2011 Kawasaki Versys 650

This is my first official BIG bike and boy am I excited to write about this bike! 
Forget about the 535 Virago or the Baby 250 Ninja.. I've been riding them for ages but their not mine (my fathers bike =p). Be warned.. there will be a lot of pictures!!

This is the first time I tried the bike. Oh read here livingdragon/coming-soon

I bought this bike from my neighbour. It is a 2011 model bike and since he bought them in March last year, he only rode them for 2800km. With little mileage, perfect condition, 2-digit registration number, and a few accessories given scoot free, I just couldn't resist the offer.

So, after getting myself a loan, digging $$$ from my savings, and not to forget, selling my KLX 150s to my father (with a cheap price of course!!), I got my self a new 2-hand bike on 29 October 2012.

The last picture of me with my 2 bikes before officially handing over the KLX 150s to my father; 2011 Kawasaki Versys 650 (Right) & 2011 Kawasaki KLX 150s (Left).

Well both are equally excited with the new bike!

On the first night together (with the bike of course!) I ride all the way to Ampang and back.
*lesson learn: Don't use the panniers going to work. It will be hard to maneuver in KL traffic.

Now the freebies!!... (see pictures below) *I also got a FREE bike stand =)

FREE GIVI 35L side pannier & rack. Awesome looking panniers. It looks like it was designed for my bike =)

FREE aluminum radiator cover.

FREE sliders. On long trips, I rest my legs by straightening them an just relax on this thing.

The very next day, I ride the bike to work.. and boy.. it was hard. The bike is TALL and I wasn't familiar yet with the bikes response (the response was predictable though ~ GOOD thing!).

At my favourite parking spot. I got a few friends 'visiting' the bike that day =)

One more shot for the sake of it.

With the panniers on.

Niicceeee..

And another one...

Aaaand.. one more =.='

As shown, I think the panniers is quite wide. I am planning to sell them and get a Hepco & Becker Aluminum XPLORER top box. I'll have to trade the sporty look for a more rugged trail ready look for daily usability. Oh.. another hard decision.. I am still 50-50 either to get the silver case or the black case.

Hepco & Becker XPLORER black case.

Hepco & Becker XPLORER silver case.

After a while of riding, the riding positions & controls are not that different than my old Scrambler. The bike is easy to navigate, predictable, but with more power and speed to play with. And yes..I love the seats!! - compared to my KLX. The scram got small and hard seats while this one have wide plush seats.

Anyway, I still use my old helmet since I think the helmet makes me look like a Cross-Country Tourer!

Here's a few more information with a bit of info from ultimatemotorcycling.com/ here & there..
"Versys: middleweight bike. With fuel capacity of 19L - * I think about about RM36.10 full tank Ron95 =)
It is claimed to have an adjustable windscreen is designed to reduce windblast on the bla bla bla... whatever it is, I dont know how to adjust them. Anyway, I'm definitely going to change to a bigger wind screen for better protection - It will look more like Versys 1000 too with this simple mod!!
Though it is classed as cressed between a DP & Sports tourer, the heart of the bike is as SPORTS bike. "Although a perfect daily commuter, short or long haul tourer, and even a capable off-road/adventure motorcycle, the Versys possesses the soul of a canyon runner." - (ultimatemotorcycling.com/)
The engine is twin parallel. So to reduce vibration, the engine is partially rubber mounted and hollow inserts on top of the footpegs are installed."

Adjustable brake & clutch lever. ~ Didn't have these in any of my old bikes.

Oh.. hazard light on a bike! ~ also a new thing for me..

Exhaust is located under the bike. I am not sure whether this is a good thing or not considering KL's flooding likelihood is quite high.

The meter is visible light-years away ~ LOL

Bike SPEC: *FROM VARIOUS SOURCES
Engine and transmission
Engine type: 2 cylinders, 4-stroke, Inline
Displacement: 649 cc (39.65 cubic inches)
Bore × stroke: 83 mm × 60 mm (oversquare - shortstroke)
Cooling system: Water cooled
Power: 62.54 HP (46 kW) @ 8000 rpm
Torque: 61 Nm (6.22 kg-m) @ 6800 rpm
Throttle: Cable operated 
Valves 
-Valve train: DOHC, variable  
-Valves per cylinder: 4
Fuel and ignition    
-Sparks per cylinder: 1
-Fuel supply system: Fuel injection
-Ignition type: Digital CDI
-Funnel diameter: 38 mm
Compression: 10.6:1
Engine mounting: Transverse
Lubrication system: Wet sump
Gear box: Manual 6-speed
Clutch: Wet, multiple discs, cable operated
Final drive: Chain
Spark plug pipe type:     NGK, CR9EIA-9
Motor oil: Synthetic, 10w-40
Starter: Electric
 
Dimensions
Physical measures    
-Length: 2125 mm
-Width: 840 mm
-Height: 1315 mm
Wheel base:     1415 mm
Trail: 108 mm
Seat height: 840 mm
Weight    
-Curb weight: 201 kg
-Dry weight: 181 kg
Chassis and suspension
Frame type: steel, Double cradle frame
Front    
-Suspension: Cartridge - upside-down
-Suspension travel: 41 mm
-Fork angle: 25°
-Brake: Twin Disk, Ø300 mm
-Tire: 120 / 70 R17 ZR
-Tire pressure: 2 bar   
Rear    
-Suspension: mono shock, Swingarm
-Suspension travel: 145 mm
-Brake: Disk, Ø220 mm
-Tire: 160 / 60 R17 ZR
-Tire pressure: 2 bar

Others
ABS available: No
Power-to-weight ratio: 0.23 HP/kg (4.37 kg/HP)
Top speed: 200 km/h *I doubt that.. I am 56kg an only manage to go 189km/h top.
Fuel capacity: 19 l
Number of riders: 2 persons
Type:
-Dual Purpose/Touring/Naked (by mbike.com/)
-Dual Sport (by findthebest.com/)
 
With the addition of this Versys, I think I will update my bike trips here from now on!!

CHEERS!!!