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Originally Posted by Sheel Try blipping when you are going down the 'box. |
I always change gears like that Sheel.
Blip and then shift. But, I don't know if you agree with me, BLIP works best for "upshifting" and not similarly for "downshifting". I mean the same smoothness isn't there
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Originally Posted by Sheel Nice. In my humble 250, I have the liberty to redline till 2nd gear almost daily on public roads. |
With N250, you will have to do it. Honestly speaking, I rode it a few times and felt it was under-powered. It comes into being only around 7K rpm so it's but obvious that you need to revv it hard to come into the power-band
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Originally Posted by Sheel Please do check in gear speeds once you complete the running-in and do update. |
Sure thing !!!
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Originally Posted by v12 Congrats Avi!!! Finally get to see the much awaited review. Good to see that you are really enjoying riding the bike - and I can see that in the standing pics. I guess there are more pics of you standing on the bike that sitting. |
Thank you Allen. Hope the review was worth the wait?
Honestly speaking, I never stood on foot-pegs of any motorcycle before (except for half baked attempts on C5) but, Versys begs you to stand on pegs as it's simply comfortable to do it
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Originally Posted by v12 I would echo everyones opinion on removing the saree guard - but yes, please do it after completing all the formalities. I don't know what others feel - but I find the saree guard too huge and dangerous (especially if you are off-roading). There are huge chances of the saree guard hitting a stone and causing the bike to lose control. |
Agree. Will keep the "BBQ grille" for a couple of more weeks and then will take it off. Please bear with me. I don't have patience to argue with RTO authorities or bribe them if they ask me for it's absence when I get it registered
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Originally Posted by v12 I like your helmet too - matches the bike. So what other mods have you planned for the Versys? |
Thanks! Actually, wanted a solid white but, picked this up impromptu as it perfectly matched the color theme of bike
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Originally Posted by 2legit2quit Hey avinash, first off, let me congratulate you yet again on the dark knight! Hope you have many more amazing adventures with it and lets hope that with these adventures, you start liking dirt biking and ADV'ing a little more Godspeed bro! |
Your the Man !!! Ladies and Gentleman. This is the guy behind these lovely action shots on this thread. 3 Cheers to him
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Originally Posted by dkaile Congratulations mobike008 for your new acquisition. This is a tourer that many of us are contemplating. I hope you will try to remain as objective as possible, though I realise it's easy to get swayed in the crush over your new bike. |
Thanks Dkaile. Firstly, as you might be aware and noted from my previous ownership reviews. I have my own style of presenting and it's usually very informal ( hate formality...LOL)
I have the habit of calling a spade a spade and that would be purely my opinion and I would encourage all readers/viewers to test ride or use their own discretion before deciding a purchase. What might be excellent for me might be just good/ok for someone else.
With that out of the way, I try to be as much objective as possible and when it's a beautiful feeling, I go over the top in praising it. But, when something bugs me, then I rip it apart equally with my displeasure
In summary, this review like before will be a honest and personal take on Kawasaki Versys 650. So please keep tuned for updates as I ride it more and will try to keep this thread as updated as possible
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Originally Posted by dkaile * How does it compare to a regular Ninja 650 which has been around for ages? Both for city and touring use. As most of us usually do 50~70% city riding on our bikes. |
I rode the N650 only a couple of times and that too about 2 years back. Found it an excellent package but, with Versys 650 available. It would not make any new buyer to even consider N650 as V650 is much more upgraded version of the same motorcycle designed specifically to travel further than what you can do with N650
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Originally Posted by dkaile * Try to get your hands on the Himalayan and 'objectively' try to compare both and give us a insight. Does it have the 'mountain goat' kind of flexibility? Because if a Himalayan can do 80~90% of what the Versys does, doesn't it have a huge price advantage? |
Sure, I will do. But, I have a feeling Himalayan as the name suggest is meant for touring especially in bad terrain like for e.g. (Leh, Himachal, UK, Arunachal etc.) where the bad terrain is in different league and not many motorcycles can think of taming it
Coming to comparison of Versys vs. Himalayan. I don't think of this as a comparison at all both these bikes have a totally different purpose. One is a long distance tourer and other is as you put it correctly a "mountain goat".
Himalayan would have many rough edges in terms of performance, high speed cruising, smoothness of power of the motor and lastly, the comfort factor will certainly will not be in same league
That is where such a difference in pricing comes !!!
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Originally Posted by dkaile * How does this 'dual' adjustable front suspension work in actual practice? |
Very good question. Honestly speaking, I'm not of technical frame of mind so cannot answer this question.
However, what I assume/understand is that usual practice of front forks have dampening and spring combined in single forks and majority of motorcycles have it in this fashion but, in Versys 650 they have separated this function in each of the front fork to absorb better the shock and give you an overall better feel when you go over say e.g. a pot-hole
I would request someone knowledgeable like "Haroon" to maybe throw some detailed light in simple layman language for all of us to understand this feature better
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Originally Posted by dkaile * Plan for Panniers? |
Not in near future
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Originally Posted by dkaile * What are the after-market exhausts alternatives and cost? |
I believe there are some from Arka. Have not explored it but, this accessory is of interest to me if it's subtle and sounds good
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Originally Posted by dkaile Yes, you should definitely upgrade to a dual horn and a power port. The gear indicator is a big miss by Kawasaki and the after market ones are costly but I definitely feel you should get it installed |
Some of the upgrades in mind :
Engine Guard
Horn
Aux Lights
Gear Indicator
Power Port
Barkbusters
That's all I think will ever add to my Dark Knight
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Originally Posted by dkaile I sat on a Versys at the IBW and even though I am 6', I felt it was a tad too high to swing my leg over with ease which I found disconcerting. |
Hmmm. If you are 6ft, then it should be fine. But, I agree throwing a leg over the bike even for 6-footers is a bit of a task but, if other boxes tick this should be the least of all issues