Awesome! You are the FIRST I have seen review this bike. One that, even though being only 300cc, has my interest piqued. Possibly a "better" alternative to the Honda CRF250 Rally edition, depending on ones particular needs. For those American folks, that is a wet weight of 385 lbs. 32" seat height.
Get the Air Hawk back out . It did sound and act like the gear spread was good . Low seemed very low and plenty of momentum it sixth ? Keep um coming . Thanks
Would not surprise me to see Seat Concepts come up with a replacement seat foam and cover kit for this bike like they have for so many others. I have the Seat Concepts seat on my V-strom and *LOVE* it!!!
This is the PERFECT review! Coming from someone who just by the intro has done adventure riding in the past I was happy to see your perspective on this bike. I have a Honda Shadow, a really big cruiser bikes that is too large for what I need it to do, and I was looking into a smaller displacement bike that I could use for adventure purposes. It sounds like it would be good for both on road and off-road riding. Thanks for the awesome review.
Thanks Brandon :-) Welcome to the adventure fold. Yer this is going to make a lot of sense to those wanting a small displacement adventure bike. Good road manners but it can still do dirt, nothing to hardcore off road though, but well enough. Good luck on the hunt! COS
Thanks m8 for yet another interesting review of a bike that big magazines dont care about. Some people really think that without 100hp+ a bike doesnt make sense. Sad that Yamaha doesnt offer a Tenere/Tracer 300. In my opinion their 370cc engine is the best sub 500 twin Cheers from the Netherlands!
Thanks mate, Yer a lot of people get caught up in too much power. Light weight minimalism is what I prefer. Yer the twin 320cc in the Yamaha is the best of the bunch would love it if they put it in a Tenere frame!
sorry my bad. Of course its a 320cc engine. However compared with the 250cc from Suzuki and the 300cc Kawa engine it feels like a different class of engine. Good torque everywhere and very smooth. Is there a way for you to get hands on the Suzuki V-Strom 250? Would be interesting to see how it stacks up against the Versys 300. cheers
i know its late to the party , but you need to ride it like a 2 stroke, keep the RPM between 10k&12k and its a different bike & goes like a cut snake, will sit on 120kph all day long with enough get up to pass other cars, right up to its top speed of around 160kph, love my 2023 model, and i just came from a GSXS1000.
Thanks for the review. I have been seriously considering one of these since they were first announced. Nice to see review videos coming out. It really looks like a great bike, I just hope that either Kawasaki or another aftermarket company comes out with something to address the rather short suspension travel and ground clearance. 1-2 more inches all around and this bike would be perfect!
Thanks mate, yer it would be great if Rally Raid or similar made a kit for them :-) Still it will get the job done for the easy dirt stuff out the box which is a step in the right direction.
Late to the party!! Thanks for the review mate and nice to see an Aussie one!! I have ducks disease and an old fart (170cm and 56yo), and I recently sold my F850GSA simply because it was too tall and too heavy for me so I was fearful and hesitant to take it on anything off-road that was remotely challenging. Same with my KLR650 before that. Loving all things adventure touring and getting out there and exploring would you recommend the Versys-X 300 for adventure touring? All the reviews I have read and seen seem to say that it ticks all the boxes - its got enough HP, its very light, its got long range, its got low seat height, the suspension is OK, its got good wind protection, it can carry luggage etc. So, would you consider taking this around the world (understanding its not a CRF250!!) and appreciating its limitations (seat, ground clearance etc)??
Awesome review. Love following your channel. Unbelievably I have just bought this exact bike (and met your mum who told me about chronicles of solid ) 😂👊👊
Thanks; Great video. It's very hard to get a good English review on this bike. Most are just promotional videos or from Thailand, Germany, or some other place. Still waiting for them to arrive in Canada. Will have to check one out when they arrive.
I started on a 2007 Ninja 250 but because I'm 6' tall 290 pounds I looked like a complete dork. So I ended up getting a 2009 Versys 650 but to be honest it's not as fun as the little Ninja. That 250 felt nice when getting the revs high and because it was so light it felt easier to ride than a bicycle. I remember completing U turns with no hesitation but on the Versys 650 I think twice about doing it. I'm seriously thinking about this Versys 300. Only negative is high way riding with my weight.
