V-Strom vs. Versys

[bajakirch]

I was reading with interest the recent topic regarding the V-Strom. Like most here, I'm always thinking 1-2 bikes ahead. The more I see and read about the V-Strom, the more it comes off as the kind of bike I could see owning one day. Out of my price range (even used) now, but maybe a little farther down the line it'll be more attainable.

Another bike that seems to be cut from the same bolt of cloth is the Kawasaki Versys. I admittedly know little about that bike, but I do like the looks of it.

Has anyone compared these 2 models? If so, what were the impressions? Does one stand significantly over the other, or are they equally good bikes?

[nodaclu]

I've had the privilege of riding one of each off the showroom floor - a 2006 V-Strom that I bought, and a 2009 Versys that my buddy bought after being away from riding for 20 years. I rode the bike 190 miles home for him.

I'm going to try and avoid typing a novel tonight, but the bottom line was, if I could have the V-Strom motor in the Versys chassis, I'd be in heaven. 7 bikes later, and the 90 degree V-twin in the Strom (technically I guess you'd call it an L-twin) is still my favorite all time motor. Ridiculously smooth, even pull and power everywhere, more torque than you would think.

But I did find the bike tall, bulky and top-heavy. And 4 different windshields never cured the nasty buffeting problem I had.

The Versys is a dream from a size standpoint. Tall, but no too tall. Well balanced, not nearly as top heavy. Much more flickable than the Strom.

But I was disappointed in the parallel twin. Much more agricultural and vibey than I expected. Now I've also owned a Sportster, so I know vibey.     But the vibes from the Versys, while not a deal breaker or overly intrusive, were not pleasant and really didn't fit the smooth, refined package of the rest of the bike.

Having ridden both of them enough to draw a somewhat informed opinion, if I had to choose all over again, the Strom would win by a whisker. I'm telling you, that motor makes up for just about anything, and if you're comfortable with the Strom's size and (lack of) looks, I still believe - long in the tooth as it's getting - it's still the best all-around sub-liter bike sold in the U.S.

[bajakirch]

I still believe - long in the tooth as it's getting - it's still the best all-around sub-liter bike sold in the U.S.

Strong words on a forum devoted to mid-size Hondas.

[hppants]

I'm intriqued by the off-center position of the rear mono-shock on the Versys.  It's not selling well - one can buy a new Versys for many hundreds below sticker.

Not that I'm in the market, but I'll let someone else take the depreciation.

[green427]

Sit on a V-Strom, then on a Versys, the first thing you are going to notice is the Versys looks less refined from the driver's point of view, mainly due to the dash/tank/handlebar layout looking like a dirt bike.

The V-Strom has a longer wheelbase, which makes it better for highway touring. Versys is better at the twisties.

Biggest advantage the Versys is that they can be had for a couple thou less than a V-Strom. Aftermarket goodies are just becoming available, but limited.

ABS is not available on the US Versys, only the EU gets them. Bastards.

Versys is easier on the eyes than the Strom. Strom has a face only a mother can love.

Strom has a larger front rim. Tire choices on the Versys are very limited (2-3).

Both are good bikes, it all boils down to personal preference, of course.

Yeah, I heard from a few folks complaining about the Versys motor being overly vibey, especially for an inline-twin.

Oh, and a centerstand is not available on the Versys from what I've read, not enough room, perhaps?

[mike884]

Honestly the versys probably looks better from the side, but the front dosen't do much for me either. I think its all personal personal preference, neither front end is a looker.  That keyhole light is just as funky as the vstrom double eyes thing....  

I actually spoke with a guy who bought a vstrom and a versys at the same time for him and his wife, he mentioned the same issues as those noted above. Versys is a little cheaper, but it shows in the details and he stated the parallel twin isn't near a gem as the vtwin in the strom, but really I think its all personal preference or what you plan to do with the bike.
I like the aftermarket and 2 up comfort of the strom, and it seems the strom would be a bit better for those long rides on the street, which is what I want to do. 

[Wahrsuul]

I was looking hard at the Versys before I bought my '96.  I'm still on a couple of the forums tho I don't post much.  I like the looks of the Versys, and the Givi hard bags.  But the bike did seem a bit too buzzy for me, very tall and skinny and I was ambivalous after my test ride.  I was all set to take it home before the test ride.  Pants is right, they're not selling well in the states, and the lack of ABS is annoying.  Don't understand the logic of making different colors and options of the same bike for the US market.

