Yesterday day was a day for my hubby and I to become acquainted with our new Versys.
First, you must understand what I am comparing it with. When I started rising with Jerry 11 years ago, our first bike together was the 25th anniversary edition of the Kawasaki Concourse (2005). Due to an accident we had, we then ended up on a Suzuki V-Strom, temporarily. Then we bought a ’96 Triumph Trophy, followed by our most recent bike – 2008 Kawasaki Concourse. Of those bikes, the most comfortable bike was the V-Strom. In order to handle long rides on the other bikes, I had to have an Airhawk. This leads us to the new bike.
Please keep in mind, I am 5’2″, and my husband is 6’2″. Stepping up onto the bike is a much larger step than the other bikes, even the Strom. In fact, I joked that I would have to get a running start!
Once you’re sitting on the bike, there are so many differences. I feel like I’m definitely sitting up higher. The Concourses and the Trophy all felt like I was sitting down into the bike, as opposed to the Strom, on which I felt like I would topple off as we took the curves. Again, this is one of the necessities of the Airhawk, to lift me so I could see over Jerrys shoulder. The Strom had the best seat…until I rode the Versys! Flat and firm is the best combination.
One of the biggest troubles I had with the Trophy and the after-market Sergeant seat on the ’08 Concourse was the lip on the back of the seat – they would dig into my tailbone. Just another reason for the Airhawk. The Versys seat has a lip, but it’s not hard piping, and it hits above the tailbone. I tried several seating positions, and it seems to support your backside because of where it hits. The seat stayed firm throughout our entire ride. My butt never hurt, or tired of the seat.
The seating position is great because I had plenty of room between Jerry and me. We don’t have the the top case yet, so I’m not sure, but it seemed like I had plenty of room behind me. As I said before, I had to have an Airhawk to see over Jerry’s shoulder. This seat put me in the same place without the extra padding.
My Versys leg position is an easy 90°. The other bikes (except the Strom) had my legs bent more. After riding all day, especially curvy roads downhill, my knees would kill me, and my lower legs would be swollen because of the lack of circulation. There seemed to be plenty of room to put my heels on the pegs, and not touch Jerry’s feet. Also, when going through the curves (I know, they’re few and far between in Texas), I was able to put my toes on the pegs, and I have plenty of room, without hitting the saddlebags. We didn’t have our bags, but I tested this at the motorcycle show. Speaking of the pegs, they are real pegs, with rubber. This means little-to-no vibration in the feet. This sounds minor, but our Connie had sport bike pegs that had a lot of vibration, and very slippery in the rain.
Bottom line: the Versys is a fantastic 2-up bike. It is very comfortable for the pillion. I wasn’t exhausted or sore after a day of rising this bike. I can’t wait to hit the curvy roads of Arkansas! Let’s ride!
Sent from my iPhone=
My wife’s name is Jamie. She has logged well over 100,000 miles with me on different machines. Some good, some bad but she has always done it with a sense of adventure and a smile. I could not imagine riding without her with me. I love solo trips but our two up adventures are always great and bring us even closer together as a couple. She will be doing some posting from time to time, so please feel free to shoot us your questions and we will try and answer ti the best of our abilities. Until then Ride Safe!
Below are a few pics of Jamie on some of our many trips. Hope you enjoy.
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Jamie looking for Big Foot |
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Somewhere in Missouri |
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She loves posing for the camera. |
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Deals gap trip |
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Texas Hill Country |
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Barber Motorsports Park |
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Colorado |
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cold in Colorado |
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love this pic |
Nice review! I bought a V1K last weekend, but the wife hasn't ridden it yet. Love this bike. If you're on ADVRider, I started a V1K thread in Road Warriors. Regarding the top case, the part number for the Kawi rear carrier deck is the same from 2015 and 2012. So any aftermarket parts from 2012-2014 Versys 1K should fit to mount your top case.
great review.and i have to agreefrom all the bikes i have owned , these has the longest saddleSecond on is a honda varaderoalso ,lot's of spacei'm short my self but whit a belly and even than my girlfreind has enough roomwe do have the top case but this is no issue concerning space
Thanks for the review! I picked up a Ninja 1000 last year, which my wife is very uncomfortable on. I was looking at a C14, but looks like I'll have to give the Versys a hard look!