Kawasaki Versys 1000 review, test ride

The Kawasaki Versys uses a four-stroke, in-line 4-cylinder engine that displaces 1,043cc. The big, liquid-cooled and fuel-injected engine rumbles to life with a gentle push of your thumb, and settles into an in-line 4 typical, butter smooth murmur. The Versys 1000 makes 118.4bhp at 9,000rpm, while maximum torque of 10.4kgm is produced at 7,500rpm.

The big Kawasaki enjoys pleasantly light clutch feel, and benefits from a slip function, as comes standard, a boon when downshifting hard, when the slipper function keeps things smooth and under control, as the powerful, multi-cylinder motorcycle sheds speed. The big Versys has a six-speed transmission with perfectly spaced ratios that shift smoothly in a 1-down, 5-up configuration. Not that you’re going to need to work the gearbox much, having experienced the big motors torque laden performance.

And Kawasaki’s walking the extra mile in terms of generous electronic riding aids, with two performance modes, L and F. One uncaps all the big engine’s power in an aggressive feeling engine map, while the second noticeably softens power delivery. The Versys 1000 performs reasonably well in the bustle of Indian traffic, thanks to a flexible engine, with healthy torque flowing through from as low as 3,000rpm. Open throttle though, and there’s a Kawasaki typical power surge, smooth, velvet fisted but with mega punch that needs to be respected, and gets the front pawing upward to hover over tarmac with ease, in the first three gears. The big Kawasaki pulls with gusto all the way to redline, starting at 10,000rpm, and power comes in a strong wave, that builds momentum with revs. Kawasaki’s KTRC traction control system works like a treat as already experienced on other superbikes from the big K, including the fierce ZX-14R. KTRC offers three modes on the Versys 1000, each progressively restraining the motorcycle rear wheel from stepping out under exuberant throttle, keeping loss of grip on uneven, loose tarmac to manageable levels. Get hard on the gas and the Versys 1000 cleaves through the air with abandon, whooshing past 150kph and pushing towards 200kph in no time, the smooth engine always remaining refined, vibe free and displaying excellent manners thanks to perfectly sorted fuelling. Throttle response is aggressive and requires getting used to if migrating to the Versys 1000 from a small capacity bike, as expected from any 100bhp plus motorcycle.