kawasaki versys 1000 review
Cornering ABS, Base model Versys 1000 (including Tourer Plus and Grand Tourer versions), Versys SE (including Tourer Plus and Grand Tourer versions). PerformanceFuel Capacity: 5.5 gals., last 1.0 gal. It will prove to be my last, also. Reviews. H Bauer Publishing are authorised and regulated for credit broking by the FCA (Ref No. Equipped with all its bells and whistles the 2019 Versys 1000 SE is BMW and Ducati money, which means the Euros are still the ones to go for if you want the last word in refinement and a dose of superbike twang from your sports adventure bike. 2019 Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE LT+ SpecsBase Price: $17,999 (2020 model)Warranty: 2 yrs., unltd. Local knowledge is a great thing, and Mark pulls off a masterful display. Like others I have been at this awhile but not had a Kaw since they were 2 strokes. 845898), for the KAWASAKI VERSYS 1000 (2019 - 2020), A leaky radiator on our long-term Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE, The Versys has always struggled on the beauty front, A coastal run on the Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE, The Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE is ideal for touring, Cornering right on the Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE in the wet, Turning right on the Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE, 2019 Kawasaki Versys 1000 long-term test fleet, 43mm Showa forks, semi-active damping, manually adjustable preload, Showa shocks, semi-active damping and electronically adjustable preload, 2 x 310mm petal discs with four-piston radial monobloc calipers. Follow us on 19 th Apr 2021 9:00 am. Company Number: LP003328 Registered Office: Academic House, 24-28 Oval Road, London, NW1 7DT. The tall fairing and robust build of this big Versys (there’s a 650 too) suggests that it’s a serious adventure-touring machine, but don’t be … In the Rider mode (our favorite, of course), you can set your own combinations, and fine-tune each of the suspension’s three damping settings. Kawasaki says the new rear suspension link gives a more controlled ride, but it’s hard to feel the difference in isolation. These … Like others posting comments here, I’m a long time rider thats owned many bikes. This is almost the perfect bike, and for the lame reason of not making a few cables 2 inches longer it completely misses the mark. The fairing is a bit broader and more protective now due to the cornering lights, its 17-inch wheels front and rear with sport-touring rubber give the bike good grip and sweet, stable handling, and it has plenty of cornering clearance. The engine has been retrofitted with exquisitely calibrated ride-by-wire throttle control. Not covered under the bike’s warranty, the price of a new radiator was £624.73, complete with fresh coolant at £22.47. Featuring a unique combination of a highly responsive engine tuned for flexibility, a nimble chassis fitted with dynamic suspension, and standard Kawasaki Quick Release 28-Liter Saddlebags and hand guards, the Versys® 1000 LT offers maximum riding enjoyment across a wide variety of street … Absolutely cracking bike. New radial-mount monobloc front calipers, taken from the Z1000, are packed with power and feel, although the rear is slightly weak for a heavy machine. A new full ride-by-wire twist grip and electronic throttle valves facilitate cruise control and links into the IMU-backed electronic rider aids. Been riding since 1963, and this was my first Harley. Kawasaki says the Versys 1000 LT retains the “characteristics” and “all the great features” of a Versys 650, and this would be a neat trick if it were true. If you're considering a Versys 1000, its rivals are bikes like the KTM 1290 Super Duke GT, BMW S1000XR and Triumph Tiger Sport. 2012 Kawasaki Versys 1000 Review. In my opinion, the first-generation Multistrada invented the niche now occupied by the Versys 1000, the BMW S 1000 XR and KTM 1290 Super Duke R: big, powerful bikes with an upright ADV stance but with 17-inch tires meant purely for on-pavement performance. Testing the Versys-X 300 on our in-house rear-wheel dyno resulted in 32.3 hp at 11,370 rpm and 16.7 pound-feet of torque at 8,600 rpm. Here was a motorcycle that combined all of the good traits of adventure bikes — comfortable, upright seating; compliant, longer-travel suspension; good wind protection and moderate weight — with performance and handling near that of a liter-class sport-touring machine. There's a large enthusiast scene for the Versys family, with the Versys 1000 Forum and the Kawasaki Versys Forum offering loads of useful advice and tips. Review your KAWASAKI VERSYS 1000 (2019 - 2020), The stock seat is a little hard going after about 2 1/2 hours riding. Brakes are fine even when fully loaded with luggage and pillion. Just like the best of its European rivals, the new Versys 1000 has lean sensitive traction/wheelie control and ABS and four riding modes: Rain, Road, Sport and a custom mix and match Rider option. The luggage is plenty big enough for two people touring for a week. Taken from the ZX-10R SE and tweaked for touring work, the Versys 1000 SE’s Showa