Kawasaki Versys 300 off road test. Will it perform better than the Royal Enfield Himalayan?

[@MikesProjectsandHobbiesMC]

Took an actual dirt bike out to the same area over the weekend (KLX300R) and the difference is amazing, you can sail over all that terrain at twice the speed with little to no effort (compared to an adventure bike). I can see why so many folks setup DR650s, XR650s, DRZ400s and the like as their adventure bikes. So much easier off road, its like night and day.

[@MikeHensley-sc3ns]

About to go pick up my Ruby… on Monday, the dealer is closed today (Sunday) anyway a red one of the Versys X300. I think she will be perfect for my 8 min ride to work,.. then hit some woods on the long way home. She’s cheap and only had 11k miles…. Can’t wait!

[@MikesProjectsandHobbiesMC]

You will love it

[@kraig_tv]

Was such a nice day. We need to do this more often.

[@MikesProjectsandHobbiesMC]

I'm ready, I think I could ride up and down that road a few times a day. Need to find more like it. Im sure there are 100s in those hills.

[@glenjeffs6182]

I seriously looked at one of those in23 price was good, but I desided shortly after a couple of different test rides, to opted for a cb500x. Pleasant difference between the two. Love the cb500x,

[@MikesProjectsandHobbiesMC]

CB500 is way better than it should be off road. This 300 was for my wife but she’s lost interest in riding on the street.

[@richardmorrison2686]

Did you check fuel mileage during the off road ? Great presentation

[@MikesProjectsandHobbiesMC]

No I didnt really think about that. LOL Maybe next time. Thanks for watching.

[@jhackett9482]

Cool. I had a seal leak and when I changed it i did a 50/50 mix belray 20wt and atf. The forks work so much better I dont ever think about them anymore.

[@MikesProjectsandHobbiesMC]

Yeah not bottoming the front so easily is a major plus fire sure.

[@JTinGA]

Good video Mike ! That looks like some of the stuff I have taken my Versys 300 down -- maybe a little tougher. I'm about to put mine in the garage to add some driving lights and check valve clearances. We'll see how aggravating that turns out being. Hope the holidays are good to you !

[@MikesProjectsandHobbiesMC]

Yeah that's actually something I'm NOT looking forward too (valves). LOL Let us know how it goes.

[@newlife155]

Hello, you said you would get valves done, was it reasonable cost wise.? Thanks.

[@JTinGA]

@@MikesProjectsandHobbiesMC had 3 of 4 exhaust valves a little out of spec. I sanded down all the shims (intake and exhaust) to achieve about 80% of max clearance. It was tedious, but not too bad if you have some experience working on bikes/cars/etc.

[@AgricUltra]

Another great video, Mike. Interestingly enough, we’re looking at getting a Himalayan for my wife, so we’ll have one of each.

[@MikesProjectsandHobbiesMC]

The ONLY issue I have with the 411 is how much it weighs. It should not be as heavy as it is. Other than that it’s an amazing amount of motorbike for the money.

[@AgricUltra]

@@MikesProjectsandHobbiesMC it’s actually the 452 we’re looking at, which I think is a big improvement on the 411.

[@MikesProjectsandHobbiesMC]

@@AgricUltra Massive improvement!!!! I might buy one of those myself.

[@johnherian781]

I also have both and can say this reveiw is spot on.The Versy is 2x easier to ride both on and off road.

[@MikesProjectsandHobbiesMC]

The V300 may only be 40 lbs lighter but it honestly feels more than 100lbs lighter.

[@shailesh5349]

Is versys 300 better then Himalayan?

[@trekOCLVone]

Mike, Have thought about lacing in a 21 inch rim and the OEM wheel and raise up the fender an inch? May not have room with a skid plate on the X300 or radiator clearance.

[@MikesProjectsandHobbiesMC]

Yeah I think Skid Plate and or Exhaust pipes might be an issue but as it turns out the 19" front works just fine (with these tires anyway).

[@trekOCLVone]

Sounds great! Around here there isn't any radial terrain to get into trouble and that is ok with me.

[@BuntaBall40]

What brand of screen is that, looks great, a little bigger than standard

[@MikesProjectsandHobbiesMC]

It’s a Givi knock off from Amazon that I cut shorter. Thanks for watching.

[@papertiger795]

Do you have plans for this bike? Any longer tours? BDR type stuff? Or is it just for weekend shenanigans?

