nklr psycho sarah palin

[boulder_adv_rider]

I'm a bit behind on this perhaps, but how can Kaw call this a dual purpose moto? Dual what? I see it's also listed under Sport class as well, so it could be a weblunder. Clearly it's a glorified sport road-only moto. Kaw should come up with some [other] stupid name/class like the auto industry did with its retarded nonesense like "cross-over." Dual sport to me means on and off road use. It means you can ride to your destination where you'll camp and/or explore off-road (light motocross). But this Versys thing looks like a road toy at best. I'm pretty sure if I took this out for weekend, it'd come home in a body bag after a day of the same abuse I give my KLR. From Kaw's marketing regarding the new Versys... "Big Comfort, Long Travel Suspension, and Innovative Styling: One Versatile, Fun, Street-Savvy Motorcycle The new 2008 Kawasaki Versys is a machine which occupies a hard to define sweet spot in the motorcycling universe. Is it a practical commuter? Long-legged urban assault vehicle? Sportbike? Light Tourer?" Urban assault??? What...? Anyway, it has nothing to do with dual purpose/sport whatsoever. It's sole purpose is for the road vs. the KLR 650 or new KLX 250s. In fact, read about the new 2009 KLX 250s. "THE ULTIMATE LIGHTWEIGHT DUAL PURPOSE MOUNT, THE KAWASAKI KLX 250S A leaner, meaner and greener lightweight dual-sport machine The fun doesn't have to stop at pavement boundaries when riding Kawasaki's street legal KLX 250S. This lightweight dual-purpose motorcycle is equally at home on the pavement or off-road and always ready for your next adventure..."

[boulder_adv_rider]

link listing Kaw's 3 offerings in Dual Purpose class http://www.kawasaki.com/Products/SubCategory.aspx?id=14

[mikeypep]

Dual purpose used to mean off road and on road capable. At least thats what the words stand for. Just like Jeep. Now really, I can't see taking your grand Cherokee off road, unless you consider a grafel driveway off road. Motorcycles too have been bitten by this word- thing. Teh V strom is no more off-road worthy than an SV650 yet it carries the dual sport tag. The versys may be more of a new category than real dual sport, that being long suspension travel "standard" motorcycle. Those modest 17" wheels smack of street-bike. My brother just bought one. Had a GS1000 Suzuki, and then a KLR. He said "think tall sport bike". I'll go along with that. kawasaki can call it what ever they want, its not a dual sport, but it is versatile! Now can someone tell me what a "SAV" is, or a "crossover" really is? I think the auto makers have heard that SUV's are dead so they are rebadging the same old stuff and giving it a new name. Nah, they wouldn't do that, would they? --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "boulder_adv_rider" wrote:

> > I'm a bit behind on this perhaps, but how can Kaw call this a dual > purpose moto? Dual what? I see it's also listed under Sport class > as well, so it could be a weblunder. Clearly it's a glorified

sport

> road-only moto. Kaw should come up with some [other] stupid > name/class like the auto industry did with its retarded nonesense > like "cross-over." > > Dual sport to me means on and off road use. It means you can ride

to

> your destination where you'll camp and/or explore off-road (light > motocross). But this Versys thing looks like a road toy at best. > I'm pretty sure if I took this out for weekend, it'd come home in a > body bag after a day of the same abuse I give my KLR. > > From Kaw's marketing regarding the new Versys... > > "Big Comfort, Long Travel Suspension, and Innovative Styling: One > Versatile, Fun, Street-Savvy Motorcycle > > The new 2008 Kawasaki Versys is a machine which occupies a hard to > define sweet spot in the motorcycling universe. Is it a practical > commuter? Long-legged urban assault vehicle? Sportbike? Light

Tourer?"

