Versys 650

[Mark65]

Morning all,
I have found a mint 11 plate Versys 650 with under 2000m on the clock for under £4k, I viewed it last night and its like a new bike, my question is as everything is original (tyres, oil ect) should it be ok?, im test riding Saturday, one downside is the lack of ABS (is it a must have) and Im wondering if it will be very vibey as some say it is and others say its not. So if any one thats had or owns one could chime in please do and let me know what you think. Nobby please be constructive this time.

Thanks
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07 Yamaha YBR125, 07 Honda CG125 , 15 CBR300R (Chocolate Crank, Deaded), 16 CB500FA, 19 Honda Forza 300, 70 Suzuki SV650

[MarJay]

You're the one who is going to be test riding it. If you find it too vibey then don't buy it. If you think it's fine, it's fine. Loads of people ride them every day and manage to do it without getting a vibration based injury (which is a thing!), so it's not a total dealbreaker so it's down to your personal preference.

My other half has a 2011 plate ER6N which has the same engine and a lot of the same characteristics, and it rides really nicely. It goes around corners, it's supremely comfortable and it does well on fuel. She finds it immense fun. I find it a tad on the heavy side but it works well as a bike. I can't say as she's ever mentioned vibes.

The tyres will be OK for a test ride, but if you decide to commit to it, you might want to consider changing them. But I'm sure it'll be fine at least for a while. I've ridden on old tyres and not had a problem but I will admit that new rubber does feel better when riding spiritedly.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[weasley]

ABS - not a must have but will be part of the reason for the price.
The oil is original from 2011?! You sure? Tyres - I'd be using their age as a bargaining tool - you'll be wanting to change them (at least to the seller you will - your choice whether to or not, but tyres do go off over time). I would definitely be wanting new oil in it.

Your test ride will tell you if it is vibey - this can often be down to specific examples.
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Yamaha XJ600 | Yamaha YZF600R Thundercat | KTM 990 SMT | BMW F900XR TE

[MarJay]

A word on ABS:

I've never had it on any of my bikes and I've locked the front wheel maybe three times when riding (22 years). There is one occasion I can think of where it would have helped me avoid an accident, but I was riding like an idiot in torrential rain.

I will be wanting ABS for my next commuter as I have to commute into central London in lots of different weather conditions so having it will be an extra belt and braces safety item, but seeing as people survived for years without it I wouldn't be massively disappointed if a bike didn't have it. It does also add weight to the bike so it's a trade off.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Mark65]

Hi
Tyres looked good, it had a service at 600m but no other record of oil change so could well be the original, just over 1200m on it, will get a service if i get it, i did ask if plugs would be changed as that is on my mind will they come out after 9 years easily as they seem to be beruid under the tank, technically they wont need changing to either 7.5k or 15k i think, I cant find a PDF for that year just on for 2006.
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07 Yamaha YBR125, 07 Honda CG125 , 15 CBR300R (Chocolate Crank, Deaded), 16 CB500FA, 19 Honda Forza 300, 70 Suzuki SV650

[kgm]

[DJP]

How much under £4k? If it's £3,995 then that sounds expensive to me.

Yeah, it may only have 2,000 miles but it's still a 9 year old bike.

Rubber parts like tyres and hoses age. Coolant and oil goes off. How's it been stored? What about corrosion on the chain and other parts? Are the calipers seized? What about the battery? Etc. Etc.

So it will need a service and new tyres as a minimum. Possibly a battery and/or new chain and maybe the calipers unsticking.

Which doesn't make it a bad buy but go in with eyes open and don't be wowed by the low mileage. It's not a bargain, so treat it as any other used bike purchase and you'll be OK.
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Suzuki Bandit 1250
https://deejayp999.atwebpages.com/index.html
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[Mark65]

[adam277]

I'd take a pass.

The bike sounds fine. I've had bikes that have sat for years before and once you have ridden them a bit they are fine.