Hi Christopher, Great bikes the little Ninja 250, they really breathed new life into the 250 segment. I would give the 300 a test ride if you can. It is noticeably more perky than the 250. Whether it is enough for your large frame I don't know but I have a feeling it will do just fine, depending on your expectations :-)
Just speculation as I did not get a chance to ride it off road. It will eat up dirt roads nicely as it is well balanced and the weight is well hidden so there is no top heavy feeling. Suspension is hard to gauge it is quite taught like a sport bike. This obviously is not made for really rough off road like 4wd tracks or single track. But I think it will make a good adventure tourer where what ever road you point it down it will get you through it (within reason).
yeah, I was guessing something like that its a nice adventure bike more focused to asphalt. being the versys with 175kg I think yamaha t7 will always be a much better option in the same weight category. only ktm 390 sdventure may have a lighter weight and interest ratio power/weight. thanks for sharing your thoughts
Hey I know this is an older review now but still relevant as The Versys x 300 is still sold pretty much the same as what I can see in 2021. I’m looking for my 1st bike to highway commute in Canberra to work and back 50kms round trip and a bit of casual off-road. Would you suggest this still or the new CRF300L Rally? The Rally is a couple of k$ more expensive…
Set on them both. The CB500X can be built into a great bike! (( key word: BUILT into) But, to ME, it was very cramped. I am 5' 11" btw. Having that been said, you may prefer the crotch rocket / sport bike ergo's of the CB500X. Where as for me I prefer more neutral position like a dirt bike or dual sport. Only way you will ever know is to go sit on both for a while and see how they feel. As far as street goes, don't let the Honda larger engine fool you. It takes Honda 500cc to do what Kawi does with only 300. And I am by *no means* bashing Honda!!! I have owned many, many Honda's. I am a true Honda guy at heart. I may ride a Vstrom, but I have a Honda decal on my Jeep back window! :-D And when the Honda Africa Twin starts coming available in the used market, I will be riding red once again. ;-)
The Versys is ready to go out of the box and is also a better fit if you are taller. I was a bit cramped on the CB500X at 180cm but it does feel a touch quicker off the line. The down side of the 500X is that it only looks like an adventure bike it is not actually set up for it. The wheels the are cast wheels so not ideal for off road. The bigger problem is that the front is a 17inch which is too small for regular dirt use. Ground clearance on the 500X is also a bit low for off road. Rally raid do make a good kit for the 500X turning it into a decent adventure bike but that adds to the cost. Ride them both and see which one makes you smile the most :-)
Nice video. I wonder if your brother finally got the versys x, and did you get around to taking it where you take your wr250r. I enjoy you wr250r videos. I own a versys x and it's a fantastic bike, but I have always wondered how it would stack up next to a wr250r with all the adventure mods you guys do to it down under. Looking forward to a side by side review of these two bikes by you. Keep up the good work.
Thanks mate! Soon after that vid my brother hit some financial snags, so he did not purchase the X. Bit of a bummer considering how many people speak highly of them. If I get some extended time in the saddle of an X perhaps I will do a side by side. COS
Speed limits are so slow there looks like traffic is moving in slow motion. Here in CA everyone seems to go over speed limits that are even higher rated speeds here
Thank you for the review. I've been anxiously waiting for a good one. It doesn't look like you had an opportunity to test higher cruising speeds (120k +). What are your thoughts? Also, if the suspension is fairly stiff (I assume to compensate for the minimal wheel travel) the off road riding style would have to be - what? Slow and steading to not be beat up or thrown off.
Thanks Earl, yer it was unfortunate I had a babysitter so I could not take it up to speed. However it did feel more than capable of sitting at 120kph+ as it was very under stressed at 90khp. Yes the suspension was a very stiff, mostly at the rear. This could mean that it is as easy as adjusting the preload settings. Or it could be that the bike is so new that the shock is yet to settle in. If it is permanently that stiff it will be quite jarring off road. Not sure if that would affect your speed off road or not. Depends on your riding style.
Great. This bike seems to fit what I've been after, -an economical commuter that the ninja version does fit. The ninja is too bent over and cramped for me, and the suspension of the one I tried was not up to my 220lb weight. It would help to state what your size is for fit, and how much you weigh. Of course off road would be nice, but unlikely on a new loaner bike.
Hi Slyfish, I did mention at 4:09 that I am 180cm tall. I am a feather weight at 70kg so not really testing the limits of the suspension. Although it did feel quite taught so I think it will have a good chance of supporting those with bigger frames :-) Yer would be nice if the dealerships through me the keys for a day and I could do what I wanted :P
Especially, 2017 Ninja1000 and Versys-X 250(300?) are popular. The rumour says next available for order is 2018 models. Haha, interesting result. Cheers.
Depends what experience you are wanting. The Enfield has a certain simplistic, classic charm to it. However the Versys is the better bike IMO in every aspect. Very competent machine for its size. If you are wanting classic and simple go the RE (beware of quality control a bit). If you want a great light weight adventure bike go the Versys.
@Robbie D weight mostly. Cost as well. The 21 inch front wheel. The strom has been fine and it's not worth swapping now, but lighter and more off dirt road capable would have been good.
Hi CoS, nice review!! Which bike would you recommend for touring (Scotland) between the Versys-X300 and the Honda CB500X? I need to carry hard panniers and would be doing a 1000 mile round trip mostly on road with a few fire service roads (dirt tracks) - nothing too dirt trail-like. I have not viewed the X300 in any showroom yet, but the wheels and tyres appear to be very slim on UA-cam? Is the X300 steady enough on the road? Thanks.
