2010 Versys test: Kawasaki corrects its aim

Launched at the end of 2006, the Versys did not meet the expected success. For 2010, Kawasaki has therefore refined its road trail and its communication with a new face, more comfort and an improved motorcycle image.. MNC checks: road test !

The same … a little better !

What a joy indeed to take this trail wearing real 17-inch road tires (Dunlop Sportmax 221, but the Pirelli Scorpion Sync are offered on non-ABS versions) turn after turn, with disconcerting ease and efficiency..

We will thank in passing the weight of the beast (206 kg all full and +3 kg for the ABS), its rear tire of only 160 mm, its excellent turning radius and its high and wide handlebars which allow the motorcycle from one angle to the other much more easily than on any sports car…

On slow courses, owners of Supersport or Superbike will even have to spit copiously in the gloves to follow the Versys pilots. Even roadster owners will – for the most part – ride a tone below: try it, you’ll see !

Naturally, on the faster portions, the sports cars will gain the upper hand: the 650 cc twin cylinder has its limits (64 hp at 8000 rpm always and 61 Nm 1200 rpm earlier), just like its high suspensions (which make the most of travel 150 mm at the front and 145 at the rear) !

On the other hand, the upright driving position and the comfort of the saddle helping, we align the kilometers on the Versys without realizing it. And on this point, Kawasaki is in clear progress.

The new screen offers better protection: in older children, only the ends of the shoulders and the helmet are now tossed about by the wind. It only takes a little to protect yourself from most of the shocks, but we just regret that its three different settings require the use of a key (supplied).

In fact, only the brakes can be truly criticized by the more athletic of our readers: their lack of bite, which is moreover very safe in the rain, requires the pilot to frankly grab the lever to perform heavy braking around the pins or the crossroads.

On the ABS version, we note some twitching of the lever and the pedal during the intervention of the system. It is not necessarily pleasant but for 600 € (the standard version is displayed at 7,390 €), we effectively guard against stupid falls that could damage the brand new plastic of the beautiful !

Because this is where most of the evolution of this – top resides? – model: a facelift supposed to revive its appeal to bikers aged 30 to 40 – "him or her", insists Kawasaki – eager for freedom, fun, outings with friends, sport, but also functionality and efficiency in urban areas.

The managers of the brand – in Europe as in France – realized a little late of a gap between their commercial discourse and reality. Thus, when it was released in 2006, the Versys was presented as a versatile motorcycle but above all funny..

Gold "many of our users put forward its practical aspect specific to the mid-capacity trail, which leads us to modify our communication a little", explains Maurice de Rochefort, press manager of Kawasaki France..

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