Kawasaki Versys 1000 S Grand tourer motorcycle test

Menus

• Daily test for fifteen days
• 1,043 cm3, 120 hp at 9,000 rpm, 102 Nm at 7,500 rpm, 257 kg, 15,099 euros (17,099 euros Grand Tourer version)
• Discovery
• In the saddle
• In the city
• Motorway and expressways
• Departmental
• Part-cycle
• Braking
• Comfort / duo
• Consumption
• Convenient
• Revisions
• Video test of the Versys
• Conclusion

Daily test for fifteen days

1,043 cm3, 120 hp at 9,000 rpm, 102 Nm at 7,500 rpm, 257 kg, 15,099 euros (17,099 euros Grand Tourer version)

This bike, to be honest, doesn’t strike your heart at first sight, mine anyway. The Versys 1000, however redesigned in 2015, does not grip like a Ducati Multistrada V4 or a Honda AfricaTwin 1100. I will even go further: Kawasaki has a lot of problems with trail running, almost always, its little myths remaining anecdotal, like the Big Horn. Suzuki builds on the image of its good old DR, Yamaha is extending the Tenere dream as best they can, like Honda with the AfricaTwin; Kawa could not do the same. The KLR 650 or the strange 1989 Tengaïde? Honestly, no ! Even less the KLV 1000…. Perhaps more the KLX 650, but nothing comparable with other Japanese trails. Cross KX models and their enduro derivatives have their share of history, but in rally raid Kawasaki has never shone. And memory has thick skin. BMW, Yamaha and Honda still owe a lot to the heyday of the Dakar. Ducati was able to sidestep the myth, play on its sporty image and finally make the Multistrada shine in scarlet, but it took a long time. The first (2002), whose design is reminiscent of the first Versys 1000 of 2012, left a mixed pout, until we try it. They belong to that family of long-legged road bikes, launched by the Yamaha TDM 900, followed by the Multistrake and others, such as the Honda Cross Tourer (1200cc V4 engine) and therefore the Versys. Motorcycles often without image, without magnetic seduction, on the contrary very pleasant once on the handlebars for the majority of them. For this reason, the parallel with the SUV in car phenomenon does not hold: this kind of car poses a status, imposes it, while the long-legged road have a side "cushy motorcycle", utilitarian-comfortable. Only the BMW R 1250 GS supports the comparison with the SUV phenomenon.

840 mm saddle

Discovery

Kawasaki, like all brands, masters modularity. The Versys 1000 was born in 2011 with the frame and engine of the Z 1000 SX, so roughly the Z 1000 roadster. Its 1043 cm3 four-cylinder, inaugurated on the Z 1000 model 2010, differs a little from that of the roadster by its lower compression ratio, the profile of its different cams, an electronic box and a suitable supply / exhaust assembly (with electronically controlled exhaust valves since 2019), all of this justifying the difference in power: the Z 1000 came out 138 horsepower in 2010, the Versys makes 120 horsepower today. The gearbox staging also favors responsiveness in the first two gears, identical to those of the Z 1000, and reasonable fuel consumption thanks to the other four, longer gears. The engine block has not changed in a major way since 2012, except at the electronic level with injection parameters and assistance.

Four cylinder in-line, 4-stroke 1.043 cc

The frame has not changed either, also borrowed from the Z 1000 of 2010, with an adaptation at the level of the steering column. This double aluminum beam is reinforced by two side tie rods that run horizontally alongside the engine, to be anchored to two vertical tie rods fixed to the column. Rigidity assured, it is the suspensions to provide comfort, cushioning and the feeling essential to the pilot. This is the major quality of the Versys 1000, rare even on a contemporary motorcycle. The fork and shock absorber were developed in collaboration with Showa. The shock absorber combines the ‘Back Link’ technique (shock absorber placed horizontally, as close as possible to the mass centralization, but fixed without linkage) with the Showa BFFF-Lite (Balance Free Front Fork) system for the fork and BFRC ( Balance Free RearCushion Light) for the shock absorber, including oil and gas flow management techniques. A little technically challenging, okay, but it’s worth every now and then to look into how suspensions work, often the Achilles heel of production bikes. Besides, what does any rider do as soon as they get their bike ready for a race? Before even worrying about the engine, he modifies the suspensions. Few of the motorcycles are well equipped with original suspension. This is the case of the Versys 1000 S, which, unlike the Versys 1000 SE, does not have electronically controlled suspensions.