Sounds like you have a great adventure planed! The X300 is quite stable on the open road for its size and very capable. If I was given one for the trip you describe I would not complain. Without knowing your speed limits/riding style I will do my best to explain. If you are doing zero to minor easy dirt roads, I myself would lean towards the CB500X. Especially loaded up, the extra grunt would make the long road sections a tad easier. If you want capability in the dirt I would feel better with the 19inch up front on the X300. Either option will serve you well in the end which is probably why you are finding it hard to decide :-) Swing a leg over both is your best bet. Safe riding, COS
If the dirt roads are easy and there is no challenging terrain I think the Versys is the way to go, especially if the road section is higher speed. Keep in mind I have never ridden the 250 version. If you like to push it a bit off road tackling some rougher 4wd tracks or single track the Rally is the one you want. The Rally would make more sense if you are wanting to grow as a rider off road as it is more of a dual sport where the Versys is an adventure bike most at home touring on asphalt or gravel roads. Hope that helps mate, COS
chroniclesofsolid probably because it performs average on dirt. Well, below average. The weight seems unevenly distributed. I'm sure they will sell but I don't think they will be actually ridden off road much at all. Anyways, keep up the good work man, really. I only subscribed recently because I came across, not sure how long u been vlogging for but... keep safe bud
Do you think that a one tooth plus front sprocket would compensate the high Rev demanding? It seems that the cruising speed is about 80km/h, and above that, the vibrations become noticeable
Did one extra on my front on x300 . It wasn't a rubber damped sprocket though. It sure makes me It feel less crazy . But it has a few vibes/ more of a tingle through the seat. Think I might go back to the stock front sprocket and drop two teeth on the rear. Chain may need a link removed, will see once I do it. Great little bike though. A sheepskin on the seat helps the vibes and comfort.
Thanks so much for doing this review it was gr8. Finding a good review for this bike is hard(Seriously why have no magazines reviewed it yet) But I had a few questions I was hoping you could answer, do you think this bike has enough power to pull wheelies, Do you think 2up riding could be done with reasonable comfort and performance, and last, Just purely speculating(Unless you've had a chance to take it off-road since the video) How do you think it's off road ability's will size up? will it be comparable to the Klr650 you think?
Hi Benjamin, Off road the KLR650 will certainly have the edge. The X-300 is very much a mini adventure bike, it will cruise down dirt roads with ease but you will have to slow right down to a crawl if you are taking it through technical terrain. I am not a wheelie guy but yes it makes enough to do so if that is your thing. Comfortable two up riding, well that depends on what you define as comfortable and reasonable. There is enough room on the bike for two so the ergonomics will be fine. Performance 2up will be a little sluggish but doable. Again all speculation as I only got that short ride on it for now. Hope that helps, COS
i know Im asking the wrong place but does anybody know of a method to log back into an Instagram account? I somehow forgot the login password. I would appreciate any assistance you can give me
@Ryland Larry i really appreciate your reply. I got to the site through google and I'm trying it out atm. Looks like it's gonna take quite some time so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.
Hi good to see you doing reviews really appreciate it I'm highly interested in getting the Kawasaki versus X300 but I heard there may be issues with the cooling of the motorcycles engine due to high temperatures a friend of a friend heard of a person going from Barstow California to Las Vegas Nevada but a three hour ride off-road if and had that motor overheat three times and really appreciated if you could do a in-depth review on the click system in hot climates for this issue it can make or break the purchase of this bike for me thank you very much sincerely off the path
G'day Kevin, I have not heard of overheating issues myself. Surely that fault would have come up with the Ninja 300 as well? I would love to have Kawasaki give me a long term bike but that wont happen. Best I can do is this- my brother is planning on getting one himself in a few months. Probably pointless as you want to know ASAP so you can purchase. But I will nick his for a while and give it a good test none the less. Perth (WA) has similar climate to California and Baja so should be a good test.
Im really curious about the price in China (if it will be imported). Versys 650 is about 12k-13kUSD which is cheap as the tax on Thailand made bikes is a bit lower. If it were about 7k Id think about it.` Few months ago I bought China made Shineray X5. Its a 400cc single with a similar weight to this Versys 300 yet it makes about 29hp
Hi Kamel, it depends on what kind of dirt you are referring to? For dirt roads that are reasonably maintained the stock tires will be fine. If you are starting to get into more serious dirt you will definitely need more aggressive tires. However, at a certain point you might be exploring other limits of the bike such as ground clearance and suspension travel :-) The Versys is like a mini BMW GS, a great all rounder but not really built for regular technical off road situations.
Off road potential of this X300 compared to an R1200GS...... Thoughts anyone? I have owned a R1200GS for about 4 years now (06 model) and have done some things I thought would be impossible for such a lovely big tourer. Can the X300 do better?
Godfrey Tomlinson I would assume weight alone would make it easier to control. Making you more confident. But unless you rode both back to back on the same track who can really say. Better, maybe. Easier, I would say yes. Easier to pick up when dropped, yes. Much much cheaper. If I was doing off road I would choose the little versys out of the 2.
