Kawasaki brings its versatile Versys to the U.S.

www.amadirectlink.com/news/2007/Versys/


It has suspension action borrowed from the off-road world, but it's no dual-sport. It has an inverted fork and 17-inch tires, but it's no sport bike. It's comfortable for all-day rides, but it's not a touring bike.

And it has a name that requires some explanation.

Its Kawasaki's Versys, a model that's been available in Canada and Europe but is now coming to the United States (except for California) as a 2008 model.

What's a Versys? The name comes from "versatility" plus "system," Kawasaki explains. Smash those words together and you get Versys. Kind of like the way Kawasaki has combined various elements of different motorcycles to create an extremely competent streetbike.

The Versys starts with the same liquid-cooled, 649cc vertical-twin engine found in the Ninja 650R, but retuned to provide more low-end torque and roll-on power than in its full-fairing cousin, the better for handling city traffic.

The steel trellis frame positions the rear shock in the same lay-down position as on the 650R, but the resemblance ends there. Most noticeable is the additional bracing on the sides of the engine (similar to Kawasaki's even more radically styled Z1000).

Kawasaki fitted the Versys with a Showa rear shock that it says combines the initial softness of dual-sport suspension with the firmer compression damping of sportbike suspension as the shock moves through its range. The shock is adjustable for preload and rebound damping.

In the front, the Versys carries a 41mm inverted fork with adjustable preload and rebound damping.

Other details, both visual and hidden, show that Kawasaki put some time and effort and R&D funds into the Versys. Let your eye follow the line of the lay-down shock on the right side of the motorcycle, and you naturally keep going to appreciate the attractive gull-wing swingarm. The underslung muffler looks up-to-the-minute stylish. The fairing is distinctive, which means some will love it and some will hate it, but the adjustable (with a wrench) windscreen raises the odds that more riders will find a level of wind protection that suits them. The gauges include an analog tachometer and a digital display that includes a fuel gauge and dual tripmeters.

Features that are less obvious but very welcome include the engine balancer to keep vibes under control and the cassette-style six-speed transmission.

Overall, the styling struck me as a sort of cross between a standard motorcycle and a supermoto. Fit and finish is far better than I expected for a motorcycle at the low end of the new-bike price spectrum.

Kawasaki introduced the Versys to the U.S. press in San Diego. The "passion red" paint slathered all over the bikes made it clear this was not a motorcycle intended to blend into the scenery. The color gives the Versys an aggressive look. But could a relatively small and inexpensive motorcycle live up to that image?

The answer, I'm happy to say, is "Yes."

The linear power and torque of the retuned 649cc twin makes slicing through San Diego traffic a breeze, and remains fun once we're out in the canyons. Vertical twins of the old days weren't known for being smooth, but this balanced twin of today is. Shifting the six-speed, cassette-style transmission was equally smooth.

Enjoying the curvy backroads on the way to Julian, I'm learning to love the suspension. The initial softness is welcome when we hit the rippled pavement on some of the old country roads, but is still firm enough for fast riding in the tight, curvy sections.

After lunch, my mind shifts from the Versys' performance to its comfort. Approaching the bike for the afternoon ride, I'm still amazed at how compact it is. Fortunately, that doesn't mean it's uncomfortable.

The two-part seat and the upright riding position remain comfortable throughout the day's ride. The windshield does a great job of channeling the wind around you while the neat under-engine exhaust keeps heat and noise down low and away from the rider. It all adds up to a motorcycle comfortable enough to do some serious traveling. My daily commute to work is nearly 75 miles one way, and the Versys struck me as a good way to soak up that level of daily mileage.

Kawasaki already has a line of accessories designed specifically for the Versys, including hard saddlebags and top case, an optional seat that lowers the height, alternative windshields and more.

Now put this package all together and you get the Versys. A motorcycle that doesn't cost a lot but also doesn't look cheap. And most important of all, it's still fun to ride.

Motorcycles like the Versys have long been popular in Europe, but in the U.S. markets, anything other than the extremes of the sport, cruiser and touring markets tend to get overlooked and remaindered in the showroom. Kawasaki is taking a chance by bringing the Versys to the United States, but one reason the company took that chance is because of the number of phone calls and e-mails from U.S. riders who saw this motorcycle on sale in Europe and Canada and wanted in on the fun themselves.

