All Roads, One Bike – The Versys 650
The Kawasaki Versys 650 ABS is one of those rare motorcycles that is equally at home commuting or on your favorite back road.
Whatever your destination, this remarkable, reliable, versatile, comfortable and nimble motorcycle will eat up the miles and encourage you to take the long way home.
The Kawasaki Versys 650 is fitted with ABS as standard, with everything you’ve come to expect from this flexible motorcycle, as well as a touring and a grand touring model.
The key to the Kawasaki Versys 650’s sleek chassis is its compact Parallel Twin engine, which allows the use of a slim, lightweight frame.
Together with the forward-located seat position and the under-engine muffler, this engine-frame combination delivers a highly centralised mass distribution, which contributes to the highly agile package.
High priority was given to achieving chassis settings that deliver a high level of feedback, better enabling the rider to recognise the bike’s limits.
Tuning of the 649 cc Parallel Twin engine focused on achieving a throttle response that offers a quick-revving character to optimise performance for everyday riding. The revised engine also maximises low to mid range torque as well as increased high-rpm performance and improved fuel economy.
Fitted with stronger wheels and a stronger rear subframe has allowed the Kawasaki Versys 650's carrying ability to be increased to an incredible 210 kg. This allows panniers and a topbox to be fitted at the same time.
The new genuine panniers are a one key quick realease system which feature no pannier frames thus retaining the sleek looks when the panniers are removed. These panniers are available as an accessory or come as standard fitment on the Kawasaki Versys 650 Tourer or Grand Tourer versions.
SHARP, SPORTY STYLING
Completely revised styling package blends style, wind protection, aerodynamics and airflow management. The new twin headlamp design contributes to strong Kawasaki looks, while reflecting the Versys 650’s abundant potential for fun, sporty riding.
LARGER-VOLUME FUEL TANK
Increased volume contributes to a greater cruising range. Short-style fuel tank positions the rider closer to the handlebar, facilitating control.
17” WHEELS
17” wheels front and back contribute to quick, sporty handling and accommodate a wide variety of sport tyres. Stronger wheels contribute to an increased payload.
INVERTED FRONT FORK
Long-travel ø41 mm front fork with stiff springs is the key to active control of the bike’s front-rear weight transfer. Separated functions for each tube allow all adjusters to be at the top of the fork for easy adjustment. Settings contribute to both light handling and ride comfort.
SLIM, UPRIGHT RIDING POSITION
The compact engine and slim frame result in a design that is narrow at the knees and feet. Repositioned footpegs offer a more relaxed position, making it easier for riders to spend more time in the saddle.
OFFSET LAYDOWN SINGLE-SHOCK WITH REMOTE PRELOAD ADJUSTER
Long-travel rear suspension is designed to easily soak up road imperfections. The high-grade link-less system offers direct feel and a balance of light handling and ride comfort. With its new remote preload adjuster, it is easily adjustable to suit riding with a passenger or luggage.
REDUCED VIBRATION
Changing the front engine mounts to rubber mounts instead of rigid mounts reduces vibration at the handlebar, seat and fuel tank, significantly increasing comfort. The reduced vibration also contributes to increased mirror visibility.
PETAL BRAKE DISCS
Triple petal disc brakes look great and deliver plenty of stopping power. New calipers, revised master cylinder settings, new brake pad material and a larger ø250 mm rear disc deliver increased controllability, stronger initial bite and greater overall brake force.
UNDER-ENGINE MUFFLER
Muffler located under the engine contributes to mass centralisation, frees up space under the seat and helps keep heat away from rider and passenger.
NUMEROUS GENUINE ACCESSORIES
Complementing the colour-matched panniers and top case, numerous accessories increase touring ability and contribute to long-distance comfort. Newly available accessories include LED fog lamps, shroud sliders and a gear position indicator.
