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Suzuki V-Strom 650 and Kawasaki Versys 650 in the test

650 cc travel enduro bikes

The revised Kawasaki Versys 650 has taken on the trail of the only two-cylinder travel enduro in the 650 class, the Suzuki V-Strom 650. Enough to overtake?

You don’t even need to bother introducing the concept of new randomnesses Kawasaki Versys 650 into it. It’s a precision landing. Tailored to the job description of the Suzuki V-Strom 650.

Suzuki V-Strom 650 and Kawasaki Versys 650 in the test

650 cc travel enduro bikes

Kawasaki with the fully disguised ER-6f is already a tourist-inspired concept in the mid-range segment, and secondly, the Versys has so far raised its flag clearly for the fun faction. Maybe not consistently enough. 8 HP less than the good ER-6 siblings, a price that was a good 1000 euros higher and the unorthodox design put the little fun bike presented in 2006 out of the focus of interest.

2 Suzuki V-Strom 650 one of the 30 best-selling bikes

But now everything should be different. As white as a blank sheet of paper, the Kawasaki Versys 650 stands in the shimmering spring sun of northern Spain. A larger tank (21 instead of 19 liters), an engine that is partially stored in silent blocks and increased from 64 to 69 hp, new spring elements, a reinforced rear frame, lower and further forward footrests and – above all – a stylistically revised paneling, including 70 percent The enlarged windshield clearly indicates: The new Kawasaki Versys 650 has changed in the direction of the Suzuki V-Strom 650. Their sensational victories at the MOTORRAD Alpine Masters in 2005 or the facelift for the 2011 season may have been a while back, but their success is continuing. To this day, the V-Strom is one of the 30 best-selling motorcycles in this country every year – and reacts aggressively to the Versys attack: With a competitive price of currently only 6990 euros (best price campaign), the Grande Mademoiselle of the travel enduros costs exactly 1400 euros less than so far and exactly 700 euros less than the 7695 euros expensive Kawasaki.

Nevertheless, the Kawasaki Versys 650 turns first onto the dry and posh paved Iberian roads. Probably from the power of their habit. Tight radii and short turns, this is exactly where the Kawa has so far gained its self-confidence. The paper form still speaks in favor of the ex-funbike in this area. With a wheelbase that is 145 millimeters shorter than the Suzuki V-Strom 650 and a steering angle that is one degree steeper, the domesticated Versys whizzes lively through the alternating curves, feels light in the steering, fluffy and nimble. In doing so, you almost forget that the travel robe puts nine kilos more ballast on the tubular frame than before – mind you, without a suitcase. The Kawa now weighs 220 kilograms with a full tank, 211 kilograms the previous model. The somewhat chubby Suzuki, however, weighs 232 kilos.

Enduro

New items for 2012: Suzuki’s mid-range travel enduro

Driving report of the new Suzuki V-Strom 650

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Top test: Suzuki V-Strom 650 ABS

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3 New Kawasaki Versys 650 with less sportsmanship

In general, the duo already separates fundamentally in the first few meters. Squat, compact, the handlebars moved close to the driver, the Kawasaki Versys 650 feels almost like old funbike days. Only the footrests, which are moved 15 millimeters down and 20 millimeters forwards, open the knee angle, straighten the driver’s posture and thus take some pressure off the front of the vehicle. Previous Versys fans may therefore miss the sporting spirit, while those who are impartial find the seating position more neutral and more relaxed. And don’t worry: until the notches, which have now been mounted lower down, you still need a very brisk line, at least in solo mode.

The Suzuki V-Strom 650 gives the typical travel-enduristic feeling of space. The distance between the handlebars and the driver is greater, the knee wider, the seating position more spacious. Nevertheless, the Suzuki follows the Kawa closely. The V-Strom swings calmly from curve to curve, turns in slightly with its 19-inch front wheel and – similar to a Honda Crossrunner or even a BMW R 1200 GS – pulls its line almost independently of the ground. This easy curve swing may not be tingling, but effective, effortless – and usually much faster than you feel.

Used purchase

Second-hand advice Kawasaki Versys (2006 – 2009)

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4 Kawasaki Versys 650 is more emotional

In this respect, the Kawasaki Versys 650 acts more emotionally. Just by its engine. Although the two-cylinder is now clamped in silent blocks in two of three engine mountings, it still conveys that pithy appearance so typical of Kawasaki drives. Never annoying, but always present. And although the Kurzhuber is also deep down in the
Knows how to behave RPM, he likes to be filmed in the wild. If it is enough at a moderate speed when the tachometer needle swings around the 5000 mark, the twin demands from 7000 tours upwards in the ambitious Eckenwetz. It is not surprising that the Kawa propellant is subjectively hardly stronger than its predecessor. After all, the Versys models tested so far with measured 66 HP were good in the feed, while the current version with 67 HP remained a tad below the promised 69 horses.