LED front lights with high beam, low beam and position lights

So what is new for the Versys S in 2021? It receives an anti-scratch paint, a screen that can be manually adjusted on two levels, standard heated grips, “comfort” pilot and passenger seats, a color TFT screen dashboard, LED cornering lights ( they light up according to the inclination of the motorcycle), a shifter, the Rideology application (application for connecting to a smartphone) and the driving modes Road, Sport and Rain, to which is added the mode Customizable rider (replacing the Full and Low of the standard Versys). That is electronic equipment, comfort and driving assistance.

Led turn lights

At 15,099 euros, the Versys 1000 S seems more like a good deal on the road market. The BMW R 1250 GS sells for 3,000 euros more, without options, so with less equipment than that of the Kawa, 18,100 euros, like its cousin S 1000 XR (with, for its part, a powerful inline four-cylinder engine of 165 hp ). The aging and heavy Yamaha FJR 1300 (it disappears in 2021), was worth more than 17,000 euros in 2020. At Honda, apart from the inaccessible Goldwing, there is no longer a roadster capable of competing with the Versys, the AfricaTwin fishing there for lack of comfort. Only the Triumph 1200 XR (16,100 euros) and the Suzuki V-Strom 1050 XT (14,899 euros) are really opposed to the Versys with close prices. The price (17,899 euros) of the powerful KTM Adventure 1290 S is close to that of the BMW. There remains the interesting case of the 2021 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT, less expensive (13,999 euros) and close in displacement and power of the Versys and which appears to be the most road of the Yam "today, but we will have to try it. before judging, logical.

LED rear light

Power and weight, these are the values ​​that hardly value the Versys, the only high-legged roadster to be powered by a four-cylinder in line with the BMW S 1000 XR (we regret in passing the disappearance of the Honda Crossrunner and its V4 from 800 cm3). 120 hp for a four-cylinder of a little over 1000 cm3, this is less than the 136 hp of the Boxer of the BMW R 1250 GS or than the 140 hp of the three-cylinder of the Tiger 1200. Ditto for the torque, 10 , 4 mkg, not terrible compared to the 14 mkg of the GS or 12 mkg of the Tiger. As for the weight, 257 kg fully packed (without luggage), it does not smell of the post-holiday diet. However….

In the saddle

The Versys 1000 doesn’t speak, it acts. What, in terms of marketing, is a weak point, becomes a force on the handlebars. So I step over the thick saddle of the Versys 1000 S, Grand Tourer version, with two side cases and a 47-liter top case (2,000 euros extra, with tank protection, additional lights, protective pads and GPS support ). I put one foot easily on the ground, despite the 840 mm saddle height. Which, yet wide, is cut out sufficiently close to the reservoir. You still feel when you stop that the motorcycle is heavy, especially with the luggage.

257 kilos fully packed

But I quickly find a natural balance, due to an intelligent distribution of masses, which lets me master it effortlessly. The four-cylinder starts quietly, the dashboard lights up and lets its information appear clearly. I have fun going into the settings table, thanks to the right and left controls, a list clearly spells out, but in English, different categories. I go for the Road engine mode and a dashboard display (two choices) which I like. I raise the bubble to the second notch, the highest and screw the two side knobs.

TFT color display

First gear shifts quietly, the soft clutch gradually takes over the Versys, I appreciate the smoothness of the controls. And also the comfort of the saddle, the upright riding position, without bending of the legs or large gap for the arms. The Versys is offered with ease, cordiality, I like it a lot.

Commodos and access to the TFT screen menu via the handlebars

In the city

We often leave a city when we discover a motorcycle. Or at least a village. There is the Clef Saint Pierre area in Elancourt, headquarters of Kawasaki France, an activity zone that looks like all the activity zones in the world, ugly buildings and roundabouts. I discovered a surprising Versys of goodwill, ease and joy. Its agility does not bluff, it remains heavy, but it accompanies all movements with a disarming naturalness, it presents no resistance, rushes into the roundabout with grace, its engine resumes in a gentle breath, its suspensions filter the movements but let feel the road, a kind of sensitive flying carpet. Exactly what I like, we might just get along.