> > Urban assault??? What...? Anyway, it has nothing to do with dual > purpose/sport whatsoever. It's sole purpose is for the road vs.

the

> KLR 650 or new KLX 250s. In fact, read about the new 2009 KLX 250s. > > "THE ULTIMATE LIGHTWEIGHT DUAL PURPOSE MOUNT, THE KAWASAKI KLX 250S > > A leaner, meaner and greener lightweight dual-sport machine > > The fun doesn't have to stop at pavement boundaries when riding > Kawasaki's street legal KLX 250S. This lightweight dual-purpose > motorcycle is equally at home on the pavement or off-road and

always

> ready for your next adventure..." >

[boulder_adv_rider]

Actually, I like the name "Versatile" class. Commute, light tour, etc. Ride down a dirt road, ok. If you're going to call something dual sport it has to be minimum good to go off-road. On the other hand, I've seen some moderately modified Jeep Cherokees do quite well off road vs. never see Lexus or Mercedes in the mountains, mud, deserts, etc. Hell, even a Ford 4x4 van with front and rear lockers I saw a week ago was pretty impressive. But to carry a stock dual sport class label, it has be ready out of the box to ride off-road including tires. Sure, the KLR needs to monsterized to improve the off-road experience, but I wouldn't hesitate even with the stock tires to go from dealer to dirt. I wouldn't do this this Versys. Like the diamond industry, it's all about marketing. The auto industry has been a marketing machine since its inception and look no further than Tiger Woods pimping Cadillacs. Conversely, you don't see any star names needed to promote motorcycles: sport, touring, off- road, or dual sport. Let's hope this class/marketing crap isn't the beginning. Brian - who would saddle a pit bull if he thought it would be a better ride.

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "mikeypep" wrote: > > Dual purpose used to mean off road and on road capable. At least > thats what the words stand for. Just like Jeep. Now really, I can't > see taking your grand Cherokee off road, unless you consider a grafel > driveway off road. Motorcycles too have been bitten by this word- > thing. Teh V strom is no more off-road worthy than an SV650 yet it > carries the dual sport tag. The versys may be more of a new category > than real dual sport, that being long suspension travel "standard" > motorcycle. Those modest 17" wheels smack of street-bike. My brother > just bought one. Had a GS1000 Suzuki, and then a KLR. He said "think > tall sport bike". I'll go along with that. kawasaki can call it what > ever they want, its not a dual sport, but it is versatile! > > Now can someone tell me what a "SAV" is, or a "crossover" really is? > I think the auto makers have heard that SUV's are dead so they are > rebadging the same old stuff and giving it a new name. Nah, they > wouldn't do that, would they? > > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "boulder_adv_rider" > wrote: > > > > I'm a bit behind on this perhaps, but how can Kaw call this a dual > > purpose moto? Dual what? I see it's also listed under Sport class > > as well, so it could be a weblunder. Clearly it's a glorified > sport > > road-only moto. Kaw should come up with some [other] stupid > > name/class like the auto industry did with its retarded nonesense > > like "cross-over." > > > > Dual sport to me means on and off road use. It means you can ride > to > > your destination where you'll camp and/or explore off-road (light > > motocross). But this Versys thing looks like a road toy at best. > > I'm pretty sure if I took this out for weekend, it'd come home in a > > body bag after a day of the same abuse I give my KLR. > > > > From Kaw's marketing regarding the new Versys... > > > > "Big Comfort, Long Travel Suspension, and Innovative Styling: One > > Versatile, Fun, Street-Savvy Motorcycle > > > > The new 2008 Kawasaki Versys is a machine which occupies a hard to > > define sweet spot in the motorcycling universe. Is it a practical > > commuter? Long-legged urban assault vehicle? Sportbike? Light > Tourer?" > > > > Urban assault??? What...? Anyway, it has nothing to do with dual > > purpose/sport whatsoever. It's sole purpose is for the road vs. > the > > KLR 650 or new KLX 250s. In fact, read about the new 2009 KLX 250s. > > > > "THE ULTIMATE LIGHTWEIGHT DUAL PURPOSE MOUNT, THE KAWASAKI KLX 250S > > > > A leaner, meaner and greener lightweight dual-sport machine > > > > The fun doesn't have to stop at pavement boundaries when riding > > Kawasaki's street legal KLX 250S. This lightweight dual-purpose > > motorcycle is equally at home on the pavement or off-road and > always > > ready for your next adventure..." > > >

[Mike Grace]

>>Teh V strom is no more off-road worthy than an SV650 yet it carries the

dual sport tag.