It would be Light & Day Difference, Alot less Power, but the Weight makes it 100x better Adventure Bike imho! I'm Sure the Big 1200gs would be a Great Long Distance Mile Eater, but not for any Tight Off-road Situations! The Versus 300x seems the Best of Both World's for a Dual Sport, Great on Pavement, & Reasonable on the Dirt, The Old School KLR650 or DR650 might be better as an All-Rounder -Cheers👍🍺
Hi Justin, Mine has just over 12500 kms on it. It really depends what kind of riding was done on the bike and how well looked after it is. Full service history, check the swing arm protector has been replaced. The first valve adjustment on these bikes is something like 42,000kms so they can do fairly high kms. It really depends on how the bike has been treated. Sorry I cannot give you any first hand experience with a high km WR.
Seems strage that any manufacturer would market such a bike in Australia - I personally see it as a novices wet dream as it says: ride me to work on weekdays and Adventure on weekends. Personally, I couldn't think of anything worse than having to flog the pants off a bike that is clearly not up to the task of lugging 130kg comfortably.
When is the 400cc engine going into this?.they already have the ninja400 and z400... then stripped down and with some more agressive tires... and maybe suspensipn rebuild... could be the ultimate on/offroad adventure bike? Check out these guys ADV bike build of it...www.advpulse.com/adv-bikes/kawasaki-versys-x-300-bike-build/
Seems like a lovely-specs small adventure bike. I"d be sorely tempted but for the ..... looks. I mean, come on, Kawasaki! Clearly, you know how to make attractive bikes. Just look at the latest evolution of the Ninja 650! A vast improvement. Same with the Versys 650 in the last few years. WHY... THE.... F**K did you have to make this little 300 so gawd-awful looking (actually, it looks much like the old/disgusting Versys 650 - so, if Kawi learned their lesson there, why did they 'forget' on this??). /rant
Hi mr2bmw, I like the KLE more (for now). If I lived in the city would probably swap for the versys 300 but as I do lot's of highway riding the KLE is much nicer. A very smooth simple engine. At 100km/h my rmp is about 5000 and has enough power to overtake if needed, my fuel consumption on highway is 4.2 liters/100 and I'm a big 105kg guy. Also way more torque. Have done single trails with the bike but it's relatively heavy for that and took it a few weeks ago for a beach run and it was as good there as my friends derestricted KLR. Bought my KLE for $3000 and it's been well worth the money in my opinion. But remember that it is old technology so not extremely powerful or quick, shit suspension and a bit ugly but does the job better than many bikes. Did last year 12.000km with it. Met a guy who had 180.000 so engine should be ok :)
Awesome! You are the FIRST I have seen review this bike. One that, even though being only 300cc, has my interest piqued. Possibly a "better" alternative to the Honda CRF250 Rally edition, depending on ones particular needs.
For those American folks, that is a wet weight of 385 lbs. 32" seat height.
Yer this would make a great little adventure tourer. But you might want to swap out that seat!
Get the Air Hawk back out . It did sound and act like the gear spread was good . Low seemed very low and plenty of momentum it sixth ? Keep um coming . Thanks
Would not surprise me to see Seat Concepts come up with a replacement seat foam and cover kit for this bike like they have for so many others. I have the Seat Concepts seat on my V-strom and *LOVE* it!!!
This is the PERFECT review! Coming from someone who just by the intro has done adventure riding in the past I was happy to see your perspective on this bike. I have a Honda Shadow, a really big cruiser bikes that is too large for what I need it to do, and I was looking into a smaller displacement bike that I could use for adventure purposes. It sounds like it would be good for both on road and off-road riding. Thanks for the awesome review.
Thanks Brandon :-) Welcome to the adventure fold. Yer this is going to make a lot of sense to those wanting a small displacement adventure bike. Good road manners but it can still do dirt, nothing to hardcore off road though, but well enough.
Good luck on the hunt!
COS
Thanks m8 for yet another interesting review of a bike that big magazines dont care about.
Some people really think that without 100hp+ a bike doesnt make sense.
Sad that Yamaha doesnt offer a Tenere/Tracer 300. In my opinion their 370cc engine is the best sub 500 twin
Cheers from the Netherlands!
Thanks mate, Yer a lot of people get caught up in too much power. Light weight minimalism is what I prefer. Yer the twin 320cc in the Yamaha is the best of the bunch would love it if they put it in a Tenere frame!
sorry my bad. Of course its a 320cc engine. However compared with the 250cc from Suzuki and the 300cc Kawa engine it feels like a different class of engine. Good torque everywhere and very smooth.
Is there a way for you to get hands on the Suzuki V-Strom 250? Would be interesting to see how it stacks up against the Versys 300.
cheers
Yep I really liked the MTO3 I rode great little engine. V-Strom 250 is not here yet but I will try and get a ride when it arrives :-)
I've ALWAYS heard complaints about that SEAT. It is a SHOCKER, Just Shocking.
i know its late to the party , but you need to ride it like a 2 stroke, keep the RPM between 10k&12k and its a different bike & goes like a cut snake, will sit on 120kph all day long with enough get up to pass other cars, right up to its top speed of around 160kph, love my 2023 model, and i just came from a GSXS1000.