5 V electricity wins the engine ranking

In any case, the Kawa technicians have almost achieved their goal of rivaling the V-Strom in terms of performance – even if the Versys unit was only strengthened by the new mapping and the revised, now one-piece stainless steel exhaust. The Kawa parallel twin with the 90-degree V2 of the Suzuki has a tough nut to crack. Because with the engine presented in SV 650 in 1999, the Suzuki engineers created a masterpiece. Only with injection, modified valve train and increased flywheel mass, modeled over the years, this 16-year-old L-engine is still in top form today. The propellant purrs like a kitten just above idle. It is powerful and easy to turn, smooth when changing load, hardly vibrates and on top of that keeps the Kawasaki Versys 650 at bay despite a somewhat long gear ratio when sprinting. A splendid piece that the modernized Kawasaki engine is ultimately not up to in any single criterion of the engine rating.

It is understandable that the Kawa pilot is getting nervous, even looking forward to the scarred asphalt. After all, the Kawasaki Versys 650, which was still tightly designed in its youth, offered considerably improved comfort after the first revision in 2010. In this respect she has made further gains. The upside-down fork, now supplied by Showa instead of Kayaba, sensitively sniffs the edges and can also be adjusted over a large area in the rebound damping.

6 More freedom from leaning with the Versys

The directly hinged Kayaba shock absorber, which lost its damping adjustment during the current model change, has been given a spring base that can be adjusted using a handwheel, is a bit tighter. After all, the train damping of the Kawasaki Versys 650 is practical, offers sufficient comfort and still reserves for the brisk pace or passenger operation. Everything would be really good if the Suzuki didn’t impose itself as a spoilsport again. Despite the conventional fork, which can only be adjusted in the spring base, and a strut that is unusually adjusted in the series setup without negative spring travel, the V-Strom soaks up asphalted hardships even more casually.

However, the V-Strom driver should not be too cocky. When riding hard, the footrests and shortly afterwards the arm of the main stand scramble across the asphalt much earlier than the notches on the Versys. The Kawa’s renovated brake system also comes into play in the ambitious appearance.

With the latest generation of Bosch pressure modulator, snappier pads and modified brake calipers, the Kawasaki Versys 650 does indeed go a step further, offering a more defined pressure point and more moderate hand forces compared to the Suzuki stoppers. Despite the short wheelbase, the ABS control system keeps the hindquarters on the ground even when braking. It makes sense that the rear-heavy V-Strom cannot be disturbed here.

7 V-Strom cannot keep up with the value of the Versys

Speaking of rest. The street opens and the minds calm down. After all, relaxed touring and enjoyable cruising are among the core competencies of travel enduro bikes. Especially when, as with both test machines, the full package of accessories is on board – and the tariffs skyrocket by up to 2000 euros. The Kawa pilot can look forward to the improved wind protection at no extra charge. However, the pilot has to stop to make adjustments, as the knurled screws of the shield, which is now 60 instead of 30 millimeters height-adjustable, are attached to the outside. The Suzuki colleague feels right at home behind his non-adjustable window. On the Kawasaki Versys 650, the voluminous front silencer prevents the installation of a main stand, the gear indicator integrated in the display of the Suzuki V-Strom 650 must first be reordered on the Versys, and it also lights up in an intrusive, glaring red.

Only the look at the new side cases appeases the Kawa driver. The recordings are inconspicuously integrated into the rear frame; with a width of 93 centimeters, the duo is barely bulky when installed and also shines in motorcycle color. No comparison to the V-Strom case system, which is record-breaking wide at 117 centimeters. Generally the processing. Aluminum banana swingarm, upside-down fork, stainless steel exhaust – the Suzuki cannot keep up with the quality of the new Kawasaki Versys 650. The box swingarm and aluminum frame appear sober, the sheet metal silencer is no longer up-to-date. But that doesn’t change the fact that the evergreen, which has been so finely honed over the years, brilliantly parries the attack of the Versys – even if there is no question that the new Kawasaki Versys 650 has undoubtedly gained considerably in everyday and touring suitability.

MOTORCYCLE test result

1. Suzuki V-Strom 650
Forever Young. With a formidable engine and unexcited driving behavior, the Suzuki V-Strom 650 is still setting the bar ten years after winning the MOTORRAD Alpine Masters. respect.

2. Kawasaki Versys 650
Is it still too much of a fun bike or not enough travel enduro? The Kawasaki Versys 650 turned out to be much more universal, but cannot hold a candle to the V-Strom in terms of comfort, smoothness and suitability for travel.

Technical data Kawasaki Versys 650

Technical data Suzuki V-Strom 650

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