Kawasaki Versys 650

Kawasaki Versys 650

Manufacturer	Kawasaki Motorcycle & Engine Company
Parent company	Kawasaki Heavy Industries
Production	2007-present
Predecessor	Kawasaki KLE500
Class	Standard or adventure touring crossover
Engine	649 cc (39.6 cu in) liquid-cooled 4-stroke 8-valve DOHC parallel-twin
Bore / stroke	83 mm × 60 mm (3.3 in × 2.4 in)
Compression ratio	10.6:1
Power	59.4 hp (44 kW) @ 8,400 rpm[1]
Torque	42 lb·ft (57 N·m)[1]
Transmission	6-speed constant mesh
Suspension	Front: 41 mm (1.6 in) telescopic fork with adjustable rebound and preload, 150 mm (5.9 in) travel Rear: Single offset laydown shock with adjustable rebound and spring preload, 145 mm (5.7 in) travel
Brakes	Front: Dual-piston caliper with dual 300 mm (11.8 in) discs Rear: Dual-piston caliper with single 220 mm (8.7 in) disc
Tyres	Front: 120/70-17 Rear: 160/60-17
Rake, trail	25 degrees, 108 mm (4.3 in)
Wheelbase	1,415 mm (55.7 in)[2]
Dimensions	L: 2,125 mm (83.7 in)[2] W: 840 mm (33 in)[2] H: 1,330 mm (52 in)[2]
Seat height	845 mm (33.3 in)[2]
Weight	206 kg (454 lb)[1] (wet)
Fuel capacity	19 L (4.2 imp gal; 5.0 US gal)[2]
Fuel consumption	4.5 L/100 km (63 mpg-imp; 52 mpg-US)[2]
Related	Kawasaki Ninja 650R

The Kawasaki Versys 650 (codenamed KLE650) is a middleweight motorcycle. It borrows design elements from dual-sport bikes, standards, adventure tourers and sport bikes; sharing characteristics of all, but not neatly fitting into any of those categories.^[3] The name Versys is a portmanteau of the words versatile and system.^[4] It was introduced by Kawasaki to the European and Canadian markets as a 2007 model and to the US market in 2008.^[5] A California emissions compliant version was released in 2009.^[6][7] In 2010 new styling was applied to the headlight and farings and several functional changes made including enlarged mirrors and improved rubber engine mounts.^[8] In 2015, a new model was introduced with a new fairing style that abandoned the older, stacked headlights for the more conventional twin headlight style commonly found on sportbikes.^[9]

Technical details

The Versys is based on the same platform as Kawasaki's other 650cc twin motorcycles, the Ninja 650R and the ER-6n. It shares the same electronics, engine, wheels, brakes and main frame as its siblings. Where it differs is in riding position, rear sub frame, suspension components, and engine tuning.^[2]

The Versys' 650 cc liquid cooled, four-stroke, parallel-twin engine has been retuned for more bottom-end and mid-range torque. This is achieved with different camshafts and fuel injection mapping. These changes cause peak torque to occur at a lower engine speed and provide better throttle response in the 3,000 to 6,000 rpm range. In addition a balance tube has been added between the exhaust headers to smooth out power delivery. Power is 59.4 hp (44 kW) at 8,400 rpm, compared with the Ninja's 65.7 hp (49 kW) at 8,400 rpm.^[1] Torque is 42 lb·ft (57 N·m), compared with the Ninja's 45.5 lb·ft (61.7 N·m).^[1] Improving the engine's low and mid range response comes at the expense of a slight reduction in peak power however. A similar approach was recently deployed by Honda with their CBF1000 model. The engine uses a 180 degree crankshaft. This in turn requires an uneven firing interval (180 degrees, 540 degrees) which gives the engine note a distinctive "throbbing" sound at idle.^[2]

The suspension has greater vertical travel and more adjustability than the suspension on the ER-6 / Ninja 650R. On the front the thicker/stronger 41 mm inverted front forks are externally adjustable for preload and rebound damping unlike the Ninja 650R/ER-6F's conventional and non adjustable forks. The right fork leg carries a damping cartridge while both legs contain springs. The rear shock absorber is adjustable for rebound damping. Suspension preload is adjustable in the rear via a screw collar on the shock. The rear shock/spring is directly connected, without linkages, to a non symmetrical, gull wing, aluminum swing arm instead of the more basic steel swing arm used on the Ninja and ER-6.^[2]

Reception

The Versys was reviewed by motorcycling media and received the following notable reactions.

• 2008 Motorcycle of the Year Award by Motorcyclist Magazine.^[10]
• 2008 Best in Class "Allrounder class" award by Motor Cycle News.^[11]
• 2015 Comparison Winner: Kawasaki Versys 650 LT vs. Suzuki V-Strom 650XT by Motorcyclist Magazine. ^[12]

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kawasaki Versys.

• Versys at Kawasaki Europe