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Harley1
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  		   Posted 9/4/2007 4:53 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
After gaining wide-spread popularity in Europe and Canada, Kawasaki prepares to unleash its versatile all-around performer, the Versys, on the American market. Check out the 2008 Kawasaki Versys - First Ride article and give us your impressions.  
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stratrat010
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  		   Posted 9/4/2007 10:49 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Sirs(&Mam's): I have been looking forward to the U.S. release of the new Kawi Versys. Having not ridden in over 30 yrs.; and being a little reticent about about my ability to proficiently ride some of the hypo bikes that are currently available,this machine appears to be just what I've been looking for! (Caveat) I may wait for the release of the Versys 1000 (and pending roadtest) before making any final decision.(!)
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Shakli
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  		   Posted 9/4/2007 10:54 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
For **** sake this is probably the best CA lane splitting bike we have seen in a long time and we cant ******* get it here. I am so pissed. What is the mpg? If you say over 50 I am going to cry.

"It is much more fun to ride a less-powerful bike quickly/fast than it is to ride high-powered bike slow." Andy VH

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Kenny
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  		   Posted 9/4/2007 11:21 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Stratrat - You would be one of the target demographic for this bike. Multipurpose, easy to ride and comfortable. The only thing more you would want is more power but theres no Twin Kawasaki and it would use its value of it had a inline four. Lets see what the 650 Ninja did for mpg. Anyone know this?

I like to think of Jesus like, with giant eagles wings, and singin' lead vocals for Lynyrd Skynyrd with like an angel band and I'm in the front row and I'm hammered drunk!

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stratrat010
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  		   Posted 9/4/2007 11:46 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Amen! >>>>>>>>>>The Kawaski Versys 1000 is to be released soon(I hope!) To see a picture of this bike go to www.raptorsandrockets.com. They also have a picture of the Z1400. Thesese are downloadable for wallpaper and were scanned from Kawi brochures!
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stratrat010
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  		   Posted 9/4/2007 11:49 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
P.S. The 650 Versys is not available in California, because it does not have an evaporative emissions cannister (as required by CARB regs.!)
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Ferrit
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  		   Posted 9/5/2007 1:36 AM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
I really like the Versys. After reading all the Euro reviews I could I wanted Mother Kaw to bring the bike here. BUT, looking at the Kaw website the accessories are a bit limited (as opposed to what your article has to say). No windshields and only a top case are listed. The gel seat isn't even listed.

I had the opportunity to sit on one at a dealer. My only complaint was that they have lowered the seat to the point that the seat to peg distance is now too short for my legs to be comfy. If I bought one the first farkle would be a custom seat.
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Josh Davis
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  		   Posted 9/5/2007 4:24 AM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
The real question is, is it good enough to topple the V-Strom 650?  The Ninja 650R was unable to top the SV650 in most tests.  It looks better than the Suzuki, but I am loking forward to a nice long comparo article.
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stratrat010
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  		   Posted 9/5/2007 7:11 AM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
ME 3
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Darth_Suzuki
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  		   Posted 9/5/2007 7:34 AM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Stupid California mad  Every morning going to work on my SV I see some jacka$$ in a lifted hummer or some other stupid massive SUV, with one person in it, but but you can't get the Versys? Its absurd.
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stratrat010
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  		   Posted 9/5/2007 7:40 AM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Say thanks to CARB
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Drunkula
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  		   Posted 9/5/2007 8:45 AM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Nice review. I saw one of these at a local dealership last month. Overall it looked pretty nice but that funky headlight would take some getting used to!
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flickmeister
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  		   Posted 9/5/2007 9:20 AM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Not sure it is a beginner's bike. The seat height is up in the ozone. Not good for an insecure newbie.
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stratrat010
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  		   Posted 9/5/2007 9:41 AM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Who's insecure?????????????
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Shakli
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  		   Posted 9/5/2007 10:24 AM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Yes yes I know CA has a mandatory mod to prevent gas spillage if the bike is dropped/gets in a wreck. Still sucks *** I can't get in CA.

"It is much more fun to ride a less-powerful bike quickly/fast than it is to ride high-powered bike slow." Andy VH

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Desmolicious
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  		   Posted 9/5/2007 2:11 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Did yew boyz ride the Vuh-suhs on any dirt roads? Mebbe fiyah roads. I needs to know if ah cain ditch the po po when I's runnin' moon-shine.

Børk! Børk! Børk!

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GAJ
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  		   Posted 9/5/2007 2:41 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Very nice; mighta been perfect with belt drive.

If it comes to CA, it'll definitely be on my newbie friend's "must test ride list" as his Nighthawk 750 seems to have lost compression in 2 of 4 cylinders...at 9,000 miles!
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stratrat010
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  		   Posted 9/5/2007 5:12 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
I think the motor turns too many revs_hence too much friction(heat)_ big reduction in drive belt durability/reliability.
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hipsabad
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  		   Posted 9/5/2007 9:00 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Somebody said...
I think the motor turns too many revs_hence too much friction(heat)_ big reduction in drive belt durability/reliability.

Huh? Motor revs? What about the BMW F800s? Heat's not an issue.

The handling is sharper than the V-Strom 650. As far as looks go, well
they're both fugly mutants, they are Japanese after all. My preference
tips slightly in the Kawi's favour, but each to his own. The V-Strom does
have a time-proven engine and tranny, though.
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TTT
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  		   Posted 9/6/2007 9:19 AM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
stratrat010 said...
...Having not ridden in over 30 yrs.; and being a little reticent about about my ability...I may wait for the release of the Versys 1000
 
 
lol lol lol
 
You're trolling, right?  The 650 Versys is faster than any superbike that was available last time you rode a bike.
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stratrat010
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  		   Posted 9/6/2007 9:40 AM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
I'm not sure there were any"superbikes" the last time I rode.Perhaps the original 903cc Zed1?
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ajd187
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  		   Posted 9/6/2007 10:12 AM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Second good review I've heard. One more and I'm going to have no choice but to go buy one. :)
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AdamW79
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  		   Posted 9/6/2007 11:05 AM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
We didn't calculate the exact MPG, but we rode about 160 miles. The fuel light never came on, so I would assume that there was close to a gallon left in the tank... so I’d say we probably got between 35-40 MPG -- all while we were giving her wide open throttle hell. This bike would be a killer choice for someone wishing for a commuter ride.
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louemc
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  		   Posted 9/6/2007 12:06 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Welcome on board AdamW79, I trust the Associate Editor job treats you well :-)

 Focus the forces, Be The Force

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Kenny
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  		   Posted 9/6/2007 12:23 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
What the heck Lou? A welcome to the new kid? You should blast him for not mentioning they rode the bike in the dirt, they didnt get jumping pics, he didnt offer the mpg in his test and he is doing a wheelie and you guys hate wheelies worse than the color orange - speaking of which, what about his sig pic? He's wearing orange spandex! Serioulsy though - there he is. Our newest team member. He's tall and fast and goes both ways. What? You're sick! I mean he like to wear colorful leather utfits and chase other men on the street and he is just at home in tight nylon pants and plastic body armor, playing in the dirt and mud too... Dang it, what I am trying to say is: He rides both dirt and street very well so he'll be your multi-purpose reporter, the man in the arena, mr. know it all. So get in his head - tell him what you guys are looking for so he doesnt forget anything! Oh, and send him free food - he likes free food.

I like to think of Jesus like, with giant eagles wings, and singin' lead vocals for Lynyrd Skynyrd with like an angel band and I'm in the front row and I'm hammered drunk!

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