Kawasaki Concours Forum
Riding => It's not a Concours - other Bikes => Topic started by: JerBear on February 12, 2015, 07:01:40 PM
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Super Tenere or Versys 1000 For those of you that have driven them, what did you like and what did you not like? I'm leaning ST right now because of the shaft but value your input.
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I guess it really depends. What you want to do with the bike. One is purely a street bike with UJM ergonomics. The other can handle dusty gravel roads and more if you have the muscle and skill. The electronic cruise and shaft would seal the deal if the price was close. Haven't ridden either, but I prefer twins over I-4 engines.
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I've ridden the Super Tenere. Seemed too heavy for much off road but not nearly as much fun as a C14 on road. I have to admit I only rode it on pavement so I don't know for sure how well it would do for adventure riding on dirt and Forest Service roads. I have a friend that traded a big-ole Yamaha Royal Star Venture for an ST in 2011. Loved it so much he just upgraded to the new ST with the ESA.
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I road the Yamaha, that bike is not for me.
I'm really liking the new versys 1000 for on road and "some" offroad. If I didn;t want to run my C14 up to 200,000 miles I'd proably have one in the garage.
Now before anyone says anything about the versys offroad, remember my C14 has done quite well offroading it. Wish I had real examples of what its capable for off road.
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/X%20country%20trippin/20110713-DSC_1832.jpg)
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/X%20country%20trippin/20110711-DSC_1694.jpg)
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/X%20country%20trippin/20110708-DSC_1451.jpg)
Now of course my C14 won't go places my KTM goes regularly, but hey neither will the two bikes you propose
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10151327_10202249229846788_4242233936741682245_n.jpg?oh=b5e52a3fc298b6454cd32d8bb9e7864a&oe=55906728&__gda__=1432128125_34096c8043a5d1baa2eb1157f93a8bcf)
On the other hand, my friend with the heavy Yamaha you are debating had a bad day when we were offroading in TX ;D
and yes, we put boards down and everything else to pry this front end out of the muck :-X
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/KLR650/KLR%20Koast%20to%20Koast/IMG_3136.jpg)
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As far as the weight of the bikes goes the Yamaha is 575 Lbs. and the Versys 1000 is 549. 26 lbs is probably the shaft mechanism and a slightly larger motor. Heck after lugging the Connie around these two are positively svelte. That is why I'm having a tough time picking one. I like aspects of both of them, can't afford both and I guess the hardest part is the chain on the Versys. I haven't had a chain drive bike since.....I was a kid. How much of a pain in the butt are they? Have they gotten better?
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As far as the weight of the bikes goes the Yamaha is 575 Lbs. and the Versys 1000 is 549. 26 lbs is probably the shaft mechanism and a slightly larger motor. Heck after lugging the Connie around these two are positively svelte. That is why I'm having a tough time picking one. I like aspects of both of them, can't afford both and I guess the hardest part is the chain on the Versys. I haven't had a chain drive bike since.....I was a kid. How much of a pain in the butt are they? Have they gotten better?
With the O ring chains and sticky spray lub its not that bad. Put it up on the center stand and spray a bit on the inside while turning the rear wheel. I do my DR650 every 500-1000 miles. The chain lasts about 15,000 miles. Using a master link chain its easy to change the chain as well.
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I hear leftover Super T's are really cheap.
Have you considered the new for '14 Vstrom 1K?
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On the other hand, my friend with the heavy Yamaha you are debating had a bad day when we were offroading in TX ;D
and yes, we put boards down and everything else to pry this front end out of the muck :-X
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/KLR650/KLR%20Koast%20to%20Koast/IMG_3136.jpg)
Did you have help with the other bike pulling it out?
That looks impossible. ???