TDM900 or Versys(?)

kawashima · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 May 2005 Karma :

Which do you like better? and Why?
Why I picked these bikes are...
- I like twin
- below 200kg
- I want decent brakes and frames(compared to W650)
- I like comfy position(like W650)
- I need fairings

https://www.presto-corp.jp/lineups/09_tdm900/gallery.php#main
https://www.bright.ne.jp/lineup/pdf/versys_catalog.pdf

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DL1000/Tiger dropped from the list because of weight and seat height.
SV1000 dropped because of racy position(even non-S was racy for me), and can't buy new one now.
GT1000 dropped because ducati is too early for me and expensive.
All cruisers dropped because I hate forward controls.
(Though I can't afford new bike soon, I need your opinions Thumbs Up

)
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own:2020 Serow 250
owned: 2012 YB125SP, 2008 TDM900, 2005 W650, 2002 LS125R, 2002 CB400SF, NS50F, C50 / Trip to UK(2009), Hokkaido touring(2013)

instigator · Super Spammer Joined: 19 Oct 2004 Karma :

I've not tried a TDM 900 but own a 2009 versys. Cracking bike that, if you don't tend to go above 100mph often, then there isn't really that much need for the larger engine. I find the Versys is a superb bike to commute into London on. A little larger than most commuter bikes, perhaps, but I don't tend to have many problems.

kawashima · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 May 2005 Karma :

Great thanks for your informative post Thumbs Up

That's a real multi purpose bike!
I found some after market taller screens for versys. Screen will not be a problem any more Smile

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own:2020 Serow 250
owned: 2012 YB125SP, 2008 TDM900, 2005 W650, 2002 LS125R, 2002 CB400SF, NS50F, C50 / Trip to UK(2009), Hokkaido touring(2013)

pyx_e · World Chat Champion Joined: 07 Nov 2007 Karma :

I can not compare only give my opinion on the Versys. I love it. It's not brilliant at everything but it is very good at everything. I use it round town a lot, and for rides out of Bristol of about an hour, never misses a beat, good height and agility for filtering, comfortable on longer runs, will sit at 80 mph all day, lovely riding position. Been on long trips runs 200-300 miles a day round Wales ect fully loaded with tent and missus and it continued to be a joy.

You will need to get the larger screen as below for extended rides. Other important things I have added: hand gaurds and mirror extenders. Plus lots of other stuff for fun; hugger, new horn, touring kit, mud guard extenders front and back.

Like I said I am not a very experienced rider but the Versys is a good tool I've never thought "Oh it really lets me down in that area."

https://i361.photobucket.com/albums/oo60/pyx_e/V2small.jpg
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Shiney!
Kawasaki: ER5, Versys, VN900.

instigator · Super Spammer Joined: 19 Oct 2004 Karma :

I have the touring version which came with an MRA screen, like below:

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v612/greggreggreg/VERSYS1.jpg

But I found it didn't give enough wind protection - so I took the top 'lip' off, drilled my original OEM screen and put that on instead. Et Voila...!

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v612/greggreggreg/screen1.jpg

pyx_e · World Chat Champion Joined: 07 Nov 2007 Karma :

Orange ones are faster.
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Shiney!
Kawasaki: ER5, Versys, VN900.

Itchy · Super Spammer Joined: 07 Apr 2005 Karma :

TDM , as it is a derivative of the super tenere XLV750, which means with a couple of simple mods, it can become a super adventure bike, though it will of course cost you less to move it around if you get thee a versis.

On Japanese ferries and Korean ones yer get charged for cc, and thus EVERYBODY lies and says it is 600cc,
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kawashima · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 May 2005 Karma :

Reppyboyo · Nearly there... Joined: 15 Sep 2006 Karma :

Im also looking to step down to a Versys, they seem to be going for bargain prices in private sales.

Smooth · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 21 Apr 2008 Karma :

https://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikereviews/searchresults/Bike-Reviews/Kawasaki/Kawasaki--Versys-2006--current/?&R=EPI-267

https://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikereviews/searchresults/Bike-Reviews/Yamaha/Yamaha-TDM-900-2002-current/
I'm not sure about the MCN performance figures, 74bhp sounds a bit low...

I'd have the TDM, although they're both good by all accounts.
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TDM850

kawashima · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 May 2005 Karma :

kawashima · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 May 2005 Karma :

I went to kwaka shop(I bought mine from) and asked about versys.
bike price : 840,000yen(without tax)
delivery in japan : around march 2010
He offered 350,000yen for trade-in of my W650 and total payment will be 682,000yen if I buy it.

I asked if there's any engine guard for versys, he said it's rather slider type one and it sometimes brakes bike itself.

And regarding accessories, there are not so much for 2010 models at the moment he said watching kawasaki uk website.

He said bikes delivered to japan will be very small number because 650 class isn't popular here.

And I wanted to check the seat height(845mm) is alright for me(173cm) and went for some used bike shops but there weren't any versys stocks.

I haven't decided yet but I'm waiting for the reply when is the time limit to order if I want 2010 model.

