2010 Kawasaki Versys v BMW F650GS v Suzuki V-Strom

[botiroti1]

how come europe gets a much larger variety of bikes than the us???

[sethdog1000]

wish the vstrom 650 wheelbase was a little shorter, like 59" or 60.0", an easy notch over 650 dual sports.

[koimaster]

2012 V-Strom 650 is damn awesome!

[matt98787]

it looks like they only test it on that one curve....

[Kaokli]

this test is totally fake

[DesmosediciAlice]

kawasaki versys reminds me a little ducati multistrada

[peacefuljeffrey]

I'll still take the V-Strom. (Well, that's what I currently ride!)

[harrybaules]

These guys have the best job in the world

[TheJ0RD1E]

I own and ride a Versys and the major issue I have with it is the seat. I am 6'2" so the stand over is not the problem, the issue is that it slopes forward and after a while you find yourself sitting on your own 'nads.

There are forums out there discussing what causes this and how you might be able to fix it, but it's a bit annoying.

All in all I love my bike, but I'd want to warn anyone wanting to do long distance touring as this can be an issue.

[OBXmp9]

@TheJ0RD1E I am glad I saw your comment. I'm 6'3" and have been considering the Versys for an "around town" bike. I've heard and read that it is tall person friendly bike however the well being of my junk is very important to me as well. I will definitely test ride one first and also ask if there are aftermarket seats for it. It sounds like you are pleased with yours for the most part.

[Matrixdragon99]

Brian Cox does motorcycle reviews?

[flavionemoto]

Versys is a fantastic bike! I enjoyed a lot! Pretty good!

[theymusthatetesla]

I rode a Versys 3 years ago in Bavaria. I fell in love with it. Now I have an ER6n...same engine, but with conventional styling. The Versys I rode had panniers. It was lovely, but at five feet four, it WAS a bit of a nuisance to get on and off. Although once on the move, no problem. Even at a standstill in traffic, I could put my foot down with few problems. It was just the getting on and off, which was the real problem. These bikes will put a grin on your face, that's hard to remove!!

[TheHardwareguide]

You guys are unbelievable!I thought I was watchin a farting competition or sumethin!

[thekkl]

There is literally more video footage spent simply watching them ride around then actually having them talk about them.

[opmike343]

@thekkl

YES.

Most of these motorcycle "reviews" are absolute junk. You don't learn anything as their more "fluff" than any real content. I don't see how any rational human being can walk away from the video and say that actually gained something from it. One of more of an all-'round you say? WHY, specifically, is this the case? Rubbish.

[ylism]

@opmike343 I would have to agree, With 99% of your statements.

[MillaEzPresso]

Why didn't you specify the farter in the credits?

[renoletero]

Primero chupa un mate, y luego se larga un gas!!!!!! JE

[wesoly757]

LOL huge fart at 48 Love Versys

[GAZSUVKILLROY]

I HAVE A 2011 VERSYS AND WITH AN DNA AIR FILTER,AN AKRAPOVIC EXHAUST, BREMBO BRAKES AND NEW TIRES ITS ONE OF THE BEST BIKES FOR EVERY KIND OF USE FROM SEMI SPORT TO TOURING AND EVERYDAY. I THINK ITS ONE OF THE BEST BIKES EVER. PLEASE PREFER IT SO KAWASAKI CONTINUES DEVELOPMENT.

[aussybum]

ride a vstrom 1000 now.may get the versys as my next bike

[WolfNight75]

Sobra la publicidad.

[jasonsitu]

you guys always test dual purpose bike on the road, thats not dual purpose testing is it?

[MaverickAus]

@jasonsitu moron they are not dual purpose bikes

[smokemifugotem100]

@MaverickAus "From touring, to off-road exploring" from the BMW Motorrad Website - "If you’re torn between smooth pavement and wilderness trails, jump on a DualSport." Dl650 listed from the Suzuki website as such. The Versys is the only one out of the three that is not listed as a dual purpose bike. Now you can argue that none of them are, but I see these bikes all over the backcountry. So before you pop off you POS do a little research.

[awwylde]

@smokemifugotem100 Actually, the Versys *is* listed as a dualsport in some places, such as the Kawasaki New Zealand website, for example.

[smokemifugotem100]

@awwylde The Kawasaki site in the states says sport bike. The Versys forums are a mixed bag on the question of Dual Purpose. I know it used to be listed under DS on the States site a couple of years ago. Interesting Kawasaki's marketing of the same bike is different in other countries, but you New Zealanders were always a little more adventurous! ;)

[iqbal4142]

nice upside down fork for kawasaki

[SuperSonicPsykic]

These bikes are perfect for me. I love the up right position and you can lean in to the turn like a sport bike. just 2 questions, are they good for city riding to place to place and i have never had a motorcycle before are these not good learning bike and if not does anyone know a good one to learn on.