Balanced and considerate part-cycle

First traffic light, first braking, the fork sinks in a bit quickly but I can feel the fluids working as they gradually compress. I’m afraid the first U-turn, mistake, the Kawa turns quietly in a not very wide street, you just have to maneuver with a little speed, lean slightly and the U-turn is played. The seat height lets you anticipate the road from afar, the mirrors read perfectly, the suitcases and the top case open easily, which is not the case with all motorcycles. Life is Beautiful.

120 hp at 9,000 rpm

Motorway and expressways

I went home to get a screwdriver, to adjust the fork adjuster screw on the top of the tube. I close the screw fully (it was "fully screwed minus 6 notches") and the rule to "fully screwed minus 5 notches", without really believing in a change. However, I immediately felt the difference, it sinks less quickly, a further guarantee of the quality of the original suspensions and I regret less than expected the piloted suspensions of the SE.

Heading west, via the A13 motorway, the bubble protects well in width but a little less well in height, yet I am only 1.68m tall. The big ones will have to opt for a higher bubble. Cruise control at 135 km / h meter, I only think about comfort, royal! The harmony between the saddle, the suspensions and the riding position is rare. Nothing disturbs the Versys, the engine purrs at 4,500 rpm, I don’t feel any constraint, neither in the lower back, nor in the legs and it could go on for hours. If it is necessary to overtake, the engine resumes vigorously in sixth and then regains its cruising speed, always discreet.

102 Nm at 7,500 rpm

Departmental

The moment of truth. Does the ship turn into a rocket? Is the Versys all about ease, pomp and pleasure? I had already considered the engine, of course, before venturing into the back roads. Strong on the first two reports, it shows a little slack in its climbs under 7000 rpm from the third to the sixth. However, we can see that if we gauge it, calibrate it against the rpm and the gear engaged, if we investigate, if you prefer, even in Sport engine mode. The only sensations hardly perceive this relative softness. The flights of the four cylinders merge into a hot, hoarse breath, with a loud airbox noise, the gears pass to the shifter without any jerks, always in incredible comfort, without much effect of mass transfer to the acceleration, but in a powerful push. But the sensations always prevail on a motorcycle. Only downside in terms of sensations, the little extension for a four-cylinder, which quickly stumbles on the 10,000 rpm of the red zone.

Motorbike endearing because benevolent, super comfortable, reassuring

And here are the first curves, long and open, of the Oise countryside. I entered the Versys and its luggage there without any apprehension, even with a little optimism. It leaned smoothly, balanced, precise, with just a few contained movements of the suspensions, which deserve to be closed a little more hydraulically. Further on, the turns get tighter, you have to brake harder and a miracle, the braking matches everything else: powerful and progressive, perfect. The Versys 1000 has its strongest advantage here, which perhaps overlaps all the others: it is homogeneous, that is to say, coherent. Each of the criteria used to judge it tirelessly gives the same result, whether it is braking, engine expression, suspensions, equipment etc. all is ease, gentle efficiency, kindness and indulgence. The fat Kawa injects a diffused pleasure of fullness, relaxation and pleasure every time it is driven. Even on the attack, on bumpy roads, it makes things easier, above all thanks to its exceptional suspensions, as long as they are adjusted "by hand". The KCMF function available to the Versys 1000 S, an electronic module which takes into account the braking power, the gear engaged, the engine speed, the inclination of the motorcycle to control the power delivered by the engine and the trigger point of the engine. ‘ABS also participates in this overall sensation.

Diffuse pleasure of plenitude, relaxation and pleasure

Part-cycle

From the driving position to the weight distribution, including the suspensions of rare quality, the Versys shines above all with its balanced and considerate chassis. The Bridgestone Battlax T 31 tires, with a neutral profile but a little stiff in the carcass, could later be replaced by more "sensitive" tires, such as the Dunlop Roadsmart III or the Pirelli Diablo Rosso II, since the 17-inch rims of the Versys are not a trail.

Braking

The double front disc (310 mm in diameter) with radial calipers brakes with power and an excellent feeling in terms of dosage. The lever stroke is long and progressive, no flaws. The rear brake activates the ABS a bit early, but it sits the bike down well before entering a turn.

Dual 310mm semi-floating petal discs, opposing 4-piston calipers

Comfort / duo

Comfort is one of the big advantages of the Versys, with its new wide and padded saddle with a perfect design. The passenger also benefits, especially with the top case and its integrated backrest. This comfort is however due above all to the driving position and the suspensions..