Thanks for the review. I have been seriously considering one of these since they were first announced. Nice to see review videos coming out. It really looks like a great bike, I just hope that either Kawasaki or another aftermarket company comes out with something to address the rather short suspension travel and ground clearance. 1-2 more inches all around and this bike would be perfect!
Thanks mate, yer it would be great if Rally Raid or similar made a kit for them :-) Still it will get the job done for the easy dirt stuff out the box which is a step in the right direction.
Late to the party!! Thanks for the review mate and nice to see an Aussie one!! I have ducks disease and an old fart (170cm and 56yo), and I recently sold my F850GSA simply because it was too tall and too heavy for me so I was fearful and hesitant to take it on anything off-road that was remotely challenging. Same with my KLR650 before that. Loving all things adventure touring and getting out there and exploring would you recommend the Versys-X 300 for adventure touring? All the reviews I have read and seen seem to say that it ticks all the boxes - its got enough HP, its very light, its got long range, its got low seat height, the suspension is OK, its got good wind protection, it can carry luggage etc. So, would you consider taking this around the world (understanding its not a CRF250!!) and appreciating its limitations (seat, ground clearance etc)??
this bike is going to be huge, i can see the aftermarket range taking off too, other brands will definitely be countering this bike with similar bikes
Yer this little gem really has the potential to be a great little adv bike.
Awesome review. Love following your channel. Unbelievably I have just bought this exact bike (and met your mum who told me about chronicles of solid ) 😂👊👊
Congrats mate 🎉 Great little adventure bike 👍
Great review mate! as im 165cm im very excited about this new breed of small capacity adventure bike! Cheers!
Thanks; Great video. It's very hard to get a good English review on this bike. Most are just promotional videos or from Thailand, Germany, or some other place. Still waiting for them to arrive in Canada. Will have to check one out when they arrive.
No worries Kevin :-)
I started on a 2007 Ninja 250 but because I'm 6' tall 290 pounds I looked like a complete dork. So I ended up getting a 2009 Versys 650 but to be honest it's not as fun as the little Ninja. That 250 felt nice when getting the revs high and because it was so light it felt easier to ride than a bicycle. I remember completing U turns with no hesitation but on the Versys 650 I think twice about doing it.
I'm seriously thinking about this Versys 300. Only negative is high way riding with my weight.
Hi Christopher,
Great bikes the little Ninja 250, they really breathed new life into the 250 segment. I would give the 300 a test ride if you can. It is noticeably more perky than the 250. Whether it is enough for your large frame I don't know but I have a feeling it will do just fine, depending on your expectations :-)
thanks for the first real review that i see for this bike!
how would you think it will perform off road (suspensions, weight, agility)?
cheers
Just speculation as I did not get a chance to ride it off road. It will eat up dirt roads nicely as it is well balanced and the weight is well hidden so there is no top heavy feeling. Suspension is hard to gauge it is quite taught like a sport bike. This obviously is not made for really rough off road like 4wd tracks or single track. But I think it will make a good adventure tourer where what ever road you point it down it will get you through it (within reason).
yeah, I was guessing something like that its a nice adventure bike more focused to asphalt.
being the versys with 175kg I think yamaha t7 will always be a much better option in the same weight category.
only ktm 390 sdventure may have a lighter weight and interest ratio power/weight.
thanks for sharing your thoughts
No worries, yeah looking forward to getting specs on the T7 and 390. Both should shake the market up quite a bit I think :-)
Hey I know this is an older review now but still relevant as The Versys x 300 is still sold pretty much the same as what I can see in 2021. I’m looking for my 1st bike to highway commute in Canberra to work and back 50kms round trip and a bit of casual off-road. Would you suggest this still or the new CRF300L Rally? The Rally is a couple of k$ more expensive…
I'm between the verseys 300 and the honda cb500x for my first street/adv bike any advice?
Set on them both. The CB500X can be built into a great bike! (( key word: BUILT into) But, to ME, it was very cramped. I am 5' 11" btw. Having that been said, you may prefer the crotch rocket / sport bike ergo's of the CB500X. Where as for me I prefer more neutral position like a dirt bike or dual sport. Only way you will ever know is to go sit on both for a while and see how they feel. As far as street goes, don't let the Honda larger engine fool you. It takes Honda 500cc to do what Kawi does with only 300. And I am by *no means* bashing Honda!!! I have owned many, many Honda's. I am a true Honda guy at heart. I may ride a Vstrom, but I have a Honda decal on my Jeep back window! :-D And when the Honda Africa Twin starts coming available in the used market, I will be riding red once again. ;-)
The Versys is ready to go out of the box and is also a better fit if you are taller. I was a bit cramped on the CB500X at 180cm but it does feel a touch quicker off the line. The down side of the 500X is that it only looks like an adventure bike it is not actually set up for it. The wheels the are cast wheels so not ideal for off road. The bigger problem is that the front is a 17inch which is too small for regular dirt use. Ground clearance on the 500X is also a bit low for off road. Rally raid do make a good kit for the 500X turning it into a decent adventure bike but that adds to the cost. Ride them both and see which one makes you smile the most :-)
Nice Bike , Great to see a review from W.A.
