April 12th, 2012, 06:18 PM | #1 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Asdf
Location: A
Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 SE Ninja 250 Posts: 83
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What's the difference between the Ninja 650 and the Versys
It looks like the Versys is a bit higher off the ground and holds more gas. But other than that the Kawasaki website provides very little information about the differences in how they're tuned or what their intended purposes is.
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April 12th, 2012, 06:20 PM | #2 |
The Luck Dragon
Name: William
Location: Stuart, FL
Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Ninja ZX-6R B/W Posts: 738
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Riding position, and i think the motor is a little different? I'm assuming the versys was made more for the commuter rather than the speeder.
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April 12th, 2012, 06:38 PM | #3 |
Newb..... on a steeek! :D
Name: Mike
Location: Windermere, FL
Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Harley Davidson XL883L Sportster Superlow Posts: A lot.
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When it first came out it was described more as a street focused "dual-sport". It has the same drive-train and frame. After that they changed the look of it, the seat, and the suspension.
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April 12th, 2012, 06:43 PM | #4 |
Jigglin' your Jiglets
Name: Sean
Location: San Jose, Ca
Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 K1300S, 2013 Ninja 300, 2011 Ninja 250R, Faster than Unregistered's ninjette Posts: Too much.
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I really liked the versys, it was more comfortable than the 650, I just thought it was too big. It's really just a larger 650
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If the Ninja 250 doesn't have enough power for you, then you don't know how to ride it. AFM #676 Supersports are for n00bs |
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April 12th, 2012, 07:31 PM | #5 |
CBR250R Traitor
Name: Jon
Location: Greater Philadelphia Area
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I thought it was too big as well. I'm 5'9'' though. @Jiggles, aren't you over 6 foot though? It was too big for you?
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April 12th, 2012, 07:32 PM | #6 |
Jigglin' your Jiglets
Name: Sean
Location: San Jose, Ca
Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 K1300S, 2013 Ninja 300, 2011 Ninja 250R, Faster than Unregistered's ninjette Posts: Too much.
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Yea, not that it was too big, but I didn't want something that big
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If the Ninja 250 doesn't have enough power for you, then you don't know how to ride it. AFM #676 Supersports are for n00bs |
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April 12th, 2012, 07:33 PM | #7 |
CBR250R Traitor
Name: Jon
Location: Greater Philadelphia Area
Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Red CBR250R 2009 Ninja 250r SE(With 2008 Fairings)(sold) Posts: 924
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My friend who's shorter than I am tippie-toed that while I rode the 650.(I was considering upgrading at that time).
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April 12th, 2012, 07:54 PM | #8 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Asdf
Location: A
Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 SE Ninja 250 Posts: 83
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Ah then the height might be an issue. I'm only 5'6, I was thinking about hitting up the Kawasaki demo rides coming up next week near my home. Anyone ever been to one? How does it work?
I'd like to try the 650 and the Versys, but a little intimidated at the extra power. |
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April 12th, 2012, 09:33 PM | #9 |
Jigglin' your Jiglets
Name: Sean
Location: San Jose, Ca
Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 K1300S, 2013 Ninja 300, 2011 Ninja 250R, Faster than Unregistered's ninjette Posts: Too much.
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It's not too bad, when I picked up my 650, I had never ridden one before. That didn't stop me from riding it 30 miles home during rush hour
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If the Ninja 250 doesn't have enough power for you, then you don't know how to ride it. AFM #676 Supersports are for n00bs |
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April 13th, 2012, 08:51 AM | #10 |
Smoker
Name: Bob
Location: SoCal
Join Date: Dec 2010 Motorcycle(s): Guess.... Posts: 556
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The motor is the same as the 650, but it uses different cams and timing. To what end I do not know. The rear shock is better.
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April 13th, 2012, 09:04 AM | #11 |
Milkshake Drinker
Name: Skippii
Location: Richmond, Va
Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Orange DRZ400-S, 2005 Ninja 250 & Custom Thundercunt Dirt Chopper Posts: A lot.
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The engine is tuned for less top end hp and more midrange. There was an interesting article about the header designs about 5 years ago.
Posted via Mobile Device |
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April 13th, 2012, 09:15 AM | #12 |
Jigglin' your Jiglets
Name: Sean
Location: San Jose, Ca
Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 K1300S, 2013 Ninja 300, 2011 Ninja 250R, Faster than Unregistered's ninjette Posts: Too much.
