Newbie coming back to adventure style bikes

[Petrolhead]

Hi ladies & gents,

After many years on 2 wheels & owning just about every type of motorcycle.
I've rediscovered my love of street based bikes with a touch of off road ability as well.
The last bike of a similar nature I owned was a brand new KLE500 back in 1995.
I loved it! Alhough it was no rocket-ship it was fun on all terrain & bomb proof reliable.

My 2015 Versys 650 has definitely upped the game somewhat in the past 20yrs. Although I've currently only covered 4 miles (around the block a few times) I can already tell it's a fantastic bike!

I'd really like to fit a centre stand but I need to ask a few questions before purchasing one.
i.e. does the Constands centre stand req any of the bolts/fitting hardware from the original exhaust system to be reused?
I have the original exhaust but none of the bolts etc.

Many thanks in advance.

Petrolhead

[Petrolhead]

Two weeks later & still no replies.
I guess I broke some kind of forum rule by asking the centre stand question in my opening post?
Not to worry, the centre stand idea has now been shelved in favour of a more simple/cheaper alternative.

The Versys seems like a great bike so far. Way more than the sum of its parts.
TBH, on paper they are nothing to shout about. Not particularly powerful or particularly lightweight. Thankfully, the reality of riding one is very different to the quoted stats.

[Wassy]

Hello Petrol head and welcome to the forum. A paddock stand is definitely the better way to go. Less weight and doesn’t interfere with other aftermarket options such as lowering and some exhausts.

As for no one replying. It’s certainly unusual this place is very welcoming! I didn’t originally read the OP because I’m lazy and only read the most recent posts at the bottom when I login. Perhaps there was a flurry of activity and you slid off the list?

[Petrolhead]

Cheers Wassy,

Much appreciated mate 🙂
I've been personalising my Versys. It isn't finished yet but once it is & I get my head around how to post a photo, I will.

[Stewie]

I think lost people go for the paddock stand option.

Certainly easier than fitting a centre stand.

[Petrolhead]

Cheers Stewie,

Yes, I've added one of those side stand footprint enlarger thingies. That in conjunction with a piece of 2" x 4" timber holds the bike ever so slightly past vertical. So I need to chisel a slither out of the timber.
So that the bike is 2° before vertical. Then I'll be able to use a paddock stand without needing the bike to be held by someone else.
I'll probably still call on help to hold the bike though. Putting any bike on a paddock stand on your Jack Jones is always a butt clenching time! 😳

[anderson]

Originally Posted by Petrolhead

Cheers Stewie,

Yes, I've added one of those side stand footprint enlarger thingies. That in conjunction with a piece of 2" x 4" timber holds the bike ever so slightly past vertical. So I need to chisel a slither out of the timber.
So that the bike is 2° before vertical. Then I'll be able to use a paddock stand without needing the bike to be held by someone else.
I'll probably still call on help to hold the bike though. Putting any bike on a paddock stand on your Jack Jones is always a butt clenching time! 😳

Hi there and welcome. Glad you're enjoying the versys. I bought a 650 2 months ago and I absolutely love it.

Can't say I have an issue with paddock stands. I just double check everything is engaged and give it some wellie. 

[Petrolhead]

Cheers Anderson,

I'm waiting for a 12v twin USB power outlet/voltmeter to arrive.
I already have the proper Kawasaki relay, a gear position indicator & a pair of led spotlights in stock.
Once the final part of the jigsaw arrives I'll fit the lot together.

The reason for the gear position indicator is that I keep trying to put the Versys in 4th when it wants to be in 3rd.
It doesn't like being in 4th below 35mph. In my experience that's unusual for a relatively small capacity parallel twin.
I thought the sprockets may have been changed but they are the standard 15T front 46T rear.

I know the later MK3's have a gear indicator built in. But I found it quite small in a fairly cluttered instrument cluster.