Kawasaki Versys 300 (Baby Versys) is coming

[papa al]

5 minutes ago, howard ashoul said:

What is rt 18?

Laos classic route from Attapu to Rt13.

Unpaved. River crossings.

CBRs not recommended.

[BBJ]

Having owned and modded a Versys for off road, it is more than capable of some tricky off road.  But as one as pointed already, it boils down to cost.  I spent about 60k on mods such as protection, shocks and tires and it coped well with up-hill climbs such as Khao Krajom that many have struggled to tackle on lighter bikes.  Other than replacing the forks seals on a couple of occasions, it gave me 40k of reliable fun.

 

I've since changed to the Africa Twin, and while a great bike, the suspension is not ideal if you weigh over 80kg and intend to take it off road.  I've spent 60k on protection for this bike already such as bash plate.It all boils down to what riding you prefer.  I say prefer because despite spending most of its life on tarmac to get to the off road routes that I enjoy, I will spend money on the bike for off road use.

 

Personally, I would consider the V-Strom which has been mentioned, before modding a 500x unless you can find a good second hand one.

 

Kitted with Heidenau K60s

 

Edited May 9, 2017 by BBJ

[CLW]

What is rt 18?

I think he means Road or Route number 18

[mark131v]

1 hour ago, BBJ said:

Having owned and modded a Versys for off road, it is more than capable of some tricky off road.  But as one as pointed already, it boils down to cost.  I spent about 60k on mods such as protection, shocks and tires and it coped well with up-hill climbs such as Khao Krajom that many have struggled to tackle on lighter bikes.  Other than replacing the forks seals on a couple of occasions, it gave me 40k of reliable fun.

 

I've since changed to the Africa Twin, and while a great bike, the suspension is not ideal if you weigh over 80kg and intend to take it off road.  I've spent 60k on protection for this bike already such as bash plate.It all boils down to what riding you prefer.  I say prefer because despite spending most of its life on tarmac to get to the off road routes that I enjoy, I will spend money on the bike for off road use.

 

Personally, I would consider the V-Strom which has been mentioned, before modding a 500x unless you can find a good second hand one.

 

Kitted with Heidenau K60s

 

Nice looking bike that!

 

How you finding the AT compared to the Versys?

Edited May 9, 2017 by mark131v
grammar

[eisfeld]

1 hour ago, BBJ said:

I've since changed to the Africa Twin, and while a great bike, the suspension is not ideal if you weigh over 80kg and intend to take it off road.

Isn't the suspension fully adjustable? Or do you find it still inadequate even after adjustment?

 

I think a lot of people on here are interested in the AT (myself having one on order), maybe you could write a little review of yours in a new thread, don't want to hijack this one too much.

Edited May 9, 2017 by eisfeld

[Richard-BKK]

How about the Heidenau K60 tires, now-a-days the Mitas E07 is my favorite adventure bike tire... it's to my experience very similar to the K60, but cost less and is more widely available...

[Richard-BKK]

17 hours ago, mark131v said:

Why does even getting a new model and putting a level 3 kit not make sense?

 

I have posted a shed load of information of which there is an absolute abundance stating that the uprated cbx is an excellent bike and arguably better than the opposition in this class

 

I have also shown by a quick search of the classifieds that good 2nd hand cbx's are available and make for a very cheap option to own a very capable go anywhere bike

 

Seems a bit pointless conversing on the subject as it seems you have a closed mind and are unwilling to accept that the point you initially posted is completely false:

 

'The Honda CB500X in an off-road situation is completely hilarious, sure you can do some hard surface off-road… maybe a few centimeters deep sand...'

The point of "The Honda CB500X in an off-road situation is completely hilarious" is based on a unmodified version of the CB500X. I would give an example, you doing a downhill and you need to block the rear tires to safely change direction to avoid a tree... Steering so much on a downhill like this will get you off the bike in a painful manner. On the Honda CB500X ABS cannot be switched off, it has no off-road modes...

 

Sure some people have found options to switch off the ABS, a switch between the ABS fuse will do the trick... but Honda mechanics will complain that it would compromise Honda warranty....