[Jud Jones]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "mikeypep" wrote:

> Now can someone tell me what a "SAV" is, or a "crossover" really is? > I think the auto makers have heard that SUV's are dead so they are > rebadging the same old stuff and giving it a new name. Nah, they > wouldn't do that, would they? > >

SAV="Suburban Assault Vehicle"

[Jim Douglas]

boulder_adv_rider wrote:

> > Actually, I like the name "Versatile" class. Commute, light tour, > etc. Ride down a dirt road, ok. > > If you're going to call something dual sport it has to be minimum > good to go off-road. On the other hand, I've seen some moderately > modified Jeep Cherokees do quite well off road vs. never see Lexus or > Mercedes in the mountains, mud, deserts, etc. Hell, even a Ford 4x4 > van with front and rear lockers I saw a week ago was pretty > impressive. But to carry a stock dual sport class label, it has be > ready out of the box to ride off-road including tires. Sure, the KLR > needs to monsterized to improve the off-road experience, but I > wouldn't hesitate even with the stock tires to go from dealer to > dirt. I wouldn't do this this Versys. > > Like the diamond industry, it's all about marketing. The auto > industry has been a marketing machine since its inception and look no > further than Tiger Woods pimping Cadillacs. Conversely, you don't > see any star names needed to promote motorcycles: sport, touring, off- > road, or dual sport. Let's hope this class/marketing crap isn't the > beginning. > > Brian - who would saddle a pit bull if he thought it would be a > better ride. > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com > , "mikeypep" wrote: > > > > Dual purpose used to mean off road and on road capable. At least > > thats what the words stand for. Just like Jeep. Now really, I can't > > see taking your grand Cherokee off road, unless you consider a > grafel > > driveway off road. Motorcycles too have been bitten by this word- > > thing. Teh V strom is no more off-road worthy than an SV650 yet it > > carries the dual sport tag. The versys may be more of a new > category > > than real dual sport, that being long suspension travel "standard" > > motorcycle. Those modest 17" wheels smack of street-bike. My > brother > > just bought one. Had a GS1000 Suzuki, and then a KLR. He > said "think > > tall sport bike". I'll go along with that. kawasaki can call it > what > > ever they want, its not a dual sport, but it is versatile! > > > > Now can someone tell me what a "SAV" is, or a "crossover" really > is? > > I think the auto makers have heard that SUV's are dead so they are > > rebadging the same old stuff and giving it a new name. Nah, they > > wouldn't do that, would they? > > > > > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com > , "boulder_adv_rider" > > wrote: > > > > > > I'm a bit behind on this perhaps, but how can Kaw call this a > dual > > > purpose moto? Dual what? I see it's also listed under Sport > class > > > as well, so it could be a weblunder. Clearly it's a glorified > > sport > > > road-only moto. Kaw should come up with some [other] stupid > > > name/class like the auto industry did with its retarded nonesense > > > like "cross-over." > > > > > > Dual sport to me means on and off road use. It means you can > ride > > to > > > your destination where you'll camp and/or explore off-road (light > > > motocross). But this Versys thing looks like a road toy at > best. > > > I'm pretty sure if I took this out for weekend, it'd come home in > a > > > body bag after a day of the same abuse I give my KLR. > > > > > > From Kaw's marketing regarding the new Versys... > > > > > > "Big Comfort, Long Travel Suspension, and Innovative Styling: One > > > Versatile, Fun, Street-Savvy Motorcycle > > > > > > The new 2008 Kawasaki Versys is a machine which occupies a hard > to > > > define sweet spot in the motorcycling universe. Is it a practical > > > commuter? Long-legged urban assault vehicle? Sportbike? Light > > Tourer?" > > > > > > Urban assault??? What...? Anyway, it has nothing to do with > dual > > > purpose/sport whatsoever. It's sole purpose is for the road vs. > > the > > > KLR 650 or new KLX 250s. In fact, read about the new 2009 KLX > 250s. > > > > > > "THE ULTIMATE LIGHTWEIGHT DUAL PURPOSE MOUNT, THE KAWASAKI > KLX 250S > > > > > > A leaner, meaner and greener lightweight dual-sport machine > > > > > > The fun doesn't have to stop at pavement boundaries when riding > > > Kawasaki's street legal KLX 250S. This lightweight dual-purpose > > > motorcycle is equally at home on the pavement or off-road and > > always > > > ready for your next adventure..." > > > > > > >