Thanks Ed
Great review. Going to watch the 250 Rally review next. John in Winnipeg cheers!
Thanks John.
Thanks for the review, super helpful. You’re backlit, can’t see the bike. Also how about a shot of you sitting on it so we can see proportions.
Noted 👍
Kawasaki, please install a tougher skid plate, folding shift lever, and handguards
Nice video. I wonder if your brother finally got the versys x, and did you get around to taking it where you take your wr250r. I enjoy you wr250r videos.
I own a versys x and it's a fantastic bike, but I have always wondered how it would stack up next to a wr250r with all the adventure mods you guys do to it down under. Looking forward to a side by side review of these two bikes by you. Keep up the good work.
Thanks mate! Soon after that vid my brother hit some financial snags, so he did not purchase the X. Bit of a bummer considering how many people speak highly of them. If I get some extended time in the saddle of an X perhaps I will do a side by side.
COS
Great review. For me it's a toss-up between Versys X300 or the Honda CB500X.
+Rotherider Thanks mate, yer the are very similar. The X300 would be better in the dirt and the 500 is a tad better on the road.
Speed limits are so slow there looks like traffic is moving in slow motion. Here in CA everyone seems to go over speed limits that are even higher rated speeds here
Thank you for the review. I've been anxiously waiting for a good one. It doesn't look like you had an opportunity to test higher cruising speeds (120k +). What are your thoughts? Also, if the suspension is fairly stiff (I assume to compensate for the minimal wheel travel) the off road riding style would have to be - what? Slow and steading to not be beat up or thrown off.
Thanks Earl, yer it was unfortunate I had a babysitter so I could not take it up to speed. However it did feel more than capable of sitting at 120kph+ as it was very under stressed at 90khp. Yes the suspension was a very stiff, mostly at the rear. This could mean that it is as easy as adjusting the preload settings. Or it could be that the bike is so new that the shock is yet to settle in. If it is permanently that stiff it will be quite jarring off road. Not sure if that would affect your speed off road or not. Depends on your riding style.
chroniclesofsolid a
well done, great review!! thank you!
Cheers mate.
Great. This bike seems to fit what I've been after, -an economical commuter that the ninja version does fit. The ninja is too bent over and cramped for me, and the suspension of the one I tried was not up to my 220lb weight. It would help to state what your size is for fit, and how much you weigh. Of course off road would be nice, but unlikely on a new loaner bike.
Hi Slyfish,
I did mention at 4:09 that I am 180cm tall. I am a feather weight at 70kg so not really testing the limits of the suspension. Although it did feel quite taught so I think it will have a good chance of supporting those with bigger frames :-) Yer would be nice if the dealerships through me the keys for a day and I could do what I wanted :P
thanks mate love your videos
No worries Justing, good luck on the hunt
Hi, those Kawasaki 2017 models are very popular in Japan. Those orders in 2017 are finished already, including not on sale.
Thanks for the info Narza, I think they are going to be quite popular here as well :-)
Especially, 2017 Ninja1000 and Versys-X 250(300?) are popular. The rumour says next available for order is 2018 models. Haha, interesting result. Cheers.
Did you know gyp’ed is a racial slur against Romani (gypsy) people?
We bought a Versys X this week, take delivery in 12 days, can’t wait!
We got a 835 seatheight in europe with the taller seat.
good vid again big fella.... quick question... what was weight diff between the rally and this one?
Thanks mate! 18kg difference between the two.
Hi mate. How would you compare the Versys 300 to the Enfield Himalayan? Mainly for road use,not so much dirt. Cheers!
Depends what experience you are wanting. The Enfield has a certain simplistic, classic charm to it. However the Versys is the better bike IMO in every aspect. Very competent machine for its size. If you are wanting classic and simple go the RE (beware of quality control a bit). If you want a great light weight adventure bike go the Versys.
Just bought a 650 Strom, slightly sad I didn't get this instead.
650 Strom is a fantastic bike in its own right :-)
@Robbie D weight mostly. Cost as well. The 21 inch front wheel. The strom has been fine and it's not worth swapping now, but lighter and more off dirt road capable would have been good.
nice review
I would love a review between this and a wr250r w/ big bore kit. Or even a crf250r w/ big bore.
Or maybe someone can chime in.
