Kawasaki Versys 1000: Stand-alone Travel Enduro
Kawasaki Versys 1000: Stand-alone Travel Enduro

Video: Kawasaki Versys 1000: Stand-alone Travel Enduro

Video: Kawasaki Versys 1000: Stand-alone Travel Enduro
Video: 😎 Kawasaki Versys 1000 - Пожиратель Дорог Любого Качества 👍! 2024, March
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The Kawasaki Versys 1000 has a unique selling point in the league of travel enduro bikes. While the competitors for the top dog BMW rely on two cylinders, the Japanese have doubled the number.

The

flood of new products in travel enduros is from Heinz May Groß this year. Everyone wants to dispute the success of BMW's top seller a little and strengthen their own market position. So does Kawasaki. But the Japanese do not need to copy the concepts of others, rather they bring new and fresh ideas into the segment, especially on the technical side. Because the Versys 1000 has the only inline four-cylinder engine in this league, namely the power unit from the Z 1000.

Kawasaki Versys 1000 with a lot of harmony

It has of course been modified for use in the Versys, has an output of just 118 hp instead of 138 and is now more geared towards even power delivery. There is also a three-stage traction control, which can be adjusted using a switch on the left handlebar grip, ABS and an infinitely variable windscreen that can be adjusted without tools. The relationship to the small Versys is limited to the headlights arranged one above the other and the design of the fairing - that's it. Because the light-footedness of the little sister can of course not represent a 1000 with a weight of around 240 kilos - which is a good value in this league.

As is typical of its class, the large Versys pampers the driver as well as the pillion or pillion passenger on the wide seat with a lot of comfort, good wind protection, pleasant knee angles - as well as the convenience of long-legged travel steamer. Something unusual happens when you drive off. You are not used to such a harmonious rustling coming from under the tank from a travel enduro; the harmonious acceleration, the lack of roughness. Why not? Who said that four-in-a-row have no place in this league?

Kawasaki Versys 1000 without a performance hole

The Kawasaki Versys 1000 is the only travel enduro with four cylinders
The Kawasaki Versys 1000 is the only travel enduro with four cylinders

And so, optimistically, we pull the gas and turn up to almost 10,000 tours, which the engine can do without complaint and does not allow itself any noticeable performance loss. What else can one expect from such good genes? And so it happens that we find ourselves relatively quickly on winding country roads, the curves of which the large Versys nimbly circles with a handiness that one would hardly have expected it to be. Incidentally, there is no demand for the alternatively selectable motor mapping for reduced power; traction control is not required. The maneuverability can possibly even be increased with other tires, because it comes as standard on the rather rough Pirelli Scorpion Trail.

The brake calipers of the Versys only provide little delay when applied gently, but they don't scare you with a brutal bite. Strong gripping then presses out all the more considerable braking power out of them. Which is at the expense of controllability, but when in doubt, a sensitive ABS is available.

Kawasaki Versys 1000 combines maneuverability and steering precision

The Kawasaki Versys 1000 is the only travel enduro with four cylinders
The Kawasaki Versys 1000 is the only travel enduro with four cylinders

The upside-down fork with a diameter of 43 millimeters proves to be a further plus thanks to its tight coordination. The Kawasaki unites maneuverability with good steering precision, which promotes the sporty zest for action. Only the shock absorber could use more damping reserves, and it compresses far in bumps. Although the spring base can be lifted effortlessly with the handwheel, it does not offer any adjustment options for the pressure level.

And there is one more point where the large Versys differs from the small. The big one has a thick exhaust silencer on the side, while the small one ends directly behind the collector. What both have in common is that due to the exhaust construction, it is not possible to attach a main stand, which is a shame because the drive is via a chain. The displays in the cockpit, on the other hand, are easy to read and contain all kinds of information, but unfortunately no gear display. The ignition lock is a little unfortunate, as you have to reach deep behind the handlebars to place and turn the key.

Low-key Kawasaki Versys when it comes to price and refueling

The price for a lot of travel comfort and unloaded driving fun is just under 12,000 euros, although it should be noted that the competition is usually a little more expensive. The costs at the petrol station do not ruin the user either: We measured consumption of 5.6 liters per 100 kilometers, which should definitely be optimized on leisurely tours. (SP-X)

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