fork and shock damping self adjusts every millisecond, depending on parameters like road speed, throttle position, lean angle and thanks to internal stroke sensors, suspension movement, too. Hey Kawasaki, are you listening??? It’s easy to manage at slow speeds, once you’re used to its weight and doesn’t get flustered, even when you’re pushing outside its comfort zone. It remains a mystery. Can’t say enough about the locking saddlebags either, each of which holds 29 liters or a full-face helmet and can be removed and installed in a snap (and you can add a 47-liter accessory top case). Price seems about $2000 too high but think I’ll at least give a look. RETURN OF THE MACK. As already stated 2 1/2 hours in the saddle and I’m ready for a short break, Plenty of torque makes for easy riding. Comes with cruise control which is a godsend for me on motorways. Our 2019 test bike made similar power output numbers to our 2015 model (see the dyno chart), which makes sense, since the counterbalanced engine is unchanged. In short, a sport-adventure “VERsatile SYStem” for riders with little or no off-road aspirations. With the saddlebags in place, Kawasaki says the Versys 1000 LT weighs about 570 pounds. If not, someone at Kawasaki should be fired! It banishes buffeting, but for a tall rider like me the wind noise is high at speed, which is a symptom of tall adventure style bikes. You have entered an incorrect email address! Is that correct?? 2021 KTM 1290 Super Adventure R First Ride Review. It’s a 240kg, 1043cc, four-cylinder motorcycle with 'adventure' styling. Has also a 12v socket as standard. Each of these can be fine-tuned as you ride in case you make a stop for a big lunch or stock the panniers full of gifts from Marble Planet. 2021 Kawasaki Versys 1000: Verdict At Rs 11.44 lakh, the Kawasaki Versys 1000 is nothing but a steal for the kind of performance, practicality and touring abilities it offers. The original coolant could be used again, though. A new look with sports tyres that has focused on comfort, the Kawasaki Versys 1000 has risen from the ashes to become a beautiful sports-tourer that is now on a par with the Z1000SX. The large screen gives excellent protection and the fairings work really well in the rain keeping the vast majority of water of me. The Versys is powered by the same 1,043 cc inline four-cylinder engine found in Kawasaki’s Ninja 1000 and Z1000, but the engine is retuned in the Versys. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Like the previous versions, the new Versys 1000 has first class legroom, a natural stretch to the bars and the seat is comfy enough for two to three hour stints. And, at under nine-times the price of the repair bill, it’s a far easier pill to swallow! The idea is that as you ride along, the bike is constantly adapting to road and riding conditions in real time and continually adjusting the damping to suit. I personally will only be having the first annual service carried out to maintain the warranty. Mark’s GearHelmet: Arai Signet-XJacket: Olympia RichmondPants: Olympia X Moto 2Boots: Dainese Long Range. 2019 Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE LT+ | Road Test Review, Favorite Rides & Destinations Digital Edition, Adventure & Dual-Sport Motorcycle Reviews, 2021 Royal Enfield Meteor 350 | Video Review, Honda Monkey: Super-Spreader of Happiness, 2021 Aprilia RSV4 Factory | First Ride Review, Harley-Davidson Hometown Rally Set for Labor Day Weekend. Kawasaki has fitted a bigger, manually adjustable screen to hide behind. Unlike other electronic suspension systems that use stepper motors or pilot valves to adjust damping, the Showa system uses single-stage direct valve actuation. With updated styling and electronics, the Versys 1000 is much more appealing than its predecessor. We took the 1:30 ferry from Lanzarote for the 25-minute trip across to Fuerteventura, the bikes strapped to the decks of the vast catamaran with more force than perhaps the crash bars were meant to tolerate. Photo by Kevin Wing. Read the full Kawasaki Versys 1000 review. warning light onMPG: 90 AKI min. To achieve this there are built-in stroke sensors on the fork and rear shock. It’s the best of all the bikes with one MAJOR exception. For the next week, I would ride the Kawasaki Versys 1000 LT (virtually unchanged from the 2015 model) and so I stopped to swap bikes. That day only I decided to sell my z900 and go with this beast. The new quickshifter works well under hard engine loads, but is on the slow side at short-shifting speeds and the autoblipper action can often be clunky (with lots of springy play in the gear lever), so it’s kinder on the drivetrain to use the clutch and rev-match in the normal way. If I were to ride to one coast or the other, hands down the Kawasaki would be the bike of choice! It all works, but it’s a bit of a gimmick you’re unlikely to use once the novelty has worn off. travelBrakes, Front: Dual 310mm petal discs w/ opposed 4-piston calipers & ABSRear: Single 250mm petal disc w/ 1-piston caliper & ABSWheels, Front: Cast, 3.50 x 17 in.Rear: Cast, 5.50 x 17 in.Tires, Front: 120/70-ZR17Rear: 180/55-ZR17Wet Weight: 584 lbs.Load Capacity: 470 lbs.GVWR: 1,054 lbs. I traded a Road King in on my 2015 Versys and there is no comparison. 