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Old 5th April 2017, 23:01   #91
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re: One bike to tame them all! 'Black Panther' - My Kawasaki Versys 650. Edit: Now sold!

Quote:
Originally Posted by rbp View Post
Are you sure you are referring to the Versys650? I guess they must have talked about the N650. The V650 brakes are top class, the N650 brakes are pathetic, the 2017 N650 brakes might have improved though.
Yes I am asking about the Versys650, because my friends brother owns it and he had 2 crashes. When asked what was the reason - he said the brakes are too spongy and hence when a kid came all of a sudden he could not brake and banged the car parked along side.

Hence, wanted to know from you all who have ridden the bike extensively.
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Old 6th April 2017, 08:20   #92
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re: One bike to tame them all! 'Black Panther' - My Kawasaki Versys 650. Edit: Now sold!

Quote:
Originally Posted by nkrishnap View Post
You should try the coastal route between Gokarna and Mangalore/Udupi.
That's the next dream destination, specially after hearing about Pabbas.

Quote:
Originally Posted by nkrishnap View Post
My bet is always take more fluid intake, worst case you need to stop for pee break nothing worse than that.
True. Big mistake not to have been drinking too much of water.

Quote:
Originally Posted by kailashnj View Post
I can very much relate to this dehydration. In March, 10th or 12th, I went out with my wife to her office.
Now with the heavy Versys and all the riding gear, you'd have a tougher situation to manage. I haven't been using the bike for commuting purposes inside the city yet, but certainly not looking forward to it, during these summer conditions.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Shivanshu View Post
Hello there, first of all I want to congratulate you for the Machine. Yes, this is one of the best which is suited for our Indian roads with the current lot of machines available in our country. Since, you have ridden quite some kilometers on it, can you give a feedback about how the braking is? As from some of the owners I came to know the braking is not up to the mark. Thank you.
Thank you.

Two very experienced riders have commented below. As you'd already be knowing, mobike008 is a Versys rider himself and rbp is a N650 rider who has ridden my bike on a few occassions. I'll just add to their views below -

Quote:
Originally Posted by mobike008 View Post
1. Brakes don't have a grabby feel like many super-bikes, it's progressive
2. Brakes of the bikes are excellent. Front brake will mature after 1000kms
3. Front brakes inspire lot of confidence in you and will allow for "late braking"
4. I hardly use the rear brake (only in panic situations and must have happened half dozen times till now)
5. ABS really works. I'm yet to even experience a simple & basic "SKID" and I think that summarizes how important ABS is and general braking system of Versys
Very True. Front brakes are progressive, and the feel is almost like having drum brakes up front, but with way more stopping power. The abrupt biting power at the touch of the discs are missing on the Versys, but that makes it easy to modulate the brakes at higher speeds.

ABS is brilliant again. Not even a hint of skidding till now, even during panic braking - but on two occasions where I used to rear brake to help during panic braking situations - I did feel the ABS kicking in to keep the rear in control.

I do have one complaint with the braking though - which I'll elaborate at the end of this post -
Quote:
Originally Posted by rbp View Post
Are you sure you are referring to the Versys650? I guess they must have talked about the N650. The V650 brakes are top class, the N650 brakes are pathetic, the 2017 N650 brakes might have improved though.
Very true. Versys brakes are better than the N650, even the ones rbp ownes with upgraded steel braided brake lines.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Shivanshu View Post
Yes I am asking about the Versys650, because my friends brother owns it and he had 2 crashes. When asked what was the reason - he said the brakes are too spongy and hence when a kid came all of a sudden he could not brake and banged the car parked along side.

Hence, wanted to know from you all who have ridden the bike extensively.
As mentioned above, I do have one complaint with the braking. The brakes feel progressive at normal highway cruising speeds, but as the speeds climb to not-so-recommended figures, I do feel they feel a bit wooden, as against progressive. Only on two occasions where I had to brake hard from 4 lane highway speeds due to unmarked rumble strips on the highways, I felt that I wasn't really able to judge the amount of pressure required on the pedals for hard braking, which hasn't really been the case during city and normal cruising speeds.

But if he is not very happy with the braking, would suggest to upgrade to EBC full sintered brake pads. Some of the Versys guys are using it and it does offer a better bite as compared to the stock brake pads, while losing little bit of rotor life as the compensation for the added life.
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Old 28th April 2017, 13:35   #93
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re: One bike to tame them all! 'Black Panther' - My Kawasaki Versys 650. Edit: Now sold!


