Beans

Reading my car insurance renewal and saw that they won't pay out if any of the manufacturer fitted security mechanisms aren't on, or words to this effect. So got me thinking, presumably it's the same for bikes, and when I put the bike away in a locked garage, I also need to use the steering lock otherwise no payout if stolen?

Post test is simplest How do you quantify advanced riding though? >10 years riding? Been on a course? Completed "advanced" riding course? Race licence holders? IAM etc members? Lapsed IAM etc members?... Post-test is simplest definition

Could we have the Advanced Riding as a section in its own right? This would encourage more information sharing, debate and reflection amongst the learned forum members...

They are Kawasaki branded, and an optional Kawasaki extra so they are the standard fog light

Apparently, these are they: http://www.piaa.com/store/p/187-LP530-3-5-LED-Driving-Light-Kit.aspx

Or not, https://www.therevcounter.co.uk/threads/106577-Motorcycle-Automatic-Headlamp-On-rules

Since about 2004(!) motorcycles were being built this way, with it becoming a legal requirement in the UK from 2016. So, yes. But I have these additional, auxiliary lights hanging off the bike and can't currently use them, as they are fog lights. I'd like to have them operate as additional lights I can use to increase my daytime conspicuity.

Testing the waters a little here. I have led fog lights on the Versys which I can't use, unless it's foggy, so they are effectively redundant. I asked on the Versys forum if there was a way to easily (as I have no electrical or mechanical skillz) convert these to be daytime running lights. Apparently there is: use a pulse wave modulator that 'dims' them, let's ignore how they are angled for now. This looks like the ticket and can be bought in the UK https://www.skenelights.com/online-store/IQ-275-Intelligent-Dimmer-p80215575 I was actually pointed towards this https://stores.advmonster.com/wireless-waterproof-led-dimmer-with-high-beam-bypass but that's in the USA so pretty sure with delivery and customs charges the first one would be cheaper to buy. So, getting to the point, do you believe this is something an amateur could fit?

What Rob said.

Nothing to do with slack in throttle cable. I've took the slack out and then put it back again. Quotes from the Versys forum put it well Its the on off nature of low rev riding that's the pita, and the constant feathering the clutch to avoid that on off throttle/engine braking on small tight stuff and mini roundabouts, and riding in towns etc etc...above 4k is fine anyway And theres a confusion between "bad fuelling" and harsh engine braking/on/off throttle here, i wasnt bugged by the actual fuelling, but on,off throttle and engine braking were a pita under 25mph, constant clutch slipping just got on my wick for small roundabouts and corners, the versys is at its best between 30-90, unfortunately they forgot that a lot of riding is below 30 I shouldn't need to slip the clutch on corners!

Lol There goes my thread

It's a common enough issue eg. http://www.kawasakiversys.com/forums/170-technical-discussion-v-650/205001-do-snatchy-throttle-fixes-apply-15-a.html Other similar comments abound Stu, it not under warranty and won't be getting main dealer service so unlikely to have any mapping reset

Seems more elegant and complete to do so.

E.g. https://bsd.uk.com/dyno-ecu/ http://www.rapidbike.co.uk/services.html https://www.jordanbikes.com/motorcycle-ecu-remapping

As per subject, but please Don't share experiences of power commander or booster plug here as solutions for the problem below. By all means create a new thread or review. Bob has suggested that the factory mapping on my Versys is why the throttle is so snatchy and unpredictable at anything <=30 mph. It's so bad it spoils riding as town work is no fun I think he's right as it's only a couple of years old and the emissions rules have lead to a lot of bikes being like this. I'm considering having the ECU flashed to solve this low speed fuelling problem, not arsed about any more power, just want to sort out the lower speed throttle issues Has anyone else gone through this, any recommendations or would they not do it again? Any drawbacks? Thanks

I went from a four cylinder litre bike to the Kawasaki Versys 650 early this year. I have a 2018 model Kawasaki Versys 650 and have put 2.5 k on it. Apart from these two bikes and a 125 I briefly owned, I haven't ridden or owned any other bikes so I am not an expert. I bought the Versys as I use my bike to commute as well as riding for fun and I wanted to lower the cost of petrol and consumables. The good things about the Versys are. I get 50 plus to the gallon all whilst trying to ride in a spirited way. The riding position is upright giving good visibility. It's lighter so easier to maneuver around the garage and driveway and if it starts to tip, there's a better chance of saving it. The bad things about it are. It has a shocking throttle which is either on or off. I have to use the clutch so much in first to third to try and manage this. The throttle response can make riding and cornering dangerous and unpredictable. Using the clutch in a corner isn't recommended but nor is bucking bronco on the throttle I spend too much of my attention on making the bike try to behave. The vibrations from the parallel twin are significant and town speeds in second can lead to vibration white finger. Apparently previous versions were worse, presumably your fillings dropped out of your teeth. The engine braking is significant. Gear selection is important. But Down shifting is tricky due to the throttle response and engine braking. Some upshifts are tricky for the same throttle reason. Going up from first to second is a big jolt. Maybe this is the bike that will teach me how to ride. I missed out the mid sized bike and went straight to a 1000cc bike as soon as I passed my test. The litre Honda definitely made me lazy. But the Versys' throttle response is something I don't think I can overcome, no matter how much I keep at it, as I am as smooth on the throttle as I can be. I would not recommend this bike.

I believe Zen are good, they're in Edgeley. https://www.zenmotorcycletraining.co.uk/

Mike, I have Avon Storm 3D on my bike, it came with them fitted and they are brilliant. I haven't had the bike long so can't really comment on how long they will last, but the wear so far over 1000+ miles seems perfectly fine. For me, the grip and confidence I get are outstanding. I've previously used Michelin pilot roads which were good but I rate the Avons much better. Also used Bridgestone Battlax for a long time and didn't like them, esp. in the rain. I wouldn't have chosen Avon previously, just because you don't hear much about them in places like this, but I will definitely be putting another set on when it's new tyre time

Don't know I guess I can ask

Since the last service a week ago, I've felt that my versys 650 is moving relatively quickly on a closed throttle. In first and definitely noticeable in second gear. Does this suggest that the throttle cable got over adjusted on the service?

Confused now Voltage after 24 hours 12.8 v Voltage at 2000rpm 14.2v It appears to be a good battery with a functional charging system. I can't work out how it didn't have the charge to start the bike.

Will try this Sat nav doesn't stay on the bike and wasn't on my Honda. I can't see it being the cause. Versys doesn't have parking lights. You can turn the key past lock and then put an indicator on, but not parking lights. I definitely didn't have my indicator on. No alarm fitted. Battery is at 12.94v an hour after being charged. I will check again in the morning. I will test parasitic drain and charging at weekend.

26 miles each way mainly motorway and A road.

Sure. There's nothing left on. I don't know how to activate the park lights

That's not what I wanted to hear. I got rid of the Honda due to charging problems. If I have now got a kawasaki with charging problems I will be pretty pissed off