3 owners have reviewed their KAWASAKI VERSYS 1000 (2019 - 2020) and rated it in a number of areas. Detailed bikes comparison on Kawasaki Ninja 1000 Vs Kawasaki Versys 1000 Vs BMW R 1250 GS; compare on-road price, performance & other features on bike comparison site. No sign of any corrosion but I do spend hours cleaning. Cornering ABS, 250mm rear petal disc with single-piston caliper. A 1043cc inline-four-cylinder sports adventure bike weighing in at 257kg and shod wit…. Indulge your desire for discovery and make the journey as exciting as the destination. For 2020, the Versys 1000 was made Euro4 compliant. I have a 2015 Versys 1000. Registered Office: Media House, Peterborough Business Park, Lynch Wood, Peterborough, PE2 6EA H Bauer Publishing, pic.twitter.com/BxlAkiYYEc. 14 owners have reviewed their KAWASAKI VERSYS 1000 (2015 - 2018) and rated it in a number of areas. The Versys also gets taller gearing in the top two gears, compared to its two liter-class siblings, to contribute to its touring ability. The command/control window into all of it is a bright, new multi-function TFT display with Sport, Touring and night modes as well as Bluetooth smartphone connectivity via Kawasaki’s Rideology app. The clincher was the Versys 1000 LT’s price of just $12,799 in 2015, well below the competition despite its similar features and standard saddlebags. Ride is on the 'springy', slightly under damped side, with the rear end sometimes softening too quickly as you tip into a corner. I hope that for the extra $5,000 they at least made the cables and brake lines longer. Lighter than my bandit it doesn't have the top-end role-on power, But is much more comfortable and roomy on the back for the wife, Though for me the seat is a nightmare after 35 miles, Today I've lifted the front of the seat by 7mm and will try it out tomorrow. 2021 Kawasaki Versys 1000 review, test ride. That said, back in the UK, it feels very planted-mid corner and surprisingly flickable for such a large machine and could even cut it on a road bike-only trackday! The seats are plush, the new heated grips work great and the mirrors, windscreen, adjustable brake and clutch levers and LED cornering lights are all very functional. I’ll likely never buy or even demo a Versys 1000 SE LT+, and it has nothing to do with the bike. In addition, you can also adjust preload between three standard settings: Rider Only, Rider with Luggage and Rider with Passenger and Luggage. After riding my Road King back to back with the Versys 1000, I can say that they are two unique motorcycle platforms. The Versys 1000 LT gives you a lot for your money. Kawasaki Electronic Control Suspension (KECS) tames the Versys 1000 SE LT+ long-travel fork and shock quite well in bumpy and smooth corners. There’s also a SE Tourer Plus version, with 28 litre panniers and inner bags, or the SE Grand Tourer (like the one in the pictures), which gains a tank pad, a 12v socket, a 27 litre top box with back rest pad, GPS bracket and frame protectors. cap.Transmission: 6-speed, hydraulically actuated wet assist-and-slipper clutchFinal Drive: O-ring chain, ElectricalIgnition: TCBI w/ digital advanceCharging Output: 407 watts max.Battery: 12V 8.2AH. ‘The Bad Editor: Collected Columns and Untold Tales of Bad Behavior’... Riders Share Launches Rider Pass Subscription for Peer-to-Peer Motorcycle Rentals. Who else is out riding tonight? HOME / Kawasaki / Versys / Reviews / Road Test / Motorcycle Review: 2019 Kawasaki Versys 1000 LT SE The Kawasaki Versys 1000 has always had a … Has a mean growl to it at full throttle, rides nice, but has a little bit of gear noise from the straight cut gears, and a little clatter from the engine at idle…as stated, just like a Kawasaki! Below is the information on the 2021 Kawasaki Versys® 1000 SE LT+. All registered in England and Wales. Was considering Concours when I saw this. The SE also comes with cruise control, heated grips, a power socket, cornering LEDs, 'self-healing' paint and a classy TFT colour dash, packed with lots information, including a completely useless-but-fun lean angle-o-meter. Kawasaki Versys 1000 (Sport Touring Bike): 4.2 out of 5 stars from 15 genuine reviews on Australia's largest opinion site ProductReview.com.au. For 2019, Kawasaki has positioned the Versys in a different niche of the sport-touring market by adding an array of technology and features, many of them straight off the upscale, supercharged H2 SX SE, and the price … 2021 Kawasaki Versys® 1000 SE LT+ pictures, prices, information, and specifications. I read that right before testing the bike, so I set out to try just that. The 5.5-gallon tank, the broad seat, the 59.8-inch wheelbase, the roomy bags – it all adds up to a motorcycle that is not exactly a heavyweight, but never feels small. The only complaint we had is a common one among adventure-styled bikes — a tall 33-inch seat height — but a ¾-inch lower accessory seat is available, and the stocker is so thickly padded it’s easily reworked. The work also required one-and-a-half hours labour at a cost of £108. Changing ride modes on