[Red Liner]

Thanks to the good man Ku6RD's suggestion, did a ride to Anshi national park and got to ride around Dandeli, Kaiga, and thereabouts over a quick week-end from Bangalore.



Was pouring absolutely bananas all along the way.



The rain eased off a bit...



Halted for breakfast!







Now that we're done with the photographs

We rode on via Dandeli and reached the Anshi Forest Camp. We were the only folks to check in that weekend. Pretty big property, and nice'ish rooms. All our gear was wet. Every square inch of it. And they did NOT dry by the morning. That's when I promised myself - Goretex gear is coming.

We left late, and since it was constantly raining all evening and night - no chain maintenance either. Visited a temple near Ullavi, if I remember right, and sped on home. The route via Kaiga was simply breathtaking and warrants another visit.

On the Davangere highway, it was too late, and we were absolutely knackered by the constant rain - decided on the fly to halt at a friend's resort near Tumakuru and we were well received.

The next morning was an easy ride into Bangalore.

le fin.

[Red Liner]

A couple of quick snapshots of a few rides done before the 12,000 km service interval kicked in.

First off was a group ride with the Versys Club in Bangalore to Chikmagalur for a week-end overnighter





Then was a solo ride to Badami and Aihole. Loved it.



Another ride with a few of my mates to Mallalli Falls near Coorg.







A group ride towards Nandi hills with the Versys Club, Bangalore.



Am still rocking the green HJC lid and Ray Ban Aviators.



And we're at the third service interval. Next up, 3rd service to-do's, experience, and the bill.

[Red Liner]

A few replacement goodies to pass the Christmas by for 2017.

[naturaldisaster]

Thanks for the detailed review and clear images. I have been lurking in the shadows, waiting to grab one of these bikes in the near future too. Though I am yet to ride one yet. Few questions if you don't mind

Do you think the stock windscreen is good big enough for a 6 footer?
In what way does the 17" front cause any riding discomfort?
How are ownership costs, how much did subsequent services cost you?
What fuel do you fill? Do you NEED to feed her premium?
Which Aux lamps are those? how effective are they? How much do they cost?

Sorry for the barrage of questions. But ill have more ready soon.

Cheers.

[Red Liner]

Originally Posted by naturaldisaster

Few questions if you don't mind

Do you think the stock windscreen is good big enough for a 6 footer?
- no. You will need an after market windscreen, costs about 10k abroad. Easy fix. Madstad is recommended.

Originally Posted by naturaldisaster

In what way does the 17" front cause any riding discomfort?
-none. Actually its the best rim size to have on road.

Originally Posted by naturaldisaster

How are ownership costs, how much did subsequent services cost you?
-ownership costs are very manageable. A lot of us just buy spares from abroad, like brake pads, and spark plugs. Or import via amazon or buy from local sellers. Plenty around. The service costs have also dropped tremendously in the past 2 months. Kawasaki have kind of hit the hammer. A friend did his 18k service including an oil change and it cost him 3700 bucks, all in.

Originally Posted by naturaldisaster

What fuel do you fill? Do you NEED to feed her premium?
-no and not recommended. No additive based fuel or additives are recommended for the versys.

Originally Posted by naturaldisaster

Which Aux lamps are those? how effective are they? How much do they cost?
-1500 bucks china make. I dont like after market parts that cost too much on the outside of the bike. Inside is fine.

Anytime. I am sure the other owners here will chime in too.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by naturaldisaster

Do you think the stock windscreen is good big enough for a 6 footer?

Not if you want a car-like experience.

I'm 5'11" and happy with the stock windscreen. Wind does hit the top of the helmet and the sides of the jacket, but not with enough force to cause discomfort over long journeys. Only negative is some increased noise inside the helmet.

Would I be considering a bigger windscreen? No. Infact, nowadays I ride with the windscreen set at its lowest position - except when I'm touring. Enjoying the breeze is one of the smaller pleasures of riding a motorcycle, afterall!

Originally Posted by naturaldisaster

What fuel do you fill? Do you NEED to feed her premium?

Never did. Using Shell unleaded whenever possible inside city, or whatever is available on the highways when touring.

Originally Posted by Red Liner

A few replacement goodies to pass the Christmas by for 2017.

Why the mix and match? Both are good tyres though!

What was the price for the GT?

[naturaldisaster]

Originally Posted by Red Liner

Anytime. I am sure the other owners here will chime in too.

Thank you very much for the crisp answers. Makes me much more comfortable about getting the Versys. After my ownership experience of the N250, Kwacker maintenance costs have remained a concern. Thankfully the numbers you have mentioned are quite encouraging.

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

Not if you want a car-like experience.

I'm 5'11" and happy with the stock windscreen. Wind does hit the top of the helmet and the sides of the jacket, but not with enough force to cause discomfort over long journeys. Only negative is some increased noise inside the helmet.

Would I be considering a bigger windscreen? No. Infact, nowadays I ride with the windscreen set at its lowest position - except when I'm touring. Enjoying the breeze is one of the smaller pleasures of riding a motorcycle, afterall!

Thanks for the input. I too have never really had much of an issue with wind blast. Then again, I have never done long distances at 130kph.