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MOTM - Apr '13
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Actually, since they dropped the r from 650r I wouldn't be surprised if insurance costs were the same on the 2 bikes
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If the Ninja 250 doesn't have enough power for you, then you don't know how to ride it. AFM #676 Supersports are for n00bs |
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April 13th, 2012, 08:16 PM | #13 |
Humble Observer
Name: Truong
Location: Augusta, Maine
Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Yamaha XT250 Posts: 612
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The first bike over 250cc I ever rode was a first edition Versys. The suspension is good, but the tall stance makes it impossible to describe as sporty. The 650 engine, tuned for the Versys, is, predictably, uneventful. The exhaust note is floopy. Speaking of which, fun fact: all three of the bikes that share this engine are inaudible from the saddle, exhaust-wise, if you roll down the road, clutch in, no engine load.
As a whole, it is a bike you could commute on, while imagining you could hang with BMW GSes on a trans-Canada ADV tour. Then you rut into a blown out pavement seam and snap back to reality.
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Everything I post is "IN MY HONEST OPINION". Why is "Parking Lot Enduro" not a thing? |
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April 13th, 2012, 10:03 PM | #14 |
CPT Falcon
Name: J.Emmett Turner
Location: Newnan, GA
Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '08 CP Blue EX250J, '97 unpainted EX250F, 2nd '97 unpainted EX250F (no engine), '07 black EX250F Posts: A lot.
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VerSys also has exposed USD forks while the EX650 does not. Strange, considering that it's a configuration more often seen on super-sport bikes and not well suited to the off-road rigors of dual-purpose riding for which it was marketed (bye-bye, fork seals).
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April 13th, 2012, 10:53 PM | #15 | |
Humble Observer
Name: Truong
Location: Augusta, Maine
Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Yamaha XT250 Posts: 612
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Quote:
Incidentally, USD forks are the norm for nearly all offroad bikes, including even some minis. Fork seal replacement is big business because of this.
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Everything I post is "IN MY HONEST OPINION". Why is "Parking Lot Enduro" not a thing? |
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April 13th, 2012, 10:59 PM | #16 | |
CPT Falcon
Name: J.Emmett Turner
Location: Newnan, GA
Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '08 CP Blue EX250J, '97 unpainted EX250F, 2nd '97 unpainted EX250F (no engine), '07 black EX250F Posts: A lot.
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Quote:
What is a "mini?" |
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April 13th, 2012, 11:21 PM | #17 | |
Humble Observer
Name: Truong
Location: Augusta, Maine
Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Yamaha XT250 Posts: 612
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Quote:
This is a minibike:
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Everything I post is "IN MY HONEST OPINION". Why is "Parking Lot Enduro" not a thing? |
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April 14th, 2012, 09:24 PM | #18 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Bill
Location: Orlando
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250r - Traded for 2009 ER-6N Posts: 424
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I work with the rider of a Versys (2011 model year) and have ridden it a few times. I can compare it to my ER-6n (which is very similar to a 650r.)
The Versys sits noticeably taller. I'm 5'7" and am able to put both feet on the ground, although not flat footed. It's taller than I prefer, as a stop, anyways. Once underway, no problems. The engine has more torque than mine, at least at first. It makes usable (as in stay in that gear) power from around 2,500 RPM on. The useful powerband starts about 1,000 RPM lower than mine. However, where mine pulls nice and strong up to a little over 10,000 RPM, the Versys engine tapers off. Shift earlier. Honestly, having ridden with him, he doesn't have a problem keeping up, unless I'm going balls-out and letting it wind out. It's a sweet motor, and it's better around town than mine is. The exhaust note is identical to any stock Kawi 650 twin. I've heard all three stock (friend had a 650r) and all three sound like wheezy air compressors. With an aftermarket can, they sound lopey and poppy, with individual pulses discernible at idle. They have a deeper growl at higher RPM, as opposed to the smooth snarl of the 4 cylinders. A 650 twin at full boil sounds pissed off, a 600 I-4 sounds like a race bike. The suspension is nice. Nicer than the 650r or ER-6. The front is adjustable, the rear has a lighter swingarm, damping is a little better, and it handles rougher pavement better than mine. The bars are swept back further, you sit more upright on a Versys. The seat is better than the ER-6 stock one. I prefer the Versys instrument panel. Analog tach and digital speedo, nice! Insurance cost... higher than my ER-6n. But mine was the lowest of the lot, no fairing and lower MSRP. The Versys may be higher than the 650r, just because the bike costs more. Wind protection is decent. Although you sit upright, the windshield and half fairing direct wind around you. I've not ridden a 650r at speed, so have no comparison. Dual sport use... No. No engine guard, crap tires for dirt use, and a muffler that's exactly where you don't want it to be would keep me firmly on the pavement. Kawi sells a terrific dual sport 650, and this isn't it! You could put a set of skid plates, engine guards, and off-road tires on it if you just had to, but it's just not great for it. They're nice. The seat height and higher price convinced me not to buy one. But if you're a bit taller than me (or longer legged) it's a great bike for the price.
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