[RedWolfSV]

@SuperSonicPsykic As a fellow who has ridden for years I believe that any of these could make a good first bike. The Kawasaki is good if you are tall and have good reflexes or like to go off road a great deal. The BMW has a good rep and would be the pick for gas mileage but be prepared for the steep sticker price. The Suzi would be best if you just want a sporty touring bike in this weight class or if you are on the short side.

[elcabrononwheels]

@SuperSonicPsykic I have a 2009 Versys and have put over 16500 miles on it and its my first bike. I think it is a great learner bike and I don't think I'll get tired of it soon. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the others. BMW is a great bike if your willing to pay a little extra. V-strom is a classic but the overall wet weight of V-strom is about 480 lbs while the Versys weighs in at 454 lbs. This will make the Versys a little more responsive when riding.

[HawkGTboy]

Yeah, the new Versys looks positively badass. I have a Wee Strom, but if I had to replace it tomorrow, I'd look really hard at the Versys.

[CrazyHorseRunningBat]

What is a stone anyway?

[5xtimeslfc]

going to do direct access this year, 35 year old, 6ft 3 and 23 stone, f650 or versys?

[guyNbluejeans]

I like that burnt-orange color.

[IDtechno]

The new Versys looks great!

[EnglishTrucker]

Is it me or is the BMW's brake light flashing on and off?

[wdslv]

@EnglishTrucker could be that they are l.e.d's. they tend to appear like they are flashing when on camera

[vasquez228]

Kawasaki is the best. I love the Versys!!!

[KPKonliner]

LOL the fart ! I thought it was the engine sound !

[EnfieldBullet1971]

Good Arse!!! :)

[w3media]

Beemer is a great bike - but IMO too expensive for what it is. The Suzuki will go anywhere the bigger GS BMW's will go, and probably more reliably.

The Kawasaki is a great bike, but why would you compare it to the other two?...it's a road bike - forget taking that up a fire trail. PLUS I would never own a bike I couldn't put a centre stand on.

[zenrhythman]

@w3media The beemer makes way more BHP then the other two, on the freeway or open roads, the beemer leaves the others in the dust. Ride one and you'll see. If they raced these bikes, the beemer would smoke the others easily.

[w3media]

@zenrhythman - I would have expected that considering the BMW is an 800cc bike compared with the 650cc of the Kawasaki or Suzuki. (again another reason that this review is an odd comparison) But when you also consider that the BMW costs about 50% more than the Suzuki (on road in AU) you could easily add a Givi top box, panniers, centre stand, heated grips, bash plate, radiator guard and touring screen and still get some petrol money back in change from what you would spend on the standard BMW.

[zenrhythman]

The bmw kicks the crap out of both the other bikes! I guess if they had ever gone beyond 3rd gear they would've figured that out.

Even if the kawi is a good bike it's so damn ugly! The only uglier bike is the old version multistrada. Beemer all the way!

[limeheadrickey]

i saw i few bmw's today that looked like dirtbikes on crack they were sick i was so excited to watch vids of them on youtube, but i was shocked to see there only about 10 000

[freediverga]

Geez how many times are you going to go through that same corner LOL

[turbobirdy]

I know - were they only allowed test the bikes within a 2 mile radius? I'd expect better quality overall from an MCN road test. Very amaturish, especially the dubbed-in audio at the end.

[90Eduard]

This looks like a comercial for the versys all the way !

[aussybum]

here the vstrom and versys are priced the same.want the kawa but black seem the common color.boring

[rebornbiker]

the new versys are coooooooooooooooooooooooooolll­llllllllllllllllllllllllllllll­llllllllllllllllllllllllllllll­lllllllllllllllllllllllllllll

[1986SoWhat]

Finaly Kawa got the design right on the Versys, to bad it`s colors suck.

[dadslbm]

Is motorcyclenewsdotcom a subsidiary of Kawasaki? This is the second (nearly identical) video "comapring" these three bikes. Seems like a soft sell vid., "They're all good bikes, but the Versys is the best".

[frontier1701]

No Wheelie on the Versys???? Cant do it? or is the rider a pussy????

[steinert]

@frontier1701

do you really think this will anybody interest

[afterGR]

in front of versys, v-strom looks like a 50 old fat woman with short skirts, and gs650 like a failed virgin girl communist reunion

[ivanovivan11]

@afterGR

In front of -vstrom, versys looks like it will fall apart

[itsonlyrcknroll]

Makes alot of sense... throw topcase and/or side bags on two of the three bikes and leave one naked, then compare them... WTF... use your heads guys.

[SorrellsAV]

@itsonlyrcknroll Well, they're Brits I think.

[gotmildew]

I have had a vstrom before. Very good bike. It was totaled when my truck was hit and it was on the back. Threw the bike off and destroyed it. I didn't ride for about a year. I bought a new 09 Versys about 6 months ago. Very happy with my purchase. Fun is a good word to describe the Versys. It does everything well.The handling is superb. Aftermarket has all the small factory ills covered. I would recomend this bike.

[onefugowie]

i have heard the BMW is built in China now i think the motor

[ballin66612]

ugly as hell, but im sure they ride nice.