What about a simple tire change to this bike to make it slightly more 'dirt' friendly. I actually love the looks of this bike and if I was rich would certainly have one, that is if it comes in blue, well hell if I'm rich I have it painted!

[Jud Jones]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "boulder_adv_rider" wrote:

> Like the diamond industry, it's all about marketing. The auto > industry has been a marketing machine since its inception and look no > further than Tiger Woods pimping Cadillacs. Conversely, you don't > see any star names needed to promote motorcycles: sport, touring, off- > road, or dual sport.

Nope. Steve McQueen and Peter Fonda gave the industry all the celebrity marketing it needed about 40 years ago. (Although I'd bet BMW doesn't think it paid too much for Ewan and Charlie).

[fasteddiecopeman]

Kawi claims the Versys to be a "dual purpose" (NOT dual sport!), as in - it'll do just about anything... a bit. Just bought one, and got to 211 miles today with a run up the Apache Trail, AND a little desert road riding, and it did just fine, tho' I have an issue with my mirrors. It's fast, pretty smooth, comfortable, seems economical. BTW, got tire wear FURTHER toward the side than I've EVER got before! Still have the KLR (OF COURSE!!!) back in Calgary. Ed

[boulder_adv_rider]

Ed - If you read my initial post, this is my point exactly: classing it 'dual purpose.' In industry parlance dual purpose and dual sport are used inter-changeably effectively replacing enduro used years ago. I would not include it in the same class as the KLR 650 or smaller 250--whatever class. You might think it'll do a bit of anything but so will a DUCATI DESMOSEDICI RR or any Harley. I've seen crazy nuts treat Harleys like dirt bikes at Mike's Sky Ranch in Baja. Not wise. Understand I'm not trying to disparage anything or even comment on the Versys's performance, rather state I personally don't think it belongs in any off-road category (at least without significant modification). My guess is if we go riding where generally I take my KLR (a 10-ft seal-blowing ledge drop here in CO (home of the Rockies) isn't uncommon nor is mud, frame-smashing boulders, steep wall climbs, a dash of snow, etc.), your Versys is going home in a truck bed. I put my KLR through hell and it usually returns. The bottom- line is I would not hesitate taking any KLR from the dealership straight into the gauntlet but would never consider subjecting this Versys to such pain. Then again, most likely I'd be begging for the Versys on the road. I'm sure it outperforms the KLR on the street in many ways. It looks like a fun and exciting ride. Glad you like it. Brian - who believes sooner or later he will return his KLR back to nature ps-I've ridden many different (base street-legal) motos in many countries either for pleasure or other purposes (classified) and not one of these foreign brands/models would I classify as dual sport/dual purpose or otherwise capable of handling regular off-road conditions (like a KLR). Just so happens these motos were able to improvise and adapt...and ultimately be resold shortly thereafter at a price just above scrap. Hell, I've made the ubiquitous 125cc scooter in SE Asia look ready for Paris Dakar...it's a scooter.