Kawasaki Versys 1000 review | Vlog: Best commuter bike?

[@Certago]

Tested both the BMW and the Kawasaki and got the Versys, love it every day! The BMW was constantly edging me on to go faster... Not ideal for commuting and wouldn't like it with a pillion either. The versys is stable and reliable and great fun.

[@bessie2275]

I did the same, both on the same day, I did not like the BMW

[@Uninfluenceable]

I test rode the Versys SE model on what was probably the worst stretch of road in America, in the Port of Los Angeles where all of the cargo trucks have destroyed the already crappy concrete pavement. My jaw dropped at how good the ride quality was with the electronic suspension, couldn't believe that a motorcycle could float over bumps like that. It literally felt like my parent's S-Class with the magic body control suspension. The reason I didn't buy it was because I already have a Z1000 which is 85% the same bike and I have a lot of money invested that. But if I was in the market for a commuter, the Versys SE would be my top choice. Too bad I can't graft the electronic suspension onto my Z, if I could I would do it in a heartbeat even if it was like 3 grand...

[@esmcl]

I’ve been riding a 2018 GT model for a year, done about 7k miles. Liked your review... sums up my experience of the bike too.

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Thanks! John

[@adrianmathe3578]

I was looking at alot of videos in october, about sport touring machines. I was initially decided to buy a 2016 used fjr1300. Had a, look at mt09 tracer, rode it. Supertenere, rode it.1200gs. Vstrom1000. Ktm 1190. I was looking to change my old 2007 r1200rt, for a bike that had to be comfty, good wind protection, good for the pilion, etc. Had a, look at your clips about the versys. Got a sweet deal, for a standard model, with all accesories to make it like the se, except the qs and es. Love it. Only had time to ride it in november, waiting now for spring to come. All in all, great bike, great touring bigger screen, heated grips, handguards, fantastic leds! Horrible seat. I keep sliding in front, and it hurts my inside legs, in the julery area🤣 but i have an easy fix, as i write the seat is, beeing modified. Overall, just want to say that your videos about the 1000 versys helped me decide i want one, even without riding it, as no, dealer had one in my country. Glad i got it, as i love it.

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Fantastic, thank you! I don't notice the sliding forward so much myself - it's more the cheek ache that gets me on long journeys. John

[@hanszimmer4679]

I LOVE mine! Same as yours (as you might remember) - white, standard, no SE. Perfect for me!

[@goldie6579]

I have a 2016. Best bike I’ve ever owned. At 6’2” also the most comf

[@enriquemc]

The best bike I have ever owned too. I had one MY 2013 in Brazil and now I have a MY 2019 in Italy. Previous owner of Honda, BMW, Yamaha and KTM.

[@RunChatLive]

Great video, thank you. If you were buying a used Vara 1000, would you recommend a particular year as they have had a few changes?

[@ciscosong110]

I have the 650 version I commute to work and I just love the way it handles and yes you are correct when you say it's not a off-roader bike it's brilliant on tarmac. Such a brilliant bike to ride. I'm looking at the thousand you gave a great description of the bike. Thank you.

[@bennettsbikesocial]

One of the best rides of my life (and I'm lucky enough to have ridden a lot of iconic routes on some amazing bikes) was the North Antrim Coast Road on the Versys 650. John

[@brianeaston3748]

Great review, I had z1000sx and traded it for the H2SX, brilliant bike but after three years I want something more comfortable and after having nearly 200hp,I think 120bhp on the versys will do me,I'm getting the versys 1000S on 1st September, has everything that the se has apart from the electronic suspension, which I dont need and it was £2000 cheaper than the se,having had the z1000sx and test riding the versys they feel really similar,versys feels like a z1000sx on stilts,but alot more comfortable,H2SX is not as comfortable as the z1000sx but at the time I had to have one😄I'm glad the itch was scratched,your reviews have been really great,thanks

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Thanks very much! Enjoy the Kawasaki! Cheers, John

[@waynerenkin2769]

​ Bennetts Bike I used to have a KLR650. What an amazing bike. There was nothing that could stop it. But just don't expect high speeds. Sadly, it was stolen some time ago. I am now looking to get a bike again. I tested the Versys 1000 2014 and the bike just inspired confidence from the get-go I have been looking at the BMW F650 and Versys specifically. It seems the fuel consumption between the Versys 650 and 1000 is not really a big difference. I am going to use it for communicating 90% of the time within the city. My main focus is reliability, running cost, fuel consumption, and then as one always has to have fun while doing it.

