Kawasaki Versys 650 Tourer and Versys 1000 S 2023: same family but different identities

Kawasaki defines Versys as a motorcycle adventure tourer, therefore a model of road extraction but with one high driving position which recalls that of the maxi enduros that have been so fashionable in recent years. We tried both Versys 650 Tourer is Versys 1000 S, and here's what we discovered in our comparison!

Aesthetics

The Versys aesthetic is characterized by tight lines that define multiple surfaces. The color combination is beautiful, with black and green correctly dosed. The general appearance is characterized by a short and compact silhouette combined with a rather high general height. The overall quality is also good with precise assemblies, while some wiring, especially those inside the front fairing, they could be more hidden especially on Versys 650.

Driving: Let's start with the Versys 650 Tourer

Let's start our test with Versys 650 Tourer. Once you get into the saddle you immediately appreciate it correct height from the ground of the session, which allows you to have both feet well supported on the floor even for those who are 175 centimeters tall like myself. The padding of the saddle is far too soft and tends to crush a lot on long journeys, partially limiting comfort. As soon as you leave you appreciate the great lightness of the clutch control while the gearbox engagements are slightly contrasted. The engine from 650 is type parallel twin and is able to deliver 67 hp at 8.500 rpm and 61 Nm at 7.000 rpm. This unit is very pleasant to be used thanks to the delivery still supported in the middle area of ​​the rev counter, moreover it doesn't disdain sportier driving where the highest rotation speeds are used.

cycling

The chassis that accompanies this engine is characterized by a tubular steel frame high strength and from suspension with higher travel compared to purely road models, we have 150 mm of travel for the front fork and 145 mm of travel for the rear wheel. These characteristics translate into one greater absorption capacity of road bumps and therefore you can have rather high averages even when the asphalt is uneven, an unfortunately very frequent condition on secondary roads full of curves. The higher ground clearance and the driving position with the bust very erect they also allow you to have greater visibility on the road, security thanks. The high center of gravity clearly pitch also increases during braking and acceleration, but it is completely negligible when compared to the benefits just described. Riding a Versys 650 Tourer we have fun especially thanks to great confidence that this bike gives to those who drive it, always instilling a nice sense of safety even in the most accentuated bends where you can always clearly understand what is happening under our tyres. In fact, the motorbike has a very stable support and allows even high lean angles. In these conditions the only flaw is the throttle control ride by wire that is too sensitive at small openings, sometimes dirtying the trajectory as soon as you take the throttle out of the corner.

For long journeys Versys 650 Tourer offers the quick release bags and adjustable windshield. The bags, equipped with a removable internal bag, can contain the objects needed for a weekend but their very irregular shape limits its practicality. The quick release system is very practical which does not use support frames and leaves the line of the bike very clean once the bags have been removed. The adjustable windshield protects up to the bust, leaving the face uncovered. This, together with the heat given off especially at motorway speeds, are the only two aspects that slightly limit comfort over long distances. Consumption is very good, with over 21 km/litre of mileage.

Riding the Versys 1000 S

And here we are riding on the big sister, Versys 1000 S. Already from the first impact you can notice the most important general measures with larger tank and fairing to accommodate the 4-cylinder engine, a typical configuration of motorcycles from the Land of the Rising Sun.

This unit is capable of dispensing 120 hp and 102 Nm of maximum torque at 7.500 rpm. In daily use there is great fluidity starting from 2.000 rpm while from 6.000 rpm the thrust becomes very full-bodied in a constant crescendo up to the red zone at 10.000 rpm, all accompanied by a beautiful soundtrack coming mainly from the intake. Transmission requires very little effort in entering reports as well as the clutch control which is very light in operation. The KQS is also present, Kawasaki Quick Shifter, to change gear both up and down without using the clutch, which is also of the anti-hopping type. Here the throttle control is practically perfectsensitive but never abrupt. The braking system is also very good, with radial mount calipers, modular and resistant even in very sporty road driving.

While driving, the general goodness of the Versys 1000 S can also be appreciated, which it turns out to be very communicative and predictable in behavior. The main difference compared to Versys 650 is in greater sensitivity to load transfers in setting the trajectories, while the lean angles remain high. In more tourist use the adjustable windshield which completely protects the torso and face, while the saddle has stiffer padding which provides better support on longer journeys. The height from the ground is higher than that of the Versys 650 and does not allow both feet to be on the ground in the case of riders with a height of less than 180 cm. The general suspension calibration is supported to limit excessive motorcycle movements during strong acceleration and braking. There are also some here LED lights placed on the sides of the fairing, which thanks to the vehicle's inertial platform light up on the side where you lean illuminating the inside of the curve. As for Versys 650 we have very good consumption, with an average of around 20 km/litre.

Pricing

Versys 650 has a price list starting from 8.690 €while for the Tourer version on trial the amount to be paid for the purchase is 9.670 € to which the optional fog lights must be added. To have instead Versys 1000 S the sum to be paid is 15.440 €. These prices include VAT but do not include registration and putting on the road. 

Versys 650 Tourer or Versys 1000 S?

The question It's not easy to answer, because each of the two has some distinguishing features which make the two bikes different. Versys 650 Tourer turns out easier to drive and focuses more on agility than power, without denying the rider the ability to get off the bike good satisfaction in the guided mixed. Versys 1000 S focus more on performance thanks clearly to the greater power and torque of its engine, performances that require to be fully exploited more experienced pilots given the speeds and accelerations involved.  Good for both prices, in particular for Versys 1000 S.