HIGH CHASSIS FEEDBACK
The key to the Versys 650’s sleek chassis is its compact Parallel Twin engine, which allows the use of a slim, lightweight frame. Together with the forward-located seat position and the under-engine muffler, this engine-frame combination delivers a highly centralised mass distribution, which contributes to the highly agile package. High priority was given to achieving chassis settings that deliver a high level of feedback, better enabling the rider to recognise the bike’s limits.
ADJUSTABLE WINDSCREEN
Larger windscreen with a 60 mm range can be adjusted without tools, allowing riders to tailor their wind and weather protection.
649 CM3 LIQUID-COOLED, 4-STROKE PARALLEL TWIN
Tuning of the 649 cm3 Parallel Twin engine focused on achieving a throttle response that balanced a powerful feeling and a quick-revving character. To optimise performance for everyday riding, care was taken to maximise low-mid range torque. When opening the throttle, riders will notice an extremely smooth and powerful engine character that offers both a high level of control when making minute throttle adjustments and a gratifying rush of acceleration in the lower rpm ranges. Engine updates result in increased high-rpm performance and improved fuel economy.
WIDE HANDLEBAR
Combined with the slim, upright riding position, the wide bar offers excellent machine control.
INCREASED PAYLOAD
Reinforced rear frame and stronger wheels allow an increased payload, allowing riders to take more with them. The stronger rear frame allows accessory panniers and a top case to be used at the same time.
ABS
Sudden over-application of the brakes, or braking on low-grip surfaces (surfaces with a low coefficient of friction) such as wet asphalt or manhole covers may cause a motorcycle's wheel(s) to lock up and slip. ABS was developed to prevent such incidents. Kawasaki ABS systems are controlled by high precision and highly reliable programming formulated based on thorough testing of numerous riding situations. By ensuring stable braking performance, they offer rider reassurance that contributes to greater riding enjoyment.
And to meet the special requirements of certain riders, specialised ABS systems are also available. For example, KIBS (Kawasaki Intelligent anti-lock Brake System) is a high-precision brake system designed specifically for supersport models, enabling sport riding to be enjoyed by a wider range of riders. And by linking the front and rear brakes, K-ACT (Kawasaki Advanced Coactive-braking Technology) ABS provides the confidence to enjoy touring on heavyweight models. Kawasaki is continually working on the development of other advanced ABS systems.
DUAL THROTTLE VALVES
Late-model sport bikes often use large-bore throttle bodies to generate high levels of power. However, with large diameter throttles, when a rider suddenly opens the throttle, the unrestricted torque response is anything but gentle and often more than the rider can handle. Dual throttle valve technology was designed to tame engine response while contributing to performance.
On fuel-injected models, throttle bodies generally have only one throttle valve per cylinder. On models with dual throttle valves, there are two throttle valves per cylinder: in addition to the main valves, which are physically linked to the throttle grip and controlled by the rider, a second set of valves, opened and closed by the ECU, precisely regulates intake airflow to ensure a natural, linear response. With the air passing through the throttle bodies becoming smoother, combustion efficiency in improved and power is increased.
Like other Kawasaki engine management technology, Dual Throttle Valves were designed with the philosophy of "following the rider's intention, while providing natural-feeling support." They are featured on many Kawasaki models.
ECONOMICAL RIDING INDICATOR
Using high-precision electronic control for engine management, Kawasaki models can achieve a high level of fuel efficiency.
However, fuel consumption is greatly affected by throttle use, gear selection, and other elements under the rider's control. The Economical Riding Indicator is a function that indicates when current riding conditions are consuming a low amount of fuel. The system continuously monitors fuel consumption, regardless of vehicle speed, engine speed, throttle position and other riding conditions. When fuel consumption is low for a given speed (i.e. fuel efficiency is high), an "ECO" mark appears on the instrument panel's LCD screen. By riding so that the "ECO" mark remains on, fuel consumption can be reduced.
While effective vehicle speed and engine speed may vary by model, paying attention to conditions that cause the "ECO" mark to appear can help riders improve their fuel efficiency – a handy way to increase cruising range. Further, keeping fuel consumption low also helps minimise negative impact on the environment.