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Sorry to hear about the KLR! The 650 and 1000 are both great bikes - if you don't need the grunt of the 1000, I'd seriously consider the 650. Cheers, John

[@waynerenkin2769]

Thanks for the reply

[@cuzimaluzer777]

800 miles on my 2020 SE version. Loving it so far.

[@muhammadhafidz3238]

I have the 2016 versys. Owned a r1200 but I still love the versys better. So easy to live with day in and day out. Such and under rated bike with poor resale value. Lucky i got mine used at a steal. This versys is the bike that I will never sell!

[@paulkelly7896]

you only missed the walk around like TMF and you’d of made his video for him

[@marktaylor148]

Why not have a SE model for a length of time so you can really judge the extra money is worth it or not.

[@techguyMD]

I use my 2019 SE LT for commuting.. Put over 2500 miles on her since August. That said, if we were allowed to filter and split lance like you guys I'd ride it a LOT more... It's illegal here in the US. Goofy rule. I love the bike though.. simply love it.

[@aeror115]

I really like the 650 versys ! I think the 1000cc is too much sport tourer (battle ship) for me 😂🤘 Enjoy the bike life

[@bennettsbikesocial]

I had a Versys 650 a few years back - a great bike!

[@aeror115]

Bennetts Bike Kawasaki is upgrading to Tft displays and some more electronics so I hope the will also update the 650 versys for 2021👍 I would like to buy a bike for some great tours

[@EinkOLED]

I had the original vibey one. My hands still shake to this day.

[@aeror115]

EinkOLED lol 😂. I’ve heard about that problem 😅 did you ever tried the "new" models? Cheers mate

[@EinkOLED]

@@aeror115 I tried the 2016 versys 1,000. Definitely has more power and weight than the 650. But at the moment I'm bikeless and will be until I can afford to go back to biking.

[@adamperkins3125]

My chain on the Versys seems to rust really easy on the outside of the links, I try and clean it each time after a ride but if I forget to do it once after a wet ride it’ll be rusty a couple of days later. Don’t know if it’s bad or dangerous but very frustrating 😕 maybe my chain lube is not great?

[@markhorton7013]

My 2017 Versys drivechain still looks great... I clean with paraffin (Kerosene) and a toothbrush every 3rd lube and lube every 500 miles using Gear and Transmission oil EP80W-90 which is kind to the 'O' Rings and a bottle lasts forever as you only need a tiny bit each time. Failing that a good propriety brand chainlube like Motul which resists fling works well too (Great for those long weekend rides or week away from home tours - kept in the topbox etc). Loads of info on KZbin about the gear oil and drivechains worthwhile watching, and even my Haynes Manual recommends it too. Cheap as chips in Wilko (Formerly Wilkinsons) and I'm well pleased with it after 2+ years of use if that helps buddy.

[@bennettsbikesocial]

It does seem particularly prone to rusting - it's important to get it properly clean, then dry, then lubed. Make sure the lube has time to dry before riding it.

[@boo-boo511]

I initially used Wurth dry lube. At 3K miles added a Tutoro oiler. Easy to install, no electrical or vacuum connections. Doesn't use much (2.5/3k a fill) and very little fling. Does a good job, saves on adjustment too, now at11K. If I wash it and don't plan to use for a few days I might give it a quick spray with Wurth before putting away depending on conditions.

[@solomonstemplers]

Just bought a new one been after it for sometime now but finally its mine and i love it, Bog standard like yours in green. hope you still got yours.