Not related to versys but later I went to honda shop. He said CB1100 price will be a little bit higher than 1,000,000yen and delivery will be March or April 2010.
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own:2020 Serow 250
owned: 2012 YB125SP, 2008 TDM900, 2005 W650, 2002 LS125R, 2002 CB400SF, NS50F, C50 / Trip to UK(2009), Hokkaido touring(2013)

sickpup · Old Timer Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Karma :

Might be worth taking a look at the ER6F as well. Pretty much the same as a Versys but lower seat height and a bit nore power with less weight.

People think they are a bit racey but they actually have a very sit-up-and-beg riding position with quite high bars not clip-ons.

kawashima · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 May 2005 Karma :

sickpup · Old Timer Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Karma :

kawashima · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 May 2005 Karma :

I went to kawasaki shop and test rode ER-6f and ZRX1200daeg.
[ER-6f]
Wind protection:It was much better than I expected from its height of the screen.
Riding position:It was nearly best balance of comfy and a little bit forward.
Engine:ER-6 and W650 are both 650cc so I thought they have nearly same character but it was totally different. Under 2000rpm on 6th gear caused snatch.(W650 runs 1000rpm on 5th). Power range was in mid to higher, I thought more low and mid range.(W650 is gut less over4000rpm). To be honest, engine(exhaust?) note of ER-6 was not so attractive.
Ratio:4500rpm at 100km/h
Overall, it has handy size and enough power and handles well.
[ZRX1200daeg]
Wind protection:Bikini cowl didn't give me enough protection.
Riding position:Surprisingly it had more racy position than ER-6f.
Engine:Very smooth like new CB400SF, enough torque to run around 2500rpm without worry of stall. It is peaceful but boring. From low to Mid-low is not that greatly powerful even when I open wide at relatively higher gear. From Mid to Higher range it becomes suddenly like a rocket. It reminded me of ZZR1400 which scared me a lot. Boring or rocket.
Weight:It was not that heavy than I expected when the bike is still. But I felt the difference from ER-6f when the bike is running. Especially when I handle left and right.

Overall, for a poor skilled rider like me can't enjoy this level bike fully especially on twisties. I test rode ZRX because if I add about 200,000yen payment I can buy ZRX, and Resale value of the bike will be better than Versys here. And I wanted to compare the power difference between ER-6f. But the result was I am not ready for ZRX yet. I can ride more actively on 650cc than 1200cc.

I talked about TDM900 to kawasaki man, he was saying TDM is heavier than Versys and more "top heavy". I also talked with customer who had ridden Versys and he said regarding wind protection, ER-6f is better than Versys. He said if I attach large top box, Versys will suit more. I agree with him.

Versys has a little bit more mid-range rich engine compared to ER-6f, and perhaps I will like Versys engine better from today's impression. The result of test ride was if I choose from kawasaki, it will be Versys. I haven't decided but today's test ride was really helpful for me.
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own:2020 Serow 250
owned: 2012 YB125SP, 2008 TDM900, 2005 W650, 2002 LS125R, 2002 CB400SF, NS50F, C50 / Trip to UK(2009), Hokkaido touring(2013)

instigator · Super Spammer Joined: 19 Oct 2004 Karma :

I haven't rode the ER6f before but did the ER6n and found the engine to be a lot more willing than the one in the versys. The power just kept coming and coming, was very surprised by that. However, I needed wind protection and a touring machine which the versys does comfortably.

My V will only get about 140 miles to a tank around town before going onto reserve, getting over 200 miles to a tank is actually quite difficult I've found. The most anyone has ever achieved, from reading versys.co.uk is about 220 miles and that must have been until the tank was dry. So it wouldn't surprise me if the er6f has better mpg. It would annoy me though. Evil or Very Mad

Reppyboyo · Nearly there... Joined: 15 Sep 2006 Karma :

Odd, I`ve read of many Versys getting 200 to a tank easily.

pyx_e · World Chat Champion Joined: 07 Nov 2007 Karma :

I can get 200 + no problem. And I'm 17 stone and mostly ride round town.
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Shiney!
Kawasaki: ER5, Versys, VN900.

kawashima · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 May 2005 Karma :

instigator · Super Spammer Joined: 19 Oct 2004 Karma :

it might be that I always use a top box on the bike but I doubt it. Maybe mine's just a thirsty old girl because I sure don't ride it hard!

sickpup · Old Timer Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Karma :

instigator · Super Spammer Joined: 19 Oct 2004 Karma :

I was annoyed a long time ago when you quoted 70mpg for your machine. And I'm barely 11st. Think I need to adjust the gearing perhaps, so it's not quite as 'busy' low down.

chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

The TDM is a cracking bike, I feel it is one of the most underrated bikes out there. It has R1 blue spots so the breaks are out of this world. It's a 2 cylinder 10 valve making about 90 HP and about the same nm of torque. It is an extremely comfortable bike and handles pretty well if you are tall it is one of the best bikes you can own.
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TUG · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 May 2007 Karma :

Get the TDM and enjoy its pure awesomeness! i so badly want one, they're so ace, i've worked on a few, they're dry sump which is a bit weird but its fun watching the pipes turn lumi orange with heat!
Seriously like chris-red has said, so under rated its pathetic, the seating posistion is perfect, excelent brakes, torque full engine. PHWOOOAR.
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Haz ER-5, innit!