[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Since the event was a huge gathering of Versys owners - took the opportunity to grab some photos of common accessories that I usually get a lot of questions from other non-team bhp members who reach out prior to their purchase.

Starting with luggage, especially top cases -

This is the Kawasaki OEM luggage option. Quite a monster in terms of the size, but the biggest advantage is that the side panniers are pure plug and play types with no additional mounts needed.


Kawasaki OEM panniers are made by Givi. You do get the exact same design top box from Givi as well.


Coming to my personal favourite from yesterday. Hepco Becker Journey 42L top box. MRP of 18,250/-


Junior 40L top case standing next to the Journey 42. Junior 40 costs 17,900/-


If plastic is not your taste - then the aluminium boxes are for the big boys (with big cash). Seen here is Hepco 45L Explorer series aluminium top case worth Rs 33500/- and the right one is from SW Motech. Still checking for the exact model details on this -


From ultra expensive aluminium boxes to one of the cheaper options. Treknride top case is worth 6399 only! BHP'ian 'Red Liner' is using this box if i remember it right. On the right hand side, we have the Coocase box which is again a good VFM deal, and all the details can be had on Avinash's (Mobike008) famous Versys ownership thread. However, do note that the below model is Coocase V36, whereas he is using Coocase V50.


If 36L isn't small enough and these boxes all look like a bunch of pizza boxes to you - then you go for the below one. I still have no idea where it was sourced from.


Or if you want to go bigger, then these bad boys come in handy. On the left is Hepco 55L Junior Series Black worth 19,900/- , whereas on the right is Hepco Orbit 54L series worth 15,999/- and can accomodate two helmets -


Or this below, Journey 52L series black worth 21,950/- and can accommodate two helmets.


Another big box here is the 55L Junior series worth 19,900/-

PS - I have no commercial affiliation to the sites provided in the links. That is only for convenience sake.

Originally Posted by Red Liner

Sidi makes some great options there too and dare i say better, worth a check.

Sure Ramana. Sidi was available with Touratech. Saw the Sidi adventure options and they were very impressive indeed. Need to check if there are any touring boots available to check and feel.

I would prefer to see in person and comfort the fit and requirements before (if) ordering online.

Originally Posted by mobike008

What you really need with respect to protection and comfort are :

Toe Protection
Heel Protection
Shin Protection (Shin length is enough)
Airy so you feet is not hot from wearing it for long hours
And, ofcourse good quality for durability

Thanks Avi. Points noted. If cheaper options are available with equivalent protection - will surely pick them.

What about water proofing? How do you tackle it? I was looking only at GoreTex options since its the only boot and hence need to be water proof. GoreTex is supposed to be the most breathable among waterproof materials.

[mobike008]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

Thanks Avi. Points noted. If cheaper options are available with equivalent protection - will surely pick them.

What about water proofing? How do you tackle it? I was looking only at GoreTex options since its the only boot and hence need to be water proof. GoreTex is supposed to be the most breathable among waterproof materials.

I wouldn't call them waterproof as I dont plan to ride across river streams on a regular basis

Having said that, I have done plenty of rain rides with them on including the famous 24 hour ride in heavy heavy rains where we (including the boots) were drenched to the bone and it took my hands and feet almost a day to recover from that rainy ordeal

Even after such punishment, all it took was keeping them out for drying for 3-4 days in the hot sun and it was just as good as before to continue using them

[Red Liner]

Agree with Avi.

Sujai, get this: https://www.highnoteperformance.com/...nt=16836423045

I know a few folks using it - checks ALL your boxes and more. Absolute blind buy.

Available at the guys behind Triumph Keerthi, or order 2 sizes from HighNote, and return the one that doesnt fit for a full refund (talk to them on the phone).

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by mobike008

Having said that, I have done plenty of rain rides with them on including the famous 24 hour ride in heavy heavy rains where we (including the boots) were drenched to the bone and it took my hands and feet almost a day to recover from that rainy ordeal

Thanks Avi. Thats exactly how I used to ride with my Woodlands. But since riding shoes is a long term purchase, thought of going Gore-Tex.