[@MikesProjectsandHobbiesMC]

Id use it more to ride medium distances to get to an off road area. I have no desire to tour on a bike without cruise control. LOL

[@papertiger795]

@@MikesProjectsandHobbiesMC that's fair. The x300 is my first bike, so... Ignorance is bliss. I don't know what I'm missing.

[@MikesProjectsandHobbiesMC]

@@papertiger795 It’s a great bike but touring for me is more pleasurable on slightly larger bikes with things like cruise control. Also when touring my wife almost always comes along.

[@berniegrant6183]

I noticed your speedometer was not working, I assume you have an ABS version with the fuse pulled. Is this correct?

[@berniegrant6183]

All I had to do was wait... You addressed this in your viudeo

[@louispaulter8733]

Please make vid of ALL the mods you’ve added to KV300X so folks can consider for making a similar 300 X

[@MikesProjectsandHobbiesMC]

I’ll do one this coming week. I did one in the past but there have been changes.

[@TIMBROOKS-m2z]

Hi Mike. One mod you did was the additional front beak. Where did you get that from and can you recall a costing. Trying to source one, delivered to South Africa. Thanks

[@MikesProjectsandHobbiesMC]

Search AliExpress for Versys 300 X beak. It wasn’t too expensive if I remember right.

[@RoadDogSteve]

Honest comparison. I'm curious about ease of maintenance and repairs. I had a Versys 650 and it was a nightmare. Just to get to the spark plugs was a major dismantle. Just wondering. Yes I am also a Himalayan owner. Always trade offs I guess. Enjoying the channel.... thanks

[@MikesProjectsandHobbiesMC]

Biggest issue with the V300. You're supposed to check and adjust valves at the same interval as the oil change which is 7500 miles and it’s a major task. Its been reported that some dealers charge upwards of $1000 to adjust the valves. I bet a LOT of people do not realize what they are getting into when the buy one. LOL I can adjust the valves on my Himalayan in about 45 minutes.

[@bikingviking6688]

Which front sprocket did you end up going with? (Brand)

[@MikesProjectsandHobbiesMC]

I think its a JT.

[@jhackett9482]

What have you done to the front forks?

[@MikesProjectsandHobbiesMC]

Heavier springs from Race Tech and thicker fork oil.

[@garyoneill8868]

That sounds painful riding. Is the suspension set right for you or is it a really rough bike to ride? I'm thinking of buying one......tomorrow. 😳😁

[@MikesProjectsandHobbiesMC]

Did you buy one? Yes the suspension is setup for my weight. You have to keep in mind this bike is basically made from street bike parts and they are amazing on road.

[@garyoneill8868]

Yes I bought one but it's not here yet. 😢

[@MikesProjectsandHobbiesMC]

With 5" of travel and a certain percentage of that used on sag you don't have to hit a very large bump and the suspension bottoms out even at slower speeds or you have it set stiff enough to not bottom out and your ride is harsh. 5" just isn't much to work with.

[@MikesProjectsandHobbiesMC]

Looks like the video is taking for ever to render in 4k, hang in there. I'm sure KZbin will get it done eventually.

[@danielburger1116]

For a "not bad" suspension the sound effects are from a different shoot..

[@MikesProjectsandHobbiesMC]

I need to take this bike back out on the trails.

[@MikesProjectsandHobbiesMC]

Funny at 4:20 you can almost get an idea of the incline on this climb.

[@psunaminami6672]

those are not the noises i want to be making when i am riding, lol!

[@MikesProjectsandHobbiesMC]

Totally my fault. I should have been standing for most of that nasty dirt road.

[@danielburger1116]

Suspension seems to handle all of them 16:19. O! a ooh, ah.. OO! Really?

[@MikesProjectsandHobbiesMC]

:-) It’s 100x better than stock that’s for sure.

[@zayarsan6822]

Feeling uncomfortable on off road?.

[@MikesProjectsandHobbiesMC]

No it seems to work OK even on some single track stuff. Not bad for basically a street bike. LOL

[@-runningwithscissors-9766]

With all the expensive mods you've done to it, this is not a true test of what the stock Versys 300 will be like. Not even close.

[@MikesProjectsandHobbiesMC]

The rear shock and front springs are probably the most expensive items and they were installed just to help with my weight (200lbs). Other than that a stock bike would be very similar.