Well after a 2600 mile trip on the new bike, I can sort of formulate my thoughts on how the Versys performs.
Most of you know that I am coming off a 1250 Bandit which is probably one of the most underrated motorcycles of all time. I loved riding my Bandits and the combined miles on the two I have owned is over 100,000. Now that said, I have to qualify why I wanted another motorcycle.
The Bandit when fully loaded weighs near 600 lbs. That’s with gas and other liquids, hard bags, a top box and gear. When I have dropped that bike, it ain’t easy to pick up…period. Last year i dropped it on a horrid dirt road and had a hell of a time getting it upright even with help. It’s a beast. So, every year I get older and feel like I need to consider a lighter machine.
Enter the Versys.
It’s 100 lbs lighter. Wet weight is around 425, where the Bandit before hard bags and top box is about 525. It’s flickable, has a wonderful power band and handles great on any surface. It can also be tweaked to fit nearly any sort of riding style. There are wonderful OEM and aftermarket mods that can be added to tweak it for a perfect personal fit.
It’s a tall bike, right outa the box. The seat height is 33.1 standard. That is quite tall for many female riders. I talked to several people on forums, and discovered that the best lowering kit came from Motowerk
. It had rave reviews. It doesn’t lower the bike by much, only 1.85 inch or 31.25 but that was enough that I can get my toes down now. I am 5’6″ and my inseam is 30 inches on a good day. 
I demoed a standard Versys in 07 on the track and after riding my lowered version, I don’t notice any difference to speak of. It handles great in the twisties thus far, but I’ll be able to tell more as I ride it more, especially on some of our Sierra Nevada roads.
I do notice that it’s more tippy than normal. I believe the dealer was supposed to have lowered the kickstand when they lowered the bike, however I need to call then and see. It seem really upright to me, more than it should be and when i put gas in the bike in 50-60mph gusts it seemed like it could easily blow over. That’s something I will further investigate now that I am home.
The stock windscreen seems nearly pointless. I was buffeted in any position, but maybe that because I sit up fairly straight. I found myself having to tuck over the tank bag in the high winds to keep myself on the bike! 
I hear that you can actually flip it upside down for better protection or just buy an aftermarket touring screen, which I will most likely do. But I will give the screen a flip and see if it helps.
As to the power. I don’t feel like I am suddenly on a power diet with the Versys. It seems to have plenty of power and I never had the throttle pinned on my original journey. It always had more to give even traveling at 95mph on an empty highway in NV. I did find it’s rpm sweet sport is over 5000. It performed best on the tight twisties of Hwy 168 between 6000 and 7000 rpms in 2nd and 3rd gear. It was responsive and flickable. I do believe it will be fairly easy to drag a peg on this machine. It seems to like a mean lean. Now that doesn’t mean you have to ride it aggressively. You don’t. It’s a great little cruiser.
Headwinds will eat the mileage on this bike and crosswinds as well, but not so much. With normal riding I was getting about 40mpg, but headwinds cut that in half and cross winds by about 1/3. The gas gauge is great, showing one bar as having 1.9 gallons and when that one bar is blinking it’s down to .09. Best to get gas at one bar!
At to mods now in order of importance.
Heated grips
12V powerlet.
Handguards
Windscreen
Kickstand fix and center stand
I also need to fix my tank bag placing magnets down the middle of the bag. Because the tank is narrow and the edges of the tank cover plastic, the usual tank bay won’t adhere without feeling insecure. I’ll be fixing that NOW!!
We are all a bit different in how our needs are met by riding. But I can’t say enough good about this little Versys. It’s a wonderful mid sized machine with an upright seating position, great powerband and a huge fun factor!
I can’t help but think the Versys is gonna be a great bike for you.
I love your commentary about the power–I believe a LOT of riders get overly hung up on engine power ratings, thinking that somehow more power equals more motorcycle and more riding fun. Not necessarily…
Nice bike! Can’t believe all the miles you ride. >jealous< My hubby likes the Versys, but still riding the Nighthawk. I just got a 650 VStrom and am loving it! I'm tall and this bike fits great as well as handles great for me!
Why do you want/need a centre stand if you fix the side stand? I know it can come in handy at times, but unless its set higher than the pegs, its only something else that will touchdown/drag in a good lean. If it touches down hard enough, the back end will step out enough to widen your eyeballs! The centre stand on the Multistrada was always throwing up sparks at every roundabout – and that’s with the suspension perfectly set up for me. 2 laps into the first track day I had to remove it = it was dangerous. Realised that even on the road I might have to lean to very edge of the tyre and the last thing I’d need is a centre stand gouging into the tarmac before I got to maximum lean. If you go for it Donna, make sure your pegs touch before the centre stand.
I can ditto your experience with the windscreen. My DL650 buffeted me too but I’m over 6 feet tall. An aftermarket screen should help loads.
Funny you should mention the kickstand. My CBR250 has the identical problem. I often find myself looking for the best spot to place the stand so the bike won’t sit too upright. It’s almost fallen twice but both times I managed to catch it. What a PITA. I’d like one of those long stands like they have on Harleys, one with a low angle and a big footprint.
I’m so glad you like it!! Motowerk also makes a kickstand pad that is great, and instructions about how to saw off the stand and attach the pad. (Never needs a puck for parking.)
If you choose to get a riser, Speedy (Motowerk) also makes one that has rubber mounting on it, to reduce vibrations.
There are 2 Vario windscreeens for it, now, both have options for a laminar lip, and both use the stock windshield brackets.
There is no good fix for a center stand. Try DallasDon on the Versys forum if you really want one–maybe he is still selling the ones he designed. I have learned to live without it. The only time I really miss it is when I have to oil the chain away from home. That. Is. Annoying.
Hmm. Other favorite mods for me: those stainless steel footpegs from Twisted Throttle–broader, flatter, and I love them. Since I am a klutz, I knocked my bike over a lot at first, and those cheesy stock footpegs broke at the least provocation.
My safety mods include the Stebel horn, and Admore lighting kit for the bags.
It’s amazing, when I think of it, just how many little things I’ve kept adding to the bike . . . color me farkle!
See you in July!
~~Margaret
Thanks Margaret for all the thoughtful suggestions. I’m still in the farkling stage and tweaking what I need to make the bike more mine. I still can’t believe what a wonderful bike it is, for the money. What a steal!! I agree about the kickstand. I believe the dealer was supposed cut and fix the stand, but after careful examination, I don’t believe it’s been done. I will definitely order the kickstand pad. I LOVE those things and hate having to use a puck. Again, my thanks for your insight!! Are you going to be at the AMA conference????