Originally Posted by Red Liner

Agree with Avi.

Sujai, get this: https://www.highnoteperformance.com/...nt=16836423045

I know a few folks using it - checks ALL your boxes and more. Absolute blind buy.

Thanks again Ramana.

I did check it out. Was quoted 19k and is a very good deal for that price, no doubt. Couldn't really try it on since my size was not there yet again. Following up with them too

[Red Liner]

Your other option is to try it on for size and have someone in the US hand carry one for you. I think they are going dirt cheap in the states. Its not heavy at all.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Speaking of sizes - here's something that came out very well. Lovin it!

[dkaile]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

I did check it out.

http://youtu.be/5u5m1rs7jwo

Cheers...

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Big thanks to BHPian Versys owner 'atul.ktm' and his talented photographer wife / BHPian 'nandita.bayan21' for sending me this image as a sneak preview of the wizadry that's going to come up in their posts soon.

First pic of myself and wife out on a ride with the V650 a.k.a Black Panther.



YouTuber 'Bulu Biker' is a Versys owner as many might already know. He had also joined us for the weekend event - where the bike had an unfortunate crash during the last mile offroading to the venue.

Here he explains the crash and also stresses on the importance of safety gear. His wife suffered a sprained ankle, but both have recovered and well now - thanks to all the riding gear protection.

https://youtu.be/oVF-aLZLDb4

Originally Posted by dkaile

Cheers...

Thanks again Dhiraj. Based on your last post - I'm already in touch with Touratech guys who deal with Sidi as well - to get to try out this one. Looks like a good deal as well.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

Since the event was a huge gathering of Versys owners - took the opportunity to grab some photos of common accessories that I usually get a lot of questions from other non-team bhp members who reach out prior to their purchase.

Starting with luggage, especially top cases -

Moving on to auxiliary lighting -

Starting with the lights popularly known as Pandeyji lights, since these were made famous by Avi (BHPian Mobike008). Available for prices less than 2000/- Coupled to a Rigid Industries LED light bar on top.


Another common light available through many sources like Redline Plus etc. Costs in the range of 5k if i remember it right.


One Chinese brand that has really made waves recently. Gold Runaway brand on Ali Express. Costs around 8k but can give the ultra expensive Baja Designs products a run for their money.


Speaking of Baja Designs - Here comes the Squadron Pro


And the Squadron Sport -


Another variant of the Squadron Pro.


Options from Rigid Industries


Rigid D series.





Cyclops Optimus


Cyclops Optimus with lens filter.


Denali D4


And the mother of all setups.

[v12]

Thank you CD for your posts on the luggage and aux lighting options. When I saw the G2G pics, I was hoping if someone could take pics of all the different luggage options / accessories that spread across different bikes. Never expected it - but your post really helps a lot. Thank you very much.

With regards to the aux lights what other mods are required to the electricals?

Hoping that next post will be on crash guards and windscreens

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by v12

Thank you CD for your posts on the luggage and aux lighting options. When I saw the G2G pics, I was hoping if someone could take pics of all the different luggage options / accessories that spread across different bikes. Never expected it - but your post really helps a lot. Thank you very much.

Glad if it helped someone.

Originally Posted by v12

With regards to the aux lights what other mods are required to the electricals?

The best part is that not much of messing around with the electrical stuff is required. A relay (bought either OEM, or from Maruti Suzuki / Ali Express for cheap) just needs to be plugged into a relay socket provided under the headlamp fairing to activate connections to three points.

BHPian 'indrokneel' has explained it very well here -
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/superb...ml#post4335826

Originally Posted by v12

Hoping that next post will be on crash guards and windscreens

I didn't think that much, unfortunately. BUT - getting collections of pics of all the windscreen options should be rather easy. Will update on it soon.

