Versys vs CB500X, Which would you buy and why?

**Jesus Jones** · 06-05-2013, 07:15 PM

Originally Posted by thailazer

How about ABS on either bike. Is it worth it?

Can't comment personally but the members in the versys UK forum suggest ABS is worthwhile. From what I understand ABS while be mandatory on all bike in the UK soon.

**Jesus Jones** · 06-05-2013, 07:17 PM

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

Originally Posted by Jesus Jones

I haven't bought any mods as I'm broke now having just splashed out on a new a/c and stuff for the kid. Next month I'll be putting some crash bars and hand guards on it. I've also ordered my Shark Evoline 3 Hakka which is 45 days away. I bought a shitty Index in the meantime.

Put a bag over its head too.

Smarty Pants!

Is yours still running?

**palexxxx** · 06-05-2013, 07:37 PM

Originally Posted by thailazer

How about ABS on either bike. Is it worth it?

ABS is standard on the Versys.

**Marmite the Dog** · 06-05-2013, 07:40 PM

Originally Posted by Jesus Jones

Is yours still running?

Both are running well.

**Marmite the Dog** · 06-05-2013, 09:27 PM

^ Both bikes.

**draco888** · 07-05-2013, 01:34 AM

Originally Posted by Jesus Jones

Originally Posted by thailazer

How about ABS on either bike. Is it worth it?

Can't comment personally but the members in the versys UK forum suggest ABS is worthwhile. From what I understand ABS while be mandatory on all bike in the UK soon.

It's another crazy European Commission idea not UK. 2016 is the proposal.

**Jesus Jones** · 08-05-2013, 07:13 AM

Bike delivered yesterday and I'm well chuffed with it. My wrists and fingers are fecked for the moment as I haven't rode for 7 plus years. My gonads are aching a little, yes that's right my gonads but overall well impressed. About 650bht to fill up with 91 so I'll see how much i get out of it.

**Marmite the Dog** · 08-05-2013, 06:20 PM

Originally Posted by Jesus Jones

Bike delivered yesterday and I'm well chuffed with it. My wrists and fingers are fecked for the moment as I haven't rode for 7 plus years. My gonads are aching a little, yes that's right my gonads but overall well impressed. About 650bht to fill up with 91 so I'll see how much i get out of it.

Nice one.

BTW, it's usually 3 times before someone gets their knickers in a twist.

**rickschoppers** · 09-05-2013, 08:29 AM

^^
Pics plz..

**Mr Earl** · 09-05-2013, 09:30 AM

Yes pics of the new machine.

As for ABS on bikes it is indeed great thing, unless you're racing on a track. But for the average Joe Rider with all the obstacles and sliperry road surfaces conspiring to get you. I know ABS has saved my bacon at least once. I've dropped non ABS bikes several times by locking up the front and have come very close few others times.
I'm extra careful riding non ABS bikes. Dropping a bike is frighteningly easy to do.

**Jesus Jones** · 09-05-2013, 02:47 PM

And the all important!

890bht if anyone is interested.

**FailSafe** · 09-05-2013, 02:55 PM

How's the suspension adjustability? Have you fooled around with the settings yet?

I always find it a PITA to get right on a new bike.

**Jesus Jones** · 09-05-2013, 03:05 PM

^Shit, you learn something new. Didn't realize it was adjustable!

**FailSafe** · 09-05-2013, 03:08 PM

Sigh...

Front Suspension / Wheel Travel 41mm hydraulic telescopic fork with stepless adjustable rebound and preload / 5.9 in.

Rear Suspension / Wheel Travel Single offset laydown shock with 13-position adjustable rebound damping and adjustable spring preload / 5.7 in.

**Jesus Jones** · 09-05-2013, 03:17 PM

I can't see what adjusting the suspension would do other than keeping it to it's optimum ride height. I don't think the adjust would be for ride or road surface quality.

Haven't checked but i will now.

