Versys vs ER-6N

[Halliggye]

First of all hello, 1st post and all that. Looks like a good place to hang out.

I haven't had a bike for a fair few years; probably about 16 years since I last jumped on one. I'm now in a place in my life both financially and commitment wise (mid life crisis? No...) to buy another.

I'm looking at an ER-6n but would really like the Versys 650. Chatting with my biker mates they rekon that the Versys will be too hard for me to tame, top heavy, skittish etc, I was just after some more opinions...

Any points taken onboard.

Thanks

[chris-red]

[Seb]

Aye sounds like nonsense to me. Only way one is going to be worse is if you've got some rubbish faux off road/dual sport 'knobblies' on there for the Ewan and Charlie look.

Probably the most significant difference is that the seat is a bit higher, maybe a concern if you're a shorty.
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[Dave500]

Go for the Versys if you are tall/longer legged and fancy a bit of touring.
Go for the ER if you fancy a blast around country lanes or commuting.
The Versys is not hard to tame or skittish in fact its actually quite fun to ride
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Bye bye Z hello Versys

[Rogerborg]

[Halliggye]

Thanks for the advise.

A test ride shall be booked on both.

[Tris]

Just got an ER6F (2012-2015 model) myself the other month and its alright, obviously the same engine etc as the N and I've already done over 1,500 miles on it from new.

Also been contemplating an exhaust for it and the Versys keeps showing as compatible with the ER6 stuff so maybe also the same engine? (speculation) In which case it would be more of a case of what TYPE of bike do you want.

I test rode the ER6N as they didn't have an F in stock and its much of a muchness, its a twin, so you need to rev if you want to ride 'quick', it is OK on the weight side, not the lightest, not heavy. You can flick it about alright for what it is and the F has been good on long trips as well as in the city, the N may not be so good for the longer rides as the Versys owing to the fact it has a bit more fairing on it.
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8 Years riding, and many more to come...
Current bike: Kawasaki er6f

[Scythe]

[Tris]

Thought as much, just didn't look in to it All the best with which ever bike you choose, can't really go too far wong enjoy the ride
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8 Years riding, and many more to come...
Current bike: Kawasaki er6f

[andys675]

buy what you want, its a lot cheaper than compromising and changing again after 6 months
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[deadwolf]

The ER6n is quite narrow at the bars with a low seat height, very easy to filter on. Versys is higher and wider and if I'm not wrong has better spec suspension. A somewhat common mod on the previous generation ER6n was to swap in a Versys swingarm which improved handling and in the opinion of some, appearance.
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Motorsapien Art

[DJP]

AFAIK, they're basically the same bike.

So unless you're a short arse I can't see how the Versys can be any more difficult to ride.
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[dydey90]

The ER is certainly the better of the two, but there's far too much wind interference on the n, you definitely want the ER6-f. As it happens, I have a spectacular example with very low mileage for sale.

This opinion is in no way biased for personal gain
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Past: CBR125,ER6f NINJA 650, ZZR600 Current: VFR750

[charliemopic]

Versys difficult to tame?
I've had mine a week after passing my test 8 days ago, it's a great bike. It needs a lot of clutch slippage in town as it's a bit jumpy but I think they fixed that on the newer models.
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Current Bikes: Yamaha TDR125 & Kawasaki Versys 650

[Iain.]

Buy the current Versys 650.

It's like an ER-6 that's better looking, more comfortable, better handling and basicly better in every way. Avoid the pre 2015 Versys 1000 as it's really shite. ER-6's are incredibly boring hateful things, possibly my least favourite bike...only thing worse was probbably the GS500. Nothing personal, just hated everything about it.

Source - 380 miles on current model ER-6N, half hour on a 2010 ER-6N, an hour on current model ER-6F, and two hours on both the old shape Versys 1000 and current model.

I'll await neg ratings and baww.

[tactical_pancake]

Versys:
Not difficult to tame at all, very easy to ride, linear throttle (boring even?). Isn't skittish, feels very planted cornering.

Seating position is relaxed for long rides. Tall, difficult to flat foot unless you are tall or long legs - this is probably most important factor.

Top heavy? Maybe a tad but not a problem when moving. I can't flat foot mine and often ride with a pillion perched up high with heavy backpack, no problem. Manually paddling it I find tricky though.

The ER6 engine in all of these isn't very stressed and is low maintenance, and the versys will shift ok if you are a good rider:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nDcOz7oOVM

Although you will get wind blast at higher speeds on the versys (and ER6N I imagine) as there isn't much wind protection.

[grr666]

Wind protection not much better on the F tbh.
From 90 upwards it's pretty bad even with the screen on its high position 3
Upside down forks on the Versys btw. Not on the Er6F/N
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[iooi]

Versys is a piece of piss to ride.
I'm 5'7" and managed no issue. remember you can get std, high or lower seat for them as well as a fantastic simple lowering kit.
Great MPG.
Fantastic grip levels. So much so you can ground the pegs no problem.

Rode a 07 plate for 5 years.

Clearly the people you spoke to have never been on one
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[recman]

[DJP]

Or Suzuki DL650 or Yamaha MT07.

The last arguably better than any of them unless you're hell-bent on "Adventure" styling...
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