Kawasaki gets adventurous

The big news from the Akashi factory is its move into the adventure class with the new Versys 1000, but from the outset Kawasaki emphasises the bike is not for off-road use. So while it’s hoping the Versys 1000 will steal some sales from the dominant BMW R1200GS, it’s not a complete overlap with the German bike.

The lack of off-road ambition is because the Versys is in essence a redressed Z1000. It uses the same four-cylinder engine but retuned for increased low and mid-rev torque at the expense of some high rev horsepower, down to 86.5kW, a familiar refrain which sometimes works, but not always. This comes from a lower compression ratio, new combustion chamber design, longer intake trumpets and cam profiles with shorter duration and reduced valve lift.

The gearing has a wider range than the Z1000’s, with shorter first and second gears but longer ratios from third to sixth, to give the bike a more relaxed feel.

The main adventure-style features are longer travel suspension (150mm at both ends) designed for poor quality roads as well as smooth motorway use, an upright riding position with wide bars and a fairing sufficient for sustained cruising at high speeds. The screen is manually height adjustable.

A lot of attention has been paid to passenger comfort as well as that of the rider, according to Kawasaki, which claims the Versys 1000 has the most comfortable passenger seat of any Kawasaki!

The styling takes its cues from the smaller Versys 650 but with a more squared off appearance. The aluminium twin spar frame is based on the Z1000’s with refinements to its stiffness and additional reinforcement bracing around the engine. Weight is kept down to 239kg though.

The bike comes with the latest Bosch ABS system as fitted to the Ninja ZX-10R, as well as Kawasaki’s three mode KTRC traction control, as offered on the ZZR1400. It’s also possible to choose from two different engine power modes, all controlled from a button on the left handlebar.

The fuel tank capacity is 21 litres, which should be enough for a range of around 200 miles, depending on how thirsty the engine is after its revisions – the bike does come with an Economical Riding Indicator to help with this.

What we think:

The Versys 1000 is clearly another recession-prompted parts bin special, but nothing wrong with that if it keeps prices down and works well as a motorcycle. The lack of off-road ability won’t get in the way of most riders, but it does affect the bike’s credibility in the class. Even Ducati went for a modicum of off-road capability on the very road-biased Multistrada for that reason. But the Versys 1000 is likely to come in at well under BMW GS pricing, which will make it cheaper than most other rivals too. Hopefully engine vibration won’t affect comfort too much, as it does on the Z1000SX, and the handling will be good, unlike the slightly odd steering of the SX. With those in place this should be a capable if, ironically, unadventurous bike.