manxie49

Rain X works for me, has to be reapplied regularly though

Great review.  I've been considering one of these helmets myself, I think it was just the mixed reviews I was reading about fit, and the visor failing to stay clicked open at even slower speeds and misting up that was putting me off.  I do think I'm going to give one a whirl though.  My Neotec is starting to show it's age,  and as you correctly pointed out, after I fitted the intercom the lining has never stayed in place properly since, I'm forever having to fiddle around clicking it back onto the press studs.

Sunday Lunch ....... I'm sorry, but I will not be held responsible for your sick imaginations! 

Yep, another for Oxford hot grips.  Used them before without any problems, but as with all grips, only did a good job at keeping the palms of my hands warm.  Riding year round I found the heated gloves worked better for me and I haven't experienced any of the issues with them mentioned above.  I have Gerbing gloves, two years in now and no issues.

All the best, have a good un 

Unfortunately it is one of the downsides of leaving the bike outside, and a lot of the time the cover actually makes things worse.  When possible, remove the cover and allow air to circulate around the bike, a good clean and spray with ACF50 OR XCP also helps (obviously well away from the brake discs).  As Husoi said, condensation is the killer, it even affects bikes stored in sheds or garages.  I often run a dehumidifier in my garage to help combat the exact same issues you're having.

Just given mine the ACF50 treatment for the winter.  I only ever rinse it off with cold water over the winter months or I sometimes use something called salt away.  I never use anything like snow foam or muc-off until Spring, it get a thorough cleaning then.  I usually find that the ACF50 lasts pretty well, I rarely over spray it during the winter months anyway.

+1 for the Fertan products.  I used one of their products this year for the first time on some rusted steel railings.  It was called Fedogel?  Absolutely brilliant, removed the rust completely, very impressed with it, not cheap though.

I'm with Keith, had mine for three years now, worn in all weathers, with no real issues.  My only gripe is the Pinlock, doesn't matter how I adjust it, I just can't get it to fit properly, which means the visor regularly mists up in the cold, wet weather, which is a pain in the arse.  Personally, I wouldn't even consider changing the Neotec 2 for the 3, there doesn't really seem to be any great upgrades or improvements to speak off that would warrant the cost.  When I do change helmets I may have a look at Schuberth which seem to get good reviews.

Optimate 4, been using them for a long time now on all my bikes, never had any issues.  I even go away on holiday and leave the bike plugged into the Optimate.  I have an off road bike, doesn't get used regularly, and it's always left plugged in to keep it maintained, the battery on that bike is currently in its fourth year and still going strong.

What husoi says is quite correct, but try having a look, and altering the direction of the beam.  I've had these on a couple of my bikes now and have never had any issues.  I did have one or two cars flash me when I was on the Tracer, but all I did was adjust the angle of the lights ...... Just an after thought, check the headlight beam angle as well.  LED lights on bikes can be pretty bright and some drivers flash even with lights dipped.

11 hours ago, Shepherd said:

I'm far from being an experienced rider, but I love my Versys 650.

The snatchy throttle I had problems with as well, but I fitted a booster plug and the change was instant. Well worth a try imho. 

Booster plug seems to be a good first try and is probably the way forward.  I have had bikes remapped in the past, but the results have been hit and miss, and with my old Fireblade actually made things worse. 

17 hours ago, fullscreenaging said:

@manxie49

I’ve just sold my 2017 V1K that I had from new. I’ve given up biking. 
I went from a 2015 MT 09 Tracer. 
The Versys was the best bike I’ve owned and if I hadn’t given up I had no plans to change it.  
 

I bought a used OEM Kawasaki Comfort seat that was in mint condition and I was able to stay in the seat longer, but I still has issues if I was out all day. 
 

I bought this earlier in the year and it transformed the seat. It’s very comfy to sit on and even though the Rukka pants I had have the anti slip I found on this seat I did slide. 
 

Anyway if you want to pay for postage I will send you it as I have no more use and it wasn’t much. 
PM me. 
 

Just been looking at these and might give one a go, certainly couldn't hurt, I've got the wife to put one on my Christmas present list for this year  Thus far, I'm inclined to agree with you, although I haven't covered massive miles yet, I do think that this bike rates among one of the best I've owned.  Other than the very minor niggles, I really can't fault it.

Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE GT

 

Been test riding bikes since last April, looking for a bike to replace the Tracer.  I had a few boxes to tick, the main one being the ability to tour on two up.  It also had to be a bike I could live with day to day.  Everything from the commute to a ride out with my mates.  I hadn’t even considered a Versys until speaking to a visiting biker who was over for the MGP.  

 

Anyway, I found one at a local dealership and took it for an extended test ride, and virtually, right from the off, I loved it.