[mobike008]

Fantastic ride meet Sujai and must be a glorious sight to have 58 Versys riding together. But, I am slightly disappointed not to see this count go up to 75 Versys as anticipated. Those 17 guys need to be punished

Btw, Did you go for this meet to check out the accessories or meet people?..LOL!

Jokes aside, you have amazing patience to click pictures of each of these aux lights and then research on internet to find their names and share it with us...Good job!

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

Starting with the lights popularly known as Pandeyji lights, since these were made famous by Avi (BHPian Mobike008). Available for prices less than 2000/-

Pandeyji Lights

I have seen many expensive lights ranging from 5K to 35K (Kawasaki OEM lights at 35K are literally a waste of good money in comparison as also said by OnaVersys who owns them) and very few have been able to hold a candle to my 1500/- bucks lights with respect to the throw and brightness as we do some good speeds even at night and these little fellas have given me a lot of confidence

So yeah, price vs VFM factor these are unbeatable as also agreed by many folks in VIR who bought them by the crates...Haha!

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by mobike008

So yeah, price vs VFM factor these are unbeatable as also agreed by many folks in VIR who bought them by the crates...Haha!

Absolutely. Someone on a tight budget can go for these lights without a second thought - instead of all the options available in the market below 8k in price. (That only has glare, but no throw on the road).

Regarding all expensive lights like Baja etc - Gold Runaways seem to be giving them a full run for their money. At 1/5th of the price or less!

Originally Posted by mobike008

P.S : You are doing 2000kms in 2 weeks? Where you heading? Looks like you are in a hurry to wear them existing tyres off and get the new ones

Answering your earlier question. Here's the plan that I hope to follow. Approx 1200 kms over two days just to catch a fantastic sunrise.

6 am start from Electronic City toll.

1. Breakfast stop can be at Dharmapuri COCO bunk with A2B. 8 am. 2 hours ride time. 132 kms.

2. Fuel top up and short break at BP COCO Bunk near Namakkal. Ride time 1 hour 15 mins. 89 kms. 10 am.

3. Lunch at Dindigul Thalapakatti, Dindigul. Approx 1 hour 45 mins riding time. 130 kms. 12pm.

4. Fuel top up. BP Coco Bunk near Madurai. Riding time 30 mins. 49 kms. 1:30pm.

5. Mandatory stop at Pamban bridge. Riding time 2.5 hours. 184 kms. 3:45 pm.

Note - 3:45 pm is the timing for the train to cross this majestic bridge. No train afterwards.

5. Check into Hotel Ashoka at Rameshwaram. Riding time 30 mins. 14 kms. 5:30pm.

Spend evening walking around Rameshwaram temple town. Or just for taking rest.

Day 2 -

1. 5:30AM start from hotel. Till checkpost which opens only at 6am. Riding time 20 mins. 17 kms.

2. 6 am to 8am. Dhanushkodi. Sunrise, photoshoot, Ghost town etc. Riding time 10 mins. 5 kms.

3. 8:30am. Check into hotel. Breakfast. Freshen up and departure by 9:30am.

4. Lunch and Fuel stop at A2B, Madurai + BP Coco bunk. Riding time 3 hours. 196 kms. 12:30pm.

5. Fuel stop at BP Coco bunk near Namakkal. Riding time 2 hours. 175 kms. 3:30pm.

6. Coffee break at A2B, dharmapuri. Riding time 1 hour 30 mins. 89kms. 5pm.

7. Fuel and final break at HP Petrol bunk + CCD Shoolagiri. Riding time 1 hour 15 mins. 91 kms. 6:30pm.

8. Ride back home. Hopefully reach around 9pm for everyone.

PS - This is also the first overnighter I've planned with the Versys.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

YouTuber Bulu Biker's coverage of the Versys (650/1000) Bangalore Riders anniversary ride last Sunday-

https://youtu.be/Hzsddnwuaj0

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Day 1 completed. Staying overnight at Dhanushkodi as planned.