Edited May 10, 2017 by Richard-BKK

[BBJ]

4 hours ago, Richard-BKK said:

How about the Heidenau K60 tires, now-a-days the Mitas E07 is my favorite adventure bike tire... it's to my experience very similar to the K60, but cost less and is more widely available...

My AT has the Mitas e07.  I did a review for a blog recently of both tires.  The Mitas are a much better tire.  K60s are lethal in wet.

 

[BBJ]

13 hours ago, eisfeld said:

Isn't the suspension fully adjustable? Or do you find it still inadequate even after adjustment?

 

I think a lot of people on here are interested in the AT (myself having one on order), maybe you could write a little review of yours in a new thread, don't want to hijack this one too much.

Depends on the riding.  Light off road and tarmac it is fine.  For more serious stuff it needs a change.  The suspension is catered for 75kg as standard.  Full adjustment does compensate a little, but something like the hyperpro is worth changing to.

 

Took this small jump at about 120kph. When I checked the vid footage over the front forks, it was close to bottoming out.

Edited May 10, 2017 by BBJ

[BBJ]

21 hours ago, mark131v said:

Nice looking bike that!

 

How you finding the AT compared to the Versys?

Chalk and cheese, although I've done little riding on the AT compared to the Versys.  Feels lighter (although it isn't) and is much more comfortable on longer trips than the Versys was.  Off road it is a different beast altogether.

[Familyonthemove]

It's a bit odd that when we're discussing bikes like the Ninja or CBR 300's, we don't compare them to track bikes like the supersport 600's and 1000's (such as the R6 or the Fireblade).  Just because they have sportsbike inspired styling, we don't think they belong on a track.  We accept that the Ninja or tbe CBR 300 is a commuterbike styled like a sportsbike. 

 

But when we're discussing the 300X, which even Kawasaki say is primarily a road bike, we compare it to specialist, off road conversions of a 500cc bike or to 1000cc adventure bikes.

 

The Versys 300 has only 5 inches of suspension travel, non switchable abs, and a plastic sump guard.  It's a handy all-purpose lightweight bike, that's styled like an adventure bike, and it looks to me to be ideal for Thailand.

 

I think there's currently only three 'off the peg' lightweight adventure bikes?  The CCM 450, which is not available in Thailand, the Enfield Himalayan,  which is not available until December, and the Honda Rally 250.  The Suzuki 650 perhaps, but it's in a different price bracket to the 300X,  Rallly or the Himalayan. 

 

I reckon if you want a road bike for around 200,000 thb, then tbe CB500x is unbeatable value.  Comparing it to the 300X, it's looks and feels like a bike from the class above.  And if you want an off road adventure bike in the same price bracket, then the Rally is tbe optimum choice.  But if you want something in between,  then the 300X could be ideal, especially if you want abs and to be able to carry a passenger (the Rally has no abs in Thailand and it's not good two-up).

 

Also, tbe 300X tourer is decent value.  Add luggage, crash bars, spotlights and a centre stand to a CB500X,  and it's much more expensive than a 300X Tourer.  That's why I'm considering the 300X as a replacement for my CRF250M (or the Himalayan).

[Richard-BKK]

The Kawasaki Versys-X 300 is not the only small-capacity adventure bike available in Thailand, you can also buy the Zongshen RX3 which looks very similar to the Kawasaki. Of course the Kawasaki has the better specs, but also cost a good amount more.

 

Picture the Zongshen RX3

[Richard-BKK]

I agree with Familyonthemove, you not need a big engine to have a good time touring the country. I one time met a couple who where touring Thailand on two Honda Wave bikes. They even went to Vietnam through Cambodia and back via Laos… Yes people two Honda Waves I’m not even sure it were 125cc could have been 110cc’s

[howard ashoul]

1 hour ago, Richard-BKK said:

I agree with Familyonthemove, you not need a big engine to have a good time touring the country. I one time met a couple who where touring Thailand on two Honda Wave bikes. They even went to Vietnam through Cambodia and back via Laos… Yes people two Honda Waves I’m not even sure it were 125cc could have been 110cc’s

Once I went from Sakon Nakhon to Bangkok at 110ccm (Kawasaki KSR) with passanger. It's about 600 Km and toke me about 16 hours. Three days later I went back the same route. 