 

So basically, the bike is a tried and tested (been around for a while now), in line four-cylinder engine, which is basically a derivative of the Ninja engine with the torque curve flattened out somewhat to make is more suited for touring.  It certainly isn’t a light weight bike, but its low centre of gravity make it feel a lot lighter than its book weight would suggest.  The SE model comes with the electronic suspension, which I personally like, and makes life quicker and easier when switching from two up to solo continuously.  The bike is marketed as an Adventure bike, but IMHO it isn’t, and I would argue that it’s closer to sports tourer than adventure, I certainly wouldn’t want to take it off road, and I speak as someone who actually does a bit of off roading.

 

THE GOOD:

 

I found the bike very easy to ride, right from the off.  I’m 6’2”, able to easily flat foot when at a standstill, but have never felt cramped or uncomfortable, even with a pillion on board.  The engine is smooth and responsive, as you’d expect, it’s also very agile and capable, especially when you get the revs above 6k.  The electronic suspension works well, but I have tinkered with something called rider mode, basically making the bike mine, and setting everything up as I want it.  It’s well worth the time and effort doing this, it can totally transform the riding experience.  For touring the bike comes with full luggage with enough room for two people to have a comfortable week away, the O/E luggage is basically made for Kawasaki by GIVI.  Inner bags for the panniers are useless and I personally don’t use them.  I have found the panniers to be water tight though, with no leaks and wet clothes to date.  The bike is also equipped with a manually adjustable screen, which, at 6’2” I find to be adequate when touring.  It seems to be very good at keeping both the wind and rain off, with no noticeable helmet roar or buffeting, unlike my old Tracer.  Fuel consumption is pretty good, I’ve never pushed it to the point of riding on fumes, but I’m getting 210 to 220 miles between fill ups, and that’s with some spirited riding thrown into the mix as well.  Finally, the bike is fitted with an up and down gear quick shifter.  I’ve always been a fan of these devices and use them a lot, especially when two up.  The one on this bike, whilst a little clunky, does the job and I’ve had no issues with it.

 

THE BAD:

 

There isn’t much bad I can say about this bike, just a couple of little niggles really.  

·      The OEM screen, whilst adequate, and actually doing a pretty good job, appears to be made of something akin to cream cheese.  Even with careful cleaning I’ve been unable to stop it becoming covered in those annoying hairline scratches, I also wish Kawasaki had made one with a slight tint.  

·      My next niggle is the at Nav mount, bolted onto the steering yoke.  It’s personal choice but I’ve never liked my sat nav mounted in this position, which actually takes your eyes away from the road. 

·      The rear brake also took a bit a getting used to, as most of us do, I use the rear brake during slow riding and especially when manoeuvring, I find I actually have to apply a lot of pressure to the rear brake pedal on this bike before it starts to engage, a minor niggle that I’m now starting to get used to.  

·      Snatchy throttle, which is something I call modern bike syndrome due to leaning them right down to achieve virtue signalling emissions laws.  Like other bikes I’ve owned, this is no different, and the throttle can be a little snatchy at times.  This is something I may address at a later date with a remap. 

·      Chain adjustment.  They fit a centre stand to the bike, then, according to the owner manual, chain slack and adjustment should be carried out with the bike on its side stand!  I mean really, who thought that one up.  There are ways around this issue though.  Unusually I’m unable to fit cotton reels to this bike, but have adapted my paddock stand with rubber cups, this allows me to lift the bike on the swing arm and check and adjust the chain with the rear wheel elevated off the ground.  

·      Finally, not a deal breaker by any means, but compared to other bikes I’ve owned, there seems to be a disproportionate amount of gear lever travel between first and second gear, and, when time allows, I intend to have a look and see if there’s any adjustment in this area.

 

THE UGLY:

 

Only one thing, for me anyway, that fits into this category, and that has to be the seat.  I’ve ridden and owned lots of different bikes over the years, and this has to be one of the most uncomfortable seats I have ever had to sit on.  My wife seems to be very happy with the rear portion of the seat, but from a rider perspective, I find it painful ….. Literally!  I start getting a numb backside after about forty miles, if I push things much further than that I’m actually in pain.  So, I intend, after Christmas, to get the seat redone with some comfort inserts, ready for the longer journeys.

 

MODS:

 

Not a lot really, it doesn’t need much:

 

·      Changed the OEM oil filler plug, which is the thumb screw type to one where a star key is required to undo it.  Why?  Quite simply, some years ago I had someone remove my filler plug on a car park in Leicester and piss in my oil.  Not going to make it that easy for some scum bag to do the same again.

·      End can.  I picked up a nearly new Akra end can at a really good price.  Not interested in trying to make it go faster or even sound better, but the Akra has given me over a 3kg weight saving, plus it looks better.