**FailSafe** · 09-05-2013, 03:25 PM

It's about setting the appropriate suspension sag for your body weight (to keep it from bottoming out) and leaving it soft or hard for your riding style or comfort level- ride height really doesn't enter into it and that's adjusted via a more labor-intensive method most likely necessitating different parts- while it's quite possible the stock settings will suit you, you also might find that adjusting them will transform the bike. It probably came lightly sprung due to the fact that Thais run smaller and lighter than Westerners on average.

There have to be a few good Versys forums with all the info.

**Spin** · 09-05-2013, 05:17 PM

Index helmets are shite and you should only wear one if you have absolutely no concern for your own safety and well being.

As has been pointed out many times, the "real" brand of helmets are cheap and decent.

The next step up is "HJC" brand from Korea.

Ditch the Index.

**palexxxx** · 09-05-2013, 05:36 PM

Originally Posted by Jesus Jones

Looks just like mine except that I have changed the windscreen to a Kawasaki Vario Screen (MRA brand really but with Kawasaki printed on it) and I have had the seat re-upholstered, the original is a pain in the butt, really.

As regards the suspension settings, I left mine as standard, it seems as if it might be set up for my weight already, 100 kgs. I don't want to play around with it until I know what I'm doing.

**Jesus Jones** · 09-05-2013, 05:39 PM

Originally Posted by Spin

Index helmets are shite and you should only wear one if you have absolutely no concern for your own safety and well being.

As has been pointed out many times, the "real" brand of helmets are cheap and decent.

The next step up is "HJC" brand from Korea.

Ditch the Index.

Calm down, I have ordered the new shark evoline 3 hakka. Month waiting time. This is temp.

**palexxxx** · 09-05-2013, 05:40 PM

Further to the above. There's a series of video's on YouTube produced by Dave Moss, who seems to know what he's on about. There's hundreds of videos at this site.

OnTheThrottle.TV - YouTube

**Jesus Jones** · 09-05-2013, 06:52 PM

^yes, it is a pain in the arse. I was hoping it was a case of settling it in.

**palexxxx** · 09-05-2013, 10:09 PM

As it was originally, I kept sliding forward into the fuel tank. Is it the same for you? I don't know why Kawasaki didn't do anything about it years ago. Apparently it's always been like that.

^ I had mine modified by one guy, 300 baht, it was better but still not good. Took it to another guy, a bit dearer, 1500 baht, but it's really good now.

**Jesus Jones** · 10-05-2013, 06:24 AM

^That's exactly what i am doing. Slide into the tank so that my 'gonads' (that's 3 times) are touching the front of the tank. About 5 mins later i am shifting around again. It feels like the skin on my arse cheeks is being stretch. Quite painful and sore actually.

Failsafe. Thanks for the input on the suspension. Not sure if it is coincidence but i adjusted it one notch up (second from top) and it seems a little better. Unless my hands are getting used to it it seems to have relieved a little of the stress and pressure in my hands and wrists.

**Mr Earl** · 10-05-2013, 06:38 AM

I also found learning the proper technique for sitting on the bike helps for long distance comfort.
The master yoda riding position is a good one.
Master Yoda's Riding Position - BMWSportTouring Forums

**FailSafe** · 10-05-2013, 07:08 AM

Originally Posted by Jesus Jones

Failsafe. Tha ks for the input on the suspension. Not sure if it is coincidence but i adjusted it one notch up (second from top) and it seems a little better. Unless my hands are getting used to it it seems to have relieved a litte of the stress and pressure in my hands and wrists.

Don't be afraid to fool around with it- the stock settings are listed in your owner's manual (if you didn't get one in English you can probably download it free from Kawasaki) so you can always get back to where you started.

Look around for a service manual download a well, which can really come in handy- Kawasaki will charge for this, but it's probably available free somewhere.

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Thread: Versys vs CB500X, Which would you buy and why?

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