 

Unforgetable experience!

Edited May 11, 2017 by howard ashoul

[pbas400]

1 hour ago, Richard-BKK said:

I agree with Familyonthemove, you not need a big engine to have a good time touring the country. I one time met a couple who where touring Thailand on two Honda Wave bikes. They even went to Vietnam through Cambodia and back via Laos… Yes people two Honda Waves I’m not even sure it were 125cc could have been 110cc’s

Are you sure they went to Vietnam, because it s difficult (like impossible) with "No Vietnamese" plate

 

you can ask a permit, but need time and too much money for a short trip, limit is 30 days

[Richard-BKK]

57 minutes ago, pbas400 said:

Are you sure they went to Vietnam, because it s difficult (like impossible) with "No Vietnamese" plate

 

you can ask a permit, but need time and too much money for a short trip, limit is 30 days

Vietnam has two rules for foreign two-wheelers one is for below 175cc and basically any motorcycle / scooter from neighboring countries can enter the country. The second rules is for two-wheeled motorcycles with engines larger than 175cc, with this it’s indeed much more difficult to enter the country. Another thing is that it’s a few years ago that I met that couple...

 

p.s. this is how it was explained to me... I normally not question people I meet who have pictures and great stories...

Edited May 11, 2017 by Richard-BKK

[CLW]

Are you sure they went to Vietnam, because it s difficult (like impossible) with "No Vietnamese" plate
 
you can ask a permit, but need time and too much money for a short trip, limit is 30 days

Probably with Vietnam plates

[CLW]

Once I went from Sakon Nakhon to Bangkok at 110ccm (Kawasaki KSR) with passanger. It's about 600 Km and toke me about 16 hours. Three days later I went back the same route. [emoji3]
 
Unforgetable experience!

Rented a brand new Honda wave RSX in Vietnam for a 5 day trip.
Perfect except the small tank volume.
I needed to carry gasoline in coca cola bottles with me [emoji41]

Last year I did a trip with my Kawasaki GTO Thailand-Cambodia-Laos.
I think about 2,000 km
Great experience, until my engine broke down [emoji53]
Luckily already close to the Thai border so I could make my way with bus and pick up and carry the bike to Ubon Ratchathani and returned by train

[CLW]

Vietnam has two rules for foreign two-wheelers one is for below 175cc and basically any motorcycle / scooter from neighboring countries can enter the country. The second rules is for two-wheeled motorcycles with engines larger than 175cc, with this it’s indeed much more difficult to enter the country. Another thing is that it’s a few years ago that I met that couple...

 

p.s. this is how it was explained to me... I normally not question people I meet who have pictures and great stories...

Sure about that 175cc rule?
You got any official statement?

[guzzi850m2]

The lighter the bike the easier it is to ride off-road generally.

 

I did a 3 month motorbike trip in Australia 1998 on a Kawasaki KLR650. I only went off-road 1 time, on Fraser Island (the biggest sand island in the world) and I was struggling on those soft sand dunes on the beach until I learned to stand up and lean slightly forward and keep the speed up. 2 up on any bike will severely limit the off-road capabilities. 

I am not using my Versys650 off-road but BJJ prove that it can be done with some modifications.

 

Try read the excellent book: Jupiter's Travels by Ted Simon, a British guy that rode around the world in 1973 (for 4 years) on a Triumph Bonneville. This book is almost "the bible" for anyone who want to go on long distance travel on a motorbike and basically prove the point; any bike can do it, just take your pick.

Edited May 11, 2017 by guzzi850m2

[Richard-BKK]

22 minutes ago, CLW said:

Sure about that 175cc rule?
You got any official statement?

You can do a Google search for "175-cc-motor-size-restriction-in-vietnam.770" GT-Rider forum has a whole tread about the 175cc restriction rules. If you not trust GT-Rider you can search for Vietnam 175cc motorcycle rules and you get a lot more websites that tell basically tell you the same thing.... Hope that is official enough...

