I has me a Versys

[ohgood]

oh looky looky my new piece of sunshine - greeeeeeeen sunshine !

could you at least toss some dirt on it like it's not brand new or something ?

very very nice ride. enjoy it !

[plewis51]

One of these days, when I get back to Europe - I'm going to the Red Forest.  
I know the trees are mostly gone now, but I'm still going.  Props if you know what I'm talking about.  

The best write up with pics from a biker in Europe who documented her journey through Chernobyl.
http://www.kiddofspeed.com/chapter1.html

OH! Nice bike  

[Homer]

Ahhh... Elena.  


Dealer approved the repair today.  Assembly errors from a heavy-handed factory worker, he said. 
So, I rode back, 1.5 hours through a thunderstorm!
Cross-winds were problematic.  A few trees were blown down. 
I need boots that don't get squishy.  But, rain-riding is the bee's knees.   

[yamahonkawazuki]

The guard shack in the background called the fuzz on me:

LOL... nuclear power plants are pretty serious about security.  I worked at one for a while and it takes some time to get used to get used to guards walking around everywhere with machine guns. 

I felt a bit uncomfortable when one was next to me in the bathroom; the way his gun was hanging over his shoulder it was aimed at my junk.

Bike looks good, congrats

aye i guarded at palo verde near phoenix. and you aint kiddin. almost as much training as some law enforcement, sometimes more. they dont play lol

[yamahonkawazuki]

One of these days, when I get back to Europe - I'm going to the Red Forest.  
I know the trees are mostly gone now, but I'm still going.  Props if you know what I'm talking about.  

The best write up with pics from a biker in Europe who documented her journey through Chernobyl.
http://www.kiddofspeed.com/chapter1.html

[nhanxsolo]

bike looks good but can you tell us a little bit about it though?

[Homer]

What would you like to know? 

[manofthefield]

What would you like to know? 

How does it ride compared to other bikes, for example, the GS500? (You touched on this already)

Is it comfortable on the highway at 70-80mph for an hour?

How are you shaped (Height, inseam, anything else you care to divulge) and how do you fit the bike?

What drew you to the Versys?

[Homer]

It rides great!   
Compared to the GS, it's more comfortable.  The stock windshield looks tiny, but I get VERY little buffeting.  I usually cruise at 80 mph, and the wind seems more like a steady pressure as opposed to being in a tornado. 
There's power when you roll on the throttle, but it's very smooth.  Worther's Original Candy smooth.  I passed a semi the other day, and didn't realize I was doing 93 until I looked down. 
There is more compression braking than the GS.  Same parallel twin engine, but 4 valves per cylinder.  But, not as bad as... say... a SuperHawk 996.  I'm pretty fond of the engine braking, though. 

Some guys don't like the stock seat, but I've found it to be pretty comfortable.  I usually HATE stock seats, since I have such a bony @ss.  I was on it 5 hours the other day, and wanted to keep going.  The Kawi gel seat is big bucks, but lower.  It's too cupped for me, though.  I like to move around, instead of staying in one place. 
The Butt Buffer guy lives right down the road from me, and there's a guy in Florida that'll mod it as well for about $75. 

The mirrors are buzzy.  Folks with wider shoulders get extensions for $30.  I like them as they are. 
The handlebars have the same buzz as the GS, due to the same engine.  7/8" ProTapers eliminate it, but I just poured BBs into the stocker.  I'm installing handguards soon, and that helps too. 
It's not BAD, it's just not PERFECT.   

The fuel injection is so F-ING NICE!!!  I can't tell you how nice.  Perfect starts, every time.  Dependable, smooth idle, no stuttering.  Digital gauge package, with a fuel level meter. 
(I really love the fuel meter.  No more math.  No more guessing or white-knuckling to the next exit.)

I'm 5'8", 140 lbs, regular inseam ~ maybe 30" or so. 
Standing it up, I'm on the balls of my feet.  It takes getting used to.  The COG feels just the same as the GS, though.  It's weird. 
Kinda like a GS with a really high seat. 
Changing the seat will drop about 1.5".  Lowering link on the shock is good for another 1.5".  Together, women around 5'6" are able to flat-foot it, usually. 
I'm not a girl, though.     And, I like hopping curbs and climbing stairs too much.   

[manofthefield]

I'm 5'8", 140 lbs, regular inseam ~ maybe 30" or so. 
Standing it up, I'm on the balls of my feet.  It takes getting used to.  The COG feels just the same as the GS, though.  It's weird. 
Kinda like a GS with a really high seat. 
Changing the seat will drop about 1.5".  Lowering link on the shock is good for another 1.5".  Together, women around 5'6" are able to flat-foot it, usually. 
I'm not a girl, though.     And, I like hopping curbs and climbing stairs too much.   

Good to know, i'm also 5'8" with a 30" inseam (and 10lbs scrawnier).  I seemed to be about the same when I sat on one; on the balls of my feet.  I'm still not sure if I'd get used to it or drop it weekly.

[tt_four]

I need boots that don't get squishy.  But, rain-riding is the bee's knees.   

I used to love riding in the rain. If you put on the right gear it's amazingly serene. It's like a rainy day when you just sit and look out the window, and this time the window is 3 inches from your face and you're on a motorcycle.

The last pair of Sidi boots I had were waterproof and they were the best piece of motorcycle apperal I had ever owned. I hate wet feet, but I was in the rain non stop and my feet never got the littlest bit wet. I'm just a joyrider now though so rain isn't much of an issue. I'm very curious to see how it is the first time I get stuck in the rain on the Buell. That little stubby tail is gonna have every bit of water shooting right up onto the back of my neck I'm sure, haha.