Topic: I just bought my first brand new bike! And I think I will sell the cb550f..

[Fish]

Hello everyone, I have been following great reviews on the Kawasaki Versys with great interest for the past year.  Finally, a couple days ago I put down a deposit on an orange 2007.  I haven't picked it up yet but here is a photo of the model:





I am really pleased with my purchase; however, I have been looking around for things to sell so I can pay off the debt quickly and I keep coming back to the 1975 cb550f.   


- Chad

[754]

Do you ride 2 up?? The 550 may? be better for that..

 If your 550 is nice and works well.. you may reget selling it...

you cant have 2 many bikes

 around here if the 550 was stock you can insure it as collector for less than a regular bike and insurance is cheaper thn some bigger bikes.. maybe a consideration..

[tsflstb]

Did you get a chance to ride the Versys?  I demo'd one at the Cycle World show in November.  I rode it right after riding my 400F about 50 miles down to the show. 

It seemed kind of rough around the edges compared to my 33 year old bike (vibration, notchy gearbox) and didn't quite fit me right.  It was a well used demo bike, so a new one may be a little smoother if broken in carefully.  May just be the nature of that twin cylinder engine too.  It did have some decent torque though.

I'd hang on to the 550 if you can afford it.  I never appreciated how smooth these old inline 4's were until I did those demo rides.  Rode a half dozen different 2007 models and when I hopped back on my old bike and had to check the tach to make sure it was running.

[Fish]

Ya, that is the dilemma.  I got a really good deal on the 550 and I doubt I will ever be able to find another in as good of shape if I get the bug again. 
Maybe I will just put off selling it as long as I can and see how well I can pay off the Kawasaki without it.

I believe that you can never have too many bikes too... but I'm married and have three kids... so you know 

My experience with the engine and tranny is greatly different than yours.  My cb has it beat in looks and coolness factor, but mechanically the Versys is a world above.  I was amazed at the power that a 650 twin is able to put out and the fuel injection was perfect.  I don't do a lot of two up riding but at least now I will have the option if I want.  I couldn't take a passenger on the highway with the Honda.  I did a 4 day motorcycle camping trip last year and that is one of the main reasons why I wanted to get a new bike.  My 33 year old half-liter bike just wasn't the best choice for fully loaded, high kilometer trips (but I knew that before I set out  )
I only wish Honda would have built this bike - but I found the Transalp to be too heavy and too expensive $$$

[ProTeal55]

Keep em' both...

[DCopp]

get the Versys, as I am gonna too, and throw a Two Brothers can on it...check youtube, you'll see what I mean, and ebay has a sweet plate bracket/undertail kit for under $100 by comp werkes I think.

[Fish]

Dcopp,
It's a done deal - I just have to pick it up.  That Two Brothers does sound good!  I thought the Itil can look pretty cool too. 
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=1-IlHlGEDhY
I'm probably going to keep it stock though.  Add some givi sidebags and maybe a pair of brush guards on the handlebars...

I hope this class of bike gains in popularity in our part of the world.  For too long it seems that the choice has been either to get a 700lb cruiser or a hardcore race replica.  Our SOHC's were enough bike in their day for whatever sort of riding you wanted to do.  I applaud Kawasaki for bringing an all-rounder like this to market for such a great price, and I'm glad the reviews have been so positive.

- Chad

[okie]

I am betting you will love that bike.  I sold my TransAlp last summer and have been looking at the Kawa as a possible replacement.  The only problem with my TransAlp was that it had 7000 miles on it and not a scratch or any sign of wear on it anywhere so I was reluctant to ride if for fear of hurting something I couldn't get parts for.  It was comfortable and effortless to ride.  It just put a big smile on your face to ride it.

[Fish]

Thanks Okie.  And I feel your pain - I have always thought it would be nice to have an Africa Twin but I was worried about parts etc too.  The Versys first caught my eye at last year's motorcycle show.  Since then, it seems that the buzz has been growing.  This year, the special bike show price was too good to pass up and a buddy and I each bought one. 

It cost $7300 after all costs and taxes, along with a $500 credit towards accessories.  First motorcycle I have ever bought new 

- Chad

[tsflstb]

Glad you're happy with it.  Not trying to knock it, just didn't know if you'd gotten a good test ride.  I was surprised it felt a lot more "raw" than the inline or vee 4's I'm used to.  Of course I've never ridden an old Harley, Norton or Triumph, so my idea of vibration may be skewed.  It does seem like a cool (and better looking) alternative to the 650 V-strom.

[Bob550four]

I was loving the 650R,  which, apart from some bodywork, and the front forks, is exactly the same as the versys.    the versys, I've never had the opportunity to ride, but I dont like the looks of it much.

[Fish]

tsflstb,
No problem at all... in fact I think you might have hit the nail on the head by describing it as "raw".  I just attributed that to the fact that it was a twin instead of a four cylinder, but I don't really know???

From the reading I have done it sounds like the real advantage to the parallel twin is compactness.  It is narrower in width than an inline four, and shorter in length than a v-twin.  It is a pretty small engine but still makes about 60hp.  The reports on fuel mileage have been outstanding too.

You are right though, my 550 is smoother.  Also, I have no dillusions about the fact that the Versys will not look as good in 33 years (or possibly even 10  ) as my cb550f does.  I don't know, maybe no one in 1975 looked at my bike on the showroom floor and said, "in three decades that is still going to be one sexy antique" but... I just don't think that modern bikes are built to the same standards that these old all-metal works of art were.  It's a shame really..

Bob550four,
Yes, I have been very encouraged by the reviews of the ninja 650r!  I chose the versys because it has increased travel suspension that is adjustible front and back, its motor has been retuned for more torque, the bike holds almost a gallon more fuel, and the seating position fits me a little better.  They say the frame is different from the 650r with more bracing but I haven't looked that closely yet.

Edit: And as for looks, I would have preferred something more classic looking but there aren't a lot of alternatives in this class right now - and I suspect I would have to give up some function in the process.  The "Alf the alien" headlight turns a lot of people off but it has grown on me over the last year and I really like the looks of the bike.  My last big bike was a DL1000 V-strom and I prefer this to that.

Cheers,

- Chad

[flipprboi]

Did you say classic look? Bout da triumph's scrambler?  I love riding my supermotard and the attention i get from riding my classic sohc hondas, but to me this is somewhat a combination of both. This bike looks so sweet.



Anyway, good luck on your new purchase, and i'd say keep both bikes and add another bike, and tell your wife that each bike is a gift to each of your kids so they have something to ride .

[Fish]

I have always loved the scrambler and it, along with the new moto guzzi v7, is an example of what I think new bikes should look like. ( http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2007/11/07/moto-guzzi-v7-classic/ )
I still think that I would have to give up a lot of function to get those looks though.  The scrambler looks like a "scrambler" but it is 50+ lbs heavier than the versys, has the same HP, and would cost me at least a couple thousand more.  Suspension is not as good, no liquid cooling, no wind protection, I don't know if there is EFI on the scrambler or not...
Now as a cb550f owner, I understand that there is absolutely nothing wrong with having a simple, bullet-proof air cooled bike - but I just feel that it should be priced cheaper than a bike that has all of the other goodies, not higher. 


- Chad