·      I intend to remount the Satnav on a bracket, behind the screen at eye level.

·      I also intend to get the seat refurbished after Christmas.  Other than that, I can’t think of anything else I want to do to the bike.

 

 CONCLUSION:

 

Great bike with very few negatives I can find.  Most of the negatives highlighted are more minor niggles that can be easily sorted out, and let’s face it, not many people buy bikes and leave them totally, 100% stock anyway, we all find things we need to do to our rides.  Having now used the bike in all weathers with the exception of snow, I can categorically say I’m happy with everything from speed and power delivery, through to handling and comfort, with the exception of the seat.  It’s a great all-rounder, and one that I find ticks most of the boxes.  I have no complaints.  I think the bike would be suited, not just to experienced riders but also riders with a little less road time, it’s a very forgiving ride.  Great for touring and commuting alike, but also good for the weekend blast with your mates. It is a fairly tall bike if you’re vertically challenged, but Kawasaki do a low seat option, and as for the weight, well I don’t really notice it, it very well proportioned and well balanced.

 

2 hours ago, Capt Sisko said:

In 18months of use and yes, having forgotten to unteather mine on numerous occasions it's never gone off. All that said, if / when time comes to replace mine, I'd either replace it with an untreather one or a jacket with a build in air vest.

Yes, agreed, you do have to give the things a good old tug before they go off, I seen one being demonstrated two years ago, look on the guys face who was wearing it was classic! 

I bought this one locally of a guy who was selling up, giving up biking, compared to the new price £250 was a snip.  The only thing I did after I bought it was to send it back to Helite and have it serviced, they even give it a bit of clean.  I don't know about the one on Amazon, however I'm always very careful about buying things like this from sites such as Amazon and E-bay.  A good starting point is Sports bike Shop, have a look at the different products, read the reviews and do some hunting ...... In fairness to the tethered vests, I don't actually think they inflate that easily, I think you'd realise you were still tethered before they inflated, but yes, it is the sort of stupid thing I would do, probably parked at the Creg TT week with a thousand other bikers stood around pissing themselves laughing   Oh, final thought, the vest is comfortable when riding the Tracer, however, on the Beamer, which is a sports bike, I don't wear it.  The collar of the vest hits the back of the helmet and stops me comfortably being able to move my head, it sort of pushes my head forward due to the riding position, just something to think about. 

I have a Helite Hi-Vis untethered.  I didn't buy it new, bought it 2nd hand.  A bit dirty from use but at £250 it was a bargain.  Comfortable to wear, remembering to keep it charged is a pain, worn it a few times and it's started beeping at me to tell me the charge is low.  It lasts about twenty odd hours on a full charge.  I like the fact it can be repacked yourself if it inflates, it helps keep you warm and dry on the cold winter commutes, and, with the fork sensor, will also detect falls or rear end shunts when at a stand still.  Personally I prefer to be untethered, I always worry about walking away from the bike and forgetting to disconnect.

18 hours ago, janinej said:

I've been told to treat everyone else on the road like an idiot and to go steady.  My bike only does 35mph at the most so no danger of me speeding

Wise words, I never trust anyone when out riding, in my experience they always seem to do exactly the opposite of what you expect, even other bikers.  I know that from the experience or riding round this rock during TT.  I read a while ago something which I found amusing but true "treat all other roads users like paid assassins all out to try and kill you".  

Every day is a learning day on a motorbike ..... I started in a field when I was 14, I remember my uncle telling me, if I can ride around the field without falling off then it'll make me better on the road when I'm old enough, and I believe that to be true, I've done a fair bit of off roading over the years, and I truly feel that it's made me better on the roads.  Even now though, with all the experience I have on two wheels, I occasionally still have a crap day out on the road, where everything seems to be against me.  I wouldn't worry too much about dropping the bike, we've all done it at some stage or another.  Just learn from the bad days and move on, thats pretty much what I do, just remember that there no such thing as perfection ..... we all F--- up at some stage.  Welcome to the forum 

Have a good one 

Excellent news ..... Nice one 

Plug looks fine, but most definitely don't leave it there for long term use.  The plugs are just a temporary fix to get you to the garage (at reduced speeds) 

12 hours ago, Isla said:

On my recent trip to Scotland I rode through a few town centres at 20mph and the world is still turning. Why not go & find out? It may be perfectly rational where they have implemented it.

We don't actually want to waste our time and money going to find out, thats the reason I came on here to ask the question from bikers who may be living it in that area ..... helps in the decision making process.  I don't trust MSM, and I don't trust social media horror stories, so would sooner get it from the horses mouth.   

+1 For Easy Grip