Hi CoS, nice review!! Which bike would you recommend for touring (Scotland) between the Versys-X300 and the Honda CB500X? I need to carry hard panniers and would be doing a 1000 mile round trip mostly on road with a few fire service roads (dirt tracks) - nothing too dirt trail-like. I have not viewed the X300 in any showroom yet, but the wheels and tyres appear to be very slim on UA-cam? Is the X300 steady enough on the road? Thanks.
Sounds like you have a great adventure planed! The X300 is quite stable on the open road for its size and very capable. If I was given one for the trip you describe I would not complain. Without knowing your speed limits/riding style I will do my best to explain. If you are doing zero to minor easy dirt roads, I myself would lean towards the CB500X. Especially loaded up, the extra grunt would make the long road sections a tad easier. If you want capability in the dirt I would feel better with the 19inch up front on the X300. Either option will serve you well in the end which is probably why you are finding it hard to decide :-) Swing a leg over both is your best bet.
Safe riding,
COS
Nice!
if it just versysx250 non abs vs crf250rally non abs available in your country...which one do you choose?...thankyou
Hi Tito, that very much depends on the type of riding I would be planning on doing?
chroniclesofsolid ..50% aspalt, 30% gravel,20% dirt roads....point to point...and little bit traffic jam
If the dirt roads are easy and there is no challenging terrain I think the Versys is the way to go, especially if the road section is higher speed. Keep in mind I have never ridden the 250 version. If you like to push it a bit off road tackling some rougher 4wd tracks or single track the Rally is the one you want. The Rally would make more sense if you are wanting to grow as a rider off road as it is more of a dual sport where the Versys is an adventure bike most at home touring on asphalt or gravel roads.
Hope that helps mate,
COS
chroniclesofsolid thanks mate..👍
Good video... take it off-road?
No :-( Kawasaki would not let me near the dirt :-P
chroniclesofsolid probably because it performs average on dirt. Well, below average. The weight seems unevenly distributed. I'm sure they will sell but I don't think they will be actually ridden off road much at all. Anyways, keep up the good work man, really. I only subscribed recently because I came across, not sure how long u been vlogging for but... keep safe bud
Thanks Stefano, Yer it is really a light duty off roader. Great bang for the buck though.
Safe riding mate,
COS
Do you think that a one tooth plus front sprocket would compensate the high Rev demanding? It seems that the cruising speed is about 80km/h, and above that, the vibrations become noticeable
Did one extra on my front on x300 . It wasn't a rubber damped sprocket though. It sure makes me It feel less crazy . But it has a few vibes/ more of a tingle through the seat. Think I might go back to the stock front sprocket and drop two teeth on the rear. Chain may need a link removed, will see once I do it. Great little bike though. A sheepskin on the seat helps the vibes and comfort.
Thanks so much for doing this review it was gr8. Finding a good review for this bike is hard(Seriously why have no magazines reviewed it yet) But I had a few questions I was hoping you could answer, do you think this bike has enough power to pull wheelies, Do you think 2up riding could be done with reasonable comfort and performance, and last, Just purely speculating(Unless you've had a chance to take it off-road since the video) How do you think it's off road ability's will size up? will it be comparable to the Klr650 you think?
Hi Benjamin, Off road the KLR650 will certainly have the edge. The X-300 is very much a mini adventure bike, it will cruise down dirt roads with ease but you will have to slow right down to a crawl if you are taking it through technical terrain. I am not a wheelie guy but yes it makes enough to do so if that is your thing. Comfortable two up riding, well that depends on what you define as comfortable and reasonable. There is enough room on the bike for two so the ergonomics will be fine. Performance 2up will be a little sluggish but doable. Again all speculation as I only got that short ride on it for now.
Hope that helps,
COS
Thanks for the reply! I really appreciate it. Looking forward to your next video.
i know Im asking the wrong place but does anybody know of a method to log back into an Instagram account?
I somehow forgot the login password. I would appreciate any assistance you can give me
@Garrett Valentino Instablaster ;)
@Ryland Larry i really appreciate your reply. I got to the site through google and I'm trying it out atm.
Looks like it's gonna take quite some time so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.
Hi good to see you doing reviews really appreciate it I'm highly interested in getting the Kawasaki versus X300 but I heard there may be issues with the cooling of the motorcycles engine due to high temperatures a friend of a friend heard of a person going from Barstow California to Las Vegas Nevada but a three hour ride off-road if and had that motor overheat three times and really appreciated if you could do a in-depth review on the click system in hot climates for this issue it can make or break the purchase of this bike for me thank you very much sincerely off the path
G'day Kevin, I have not heard of overheating issues myself. Surely that fault would have come up with the Ninja 300 as well? I would love to have Kawasaki give me a long term bike but that wont happen. Best I can do is this- my brother is planning on getting one himself in a few months. Probably pointless as you want to know ASAP so you can purchase. But I will nick his for a while and give it a good test none the less. Perth (WA) has similar climate to California and Baja so should be a good test.
