The Versys Thread

[Throttled]

I have added to my Kawasaki stable with a Versys Tourer.



The Tourer gets the MRA Vario screen, handguards, a gel tank pad and panniers which are marked Kawasaki but are Givi Monokey.

An odd issue is that Kawasaki will not let you buy a top box with the panniers, it is either or, not both. But you can get the three boxes elsewhere, such as Givi. It is supposedly down to weight, but that seems a bit odd. It was not a deal killer for me and I am happy with my Weise Expander tail bag secured under the seat with the strap and bungees. There is hardly any space under the seat anyway.

I got the bike after touring a lot on the KLE500 and finding it underpowered and uncomfortable. But I am keeping the KLE500 for the winter and off road where it really excels. The Versys will be on road only, with the odd dirt track, but nothing more. I have seen film of a Versys with a sump guard being ridden properly off road over rocks and jumps, but the low exhaust means that is not really its best environment.

MotoUSA Project Bike: Kawasaki Versys Part 3 - YouTube

One nod to going off road is the Motowerk Flat Foot (the oily smudges are from giving it a good going over with ACF50)



though since the first time I parked the bike and left it for a while I found the side stand had sunk into the tarmac, it will be useful all of the time. There is no provision for a centre stand due to the exhaust.

I cannot wait to get some proper miles on the clock. It is an odd mix of bike. Tall sports tourer with a bit of off road and commuting thrown in. It certainly is not a direct replacement for the KLE500, bit they nicely complement each other.