Kawasaki versys how fast

Despite a kerb weight over kg, the Versys is stable and easy to manage at low speeds, and once rolling properly the weight just falls away — it's really very nimble and quick to change direction. The suspension's pretty soft on all models. For most riding that's not a problem, but if you start pushing in the bends like you would on a sportsbike, or pushing well past motorway speeds, it all gets a bit wobbly. The damping's a bit crude as well, managing to be soft half the time, yet still to crash over sudden bumps.

You can make a huge difference to the front end by playing with oil weights and air gaps — you can nearly double the air gap with good results, and dropping to a good quality 5W oil is popular. There's a lot of good advice available on the owners' forums, including an excellent how-to guide for modifying the fork damping shims on versys. There's not a lot to be done with the standard rear shock though.

It's also possible to fit a shock from a mid-noughties Yamaha R1, but it has to go in upside down, and it will need a stiffer spring and a rebuild by a specialist to tailor the damping to your needs. The Versys is designed to be easy to use, and novice-friendly, so that means a relatively soft braking set-up, designed more for feel than outright power.

Swapping to harder HH-rated pads will give a bit more of a positive bite to the action, while changing the original rubber hoses for braided steel items will harden up the feel at the lever, at the expense of a bit of fine control. From the four-piston calipers offer a bit more outright power, but on ABS-equipped models you may find the system kicks in a little earlier than you might like. There's nothing very complicated about the Versys' electrical system, and no really major flaws, except maybe the voltage regulator.

It's a very basic, old-fashioned item, and it's unknown for them to fail, taking the battery and generator with them. Long term owners swear by changing it even if it's not currently ha!

Either way you'll probably have to change the main connector to the generator, but that's no bad thing as the original is a weak point. Otherwise no major dramas. Early bikes are shopwing age-related woes, as you might expect — poor connections, corroded wires, bad earths. The riding position's fairly upright, but not so much as to load your bum and spine too much, and the little flyscreen is surprisingly effective at legal speeds.

It's maybe a little cramped for long distance two-up touring but most owners seemed to do most of their mileage solo. If you do decide to nip off for a two-up trip you need to be careful about overall weights — up to the max permissible payload was just Kg, so most or all of that will be taken up by two adults in full kit, leaving little or nothing for luggage.

From the limit went up to kg thanks to the revised model's beefier subframe. The seat height's pretty tall as standard, and there are plenty of options for kits to lower the rear suspension, usually by around 40mm. If you go down this route, you really need to lower the front suspension too, by dropping the yokes over the forks by around mm. If you don't lower the front as well, you'll really screw up the otherwise sweet steering.

Once lowered, you may find you need to shorten your sidestand to suit. The other option for the vertically challenged is Kawasaki's own low gel seat — as well as being lower it's a bit narrower at the front, which makes a huge difference. There's only the one rider aid — ABS. It was an option on earlier bikes, becoming standard for It's a fairly basic system and experienced riders might find it cuts in a bit early, but that's better than cutting in too late Few Versys owners heavily accessorize their bikes, although heated grips and a properly fitted chain oiler are worth having although not worth paying extra for if you don't have to Top boxes are also popular, both for slimline commuting and as a useful addition to the Tourer's panniers.

Beware though — Kawasaki say you shouldn't use a top box and panniers at the same time on models, although many owners do with no problems. From the subframe's stronger, as already noted, and it's not a problem to have panniers and top box. If not already fitted, it's well worth investing in a front mudguard extender and a rear hugger — makes a big difference to the amount of muck that gets thrown about. Despite being viewed with a bit of bemusement when it first appeared, the Versys has gradually attracted a dedicated following, and it's not hard to see why.

It's a proper do-it-all bike, just as happy commuting all week as it is carving a few backroads or heading off for a weekend fully loaded. There are plenty to choose from, so we'd advise buying the best one you can afford, and be more concerned about condition than mileage — although the finish is pretty good, once they get furry it takes a LOT of effort to get them looking sweet again, so bear that in mind when you're looking at a potential buy.

With such a long model life there are plenty of sources for parts, both aftermarket and second-hand, and lots of knowledgeable owners out there, keen to share their experience.

We'd suggest versys. ABS is optional, so are heated grips and the 12v socket, but in basic form you get a lot for the money. The screen is three way adjustable, mirrors and indicators are larger and most importantly Kawasaki have rubber mounted the engine to reduce vibration - a similar trick they performed on the ER-6N and F.

A couple of scuffs due to low speed drop otherwise in perfect condition. Currently MO …. Owners' rating not rated yet. Specs Owners' reviews Bikes for sale For sale.

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