[Red Liner]

So my mate Nasir Kaka and myself decided we will do a short burst to Yelagiri yesterday. Will let his be a photo-log. All picture credits to Nasir Kaka.


Early start to the day = 5.00 AM


Denali lights sure light up the way


Waiting at the EC tollway.




The Chennai highway was heavily fog laden - could not do over 60 kmph for most of the wee hours.








Photo bombed!








Hot breakfast at last - at the original Saravana Bhavan.

[Red Liner]

Continuing,

We took a different route into Yelagiri from the main highway courtesy Google Maps. Via pristine villages. I had done this route last year as well and hence knew what to expect.

Trying to get into the same frame


We didn't know the water depth. So we waited for a few locals to make the journey and kind of identified the best way through the murky water.











Found some verdant fields and decided a photo op - without the fields!

[Red Liner]

A few pictures with the clouds as a backdrop from the ride up towards yelagiri











At the yelagiri lake









Rode down to Vaniyambadi for Biriyani - had to choose between these guys





Walked into Khaja


Back in Bangalore by 16.00.

[Red Liner]

A few key points from this ride:

1. The aux lights that I have from Ebay or whatever are absolute bull crap. I think their effect is diminishing by the day for some reason. Time to pull the greenbacks out for a rigid or cyclops.

2. Had set the rear suspension a little too hard. Was bouncing all over the highway. Dialled her down a bit and things were better.

3. Top box was immensely useful - could put my lid, gloves et all in there and just walk with my jacket around Yelagiri lake and take in the air. My jacket's way too huge - wouldn't even fit into the largest of top boxes available.

On longer trips with end-to-end destinations however, I will keep the top box at home. A tail bag will take its place.

4. Brakes were spot on - had cleaned the rotors with wuerth just a day back and wiped off quite a bit of grime. Might be time to remove the pads and do a deeper clean off. Had inspected the pads as well, and they seemed pretty good for another 10k kms. Had them changed at about 17k kms approx.

5. Bluetooth music was a relief on straight up highways.

6. Eating a biriyani and riding at 2 in the afternoon is never to be repeated again.

7. With just the two of us riding, we had no set plans or group dynamics to manage. We set our own pace, and kept a few km distance between the two of us so we could enjoy our own lone time.

8. In Yelagiri, we also visited Nilavur lake, and the Murugan temple. Both not worth the visit. The yelagiri lake was alright.

9. Absolutely need a fog free visor for the early mornings. A damn replacement fog free visor set up for the K5 costs 6.5k.

10 And finally the piece de resistance

https://youtu.be/FgxtCdTi_9A

Trying very hard to pull a few days time out of work to head out to some longer destinations before summer kicks in. Fingers crossed.

[Red Liner]

The versys 650 in india has a history of one monstrous failure.

A 200 buck rubber breather pipe cracks and all hell breaks loose when you are riding.

A mate and i rode down to kolar and then did the circuit to ambur and back to bangalore via hosur this Sunday. Like a measly 400 km ride.

The way back, my bike started stuttering at lower rpm, under 3500 rpm, and i instantly knew the breather pipe was toast. Managed to somehow get back to bangalore without stalling much.

This morning i was up at 7 am to get the work done. I picked up a honda activa fuel line which has similar dimensions along with two clip type clamps. Yes the fairing had to come off, and thats when i wish this was a naked.



The broken breather pipe. It had already snapped once before. I just sliced it and snuck it back. Too lazy.



Top end. Has a rubber sheath as well.



The other end. Managed to get her in along with the clamp and ratcheted the whole thing down.

Obviously the honda fuel line is inherently better engineered because it carries petrol as opposed to air. So this should do the trick. If not, another line costs 50 bucks and is available all over the country.

She is back to being what she is.

[mobike008]

Originally Posted by Red Liner

The versys 650 in india has a history of one monstrous failure.A 200 buck rubber breather pipe cracks and all hell breaks loose when you are riding.

Nice to know you finally plugged the Honda Activa fuel pipe. I think your problem is solved forever

Karthik got one for himself and wanted to get one for me as well. But, that store had only 1 pipe so he fit it on his Versys and he too now joins your permanent solution bandwagon

He got me a different pipe though which I fit last saturday. So let us see how long that pipe lasts

Originally Posted by Red Liner

A mate and i rode down to kolar and then did the circuit to ambur and back to bangalore via hosur this Sunday. Like a measly 400 km ride.

The way back, my bike started stuttering at lower rpm, under 3500 rpm, and i instantly knew the breather pipe was toast. Managed to somehow get back to bangalore without stalling much.

This is weird. I have ridden nearly 1000's of kms with the pipe cracked and never faced any throttle or accelaration issues. I would just get the sensor light on in the console.

Infact, my entire Vizag & Araku Valley ride was with the pipe cracked. No problems whatsoever

Are you sure the stuttering problem is related to the air pipe crack?

[Red Liner]

Originally Posted by mobike008

Nice to know you finally plugged the Honda Activa fuel

Are you sure the stuttering problem is related to the air pipe crack?

100%. Not the first time I am experiencing and solving it. I never got an engine check light however.

Maybe you are always over 3500 rpm

[mobike008]

Quite strange. Is my Versys made in India?

Originally Posted by Red Liner

Maybe you are always over 3500 rpm

Well, you know the story better