New – New 2015 Intermot Cologne: the Versys undergo a metamorphosis – Evolutions of the 2015 Versys: metamorphosis

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New 2015 Intermot Cologne: the Versys are undergoing a metamorphosis

New - New 2015 Intermot Cologne: the Versys undergo a metamorphosis - Evolutions of the 2015 Versys: metamorphosis

Launched respectively in 2006 and 2012, the Versys 650 and 1000 benefited in 2015 from a profound update, both aesthetic and mechanical. Back from Intermot where they were unveiled, MNC takes stock of these two new Kawasaki motorcycles.

Evolutions of Versys 2015: metamorphoses

The caterpillar in butterfly, the ugly duckling in majestic swan, but also Actarus in Grendizer or … Michael Jackson in Michael Jackson: the metamorphosis exists in many areas, including that of the motorcycle where the Versys 650 and 1000 are the last examples, particularly eloquent…

By unveiling the new versions of its two road trails at the Cologne Intermot, Kawasaki invites bikers to "change (their) vision". Convinced that the sinister faces – but almost! – of its Versys have undoubtedly undermined their (lack of) commercial success, the Iwata firm has reconfigured them.

"A whole new style has been given to this machine", copy / paste Kawa on the press kits of its two new 2015 products,"ensuring it a fun and sporty character at the same time. The Kawasaki hallmark is reflected in the two headlights and the fork crown which improves aerodynamics and wind protection".

New look for a new life

Inspired by the front of the Z1000SX – but also that of the, note the small fins under the lights! -, the new face of the Versys 650 and 1000 will still not please everyone, but will easily win more votes than the skulls of the old models.

The jowls of the old models which went from the optics to the tank disappear in favor of very sharp half-sides which go down to the radiators and effectively give the two motorcycles the air of sports or "Ninjas", even a "Sugomi" attitude. (review our)…

"But beware, these 2015 developments are not reduced to simple aesthetic considerations !", warns Antoine Coulon, marketing and press manager for the Greens in France, interviewed by MNC."Many points have been improved, such as the adjustable screen of the 1000 which can now rise by 6.5 cm instead of 3 previously"… and is now mounted on the 650 !

Inaugurated on the, the fastening system integrated into the passenger handles is suitable for the two trails 2015 versions. "And this time, these grips are fitted as standard on motorcycles", continues Antoine Coulon on the Kawasaki stand. No change of handles is therefore expected, unlike the sporty road..

"The rear frame of the "six-and-a-half" has also been revised to increase its payload. (plus 30 kg or 210 kg in total, Editor’s note) and to allow its owner to assemble the top-case and the suitcases at the same time, "continues Coulon San."As on the “mille”, it will therefore be “cheese and dessert” for Versys 650 customers. !"

On the front part of the frame this time, the parallel twin is mounted on silentblocs – as is the case with the rear upper mountings since the 2010 update (read our) -, in order to further and always reduce the vibrations that tickle the pilot in high revs.

Versys 650: more powerful, heavier and more practical

High speeds that Kawasaki would have precisely reinforced thanks to the design of the new pot "made from one piece", which is reflected on the technical sheet by increases in the maximum power of 5 hp (69 hp in all) and the maximum torque of 3 Nm (64 Nm).

These improvements are unfortunately accompanied by a significant weight gain of 8 kg for the standard version (214 kg) and 7 for the ABS version (216 kg, ABS is one kilogram lighter this year. ). Consumption would nevertheless be down: Site will check all this during our first test scheduled in December !

Obviously attentive to the remarks made by MNC and its readers, the engineers of Akashi also equipped the front braking system of its Versys 650 with calipers with a sportier look and, above all, with more biting pads. The rear system undergoes the same operation and also sees its disc increase from 220 to 250 mm.

The small – but older – Versys is also inspired by the large Versys to progress: it thus adopts a large dial which greatly facilitates the adjustment of the preload of the rear shock absorber, and increases the capacity of its tank by 2 liters ( i.e. 21 in all), as on the 1000.

The autonomy of the motorcycle therefore increases, as does the comfort of the pilot: "the handlebars are now mounted on silentblocs"says Kawasaki, and"the footrests are lowered by 15 mm and advanced by 20". What to cover greater distances without going to the pump or having his stroke (pump …).

"The dashboard is extrapolated from the ER-6", also tells us Antoine Coulon. Particularly complete, it now incorporates the remaining range, average and instantaneous consumption as well as the fuel economy driving light. Only the gear indicator is missing … available as an accessory !

Still on the practical side, the 41 mm fork of the Versys 650 has "from now on tubes with separate functions, allowing easy and quick adjustments directly on the triple treesAn improvement shared by the 43mm fork of the Versys 1000 !

The tires become resolutely road: in the first manufacturer photos, we can see that the great Versys abandons the Pirelli Scorpion with a nice off-road look, certainly, but whose ability to roam on large roads were undoubtedly under-exploited – even not exploited at all! -, to fit Bridgestone T30s. As for the little one, she trades her D221 for D222.

Versys 1000: heavier … and more practical

In order to improve the performance of their Versys 1000, Kawasaki engineers fitted its shock absorber with a firmer spring to improve its stability, but at the same time opened the hydraulics – the rebound, more precisely – to increase comfort..

Similarly, the upper mounting of the engine receives silentblocs "helping to reduce vibrations and increase handling and stability", indicate the Greens … In addition, the reinforcement of the rear loop allows the motorcycle to be loaded more: 5 kg per suitcase instead of 3.

The cockpit evolves slightly, with a handlebars "fat bar type, beefier", underlines our interlocutor on the Kawasaki stand, but"the position of the hands is the same as before", indicate the Japanese. We observe in passing that the clutch lever becomes adjustable.

"To meet significant customer demand, additional lights are making their way into the increasingly extensive catalog of accessories.", adds Antoine Coulon. And with the same objective of" customer satisfaction ", the central stand is now standard.

The presence of this second crutch, the arrival of the new more voluminous trim and the addition of reinforcements at the level of the chassis are inevitably felt at the time of the weighing: all full facts, the Versys 1000 (ABS and KTRC of series always) reached this year 250 kg, 11 more than the previous model.

Unlike the 650, the Versys 1000 does not benefit from engine improvements to erase this overweight. But the 4-cylinder had reserve (read our) and drives-still-but-not-full should not complain about this weight gain on small roads or highways. In a parking lot with the engine off, on the other hand…

No more powerful therefore (106 hp in France next year, 120 in 2016!), The Versys 1000 is more docile by adopting a ""slipper" system clutch which limits tire slippage when downshifting and makes it easier to grip the lever". Finally, according to the learned calculations of the Japanese, the left command would be 30% softer.

The right lever, for its part, should be both more responsive and efficient thanks to the new 310 mm discs (300 mm previously) and pads whose new material would offer more bite … Here is a point – which s ‘adds to the many others! – which Site will take pleasure in checking during a future test…

"Motorcycles will arrive in dealerships in January / February 2015", concludes the marketing and press manager of Kawasaki France."The Versys 650 will be available in black, white or yellow and the Versys 1000 in black, white or orange. The prices are not fixed, but they should not exceed the current prices by more than 200 euros", namely € 7,099 for the small (ABS + € 600) and € 12,499 for the large.

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