As I said I not say it's correct or not, I only say that it was  the way I was told....

[pbas400]

1 hour ago, CLW said:

Probably with Vietnam plates

but with vietnamese plate you cannot travel in Thailand :)

 

[CLW]

but with vietnamese plate you cannot travel in Thailand :)
 

Correct

[papa al]

4 hours ago, Richard-BKK said:

You can do a Google search for "175-cc-motor-size-restriction-in-vietnam.770" GT-Rider forum has a whole tread about the 175cc restriction rules. If you not trust GT-Rider you can search for Vietnam 175cc motorcycle rules and you get a lot more websites that tell basically tell you the same thing.... Hope that is official enough...

 

 

Richard:

Did that search.

Found some 10 years old articles that said couldn't be done.

GTRider: Only found articles saying 'no-can-do.'

So not really 'official enough' .

Maybe a specific reference would be good, as 

papa not really competent searcher.
 

[Richard-BKK]

What can I say, I have seen pictures of the two Honda Waves at Vietnamese landmarks while they to the stories. I have no doubt that the two I met where in Vietnam on the little Honda who had Thai license plates. It was around 3 years ago that I met them in Khon Kaen.

 

I had no reason to doubt them then and I have no reason to doubt the story now. If people not believe it, that is fine for me…

 

First of all the underlining story is that you not need a big engine size motorcycle to do some touring the country.

[pbas400]

2 hours ago, Richard-BKK said:

What can I say, I have seen pictures of the two Honda Waves at Vietnamese landmarks while they to the stories. I have no doubt that the two I met where in Vietnam on the little Honda who had Thai license plates. It was around 3 years ago that I met them in Khon Kaen.

 

I had no reason to doubt them then and I have no reason to doubt the story now. If people not believe it, that is fine for me…

 

First of all the underlining story is that you not need a big engine size motorcycle to do some touring the country.

Correct, i did a trip south to north vietnam with a honda wave 110 cc 

 

today i travel in thailand with a yamaha nmax 155cc, i did a trip last winter during 2 months, 4000 kilometers in Isan.

 

 

 

 

[CLW]

Correct, i did a trip south to north vietnam with a honda wave 110 cc 
 
today i travel in thailand with a yamaha nmax 155cc, i did a trip last winter during 2 months, 4000 kilometers in Isan.
 
 
 
 

Don't get me wrong.
But Nmax is a scooter, not a Motorcycle [emoji13]
I want something between my legs.

But hey, Different strokes for different folks.

The most important thing is that you enjoyed the trip!

[pbas400]

SO....Honda Wave, Dream are also scooters ! 

 

important is riding/traveling 

 

[thaiguzzi]

On 11/05/2017 at 10:14 AM, guzzi850m2 said:

The lighter the bike the easier it is to ride off-road generally.

 

I did a 3 month motorbike trip in Australia 1998 on a Kawasaki KLR650. I only went off-road 1 time, on Fraser Island (the biggest sand island in the world) and I was struggling on those soft sand dunes on the beach until I learned to stand up and lean slightly forward and keep the speed up. 2 up on any bike will severely limit the off-road capabilities. 

I am not using my Versys650 off-road but BJJ prove that it can be done with some modifications.

 

Try read the excellent book: Jupiter's Travels by Ted Simon, a British guy that rode around the world in 1973 (for 4 years) on a Triumph Bonneville. This book is almost "the bible" for anyone who want to go on long distance travel on a motorbike and basically prove the point; any bike can do it, just take your pick.

Not being a nitpicker, but Ted Simon did that journey on a T100, basically a single carb 500cc version of a Daytona, rather than a T120 650 Bonneville...

Still a great read.

[guzzi850m2]

10 minutes ago, thaiguzzi said:

Not being a nitpicker, but Ted Simon did that journey on a T100, basically a single carb 500cc version of a Daytona, rather than a T120 650 Bonneville...

Still a great read.

You are partly right thaiguzzi, it was the Tiger100 but with twin engine.

 

Here is Ted Simon's motorbike after the journey.

 

 

Edited May 12, 2017 by guzzi850m2