Comfort saddle with thicker urethane padding, wide and padded, with perfect design (-20mm low saddle optional)

Consumption

The Versys signals Eco driving, which quite simply corresponds to the engine speed, on the instrument panel. In normal and mixed city / road use, consumption is 5.9 l / 100 km. The gauge on the dashboard is quite precise.

A 21-liter tank offering 350 km of autonomy

Convenient

You can fit an integral and even a modular in the side cases of 28 liters, without forcing. The 47 liter top case will accommodate another helmet or whatever is needed in business. And the cases benefit from a quick assembly system.

The side cases accommodate a full face helmet

The screen is easily adjustable from the saddle.

High adjustable screen

The 12V socket is now supplied as standard and offers a total power of 40 W.

Revisions

Every 12,000 kilometers.

Video test of the Versys

Conclusion

The now rich equipment of the Versys 1000 S further enhances its appeal. It remains an endearing motorcycle because it is benevolent, super comfortable, reassuring, but also playful on small roads despite its weight. It emphatically demonstrates the importance of quality suspensions. Above all, its homogeneity is aimed at those who ride often, like tranquility and practicality, without giving way too much to the playful side. The Versys is more efficient and sensational than its specs or looks suggest. With standard heated grips, efficient electronics (in Road mode, the traction control is triggered a little early on dirty or barely wet roads), a comfortable saddle, a precise and efficient shifter, it adds arguments that enrich its intrinsic qualities made of vigor, voluptuousness, a tranquility that make you want to ride in all weathers. It doesn’t fit into a fiery Ducati Multistrada V4 or a manly KTM 1290 Adventure. She offers another way to ride, relaxed, fulfilled.

Strong points

• ease of use
• suspensions
• comfort
• original equipment

Weak points

• Slightly weak midrange torque

• Weight

Kawasaki Versys 1000 S technical sheet

Test conditions

• Itinerary: town + small varied roads + highways
• Weather forecast: rotten, between rain and cold, from 3 ° to 8 °

Test equipment

• ShoeiNXR Helmet

• FuryganShield Jacket

• Motorcycle jeans

• Gloves Esquad Manchester

• ShoesVanucciVTS 4

Related articles

• Kawasaki Versys 650 motorcycle test

  Twin-cylinder 649 cc, 69 hp, 210 kilos, A2 version, euro5 ready Daily test 2006, the year of the successive revivals of Kawasaki on segments where we…

• Kawasaki Z H2 Supercharged motorcycle test

  200 hp, 14 mkg at 8,500 rpm, 239 kg all full, 17,099 € Put some salt ! Fifteen days of driving with the Kawasaki Z H2? I say it bluntly, it takes less to…

• Kawasaki Ninja 1000 SX motorcycle test

  Compromise without compromise 4 cylinders of 1,043 cm3, 142 hp and 111 Nm, 235 kg, from 14,349 euros In 2010, Kawasaki presented its first Z1000SX, a…

• Kawasaki Versys 1000

  Sport sofa Unveiled in 2011, the first version of the Z1000 trail set new milestones in a segment that was already well represented. The first machine of…

• Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R KRT motorcycle test

  An integer character 4 cylinders in line, 998 cm3, 203 hp, 114.9 Nm, 206 kg all full facts, 18,099 euros. Nice surprise for me to find the Kawasaki…

• Kawasaki ZX10R motorcycle test

  The motorcycle division of the giant Kawasaki industry, is only a drop in the sea, but that does not prevent it from being a major player in the world of…

• Yamaha Fazer 1000 motorcycle test

  Arrival in France at the beginning of the year 2001, the big sister of the FZS 600 Fazer is available at dealers since March. Three months later, she…

• Suzuki GSX-R 1000 motorcycle test

  A friend who wants you well First appearing in 2000, the GSXR 1000 will quickly establish itself as a sporting stallion for a long time. But in the face…

• Honda Varadero 1000 XLV motorcycle test

  Maxi-Trail with a road vocation The Honda XL 1000 V Varadero, which appeared in 1998, is the heir to the famous Africa Twin … but the manufacturer has…

• Kawasaki Versys 1000 motorcycle test

  La Z goes green Eternal absent from the Kawasaki range, apart from the unlikely KLV 1000 (Suzuki V-Str m renamed), the maxi-trail model finally appears…