Milestone Update: 5000 kms.

Number of days: 138 days (4 months, 16 days).

Average Usage: 36 kms /day.


One bike to tame them all! 'Black Panther' - My Kawasaki Versys 650. Edit: Now sold!-img20170427234234_800.jpg
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Old 28th May 2017, 18:08   #94
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re: One bike to tame them all! 'Black Panther' - My Kawasaki Versys 650. Edit: Now sold!

Finally an update worth posting, after a short period of inactivity (Thanks to heavy workload and heavy pre-monsoon rains!).

Versys Bangalore Riders (Open whatsapp group for Versys owners) was invited for a ride to "Hum Devanagari", a residential township planned in the village of Gowdasandra, on the KA-AP border. A good Sunday morning breakfast ride plan was formed, and a record number of bikes turned up for the event - 26 bikes! Fun start to the week.

Will just let the pictures do the talking -


One bike to tame them all! 'Black Panther' - My Kawasaki Versys 650. Edit: Now sold!-18739628_1890588247822650_2022375384492134818_n.jpg
Our hosts for the day - https://www.facebook.com/Humdevanagari/

One bike to tame them all! 'Black Panther' - My Kawasaki Versys 650. Edit: Now sold!-img20170529_800.jpg
Pic Courtesy - Nishanth N

One bike to tame them all! 'Black Panther' - My Kawasaki Versys 650. Edit: Now sold!-img20170528085913_800.jpg
Pic Courtesy - Pramod R. Nadig

One bike to tame them all! 'Black Panther' - My Kawasaki Versys 650. Edit: Now sold!-img20170528_800.jpg
Pic Courtesy - Pramod R. Nadig

One bike to tame them all! 'Black Panther' - My Kawasaki Versys 650. Edit: Now sold!-img20170528wa0053_800.jpg

One bike to tame them all! 'Black Panther' - My Kawasaki Versys 650. Edit: Now sold!-img20170528wa0068800.jpg

One bike to tame them all! 'Black Panther' - My Kawasaki Versys 650. Edit: Now sold!-img20170528wa0065800.jpg
Pic Courtesy - Raghuz

One bike to tame them all! 'Black Panther' - My Kawasaki Versys 650. Edit: Now sold!-img20170528wa0072_800.jpg

One bike to tame them all! 'Black Panther' - My Kawasaki Versys 650. Edit: Now sold!-img20170528102841_800.jpg
One green (and a V1000) to break the monotony of black V650s.

One bike to tame them all! 'Black Panther' - My Kawasaki Versys 650. Edit: Now sold!-img20170528wa0055_800.jpg
Last, but not least - My Versys 650 parked alongside the V1000.


There were riders with SLR cameras, GoPros etc and the hosts were also filming the action using drones. Hopefully, there would be a few action packed shots to share!

Last edited by CrAzY dRiVeR : 28th May 2017 at 18:16.
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Old 28th May 2017, 18:56   #95
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re: One bike to tame them all! 'Black Panther' - My Kawasaki Versys 650. Edit: Now sold!

Sujai : What an awesome sight! It's simply breathtaking view to see so many black Versys lined up like that

If I'm not wrong Bangalore is #2 in terms of Versys owners in India after Mumbai as I see every other person buying a Versys is from Mumbai?

Now just imagine what will happen if Versys Bangalore Riders and Mumbai Versys Riders decide to have a meet?

It will be a fest of gigantic "Black Birds"
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Old 29th May 2017, 10:10   #96
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re: One bike to tame them all! 'Black Panther' - My Kawasaki Versys 650. Edit: Now sold!

Quote:
Originally Posted by mobike008 View Post
Sujai : What an awesome sight! It's simply breathtaking view to see so many black Versys lined up like that
Imagine how many heads would have turned, on seeing 26 huge bikes riding in a disciplined line. Almost everyone on the road were looking at the convoy.

Thankfully, no one got carried away with all the attention and the ride was completed without any rogue incidents or issues.

Quote:
Originally Posted by mobike008 View Post
Now just imagine what will happen if Versys Bangalore Riders and Mumbai Versys Riders decide to have a meet?

It will be a fest of gigantic "Black Birds"
True.

Last edited by mobike008 : 30th May 2017 at 08:51. Reason: Excluded emoticons from the quoted post
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Old 29th May 2017, 10:53   #97
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re: One bike to tame them all! 'Black Panther' - My Kawasaki Versys 650. Edit: Now sold!

