Kawasaki India announced that they have started accepting bookings for the 2019 Versys 1000. The new adventure tourer offering from the Japanese brand was unveiled at the EICMA motorcycle show earlier this month. Booking amount for the 2019 Kawasaki Versys 1000 is Rs 1.5 lakh and pre-booking ends on December 31 or before the set target slot is reached. Kawasaki hasn’t mentioned how many units are up for grabs, but did mention that deliveries for the first lot will happen post April 2019. Kawasaki hasn’t shared pricing for the new bike, however, it did mention that the Versys 1000 will be locally assembled and this should result in an aggressive price tag.
The motorcycle gets a cosmetic makeover; the front end is much sharper than the older bike’s and the face is similar to that of the new-generation Kawasaki Ninja family. It now also features an LED headlight, adjustable windscreen and its semi-digital console consists of a LCD display. The 2019 Versys 100 gets equipped with ride-by-wire and electric cruise control. The Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE, in addition, receives cornering lights, cornering ABS and quickshifter; however, the variant isn’t on sale in India.
Kawasaki engineers have also loaded the new Versys 1000 with two power modes and electronic aids such as a five-axis Bosch IMU, Kawasaki Intelligent anti-lock Brake System (KIBS), and the Kawasaki Traction Control (KTRC), which offers three modes.
Underneath the fairing sits a 1,043cc in-line-four engine, delivering 120hp and 102Nm of peak torque. Transmission duties are handled by a 6-speed gearbox. While the 2019 Versys 1000 SE features Kawasaki Electronic Control Suspension (KECS), the India-spec model features conventional adjustable USD fork at the front and a monoshock unit at the back.
Anchorage is provided by a pair of four-piston radial-mounted monoblock calipers biting on 310mm twin discs at the front and a single-piston calliper gripping a 250mm disc at the back. It rides on 17-inch alloy wheels on both ends, with the front wheel employing a 120/70 ZR-17 tyre and the rear wheel coming with a 180/55 ZR17 tyre. Seat height stands at 790mm and the bike has a massive 21-litre fuel tank.
The 2019 Kawasaki Versys 1000 will be available only in candy steel furnace orange colour and it will compete against the Ducati Multistrada 950 and the Suzuki GSX-S1000F in our two-wheeler space.
Vishal Venugopal
Ved Janve
Azaman Chothia
