tourer is quite misplaced. It is more in the lines of tiger xrx rather than tiger xcx. After riding both back to back ( xrx and xcx) there is a world of difference between the two. So people looking at adventure bike need to choose wisely.

This review was posted by Dkaile a few posts before :

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/superb...ml#post3907542

It's certainly a very balanced review for sure and as mentioned in my previous post. I personally didn't see an ounce of negativity in that review. He says its heavy and difficult to maneuver in traffic conditions

Speaking from personal experience, Now compare this with my experience of owning a Bonnie in the past which was 225kgs and was heavy at standstill but, when it moves, there was absolutely no weight felt at all

V650 is way lighter than Bonnie ( 9 kgs lighter) and from international reviews its supposed to be quite flickable

So how can it be tough to ride this machine in our conditions compared to a heavier bonnie?

Well, test ride will be the best way to clear all doubts. Till then speculations, mental imagery and heavy presumptions:D


Absolutely true. I think we should test ride the bike and only then decide

When I rode the Bonnie for first time ever, I thought it was the best thing after sliced bread but, then not everyone will have opinions similar to me:)

It boils down to what you can and cannot do with the motorcycle. Reviews should be taken with a pinch of salt. If you've ridden the bike and feel at home with it, then nothing should stop you from getting it.

On the other hand, how would you evaluate European riders etc vs the subcontinent and hence the bikes feel bigger. I mean, it's a Japanese manufacturer and knowing by the average height in Japan this motorcycle should be out of bounds indigenously for them. Same applies to the z800, R1 and the lot. But those guys ride them. And so is the case in Malaysia and all of Asia.

It's about getting used to something new. If you like it, you will find a way.

Enjoy your motorcycle. You've invested in it emotionally. All will fall in place with patience and the sheer joy of riding it.

Very true :D Now, if only Kawasaki will give us test drives. Mumbai dealers don't give test rides for the N650 or ER6N. Usually you need to know them well or be accompanied by someone who does to manage a proper test ride. Good to see that you guys have better options in your cities.

Valid point. What I meant was that there are not many in our country who possess the awareness or skillsets about ADV bikes that these locations have. It's largely due to our lack of exposure to this category of bikes. I'm sure this is a short term awareness issue which will be rectified soon. In this context, a review which brings out these aspects is welcome.

I for one am extremely fascinated by the Versys, and hope to wangle a test ride soon.