How did you find the windscreen cut out in that storm you experienced did it let any water through?

@@Spad562 - not a problem! Lifted the windscreen up to its highest setting and tucked in behind it. As I know from my 650 Versys, the new windscreen cut out on the 1K does a great job of taking away buffeting at higher speeds. It takes a bit of tweaking to set the height correctly and take full advantage of wind flow out of the notch. If I'm wearing my Shoei helmet, 15mm up from the lowest point and I loose all wind roar on the helmet...... wearing the Schuberth, it's about 30mm up. Go figure.

I got a notification that you commented on the differences between this and the Versys 650 with a pillion in mind. Now I can’t find the comment? Very interested.

@@BobJJ9999 - I replied directly under your initial comment below where you wrote: " I got a Versys 650 as my first big bike a couple of years back. Now my wife is a enthusiastic pillion, I might go for the new 1000!" My reply is there. Hope it helps.

@@BobJJ9999 Same happened to me as well...

Looking for a Stelvio, but will consider the V85 TT after a proper shake down.Like the Versys 1000, but don’t want to deal with chain maintenance.

Now..... if there is one thing I could write about, it's the difference between 'two-up' with my partner on a 650 Versys and 'two-upping' with her on the 1000 SE Versys. I/we absolutely loved the 650.... in fact, I wanted to keep it when I bought the 1K But the reality is that there is just no comparison - the 1K is a joy to ride, one of the biggest differences being you having all the power you want is on tap. On the 650, I might have needed to drop 2 gears to find a power band going up a hill or into a corner with my partner and panniers behind me.... now, I just open the throttle! I could write a chapter of a book on the handling characteristics between the 650 suspension and the SE electronic suspension, but it would appear in conclusion I hated the 650 which would be totally untrue and unfair. I have the same fun, maybe more in fact, hossing the 1K through twisties as I did on the 650, but the 1K just moves touring with a pillion to a whole different place as regards handling, comfort, and power. If you can afford it - please do it. You will not regret it. EDIT: And for reference, I also have a z900 which has had the pegs scraping through the twisties on many occasions..... and I get just as much fun on the 1K Versys. As someone explained, the "SE" is like Frank Bruno - a man who could wipe you out and mess you up real bad but in reality, Frank doesn't really want to hurt you.... whereas the "Zed" is like Mike Tyson. He just wants to brutally kill you. I thought that all made sense.

Thanks very much! The final review of the bike, after almost 6,500 miles, is due in the next couple of days. John

Glad you liked it! Cheers, John

Thanks! John (and Helen)

I can't disagree with you when it comes to nitpicking the numbers, but I have ridden the Ducati Multistrada (which I loved) and the BMW GS (which just didn't flick my switches) I found the BMW ugly, bulky and hard work, but there is no doubt about the quality. The Ducati was beautiful..... but just too brutal to enjoy a smooth comfortable ride. My partner and I clashed helmets on a 25 mile ride more than we have done after 3500 miles on the Versys 1K And lets be honest, the 2019 Versys is stunning looking - it doesn't pertain to be an off roader, doesn't want to be, but I can sit on the motorway with panniers loaded, my partner sitting in comfort behind me, the cruise control on at 85mph and no hands on the handlebars. Solid as a rock - and it will entertain the two of us through the twisties as well as my Z900 entertains me when I throw a brain storm. I chickened out at 125mph with both of us on the Versys..... and there was still plenty more power available, but if that's the kind of performance you're looking for if going by the numbers, then be selfish and buy yourself a Z900 as well for those moments! One needs to stay focused on what exactly they want for a comfortable touring bike for two with more than sufficient power, all the looks, the bells and the whistles - and whilst the Ducati or BMW ticked boxes the Versys didn't, the Versys ticked more boxes overall.

Totally agree. As regards getting on and off, my partner was the same, but we found that if I have my feet/toes planted on the ground, in 1st gear and front brake fully applied, then she puts her left foot on left peg, right hand on the top box....... and just steps over the bike. Easy as, and no issue for either of us. Then just lift my feet and move off. The latest model, the 2019 SE with electronic suspension, is great in that you can pull the clutch in and adjust the suspension on the move. This is great when we are coming into town or moving in slow traffic. I drop the suspension right down to one person, and it means with the additional weight of her on the pillion, both my feet are planted on the ground.... and when we get onto the open road, I can pull the clutch and adjust the suspension up to 2 persons again for better stability and handling.

It's the Navigatorr. Cheers, John

They should do - we were in Balderston's in Peterborough recently and there was no question we'd be able to test ride two-up. John

We chose our bike on the basis of it needing to be good for the pillion too. Tried various bikes and my wife really liked this one. No issue with any of the dealers. I am 6'2" 100kg and wife is 5' 60-65kg. Loads of room on seat. Over 2400 miles fully laden in Europe recently there were some numb bum moments on the longer days 6-8 hours in saddle. Pretty comfortable overall. More than enough oomph for most

Thanks Jason! Core Motorcycle Seating does a lot of adjustments for Versys - might be worth a chat. John www.coremotorcycle.co.uk/

That's just the standard TomTom RAM mount. I've since moved it to the bar risers using the Kawasaki mount.

@@bennettsbikesocial Thank-you very much. Was thinking about the Kawasaki mount but like options. Are you finding the Kawasaki mount better?

@@twmclean1 I like how it keeps the sat-nav out of the air; it MIGHT help buffeting to move it but I wouldn't swear to it. The Kawasaki mount is pretty low, and if you use a tank bag it'll block it. I had a similar one on my MT-10 but sold it in the end as the tank bag meant I couldn't see it. Now I've used the S1000XR with the sat nav mounted above the clocks, having it this low is quite annoying. The standard RAM mount works well but it doesn't look as neat as the proper Kawasaki one. Cheers, John

@@bennettsbikesocial Appreciate you taking the time to respond. I have a tank bag and exactly my concern. Gives me something to think about. Regards from Canada

By her own admission, Helen's not very graceful when it comes to getting on and off bikes - when she was stuck on there she was ice cold and seized up - she finds it no worse than other bikes (even the Goldwing).

If she uses the passenger pegs to mount and dismount she will not have a problem