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Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR View Post


True.
Lets do a mumbai bangalore meet then... somewhere in between like Kolhapur MCD
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Old 29th May 2017, 10:57   #98
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Originally Posted by kailashnj View Post
Somewhere in between like Kolhapur MCD
Nice choice. Perfect for Hyderabad guys like Avi as well. The place falls right in between all these cities.

Not familiar with the area though. Any accommodation options to plan any overnight meet?
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Old 29th May 2017, 11:00   #99
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re: One bike to tame them all! 'Black Panther' - My Kawasaki Versys 650. Edit: Now sold!

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Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR View Post
Nice choice. Perfect for Hyderabad guys like Avi as well. The place falls right in between all these cities.

Not familiar with the area though. Any accommodation options to plan any overnight meet?
Yes in Kolhapur you can find many budget rooms and even Oyo rooms available. Hotels there charge something like 1500 per night for two. MC Donald is on the highway itself and is very prominent for anyone to miss.
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Old 30th May 2017, 08:59   #100
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re: One bike to tame them all! 'Black Panther' - My Kawasaki Versys 650. Edit: Now sold!

Quote:
Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR View Post
Nice choice. Perfect for Hyderabad guys like Avi as well. The place falls right in between all these cities.

Not familiar with the area though. Any accommodation options to plan any overnight meet?
Quote:
Originally Posted by kailashnj View Post
Yes in Kolhapur you can find many budget rooms and even Oyo rooms available. Hotels there charge something like 1500 per night for two. MC Donald is on the highway itself and is very prominent for anyone to miss.
I had proposed "NAGPUR" about 6 months back and still would recommend that place as it's a nice city and also major reason being it's the epicenter of India

I still think we should stick to Nagpur as its perfect location for the major Versys owners to come for a meet

1. Mumbai-Nagpur : 800kms
2. Hyd-Nagpur : 500kms
3. Bangalore-Nagpur : 1000kms ( All 4-lane highway until Nagpur. Hyderabad guys can join Bangalore folks)
4. Pune-Nagpur : 700kms

Easily doable for all over a weekend (Saturday/Sunday-Overnight)
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Old 30th May 2017, 09:31   #101
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re: One bike to tame them all! 'Black Panther' - My Kawasaki Versys 650. Edit: Now sold!

Quote:
Originally Posted by mobike008 View Post
1. Mumbai-Nagpur : 800kms
2. Hyd-Nagpur : 500kms
3. Bangalore-Nagpur : 1000kms
4. Pune-Nagpur : 700kms
Distance for Kolhapur just for comparison.

1. Mumbai-Kolhapur: 376 kms
2. Hyderabad-Kolhapur: 542kms
3. Bengaluru-Kolhapur: 611 kms
4. Pune-Kolhapur: 234 kms

In my opinion, if intention is mega-meet, less time should be spent in riding to destination & more time should be spent in meeting and talking with fellow riders.
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Old 30th May 2017, 15:37   #102
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re: One bike to tame them all! 'Black Panther' - My Kawasaki Versys 650. Edit: Now sold!

Quote:
Originally Posted by mobike008 View Post
I had proposed "NAGPUR" about 6 months back and still would recommend that place as it's a nice city and also major reason being it's the epicenter of India

I still think we should stick to Nagpur as its perfect location for the major Versys owners to come for a meet

1. Mumbai-Nagpur : 800kms
2. Hyd-Nagpur : 500kms
3. Bangalore-Nagpur : 1000kms ( All 4-lane highway until Nagpur. Hyderabad guys can join Bangalore folks)
4. Pune-Nagpur : 700kms

Easily doable for all over a weekend (Saturday/Sunday-Overnight)
For the first mega meet, lets stick to a place nearby or else people will anyways drop out looking at the distance they have to travel. Also Mumbai Nagpur is not that great road though its not bad either.

What ever the destination, lets plan the meet - that's more important and people should join in too. @mobike008 - can you kindly take the lead on this again and finalize the venue, dates and all other things. If you need help, I can help you.
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Old 30th May 2017, 15:42   #103
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re: One bike to tame them all! 'Black Panther' - My Kawasaki Versys 650. Edit: Now sold!

Some quality clicks thanks to Versys rider MD Nasir who took the pain of carrying his SLR camera for the ride.

One bike to tame them all! 'Black Panther' - My Kawasaki Versys 650. Edit: Now sold!-dsc_0874.jpg
Green?

One bike to tame them all! 'Black Panther' - My Kawasaki Versys 650. Edit: Now sold!-dsc_0895.jpg
Or black?