The Versys won at least one "bike of the year", but it and the Vstrom are different bikes.  The Versys really isn't an adventure bike.  I've seen it with knobby tires and such, but that's not what it was built for.  It's pretty much a street bike.  It handles well and gets good mileage, and is versatile like a NH.

[LOKi]

I wanted to see these two bikes side by side so...


Versys


Wee-Strom

[mike884]

Versys kind resembles a buell ulysses... with that underneath exhaust.  Now thats a fun bike... nimble and a nice v-twin sound.... mucho pricey though.  but my buddies lightning used to vibrate everything loose, so I don't know about that...

[nodaclu]

Strong words on a forum devoted to mid-size Hondas.

LOL...true. I should have been more specific. I meant that it's the best all-around sub-liter bike still being made today.

Remember, this is my second Nighthawk. There's a reason for that.    It's got by far the most comfortable seating position of any bike I've owned, the best handling, the second best motor, and the highest "fun factor".

I did a huge side by side comparo of my yellow '96 vs. my brand new (at the time) Sportster. The Harley was a rolling piece of art, and I loved it. But if I wanted to grab a bike for the day and describe the ride as a "blast" at the end of it, the Nighthawk was the choice.

What's tough is that the most recent Nighthawks are approaching 10 years old now. I tried to go for what I thought was similar in '08 when I bought my GSX650F, but it honestly wasn't all that close to what the Nighthawk offered, and was a pretty big disappointment for me.

If I could put hard luggage on the NH, I doubt I'd want to own any other kind of bike.

Whoops! Sorry.....

[mike884]

Strong words on a forum devoted to mid-size Hondas.

LOL...true. I should have been more specific. I meant that it's the best all-around sub-liter bike still being made today.

 I tried to go for what I thought was similar in '08 when I bought my GSX650F, but it honestly wasn't all that close to what the Nighthawk offered, and was a pretty big disappointment for me.

You know what is funny... when I went to go see a V-Strom at a nearby dealer ( It was sold and gone already) and I told them I have had nighthawks/CBs and looking for a V-Strom he directed me to a GSX650F as the next closest thing that they had that had the  "riding position" I wanted.  Sat on it, seemed comfy, not a bad lean, but really wasn't close to what I was looking for.

[JB1290]

The only thing I don't like about the Versys is that fugly headlight set up.

[Old_Rider_54]

A V-Strom review:  http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/suzuki/suzuki-vstrom-650-17909.html

A Versys review:  http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/kawasaki/2008-kawasaki-versys-road-test-71476.html (a bit of video also)

[trlkdivers]

...if I could have the V-Strom motor in the Versys chassis, I'd be in heaven.

Isn't that what the gladius is?

[nodaclu]

Isn't that what the gladius is?

It is, but...well....I'm a guy...and Suzuki's advertising made it pretty clear this was a bike for women or trendy Euro types. 

I keed, I keed. But you're actually right. The Gladius is definitely a "softer" SV650, but I've yet to actually see one either on the road or in person. Even dealers here seem to be steering clear of it. Odd.

[bajakirch]

OK, I've heard mention of the Gladius a few times prior, so I had to go check it out:
http://www.suzuki-gladius.net/

I don't know if it's the mid-90s videogame soundtrack or the swooshing sound effects but...er...no thanks.

[green427]

OK, I've heard mention of the Gladius a few times prior, so I had to go check it out:
http://www.suzuki-gladius.net/

I don't know if it's the mid-90s videogame soundtrack or the swooshing sound effects but...er...no thanks.

Trust me, looking at pictures of the Gladius makes everyone gag. I saw a black one in person, it looks better in person.

It competes with the Kawasaki ER-6N, which I like the styling of. Those two bikes have a small frame, perfect for those of us that were blessed with short genes.

Prices on the ER-6N and Gladius are heavily discounted, as no one seems to be interested in these. (Probably because the average American customer is not exactly small).

I read a ride report of a married couple (weird couple, to be exact) that spend 80% of their time on the road, he has a V-Strom and she has an SV-650.

I kid you not...., but she put the SV-650 up for sale after 3 years to get a new bike. Why? It had 97K miles, and she wanted something different. Yes, 97K miles. Bike still looked new. The V-Strom had similar mileage, and still won't die.

Wouldn't it be awesome if we are in our 40's, don't need to work, and have a spouse that is willing to ride non-stop?  

[JB1290]

Maybe it's just me but, I like the looks of the Gladius. I think it looks pretty tough. To me, the lines have a nice flow to them. I'd ride it. 