Now it's up to those buyers to come through and buy the Versys they asked Kawasaki to bring into the country. If they don't, and the Versys suffers the same neglect that previous do-it-all motorcycles have met in recent years, it won't be Kawasaki's fault. The Versys may cost under $7,000, but the fun is included at no extra charge.

So 25 or 30 years from now this is going to be what our kids call vintage or classic? Yuck!:sick: :sick: :sick:

Of course JMHO.

think Ma Kaw is trying to suck up a bit of the sv650 market?

They just need to go ahead and make supermoto bikes from the present MX and Enduro lines.

I'd ride one.....

Voodoosoup wrote:

I'd ride one.....

In a heartbeat, not as a replacement but as a supplement to the 78.
Ride safe

I can't get into it. It looks so darn awkward and top heavy. Why in the world would they put about 14 or 15 inches of clearance between the rear tire and fender when the rear suspension has only 5.7 inches of travel? Are they trying to trick folks into thinking it's an offroad machine or is that where one puts their suitcases on a long trip? Ed

I usually temper my criticism here on kzrider, but in this case I will make an exception.

The new offering from Kawasaki is atrocious. I wouldn't be caught dead on that bike.

It looks like one of those 7' 6" tall basketball players that is not proportional. It might get the job done but to my style is as important as function.

The bike has way too much clutter sitting up high and the wheels look much too small in the chassis. If that bike was sucked down to the ground more and a few inches of the penthouse lopped off it would make a difference to the overall aesthetics of the design, but as it stands the bike looks like it is way too top heavy and fragile on the bottom.

I will go out on a limb here and say that this bike will die a quick death. Kawasaki should have put their resources into the anniversary 900/1000 bike or a retro 650. Better yet, bring over the Zephyr-styled inline 4's that are sold in Japan and other countries.

Sorry for the negativity but this bike doesn't even come close to turnin' my crank.

Cheers-Colin Firth-Ontario Canada

Firstly, let me say up front I have NOT ridden ANY version of the ER6. I'm just not a twin-cylinder kind of guy....regardless of how the cylinders are laid out. Call me a "cylinder-snob" if you will but that's what I'm about.
IMO, they will sell a few as second bikes to the Big K faithful....but the DL650 and DR400SM will eat the Versys' lunch. I don't believe they're doing at all well with Euro sales of the Versys and I've sure never seen one on the streets of CowTown (1MM+ population).....whereas DL650's are getting to be as common as black HD's and I've even seen one or two DR400SM's as well.
Kawi is in a very tough scrap against the Big S in this market segment. I wish 'em well, but I think they've stepped on their collective crank with golf spikes this time.....:ohmy:

The Milkman wrote:

Voodoosoup wrote:

I'd ride one.....

In a heartbeat, not as a replacement but as a supplement to the 78.
Ride safe

Yup. Me too.

It has taken a while, but the goofy thing has grown on me. I'd like to wind that 650 twin up--either in the Versys or the Ninja 650R.

OTOH, it may just be ugly enough not to get stolen! :laugh:

I've given up on the Zephyr ever coming here. Folks, it just isn't going to happen. The reality of emissions laws prevent any air-cooled engine powered bike from ever coming to our shores again. Sad but true.

Now, if Kawasaki were to get a bit creative in its styling and give us a Zephyr/KZ lookalike with a water-cooled engine, that would be fine by me. But, I think their attitude toward the KZ/Zephyr style is "been there, done that".

I'll have to disagree. I like it. I'll have to go to the dealership and check it out, but so far, I like it. I tend to look at what a bike can do, rather than if I'd look cool next to it. (I've seen the face in the mirror, realized coolness has eluded me this incarnation, and decided to be practical. ) The weight is not too bad. It should be fairly flickable. It would make a good commuter, as is. With a little work, it could be good for a cycle camping bike. Enough travel to go on gravel roads to the sites, enough street to make it fun getting there. Just my two cents.

So with a good night's sleep and a couple of coffee in me I googled the Versys to take another look at this new bike from Kawasaki.

With a second look it has kinda grown on me. Part of the problem on the first time around was the color. I guess I just didn't like the bright red as it screamed out a little too loud.

Here is the Versys with a more subtle paint scheme and it does look a lot better in my opinion.

Given that I am used to having a light bike between my legs when I am riding on the gravel or trails, I still have some apprehension bouncing around on a 400 pounder when the road gets bumpy.

Still wouldn't buy one but now I would stop to check one out if I saw one on the road (which I haven't yet seen in Canada.)

Cheers-Colin Firth-Ontario Canada