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Spectacular cosmetic surgery since its first version for the 1000 Versys, which remains fundamentally a Z 1000 revisited in trail-GT. It was essential; the big trail at Kawasaki has always been a bit complicated. We remember the KLV 1000, Suzuki’s 1000 V-Strom clone. He gave it a go, and his business career didn’t follow. Then recently the big Versys landed. Convincing and full of qualities, his only concern was an offbeat, particular, almost disturbing aesthetic, which he had to know how to appreciate. And one morning, he woke up with a hangover, following a ferociously drunken night with cousins Ninja and Z 1000 SX. It was in the bathroom that it hurt: “Ouhla, my face is crooked this morning … But … like every morning in fact!”.
No doubt it had to stop; cut back the facade while retaining the dynamic assets that Kawa had given it. The 1000 Versys radically changed its face in 2015. And with style. Goodbye Captain Cousteau’s portholes – make way for a sporty look very inspired by Akashi sportswomen, with H2R-typed lips that extend onto dynamic shoulders. A touch of daring that we have not finished talking about but which transforms the Versys…
While behind, it is almost the same machine. It just goes to show that a little well-placed plastics processing can open certain doors for you when your fundamentals have not changed. The body and heart of the big Versys are based on the Z 1000 SX. With the BMW S 1000 XR, this maxi-trail is the only one powered by a 4-cylinder in-line. Since the Z 1000 for which it was designed, the 1043 cm3 has obviously adapted to the more backpacker profile of the Versys. On the previous version, he rode more quietly, with 118 horsepower all the same. This phase II offers two more nags. Just enough to mark the occasion, because its 120 horses place it in the category of trail-tourism, not in that of the big, ultra-powerful and totally unreasonable adventurers where the standard is established at 160 horses (1200 Multistrada, 1290 Adventure, S 1000 XR).
On a daily basis, we will appreciate more the adoption of an anti-dribble clutch of the “slipper” type, limiting the slippage of the rear wheel in downshifting and the effort at the lever; 30% less according to Kawa. Now inseparable from machines of a certain power and stature, electronic aids are very present, and taken from the previous generation. The pilot can choose two injection maps, one offering the full potential of the engine, and the other quieter on accel ‘while limiting the original watts to 75%. Traction control is also part of the game (no more manufacturer can ignore this). What happened to the time when we put on a bowl at the slightest muscular pedaling of the rear wheel? The KTRC abolishes the triple axels with its 3 selectable modes: the 1 and 2 give priority to maximum acceleration, the 3 favors smoothness on slippery roads. Concretely, when the road is dry and driving sporty, mode 1 will favor maximum traction and controlled drifts of the rear wheel while mode 2 will intervene a little more. In mode 3, the electronics intervene directly on the ignition, the injection and the butterflies to calm the engine and stem slippage. ABS is installed as standard. In short, we find the panoply of the old Versys, and no one will complain about it.
While the motricity engineer went off to snore on his laurels, his metal and screwdriver pals spent some time on the brakes and the rear end. Come on, we trim the 300 mm discs and we reinforce the braking; a pair of 310 mm and pads with a new material will better calm the 250 kilos of the Versys. 11 more than before, or ¼ ton so far. Because let’s not forget the pilot, the passenger, and the few pieces of luggage that we will be able to take in addition.
Kawa reinforced the rear frame, thus increasing the load in each suitcase: 3 kilos yesterday, 5 today. Would the Versys want to become a GT? It is not for nothing that it only exists in an LT version on the other side of the Atlantic, with suitcases and hand guards as standard..
Some subtleties will not escape fans of comfort. New engine mounts will reduce vibrations and should also make the ride smoother. The clutch lever is now adjustable, the center stand is fitted as standard, a new, stronger handlebar (installed 20mm higher without changing the position of the hands), the single key system for all locks and fixings of the uncluttered as well as integrated suitcases; so many little extras that will be subtly appreciated on a daily basis. The screen is always adjustable thanks to two knobs, except that the adjustment amplitude goes from 30 to 75 mm.
Let’s complain a bit: the hand guards could be part of the original endowment. But would they have a sporty face for a machine in this segment?!? Some will have noticed the brushed finish of the exhaust finished with an aluminum tip, the black background of the tachometer, the indicators moved on the side panels and the locations provided for a gear indicator engaged and a 12V socket. Guys, seriously …. This should be fitted as standard on a motorcycle intended for road cutting. !
Under this nervous and punchy appearance, the Versys is based on a chassis very similar to its predecessor. The large double beam aluminum frame accompanied by a few reinforcement tubes comes from the streetfighter Z 1000. No risk of twisting it, even in heavy use. The damping is corrected to raise its level of performance, with 30% less compression in front and behind. The rear shock absorber gains a firmer spring (109 N / m instead of 106) for more stability. The 43 mm inverted fork evolves with longer legs of 20 mm and adopts separate functions, just to simplify the settings. More road tires confirm the road ambitions of Akashi’s maxi-trail.
With its cleverly revised facies, the Kawasaki Versys 1000 2015/2018 seems to be a whole new machine. And yet…
This phase II is cleverly distinguished by a whole series of small improvements and arouses much more curiosity with its infinitely more dynamic face. What to put a good spotlight on a machine which must make its hole in an increasingly ferocious segment. The price swells a little but remains in the low range of the market. This is what can tip the scales, and forgive the absence of a gimbal.
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13,199 €
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Opinion
on 18 opinion
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Replaces
VERSYS 1000 2017
Model marketed in
2015
2016
2017
2018
Performances
-
Max speed:
about 220 km / h
The technical aspect
Kawasaki VERSYS 1000 2018
- Frame
- Frame: Double aluminum beam
- Tank: 21 liters
- Seat height: 840 mm
- Length: 2240 mm
- Width: 895 mm
- Height: 1,400 mm
- Wheelbase: 1,520 mm
- Weight in running order: 250 kg
- Train before
- Telehydraulic inverted fork Ø 43 mm, deb: 150 mm
- 2 discs Ø 310 mm, 4 piston calipers
- Front wheel:
120/70
– 17
- Transmission
- 6-speed gearbox
- secondary by chain
- Rear axle
- Mono-shock absorber, deb: 150 mm
- 1 disc Ø 250 mm, 1 piston caliper
- Rear wheel:
180/55
– 17
- Motor
- 4 Cylinders
in line
, 4 stroke - Cooling: by water
- Injection Ø 38 mm
- 2 ACT
- 4 valves per cylinder
-
1,043 cc
(77 x 56 mm) -
120
ch
at 9000 rpm -
10.40 mkg
at 7,500 rpm - Compression: 10.3: 1
- Crit’air:
Detached pieces
exhaust
motor
fluid
electricity
filtration
braking
chain kit
Competitors
BMW R 1200 GS 2018
Yamaha XTZE 1200 Super Tenere Raid Edition 2018
Ducati 950 Multistrada 2018
Triumph Tiger 800 XCA 2018
Suzuki DL 1000 V-STROM 2018
2018 Honda VFR 1200 X CROSSTOURER
Gallery
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