Im really curious about the price in China (if it will be imported). Versys 650 is about 12k-13kUSD which is cheap as the tax on Thailand made bikes is a bit lower. If it were about 7k Id think about it.`
Few months ago I bought China made Shineray X5. Its a 400cc single with a similar weight to this Versys 300 yet it makes about 29hp
I do not see many Shineray's around, very interesting bike you have there :-)
In your opinion, if you change the versys's tyres to a more dirt biased tyres, how do you think it will fare on the dirt? Cheers from Malaysia!!
Hi Kamel, it depends on what kind of dirt you are referring to? For dirt roads that are reasonably maintained the stock tires will be fine. If you are starting to get into more serious dirt you will definitely need more aggressive tires. However, at a certain point you might be exploring other limits of the bike such as ground clearance and suspension travel :-) The Versys is like a mini BMW GS, a great all rounder but not really built for regular technical off road situations.
Now that you have ride both the Versys 300 and the new Honda Crf 250 rally, what's your favourite?
Honda for the serious off road and the Kawasaki for everything else :-)
cool
This bike looked so promising, but now when reviews are shown up i feel it's too heavy and too underpowered.
Depends on what you are looking for. Power is not everything and these new low cc engines are way better than what we saw in the past.
Off road potential of this X300 compared to an R1200GS...... Thoughts anyone?
I have owned a R1200GS for about 4 years now (06 model) and have done some things I thought would be impossible for such a lovely big tourer. Can the X300 do better?
Godfrey Tomlinson I would assume weight alone would make it easier to control. Making you more confident. But unless you rode both back to back on the same track who can really say. Better, maybe. Easier, I would say yes. Easier to pick up when dropped, yes. Much much cheaper. If I was doing off road I would choose the little versys out of the 2.
It would be Light & Day Difference, Alot less Power, but the Weight makes it 100x better Adventure Bike imho! I'm Sure the Big 1200gs would be a Great Long Distance Mile Eater, but not for any Tight Off-road Situations! The Versus 300x seems the Best of Both World's for a Dual Sport, Great on Pavement, & Reasonable on the Dirt, The Old School KLR650 or DR650 might be better as an All-Rounder -Cheers👍🍺
how many km has your we done someone i know is selling his with 32000 on it for 3000 is that to many km for a small bike?
Hi Justin, Mine has just over 12500 kms on it. It really depends what kind of riding was done on the bike and how well looked after it is. Full service history, check the swing arm protector has been replaced. The first valve adjustment on these bikes is something like 42,000kms so they can do fairly high kms. It really depends on how the bike has been treated. Sorry I cannot give you any first hand experience with a high km WR.
WHERE'S THE 300X VIDEO'S
Seems strage that any manufacturer would market such a bike in Australia - I personally see it as a novices wet dream as it says: ride me to work on weekdays and Adventure on weekends. Personally, I couldn't think of anything worse than having to flog the pants off a bike that is clearly not up to the task of lugging 130kg comfortably.
When is the 400cc engine going into this?.they already have the ninja400 and z400... then stripped down and with some more agressive tires... and maybe suspensipn rebuild... could be the ultimate on/offroad adventure bike? Check out these guys ADV bike build of it...www.advpulse.com/adv-bikes/kawasaki-versys-x-300-bike-build/
NO INFO HELP FOR 300X ONLINE OR UA-cam, ALSO IF U BUY. BE READY TO BUY ANOTHER AFTERMARKET SEAT BECAUSE THE SEAT IS SO,SO BAD
Seems like a lovely-specs small adventure bike. I"d be sorely tempted but for the ..... looks.
I mean, come on, Kawasaki! Clearly, you know how to make attractive bikes. Just look at the latest evolution of the Ninja 650! A vast improvement. Same with the Versys 650 in the last few years. WHY... THE.... F**K did you have to make this little 300 so gawd-awful looking (actually, it looks much like the old/disgusting Versys 650 - so, if Kawi learned their lesson there, why did they 'forget' on this??).
/rant
I like the look of it.
Ditto
How does this compare to the old KLE 500?
Having never ridden the KLE500 I cannot comment, sorry mate.
Hi mr2bmw, I like the KLE more (for now). If I lived in the city would probably swap for the versys 300 but as I do lot's of highway riding the KLE is much nicer. A very smooth simple engine. At 100km/h my rmp is about 5000 and has enough power to overtake if needed, my fuel consumption on highway is 4.2 liters/100 and I'm a big 105kg guy. Also way more torque. Have done single trails with the bike but it's relatively heavy for that and took it a few weeks ago for a beach run and it was as good there as my friends derestricted KLR. Bought my KLE for $3000 and it's been well worth the money in my opinion. But remember that it is old technology so not extremely powerful or quick, shit suspension and a bit ugly but does the job better than many bikes. Did last year 12.000km with it. Met a guy who had 180.000 so engine should be ok :)
Hi vinkku09, thanks for your response, I will be looking into the KLE500.
I think the KLE is a good looking bike! Last of the real enduros.
0:41
Next time make move alone.
4 cilinder engine bike in front you mess up the footage.
wr