One bike to tame them all! 'Black Panther' - My Kawasaki Versys 650. Edit: Now sold!-dsc_0920.jpg
Defenitely black.

One bike to tame them all! 'Black Panther' - My Kawasaki Versys 650. Edit: Now sold!-dsc_0924.jpg
Multistrada beak anyone?

One bike to tame them all! 'Black Panther' - My Kawasaki Versys 650. Edit: Now sold!-dsc_0928.jpg
The King 1000 and the queen green surrounded by a sea of soldiers.

One bike to tame them all! 'Black Panther' - My Kawasaki Versys 650. Edit: Now sold!-dsc_0929.jpg

One bike to tame them all! 'Black Panther' - My Kawasaki Versys 650. Edit: Now sold!-dsc_0957.jpg
Food was too good and too much!

One bike to tame them all! 'Black Panther' - My Kawasaki Versys 650. Edit: Now sold!-dsc_0959.jpg

One bike to tame them all! 'Black Panther' - My Kawasaki Versys 650. Edit: Now sold!-dsc_0975.jpg
The layout available for sale!

One bike to tame them all! 'Black Panther' - My Kawasaki Versys 650. Edit: Now sold!-dsc_0995.jpg



Quote:
Originally Posted by mobike008 View Post
I had proposed "NAGPUR" about 6 months back and still would recommend that place as it's a nice city and also major reason being it's the epicenter of India
Fine with me. Let's go with the majority. However -

Quote:
Originally Posted by sukiwa View Post
In my opinion, if intention is mega-meet, less time should be spent in riding to destination & more time should be spent in meeting and talking with fellow riders.
This is true as well. Longer the riding distance, lesser the final count of riders, in most cases.

Last edited by CrAzY dRiVeR : 30th May 2017 at 15:59.
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Old 31st May 2017, 08:27   #104
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re: One bike to tame them all! 'Black Panther' - My Kawasaki Versys 650. Edit: Now sold!

Quote:
Originally Posted by sukiwa View Post
Distance for Kolhapur just for comparison.

1. Mumbai-Kolhapur: 376 kms
2. Hyderabad-Kolhapur: 542kms
3. Bengaluru-Kolhapur: 611 kms
4. Pune-Kolhapur: 234 kms

In my opinion, if intention is mega-meet, less time should be spent in riding to destination & more time should be spent in meeting and talking with fellow riders.
I hope you understand distance in kms is not the worry at all as Versys can do 1000kms in a day easily if the roads are good

For e.g : Bangalore to Nagpur would be not more than 11-12 hours and it's 1000kms and possible only because it's 4-lane all through until Nagpur


Road conditions leading to Kolhapur is all 2-lane that increases your ride time. In comparison with same distance to Nagpur it will be less ride times (e.g Hyderabad to Kolhapur is 11 hours for 542kms and Nagpur is 500kms and will take just 6.5-7 hours)

Hyderabad to Kolhapur is through deepest parts of Maharashtra ( an area that Iam very familiar and it's all 2-lane rough roads) and most of roads are in terrible conditions especially around Jevargi

Quote:
Originally Posted by kailashnj View Post
For the first mega meet, lets stick to a place nearby or else people will anyways drop out looking at the distance they have to travel. Also Mumbai Nagpur is not that great road though its not bad either.
Trust me it will be a lot better than Hyd to Kolhapur which is mostly in shambles

Quote:
Originally Posted by kailashnj View Post
What ever the destination, lets plan the meet - that's more important and people should join in too. @mobike008 - can you kindly take the lead on this again and finalize the venue, dates and all other things. If you need help, I can help you.
Done. I will propose only 1 weekend option in July and we all have to work our other commitment around it. Only a family emergency should keep you away from the meet as it will be just for the weekend.

Quote:
Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR View Post
This is true as well. Longer the riding distance, lesser the final count of riders, in most cases.
I dont agree. Issue is not the distance for Versys riders, it's the notice time. More the notice time, it gives people time to think of excuses to back-out

Last edited by mobike008 : 31st May 2017 at 08:51. Reason: edited the proposal
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Old 4th June 2017, 16:12   #105
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re: One bike to tame them all! 'Black Panther' - My Kawasaki Versys 650. Edit: Now sold!



Versys rider and BHPian 'bikerzindia' uploaded the above video of the Versys ride from last week.

Last edited by CrAzY dRiVeR : 4th June 2017 at 16:13.
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