the fly in particular needs a rethink, since you must close the throttle for far too long to do so. I ride in all weather. Great review and it is exactly as the article describes the bike. I own 4 bikes now and have owned over 100 bikes in my life. The sat/nav mount doesn't allow the fitting of a tank bag so I've removed it and am utilising an old ram mount on the bars, I'm expecting my travels tomorrow are to be touch more comfy and if so will lift it from 3 out of 5 to a 4. singly or 2up the ergonomics work well, We've recently changed our helmets and on a ride out last fri we really were troubled by crosswinds and turbulence from the windshield ive tried it up down in the middle with no success so am ordering a MRA screen soon. Rear preload can be adjusted via the switchgear and ramped up for pillions and luggage, but you’ll still need a spanner for the front (not that you’d need to fiddle). It even takes deceleration into account to prevent the pitching that occurs under heavy braking. That being said, the electronics are amazing on the bike. The TFT display shares dash space with a big analog speedometer and a 12V, 45-watt accessory socket. Like my first love said as I was being dumped, sorry Kawasaki, it’s not you, it’s me. But when you wind it up it’s got plenty and makes for very “spirited” riding. Kawasaki’s 2019 Versys 1000 arrives in Australia this year with just the SE model imported, meaning a host of additional features included but without the option of a cheaper standard model. Roads less travelled. milesWebsite: kawasaki.com, EngineType: Liquid-cooled, transverse in-line fourDisplacement: 1,043ccBore x Stroke: 77.0 x 56.0mmCompression Ratio: 10.3:1Valve Train: DOHC, 4 valves per cyl.Valve Insp. Styling has been tweaked (it still ain’t pretty), but the tubular aluminium chassis has been left alone, which is a good thing because the Versys 1000 is neutral and well balanced, albeit feeling top heavy at first, which can catch out shorter riders. Highly durable paint has the ability to ‘heal’ minor scratches and marks when it warms For 2020 the Versys will be offered in eye-popping Emerald Blazed Green/Pearl Storm Gray rather than the Metallic Flat Spark Black/Pearl Flat Stardust White of our 2019 test bike, and we can’t wait to see it…especially if it’s from the saddle. It’s a big bertha, but the 2019 Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE LT+ is surprisingly good in the twisties at a medium pace. 19 hours ago by Ujjwal Vashishth 1 view. NEW Kawasaki Versys 1000 S Grand Tourer Review (2021) For 2021 Kawasaki has removed the base-model Versys 1000 from their line-up and replaced it with the high-spec Kawasaki 1000 S, which features all the sophistication of the SE model, but with manually-adjustable, conventional Showa suspension, rather than the Showa Skyhook system as on the SE. The Versys 1000 SE LT+ is Kawasaki's new sport-touring flagship for 2019. Load capacity and alternator output are quite good, and the bike pops right onto its centerstand with little effort, a remarkable achievement for any nearly 600-pound motorcycle. Kawasaki Versys 1000 LT. Power maps, traction control intervention, suspension damping, rear preload settings, the quickshifter and dash display settings can all be set remotely and the app also has a datalogging function, to keep you amused. Kawasaki was at pains to clarify that, unlike the Terminator T-1000, the Versys SE 1000 will not actually reform itself after a crash. Hadn’t had a Kawasaki in a while…and it is typical Kawasaki. There’s also a manual mode allowing you to fine tune things. VAT no 918 5617 01 early days yet, (950)miles. Ride it on Low power with a tame wrist and you should easily top 45 mpg and 250 miles from the 5.5-gallon tank, though it does require premium fuel. This would be less of a problem, except that the curvature of the screen distorts your spatial awareness so you need to be able to see over it. With around 4500 miles under our belt since March, the Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE has proved to be extremely reliable, with no faults, and minimal wear to the drive chain. The base damping settings are according to the chosen riding mode (Road, Sport or Rain) and the semi-active system makes adjustments to these base settings as you ride along. This bike does hit some good buttons for me with the cruise, bags and upright seating so you can stand on the pegs now and then. This 2019 Kawasaki Versys 1000 replaced the 2015 model. Download Kawasaki’s new free 'Rideology' app to your smartphone (it’s iPhone ready now and coming soon for Android users) and you can adjust the SE’s rider aids before you set-off. This is definitely a worthwhile accessory for any Versys owner, with the long-travel adventure forks leaving the radiator exposed to incidents like this at all times. And the ride modes are a well thought-out platter of Sport, Road, Rain and customizable Rider choices that select either Full or Low power delivery (both of which are smooth and linear, with no annoying throttle abruptness), three levels of TC or TC off, and Hard, Normal or Soft suspension damping (rear spring preload is set separately).