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Great! Sadly mine's gone now, but it's a superb machine... enjoy! Cheers, John

[@Banditmanuk]

Nice vlog, loved my time with the Versys. Amazingly smooth engine and pulls hard from low revs unlike any four cylinder engine I've ever owned. The Givi Airflow screen is perfect on that bike for taller riders, it doesn't look great but functions well. Did I hear correctly, sold the MT10? Nooo!! I sold the Versys because I only wanted to ride the MT10.

[@dreadnought1984]

I've lusted after the FZ/MT-10 ever since I test rode one on a demo day. Its a mind blowing bike. That being said...I don't know if I could live with the comfort sacrifices on my 100 mile (round trip) commute. The V1K has been perfect in my needs for a comfortable tall mans commuter/tourer

[@Banditmanuk]

@@dreadnought1984 you would need to fill the MT10 daily as it only makes 100 miles to a tank!

[@dreadnought1984]

@@Banditmanuk I *will* own one someday :D

[@MrJohnnyorange]

Have you ridden an R1250 RS?

[@robbikebob]

Glowing praise! Not many bike reviews are as positive as that. Seems that people prefer the Z1000SX though. A test between the two would be good.

[@battsonbikes1919]

He has done a comparison video , look down below video there is a link ;)

[@bennettsbikesocial]

The link Batts on Bikes mentions is to a comparison with the BMW S1000XR, but I did have a Z1000SX a few years ago - I used to use that every day, and also toured Scotland with my mates on it. It was a good bike, but I prefer the Versys as I find it a more comfortable riding position, though the SX is of course a bit more sporty. It really is quite a personal thing, But the Versys is more, well, versatile. I prefer this style of bike as they're more enjoyable on bumpy back roads. Cheers, John

[@robbikebob]

@@bennettsbikesocial yes, if I had to choose I'd go for the Versys these days as my old bones find armchairs a bit extreme now! 😅

[@pandar2205]

How would you compare this bike, well, the SE version to a BMW GS as both a commuter and touring bike. In Australia I believe only the SE is being offefed for sale now.

[@bennettsbikesocial]

I haven't put enough miles on a GS recently to fairly compare. I'd say it's a bigger machine, and I like how manageable the Versys is, but honestly, it would come down to which you (and your pillion) prefer.

[@Nordkapp65]

Great video, Missenden Flyer doesn't ride many Kawasaki so your safe 😁

[@Banditmanuk]

Missenden would struggle to get his feet on the floor on one of them, he is only a little chap.

[@Banditmanuk]

@@TheMissendenFlyer Ha ha Sorry sir.

[@bennettsbikesocial]

@@Banditmanuk TMF managed fine on the S1000XR when we were riding around Germany and Austria, and those are fractionally taller. John

[@Banditmanuk]

@@bennettsbikesocial To give him credit I've not seen him say he couldn't ride any bike because of its height. I'm a long time follower, supporter and Patreon of his channel 👍

[@Chris64France]

You don't have to get a 1000 cc bike to commute. A 500-650 is far enough!

[@bennettsbikesocial]

You don't have to get a 500 to a 650 either, but this is part of a series seeing if the Versys 1000 can do it all. John

[@dreadnought1984]

When you're 6'3" and you want a bike that fits you comfortably, you do. I felt a bit cramped on the FJ-09. Coming from a FZ-6 and sitting on about every model I could find, the Versys 1000 was the only relatively light bike that checked the comfort, size, commuter, and touring boxes. 6000 miles later, I love mine.

[@blackbird69xxx]

Here in the Uk no point having a full bike licence if you only gonna ride a 500

[@giuliobuccini208]

The new version has an horrible fairing, IMO. Very ugly. I have to look at this bike with just one eye open, my heart is not so strong...

[@allenemersonn1227]

With this bikes poor fuel economy, better to commute in a high mpg car like a Honda Fit or Toyota Yaris.

[@bennettsbikesocial]

The current average on the dash is showing 50mpg.

[@marksimpson5218]

Not in the uk, you will be sitting in traffic & be late for work.