[nodaclu]

I actually love the bike. There's a bit of Ducati Monster in its design. I'd love a black one with a red frame.

Unfortunately, Suzuki took an epic swing and miss with the marketing of the bike, and they're paying heavily for it. This is essentially an updated SV650 - it should have sold like crazy. I don't understand what they were thinking when they tried to re-position this bike in the market.

[taj1772]

So... I'm a woman. Whew! Glad I got that out of the way! 

Anyway, once I sold Stella (my '83 NH650) I put the Gladius on the radar of bikes that I wanted next. Personally I love the looks of the bike except for the cheesy looking exhaust, it does recall the looks of the ducati 696. I took it for a test ride I'll admit, it was smooth! But ya know what? Outside of the bike shifting like butter, it had nothing else over my '83 650. I WANTED to love it, but I got nothing. So for $7k new? No thanks! I would wait a year or maybe two and get for 1/2 the price. Besides, I think it would make a real nice bike for a beginner who hasn't ridden a bike that has a real soul like the Nighthawks.

In my search for a new bike, I also rode the SV650 and was fairly indifferent to that. I took the 919 out, and it was so boring I almost fell asleep during the test ride! The 599, now that had some giddy up! I'd love to add that to the stable.

So... Anyway, after all my looking, I'm headed to Portland Friday to pick up my "new" NH750.     I just keep coming back to the Nighthawks!  Ok... wait, what was this thread about again?   

  My bad!

Getting back on topic, I did take the Wee-Strom out and it was a bit tall for me. I liked the feel of the bike, but couldn't get used to being on my tip toes. So while the engine was nice, I couldn't get past that, and i'm no shorty, 5'9" with 32" inseam.. And that's all I have to add.   

[green427]

Getting back on topic, I did take the Wee-Strom out and it was a bit tall for me. I liked the feel of the bike, but couldn't get used to being on my tip toes. So while the engine was nice, I couldn't get past that, and i'm no shorty, 5'9" with 32" inseam..

Interesting, you are the same height as me, same inseam, but I did not feel like I was on my toes (balls of the feet, yes). The Stroms can be lowered up to 2".

Here is me on my brand-new Wee back in '07, wearing hiking boots, I could almost flat foot it, this was before I did any lowering:







Now, compare my knee position between the NH and the Wee below. The NH is more cramped, and overall is shorter. Also take a look at the distances between the windshield and my helmet. The Wee's is much farther away:

[taj1772]

Getting back on topic, I did take the Wee-Strom out and it was a bit tall for me. I liked the feel of the bike, but couldn't get used to being on my tip toes. So while the engine was nice, I couldn't get past that, and i'm no shorty, 5'9" with 32" inseam..

Interesting, you are the same height as me, same inseam, but I did not feel like I was on my toes (balls of the feet, yes). The Stroms can be lowered up to 2".

Ok... You know what? You're right. I would have to say that I was more on the balls of my feet than my tip toes, but I guess I just dont like that. 

There were enough things though that I liked better about my NH that made me stick with it. I figure I'll stick with the NH's until I find something that I just LOVE or until I move into a place with a garage so that I can have more than just one bike. 

[Brumbie13]

I've ridden a Strom.
That will probably be my next bike.

As I found many people saying the Versys was comparable, I went and sat one one on the dealership floor.

The moment I sat on it, I got a cramp. It wasn't from lifting my leg, it was from the seat. That seat was very flat and didn't feel very cushiony.

I don't know why the seat gave me a cramp, but I got off the bike, looked around, and went back to it, got back on it, and got the cramp again in the exact same spot.

Now, obviously not everyone has that same problem, or else nobody would buy one. But it was enough of a problem for me to stop considering it.

[green427]

I figure I'll stick with the NH's until I find something that I just LOVE or until I move into a place with a garage so that I can have more than just one bike.

If you like the riding position of the 91-03 NH's, the closest available bike with almost identical ergonomics is the Suzuki Bandit 1250s. If you haven't sat on one yet, try it, it will feel like it is made for you. Might have to put bar risers on it so you don't lean that far forward.

Buddy of mine has a 1250s, and his biggest gripe is that there are not enough open roads to let it breathe....

[Wizbangboom]

I haven't ridden either bike, but I prefer the look of the V-Strom.

If I wasn't broke right now I'd seriously consider buying this one.
http://columbus.craigslist.org/mcy/2008203336.html