Kawasaki Versys 650

Overview

The Kawasaki Versys 650 sits comfortably in the middle of the model range between the bigger 1,000cc sibling and the smaller X 300cc. It is one of the most popular and successful all-terrain adventure bikes to be available in the Philippines market and goes up against the likes of the Honda CB500X, which, being a lower displacement bike, is perfectly designed to be a value adventure tourer.

The Kawasaki Versys is one of the most powerful motorcycles in the segment and is priced at a pretty affordable price tag (considering the features that are offered). Despite having 150cc more capacity in the engine motor, it is priced just around PHP 50,000 more than the Honda counterpart.

Design

The Kawasaki Versys 650 is designed like a gem in the making. Up front, it has the signature Kawasaki twin headlamps which offer great illumination in the dark, while the light beam can be adjustable as well. This is followed by a long wind visor which keeps the wind off the face of the rider while cruising on a long highway strip.

The side is very beefed up, especially the tank section. There are contrasting black colour additions for the light fairing, which extends to just above the tank cowl. The dual stepped seat is very comfortable and cushioned and both the rider and the pillion will have immense comfort even if the ride has been extremely long and hard.

However, the seat height is very high, which almost rules shorter riders out of the equation.

Ride & Handling

The Kawasaki Versys 650 is a very versatile motorcycle that boasts on very comfortable ergonomics and class-apart features. The ride quality is on the softer side, considering that it is an adventure-loving machine. The suspension setup is amazing as the front upside forks have a really long travel, while the rear suspension is highly adjustable. This gets the comfort level to go higher up.

The throttle response is made to be thrilling for the riders as the power delivery is very linear and the numbers keep creeping up from a very low rpm. Plus, despite being such a huge motorcycle, the kerb weight is just 214 kilograms, whereas there is a huge fuel tank of 21 litres.

The monoshock suspension for the rear can be easily altered as it has a remote preload adjuster to easily adjust the softness or firmness.

Engine & Fuel Consumption

The Versys 650 uses the same engine that Kawasaki is best known for. The motor is very powerful and linear at the same time. It is powered by a 649cc two-cylinder engine that gets the fuel injection system.

The motor is capable enough to put out a maximum power of 69.3 hp, coming at 8,500 rpm, along with a peak torque of 64 Nm at just 7,000 rpm. Now, considering the big engine, the peak power and torque does come at a lower rpm, which proves how linear the response is. As for the transmission, there is a six-speed gearbox.

Braking & Safety

The Kawasaki Versys 650 has a tremendous braking prowess which is done by discs for both the wheels. Apart from this, the presence of ABS makes the braking department safer. This helps in keeping the bike stable even when you press the brake hard while on high speed.

The Versys 650 also has a lot of safety features offered to make it a perfect adventure tourer. There are side reflectors given too, along with engine check warning. On the console, barring the tachometer, everything else gets the digital touch. There is also an oil change indicator and a side stand indicator given.

Verdict

The Kawasaki Versys 650 is one of the best bikes in the segment and competes against the likes of Honda, BMW and the Ducati (Multistrada 950). However, it is still a very value-for-money model in the range and much more affordable than the bigger adventure bikes.

The Kawasaki Versys 650 price in the Philippines starts from PHP 425,000 onwards.