Badrabbit

Went to see the Versys 1000cc this morning, looks good, felt very comfortable, big bike!! Versys 650 not come until next month!

Will research more suitable bikes within my budget!

I'm off on a 1500km round trip next week on the Z1000, that should tell me if I do need to change to a dedicated tourer or at least a bike more suited to long distances, fuel costs and comfort will probably say yes!!

I never found my z1k to use more fuel then other litre bikes. As far as comfort my only complaint was lack of wind protection.

Well I have been used to paying 2k for the round trip, I am guessing it's going to be a lot more with the Z1000!

I'm off on a 1500km round trip next week on the Z1000, that should tell me if I do need to change to a dedicated tourer or at least a bike more suited to long distances, fuel costs and comfort will probably say yes!!

Badrabbit, have a test ride with the V-Strom. Since you are tall it will be a perfect bike for you.

It's not much more expensive than the Versys new, and it's made in Japan.

Cheers not worth doing anything at the moment as I have to sell my Zed to even think about another bike, just researching in the meantime!

I think the V Strom is 350k Versys 313k

Any car wrap place will do the job, very cheap to get this done!

Hey Everyone.

Im looking for advice where i can get carbon fiber job done in Phuket Town on my Pcx.

Any advice?

Thanks

Are you after real carbon fiber or sticker carbon fiber? Real very expensive sticker cheap but looks like real!

They have the 800cc cross runner here? is it a legal import like the NC750 DCT?

I'm 6'3" and yes my priority is service support which you get with Kawasaki and even more so with Honda!

Cheers everyone for your thoughts, I am swayed towards the Honda at the moment but any bike has to be paid for from the sale of my Z1000 which I love so much, there's no hurry in making a decision!!

BMW GS 800 is over my budget, the 3 bikes I chose are within my intended budget!

I am probably about to upset many Versys riders but the Kawasaki Versys remains a compromised bike. The chassis is to short as it was designed for the early 650 Ninja and er6n. As much as Kawasaki have done to make a success of the Versys this will always compromise rider comfort for all day touring and dual sport ability. Considering the sales success of the Versys, I am very surprised and disappointed that they did not give it a dedicated chassis on the 2015 version.

Regarding fancy gear boxes etc, manual all the way for me. Dual sport bikes were designed to give the rider maximum flexibility and fun in all types of situations and terrain. Be tough enough, comfortable enough and sporty enough to allow one bike to fit all your needs. The Honda power and configuration point it more towards an urban commuter rather than a dual sport IMO and at this price I wonder why the BMW GS800 is not on your list?

Another consideration which should be taken into account is where they are built or assembled which can make and does make a difference. So the comment "their are reports that the V-Strom is not put together as well as the Versys" did make me chuckle. Having had both bikes here and many Kawasaki and Suzuki's over the years that is generally not the case now or never has been in my experience. Saying that, I think we all know and will agree that just about all Japanese company generated products will always be good and more often great.

Not my opinion...

Just maybe you`ll be swayed by build quality: Kawasaki`s overall is better than Suzuki`s so a Versys might be less prone to corrosion and possibly be more reliable, but it`s not as if Japanese bikes are unreliable anyway, and with so much that`s proven in the V-Strom and Suzuki moving on from its previous corrosion issues (and V-Stroms could be very vulnerable to winter salt), this isn`t a powerful persuasion.

I picked out 3 bikes for consideration and now another has been mentioned in the BMW, I won't be rushing into a decision!! as for the Gold wing its way out of my budget!

Have to agree with that, just back from bigwing where I sat on the NC750 and the CTX700, NC feels great and that front storage compartment is such a great idea, very comfortable, CTX felt strange for me!!

I did all my touring on a honda Pcx... For Thailand roads it's perfect if you don't mind not having a "real" bike www.justridingaround.com

Excellent mate, I have a Z1000 which is why I am looking at a cheaper way to tour!!

What's a real bike when it's at home? aren't all bikes real bikes!

Good points 112, will be going to have a look at the bikes over the next couple of weeks!

Cheers Alan, still waiting to hear what the new Versys price will be, have seen the V Strom and it looks great, seen many YouTube video's and the V Strom seems to be excellent, still looking and considering!

Cheers, any bike I get would have panniers etc so I Guess it could come down to fuel Economy, comfortable riding position etc, heard good things about the V Strom!

I have 3 bikes in mind, Versys 650, V Strom 650 and NC750 DCT, just looking for some opinions both good and bad! all seem to be around the same price although not sure on the new Versys price!

Yea I guess you are right, too much for me!!

Who on earth would be stupid enough to pay 200bht for a beer and assuming it's a small one, crazy!!

Pie chips and peas at Aroy the best we have ever had in Thailand along with a big Gin and tonic!!

Neeshys breakfast is superb and only 150฿ there fish and chips are excellent as well!

I was at immigration this morning and asked about the 90 day report, answer was you only need your passport and copies, guy said other areas might want the form but not Phuket!!