The price seems way off to me if its a 2011 model.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KAWASAKI-VERSYS-650-ABS/274174040763?hash=item3fd60bdabb:g:MiIAAOSwhLReCgYm
15 Plate here for £4400 with a full service history and ABS and 7k miles.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kawasaki-Versys-650-KLE-Low-miles-Extras-2013-13/223741921598?hash=item34180ec93e:g:~CsAAOSwmeNdxnNA
This one is £3995, 8000 miles and new tyres with service history and accessories.


These are also both from a dealer so you have some protection. Whereas you are buying private so you have no protection. Also it has been sitting for a bit so it will need some work. Seized piston calipers etc.
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Bikes: Previous Bikes: Piaggio x8 125: 2012/2013, YBR 125: 2013/2013 BMW R1150GS 2013/2017, Honda CBR600RR 2017/2017, Honda CB500 2018/2018, Suzuiki Address 110cc 2019/2020, BMW R1200GS 2021-2023
Current Bike: Honda CBF 125: current

[kgm]

Chain might look new but check to make sure the links are all free moving. Also check rubber hoses, and other rubber parts.

A good chance that the fork seals will go very quickly after you start riding it again. They don't like to sit for a long time, possibly the same with the caliper seals. Both are DIY jobs if you have a decent tool set and not too expensive but I'd be wanting to pay a lot less. Unpaid £3200 for a 2010 ER6 with 4k miles and that was 5 years ago.

[Mark65]

[adam277]

[Mark65]

No not really lol, i dont need the hassle, spoke to the dealer and said what I thought it needed, still gonna test ride just for the experience, if they wont move on price and what needs done then I wont bother. I know they are prolly thinking I will be to exited to say no but i will, to be honest its getting tiring trying to find something that i really like, might just go back to a CB500F again.
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07 Yamaha YBR125, 07 Honda CG125 , 15 CBR300R (Chocolate Crank, Deaded), 16 CB500FA, 19 Honda Forza 300, 70 Suzuki SV650

[LustyLew]

I loved my Versys ('08 fugly one).

The vibles were partially addressed with the facelift, but some rider still reported issues.

They are good value generally and for £4k there are better and newer options available.

The 650 paralell twin morot I actually quite liked. Was a doddle to ride.

If you dont mind the pointy styling, I'd stump up for a 2015 model.

I currentlly have a VStrom 650 and so wonder if I'd have preferred the Versys...

[iooi]

[bigdom86]

considering one of these vs NC750 as my london commuter as they look much nicer and similar pricing, what sort of mpg you guys getting and how are they on servicing?

[kgm]

For 4k you could probably also find an older VFR800X Crossrunner. Similar style albeit heavier and more powerful with a v4. Excellent all rounders and vastly underrated if you don't mind the looks. I bought mine as a stop gap and liked it so much I've got no plans to sell. Absolutely solid build quality, best I've experienced.

[kgm]

[DJP]

[Mark65]

From bike market


Year Dealer Private Part Ex Mileage
2010 £3,100 £2,450 £2,150 14,600
2011 £3,300 £2,650 £2,350 13,200
2012 £3,600 £2,900 £2,550 11,800

So if the tyres were changed and all the fluids with the low mileage would that improve the value do you think?.
Ive not even ridden it yet so may not like it, my last three bikes were new so I thought I would save a bit and try used this time, I do have a problem with numb hands especially the right hand on vibration thats why I switched to a scoot so if this is too vibey then maybe an inline 4 would be better.
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07 Yamaha YBR125, 07 Honda CG125 , 15 CBR300R (Chocolate Crank, Deaded), 16 CB500FA, 19 Honda Forza 300, 70 Suzuki SV650

[DJP]

[Mark65]

Thanks all but they wouldn't move on price so I walked away, will look in March for the old pre reg stock , I might get a better deal.
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07 Yamaha YBR125, 07 Honda CG125 , 15 CBR300R (Chocolate Crank, Deaded), 16 CB500FA, 19 Honda Forza 300, 70 Suzuki SV650