KYtrailfan
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- Joined
- Apr 18, 2023
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- 68
Thinking I want one. What is the good and not so good on the 300-X?
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Versys 300-X ABS
- Thread starter KYtrailfan
- Start date
SneakyDingo
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- Joined
- Aug 6, 2021
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- 1,573
I looked into these recently when doing a midweight adventure bike looksy for what I'd buy if I replaced the CT125 in a crash. I will also confess this early: All of the Versys bikes are bikes I have wanted to love, but never could.
By far, and I hate this so much that I would actively avoid one just because of it, the thing I hate the most about the Versys bikes in general is also the thing that's most easily changed: I hate the way they sound with intensity. I think they are one of, if not the worst sounding bikes on the road/market. The exhaust is also enormous and while I am generally someone who would not bother with f**king with stuff like that, I would preorder swapping that out before it even left the dealership if I owned one, that's how much I hate it.
The other part I disliked was the power delivery. It's all up top. I like the opposite on bikes that get dirty. It's ok on road bikes, but I generally prefer engines that generate power lower down. Thumpers and V-Twins make me happy.
This section of the market is doing quite well right now. The Honda CRF300L regularly comes in pretty far back on shootouts for best bikes despite being popular so when I see a bike like this I end up saying, "Does this bike do XYZ better than a CRF300L?" There's a ton of bikes in this midweight range that could fit the same space in the garage. The Versys regularly comes in with a good reputation for being maintenance boring and cheap to own, which reminds me of my V-Strom where you'd spend more time riding it than wrenching it. If you lived in an apartment complex who had a "no maintenance in the parking lot" policy in the lease, that can be pretty important. The Versys has longer fuel range too.
Already owning a maintenance boring/easy bike like the CT125, I really struggle for where I'd want to use a Versys 300-X ABS over the bike I already have. I can see that with the XR150L, the CRF300L / 300L Rally, the KTM 390, the BMW 310 GS, a XT250/225, Ninja 400, Hayabusa, even a V-Strom DL650 like I used to own... it's at a good price point. I can see me daily ridering it, given the mpg and the maintenance. But with the CT125 in my stable, it'd have to replace it, not supplement it. The one thing it can do that the CT125 can't is highway speeds.
Ultimately, if the bike makes you smile and you want it, go buy it. I've never seen a Versys owner who suffered greatly in the resale market. They're generally great bikes, which is why I wanted to love them. It's just... I can't. It's not them, it's me. I just don't like them.
By far, and I hate this so much that I would actively avoid one just because of it, the thing I hate the most about the Versys bikes in general is also the thing that's most easily changed: I hate the way they sound with intensity. I think they are one of, if not the worst sounding bikes on the road/market. The exhaust is also enormous and while I am generally someone who would not bother with f**king with stuff like that, I would preorder swapping that out before it even left the dealership if I owned one, that's how much I hate it.
The other part I disliked was the power delivery. It's all up top. I like the opposite on bikes that get dirty. It's ok on road bikes, but I generally prefer engines that generate power lower down. Thumpers and V-Twins make me happy.
This section of the market is doing quite well right now. The Honda CRF300L regularly comes in pretty far back on shootouts for best bikes despite being popular so when I see a bike like this I end up saying, "Does this bike do XYZ better than a CRF300L?" There's a ton of bikes in this midweight range that could fit the same space in the garage. The Versys regularly comes in with a good reputation for being maintenance boring and cheap to own, which reminds me of my V-Strom where you'd spend more time riding it than wrenching it. If you lived in an apartment complex who had a "no maintenance in the parking lot" policy in the lease, that can be pretty important. The Versys has longer fuel range too.
Already owning a maintenance boring/easy bike like the CT125, I really struggle for where I'd want to use a Versys 300-X ABS over the bike I already have. I can see that with the XR150L, the CRF300L / 300L Rally, the KTM 390, the BMW 310 GS, a XT250/225, Ninja 400, Hayabusa, even a V-Strom DL650 like I used to own... it's at a good price point. I can see me daily ridering it, given the mpg and the maintenance. But with the CT125 in my stable, it'd have to replace it, not supplement it. The one thing it can do that the CT125 can't is highway speeds.
Ultimately, if the bike makes you smile and you want it, go buy it. I've never seen a Versys owner who suffered greatly in the resale market. They're generally great bikes, which is why I wanted to love them. It's just... I can't. It's not them, it's me. I just don't like them.
m in sc
Well-known member
i looked at the briefly last year as well. def not my cup of tea, which then drove me to the dr650 for the same money, which i then passed on for another project.
Im not saying they are bad bikes, but they sure aren't inspiring (to me) in any way.
Im not saying they are bad bikes, but they sure aren't inspiring (to me) in any way.
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I put around 100 miles on a friend's Kawasaki Versys-X 300 that he uses as a commuter. Suspension was great especially for being stock. OEM accessories were really nice he had the bike fully loaded. Hand controls especially switches felt cheap. ABS was a bit funky where to disable it he had me do a dirt burnout in 2nd gear. Weight was heavy for 296cc though the bike was fully loaded. It had more low end torque than I expected from a retuned Ninja 300 motor, but it was slow to get up to highway speed, had no problem rolling 75+ mph once there though. At highway speed there is a lot of engine noise because you're holding it at high RPM to maintain speed. It's a street bike with some off-road capability, so important to think of it with that context. It's more highway capable than many other bikes that are the other way around, off-road bikes first with some street capability. I didn't find it to be an inspiring bike either, and I feel the same way about the Versys 650. They also lack quirks or character that I enjoy in other bikes. They're bland to ride. Bland isn't always a bad thing though, it'll get you there. Bridget McCutchen is currently riding her Versys-X 300 "Mab" around the world and hasn't had issues specific to the bike, just maintenance, wear items, and spill damage. If you're going to ride it off-road definitely invest in crash bars and a skid plate.