[EppingForest304]

I'm glad for the versys, it was previously under rated

[ZULEX75]

VERSYS RULES..... AGAIN

[baddroid]

Well, a predictable result - Kawi Versys is a great bike. The one that was made for the real fun out there. No doubt 2010 is as awesome as 2007 model.

[simon44]

The V Strom has a lovely engine

[crimsonflame242]

TBH id take the V-Strom so comfy to ride and as showed in the video can be fast and fun, for me it would be the best all rounder but all are good bikes :D

[clevername333]

The face lifted Versys looks fucking ugly.... sad... guess I will mark that one off my list. Why is there no KTM 690 in this video? scared of something truly bad ass?

[ElitePower]

I've ridden a V-strom and my own Ninja 650 (which has the same motor as the Versys) and I think the reviewer got it right. The V-strom is comfortable as hell but its motor doesn't even come close to approaching the fun factor of Kawi's 650 parallel twin.

[AbelleNYC]

Does anyone know if Suzuki is coming up with a new V-Strom model anytime soon? It's has been out since 2002. Suzuki, it is time you showed us a new, better V-strom already. Just hope the economic ciris will shake up this division of the company, most consumed by the street category (GSX-R, etc).

[misterwipedown]

Can't stand the reviewer but a good video nontheless.

[sgpsimonb]

not sure I'd take a Versys off road in the same way the F650GS can... looks like a fun road bike though.

[tobin55]

who farted at 48 seconds i bet it was stinky !!!!!!

[ruuman]

so much the same verdict as last year

[joewarcupinhull]

the BMW's forks look like they have been taken off a custom bike.

a strange looking thing it is

[DSNCB919]

The BMW looks like a Spork

[simon44]

Tried all of these. V Strom 1. Versys 2 BMW 3 but to be honest theres very little in them. The Kawk has the best build with the Susuki and BMW suffering cosmetically but the V Strom and Versys are the most fun. I went with the V Strom because of the shear value for money and its ability to tour all day with no pains or aches.

[euheide]

@simon44 Did you consider the F800GS? :)

[euheide]

@simon44 Did you consider the F800GS? :)

[simon44]

@euheide Yeah I tried nearly all the trailies and mid range bikes of this class before making a decision. The F800GS was fantastic in so many ways but its too off road focused for me and in the real world with that 21inch front tyre the handling on corners is alot more difficult than say the 19inch on the 3 bikes we have in this video. Seen as handling is biking 101 it wasnt a go for me. Plus the price of the BMW's is ridiculous and so is the cost of the servicing for them.

[euheide]

@simon44 Thank you very much for your comment Simon, I'm scanning for a light bike that's able to do very well in off-road while keeping some road-going capabilities hence my question. You have a very good point about BMW service there ;) There's also a chance that all these bikes are just too heavy for my goal heheh Thanks!

[simon44]

@euheide I know the perfect bike for you then: the Kawasaki KLE 500cc. No major top end power from it but the newer models look amazing with their gloss finish and they lovely sound, cheap as chips to buy and maintain, light and have a nice bit of torque. Its like a skinnier version of the V Strom. Seemingly great fun too.

[euheide]

@simon44 Thanks again Simon! :) Didn't know that one. But I've been reading some reviews and it's definitely an awesome bike. Too bad Kawasaki's assistance where I live is close to non-existent. It's still worth considering though as there are little alternatives that offer those qualities. Thanks ;)

[simon44]

@euheide Theres only one Kawasaki dealer here in Ireland and they only service Kwaks that are bought from them. It didnt stop me buying them and they were by far the best bikes I've had. The most reliable too. Any mechanic should be able to work on them and most parts can be replaced with universal parts so that isnt really an issue there. They de-value like a stone into water but that makes them fantastic second hand value. Worth every cent.

[euheide]

@simon44 That was my main concern, but if it's like that than I guess it's not a problem after all heheh :) It sure is a nice bike. I will definitely start checking for second hand deals. I saw one the other day, and it's a beauty ;). Thanks again!

[dctim]

Who the hell farted at 0:50?

[animal100000]

Good reveiw mate spoken naturally not like your reading it off a script so you know what youre on about.

[TotalNekro]

I'm sure these bikes can be good fun on the road. But why did they have to make them so ugly?

[BrakeHorsePower92]

I agree with the fact that the Kawasaki is fugly. The BMW is ok, BMW likes asymmetrical headlights. Doesn't bother me. The Suzuki looks quite good actually.

1.BMW

2.Suzuki

3.Kawa...no wouldn't take that one at all...:S

[darknessahead520]

to each his own.

[lamilumag]

fart at 0:48? ^^

[renoletero]

@lamilumag

hola en 0.47 se le termino el agua en el mate y luego en 0.48 de le cae un gas, jejeje

[AviBaby18]

ahh brilliant =] these are the types of bikes+reviews i've been afterrr

[edhawk21]

looks like Rutland water! nice place