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

^^Interesting.

Originally Posted by Jesus Jones

^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.

Guys putting on beefier rear tires get that problem too. I bet the suspension change will help you.

Nice bike there JJ!

see my Versys beak
https://www.facebook.com/versysbeak?fref=ts

^ what does it do?

nothing and it is simply cosmetic.
I do not like the odd anteater styling look of the Versys and this addresses that

If you do not like the beak, the side filler fairings can be run alone

For those of you who don't like the downward slope of the Kwacka seats we're fortunate to live in a country where having a seat modified is dirt cheap.

I made a vid of my local saddle shop reshaping my Ninja 650R seat and this fellow has done my ER6n and Versys seats as well-

Exhaust is an Akropovic, powdercoated black. Not too loud and rates well in the performance tests. Works best with a Power Commander 5 and the Autotune module to get the best out of the pipe, air filter, and airbox mod.

I made the beak and have been selling a few sets to those interested - 5550 B
If you do not like the full beak look, then you can just run the side filler fairings to take away from the Versys anteater nose styling. See the Facebook link for more pics and some other things I made for my bike

Did the seat mod as shown by Tony. Sounds like you want to build your up at the front and I used 15mm more in that area. - cheap and works great

They had a display of 3 Kawas at Cnetral today; the ER6N, the Ninja 650 and the new Z800.

The Z800 actually looked much better in the flesh than in pictures as the engine was dark enough that you couldn't really see the fugly styling. The pillion seat is a joke, so it's no good for us. Very good value for money and it seems from a number of reviews that it is a fine bike.

The ER6N looked ok. This generation having much better styling than the last, but there were 2 things that looked awful to me: the tiny dash and the horrible matt 'white' paint.

I liked the 650 Ninja best of all and would like to take one out for a test ride.

The white paint on the Er-6n looks terrible alright. Like it was designed for 10 coats and they only put on one. After diluting it with double the water.

That said, I would take one of the Kawa 650's over the Honda 500's any day of the week.

The build quality as well as everything from the forks, swing arm, frame, to the bolts are just much better.

So yes, out choosing between the six of them I would probably take the Ninja 650.

Though rumours of a Thai made CBR650 inline four are strong. Those looking for midsized bikes in Thailand have never known a period like this before!

I have been doing some reading and soul searching and feel the Honda 500X will be my next bike. I will go ahead and trade in my 250CBR that I have barely ridden because of the riding position and see what they will give me.

The 500X has the upright riding position I am looking for and is a good price for a mid-sized touring bike. I would prefer the flat black but am not sure if it is available in Thailand. Does anyone know for sure?

Rick, as you're an experienced rider, you would probably be way happier with the Z800 at 375K.

The Z800 is definitely more my kind of bike and as always, it will depend on the ride position. I agree both are good buys for what you get and I have always had bigger bikes due to the need for speed and power. In Thailand I definitely ride different than the US and the needs are different as well.

Now if I could just keep all the Thais off the road when I am riding, it would be nirvana.

Originally Posted by rickschoppers

I have been doing some reading and soul searching and feel the Honda 500X will be my next bike. I will go ahead and trade in my 250CBR that I have barely ridden because of the riding position and see what they will give me.

The 500X has the upright riding position I am looking for and is a good price for a mid-sized touring bike. I would prefer the flat black but am not sure if it is available in Thailand. Does anyone know for sure?

Yes, the horrible matt 'grey' is available here.

"The Destination for Riders" Honda BigWing

I'm not sure they'll take your 250 as a trade in, but you can try. Nat (who run BW in Udon) also have a number of regular Honda outlets in town.

The Z800 is a fine bike, but the pillion seat is a disaster and it's typically ugly like all Kawas. I hope it's more refined than their 650 twins are.

Not sure if they will take it in trade either. I bought it in Udon near the 210 and next door was the Kawasaki dealer. I don't know if they are linked, but I can always ask. That is why I was thinking 500X if they would take my 250 on trade.

I never traded anything in and am not sure if it can be done in Thailand. If not, I will just give it to the wife.

Originally Posted by rickschoppers

next door was the Kawasaki dealer. I don't know if they are linked

Pretty sure they're not.

Bring it over - the Midget likes those 250s...

Do you want to buy or borrow?

Originally Posted by rickschoppers

Do you want to buy or borrow?

I'd like to see if she can actually fit on it first. She's not called the Midget for nothing.

^
No, problem. I can bring it over and see if it fits. I will be in Udon the end of November if you want to PM your coordinates and phone number.

The bike has less than 1000km, so it is basically new. I would also like to look at your 500F and see what your thoughts are.

^ No problemo.

El Gibbon lives next door and Nige is in town. We should have a few beers and then have a drag comp up the soi.

Absolutely!!