ERGOS

The ergonomics on the Versys-X 300 are pretty good for long-distance traveling, other than the rock hard seat. Yet in the dirt, the narrow handlebars and non-removable rubber peg covers make it a bit awkward to ride aggressively standing up. The spindly ⅞”-diameter steel handlebars are also susceptible to bending in a fall. We went about addressing some of these issues by changing up several touch points.

Rox Speed FX Pivoting Anti-Vibe Bar Risers

The handlebar height was decent on the Versys-X 300, but we wanted to raise it a bit for a more aggressive off-road riding position. These Rox risers offer several advantages for setting up ergos. Not only do they adjust for height, you can also roll the risers forward to open up the cockpit area a bit. Additionally, they come with polyurethane inserts that help soak up shock on the trail and vibrations on the highway. Even better, they allow you to convert those skinny ⅞” bars into 1-⅛” fatty bars.

Mika Metals Pro Series BBT 1-⅛” Handlebars

With our fat bar riser adaptors in place, we were ready to slip on a set of sturdy 1-⅛” tapered aluminum bars. The Mika Pro Series bars are made with aerospace aluminum for maximum strength but are engineered with a little flex to reduce arm fatigue. The black anodized finish is one of the most scratch-resistant we’ve seen on a set of bars as well. They come with a cross-bar for extra strength, but are strong enough to go without it if you aren’t planning on hitting the doubles at the motocross track.

Rizoma Rally Footpegs

The Italian company Rizoma may be an unfamiliar brand in the states, but they’ve been around for years overseas. We’ve been eyeing their beautifully CNC-machined aftermarket components for some time and when we saw they made off-road footpegs for the Versys-X 300, we were eager to give them a try. The Rally footpegs have a nice wide platform to give you good support while standing for hours on the pegs, and a serrated surface that keeps your feet from slipping. The pegs also feature an opened up interior which makes keeping them clean in the mud much easier. Lots of details to look at like a polished anodized finish and laser engraved branding as well.

Seat Concepts Comfort Seat

To improve the highway comfort of the Versys-X 300, we installed a Seat Concepts seat foam and cover kit. The high-quality foam offers cushier seating than stock and the cover has a grippy top surface that helps you maintain body position off-road. The unique shape has a similar contour to stock at the front of the seat so the rider’s legs are not spread farther apart, but tapers out towards the mid-point to distribute rider weight over a greater area. The Comfort Seat retains roughly the same stock seat height, but the company also offers a tall version (1-¼” higher) for those with longer legs.

TRAVELING

Long-range off-road travel requires you have durable luggage that can withstand the abuse of rough terrain. You also need good navigation tools and the ability to know where you are going at a glance. We wanted to have our Versys-X setup with everything it needs to navigate to the back of beyond, while carrying all our gear for several comfortable nights under the stars.

GIVI Gravel-T GRT709 Soft Panniers (70L)

With a combined 70 liters of carrying capacity, GIVI’s new rack-mount soft panniers have plenty of space to carry your camping gear, spares, clothing and more. And with this much carrying capacity, a big top bag isn’t necessary. All the weight is carried low on the sides, keeping the center of gravity down for improved handling characteristics. The GRT709 soft panniers are constructed with durable 1200WR polyester that can take a fall.Tension straps keep contents in place, even if you aren’t using the full capacity. They also come with waterproof inner bags (IP65 rated) and utilize MOLLE fasteners for strapping on external accessories. Best of all, they feature lockable quick-release backing plates that make it easy to detach your luggage and carry it to your tent or hotel room.

GIVI PL4121 Pannier Racks

The GIVI pannier racks offer a sturdy and secure mounting point for our soft panniers. The racks remove many of the typical hassles of soft bags – no need to stop and re-adjust mounting straps during rigorous rides, or worry about bags sliding out of place and burning on the hot exhaust. Constructed with strong steel tubing, they provide additional protection for the subframe, and a black powder-coat finish enhances corrosion resistance.

GIVI Gravel-T GRT707 Tool Bag (5L)

With most of our gear carried down low in our panniers, we wanted to put our tools on the top rack for easy access. The GRT707 Tool Bag is the ideal size for carrying your basic tool kit, plus a spare inner tube and a rag. It keeps these items at the tip of your fingers when you need to grab a screwdriver or zip tie. The bag is also fully waterproof, so you can keep your spare layer, flashlight, or electronics dry during a failed river crossing.

Trail Tech Voyager Pro GPS

Trail Tech’s new Voyager Pro GPS unit features a large 4″ color touch screen to make navigating your journey all the more easy. It lets you import GPX files, record tracks, set waypoints, and personalize maps. But what really sets it apart is the Buddy Tracking feature that lets you monitor the position of each rider in your group on the screen. If a rider is in need of help, he can turn on an emergency beacon to alert other riders in the group. We mounted our unit with a RAM Mounts 1” ball base and small double socket arm attached to the top of the console where it is easy to view tracks at a glance.

FARKLES

We couldn’t resist a few extras to give our Versys-X a little bling and some added functionality.

Rizoma Gas Cap

The stock gas cap on the Versys-X 300 always seems to get in the way when we are trying to fill up, especially with the big rubber boots on fuel pumps here in California. Rizoma offers a replacement gas cap that is completely removable and lockable with its own key. It’s precision machined from billet aluminum with a bi-color finish – a nice detail on the Versys-X to give it a custom look.

GIVI ES4121 Sidestand Foot

Whether parked on hot asphalt, sand, soft dirt, or mud, we’ve all had our bike’s tip over completely on their own. Nothing is more frustrating than unnecessary damage to your bike, and typically your helmet gets caught up in the carnage too. So instead of constantly searching for solid ground or a rock to put your kickstand down on, we wanted to avoid the hassle with a kickstand foot. Basically, it’s like a snowshoe for your kickstand that increases the surface area, keeping it from sinking down into the ground. GIVI’s Sidestand foot is solidly built with aluminum and stainless steel – an essential farkle for any off-road rider!

Kawasaki Versys-X 300 ADV Build Parts List

Photos by Stephen Gregory

Author: Rob Dabney

Rob Dabney started a lifelong obsession with motorcycles at the age of 15 when he purchased his first bike – a 1982 Honda MB5. Through his 20’s and 30’s he competed in off-road desert races, including the Baja 250, 500 and 1000. Eventually, his proclivity for exploration led him to dual sport and adventure riding. Rob’s never-ending quest to discover what’s around the next bend has taken him on Adventures in Mexico, North Africa, Europe, and throughout the American West. As a moto journalist, he enjoys inspiring others to seek adventure across horizons both near and far.