There wasn’t much wrong with the old Versys, it just needed a few minor faults addressing which Kawasaki have done. They have reduced the engine vibration which was a major fault and improved the bike cosmetically, whilst adding more extras like heated grips. It’s a jack of trades, and at under £6000 a bit of bargain all round bike.
Engine
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You can be forgiven into thinking the new Versys isn’t up to much in terms of performance but you would be wrong, the parallel twin had some real punch and on paper produces are respectful 64 bhp. It’s got plenty of torque to loft the front easily, and prefect for darting around town and still has enough top end revs for fun and a top speed around 125mph.
Ride and Handling
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Low speed handling is excellent making the new Kawasaki Versys ideally suited for town and city riding. Turns easily, very tight turning circle, you can just jump on the Kawasaki Versys and have fun, making the Kawasaki Versys ideal for new riders. However, when you up the pace well above the national speed limit the soft suspension starts to complain. Brakes are excellent if you can stop the front from burying itself into the road.
Equipment
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ABS is optional, so are heated grips and the 12v socket, but in basic form you get a lot for the money. The new screen is three way adjustable, mirrors and indicators are larger and most importantly Kawasaki have rubber mounted the engine to reduce vibration a similar trick they performed on the ER-6N and F last year.
Quality and Reliability
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We have not head any horror stores regarding the parallel twin engine, some have even ended up on track in the popular mini twin series without any major problems. Kawasaki has improved the looks and feels of the new Versys, giving it a few design tweaks and given the bike a greater feeling of quality. It certainly doesn’t feel too budget, like some bike feel in this category.
Value
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As the name suggest for under £6000 you have a very versatile bike which is just as happy raising a smile on a wet cold commute to work as it is fully loaded taking on a two up touring trip to the coast at the weekend. In terms of value and being able to perform in so many ways it has to score 5 out of 5.
Insurance
Insurance group: 9
Model History
2006: Original Versys launched
2010: Updated model introduced
2011: Available as Versys ABS [£6,834], Versys Tourer (incl. panniers, varioscreen and tank protector) [£6,937] and Versys Tourer ABS [£7,294]
2010: Updated model introduced
2011: Available as Versys ABS [£6,834], Versys Tourer (incl. panniers, varioscreen and tank protector) [£6,937] and Versys Tourer ABS [£7,294]
Other Versions
Specifications
| Top speed | 128mph |
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| 1/4-mile acceleration | secs |
| Power | 60bhp |
| Torque | 43ftlb |
| Weight | 181kg |
| Seat height | 840mm |
| Fuel capacity | 19 litres |
| Average fuel consumption | 48mpg |
| Tank range | 152 miles |
| Insurance group | 9 |
| Engine size | 649cc |
|---|---|
| Engine specification | Parallel twin, 6 gears |
| Frame | Tubular Steel |
| Front suspension adjustment | Preload, rebound |
| Rear suspension adjustment | Preload, rebound |
| Front brakes | 2 x 300mm discs |
| Rear brake | 245mm disc |
| Front tyre size | 120/70 x 17 in |
| Rear tyre size | 160/60 x 17 in |
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