- May 18, 2017
Today I was able to test ride two bikes: a Kawasaki Versys 650 and a Kawasaki Versys 1000 S. The local dealer here was part of a Kawasaki Road Show thing which allowed them to let anyone who wanted test ride three Versys models (the 650, the 1000 S and the 1000 SE). I'm not interested in buying any of these bikes because I'm not too keen on the whole ADV type of model. But I can see the appeal and practicality.
I was mostly interested in the Versys 1000 but decided to start off with the 650 and save the best for last. Still, I thought the 650 was interesting in its own right because it's built on the same engine that powers Kawasaki's z650 and Ninja 650 models, which arguably are Kawasaki's counterparts to the CB650R and CBR650R (or F variants). I was definitely interested in seeing how the engine in the Versys 650 would compare to my own CBR650F.
The Versys 650 is powered by a parallel twin with a completely different character than the 4-inline engines powering our bikes. The Versys 650 wants you to keep the RPM relatively high (above 6000rpm) has a tendency to stutter if you drop it below 3k. Between 3 and 6000 rpm, the engine really doesn't do all that much. To be honest, I was incredibly underwhelmed by its powerplant. It did nothing for me. It doesn't have a particularly inspiring sound, it lacks oomph and it constantly had me wanting for more. I realize the Versys is down about 15hp on the CBR650F, but I doubt that's the whole story. I wouldn't be surprised if a bike like the Tracer 700 doesn't feel as lacklustre as the Versys 650 at all.
One thing that emphasizes the lack of spice is the ergonomics. Of course, an ADV type of bike is a completely different way to sit on a bike compared to our sports oriented models (especially the CBR with its clip-ons and forward leaning posture), but the "inactive" way of sitting on the Versys makes it too much into what I'd call a practical vehicle rather than a toy to have a blast with.
Having said that, if you're looking for a cheap mode of transport on two wheels that's comfortable and practical (deck it out with panniers and a top case and you can take a lot of luggage with you) and it's definitely a sensible choice. But that's also all it is. A sensible choice, and is that really what you're looking for in a bike? If so, sure, but I want a bike that inspires me with a sense of excitement every time I step on it. And the Versys 650 definitely doesn't do that. The CBR650F on the other hand, still does after 4-and-a-half years of riding it.
Like the CBR650F, the Versys 650 doesn't have riding modes or traction control or fancy electronics. It's a very basic, bare bones package. But I don't think you need anything more than that on a 69hp bike.
So after stepping off the Versys 650 feeling a little underwhelmed, I got my butt onto the Versys 1000 S. This bike has a lot more to offer than the 650. It's got riding modes (Sport, Road and Wet), a quickshifter (up and down), cruise control and all those bells and whistles you expect on a bike in that price segment (even a max lean angle indicator, which is a cute detail). For me personally, the Versys 1000 suffers from not being a sporty bike (ergonomically speaking) just as much as the Versys 650. Yes, I realize this is entirely personal bias.
What the Versys lacks in attitude, it more than makes up in raw power. Its 1043cc 4-inline engine offers 118 peak hp which is a world of difference from the lacklustre twin in the Versys 650. The power is just always there, anywhere and you whatever you want the bike to do, it does it. It always goes. This feels incredibly liberating after riding the Versys 650, where I constantly felt like I needed just a bit more. Opening the throttle on the Versys 1000 is exciting. It just pulls away without breaking a sweat, no matter which gear, no matter what RPM. Giving it the spurs makes the front wheel feel light. Someone with bigger balls than me would probably have no problem power wheelying this bike all day long, despite its weight.
Speaking of weight, even though it has a 240kg wet weight it never feels heavy. Not even when stopped at a traffic light. It also feels quite nimble, waaay more nimble than my CBR650F. Truth be told, the same is true for the Versys 650, but that one doesn't feel nearly as confidence inspiring in the corners as the Versys 1000 does.
When in Road mode, the Versys 1000 feels incredibly smooth. It never stutters, not even when instantly killing the throttle or putting the power on. My own CBR650F does give a very obvious on/off jolt when turning the throttle on or off, but the Versys 1000 really doesn't. It does, however, when you put it in sport mode, but when you really want to give it the beans, you don't want some ECU smoothing out your inputs.
The gearbox feels very smooth, like velvet. Compared to the gearbox in either the CBR650F or the Versys 650, shifting gears on the Versys 1000 feels very luxurious.
So, the final verdict: I would never ever buy a Versys 650. It doesn't excite me in any way. Maybe other people look for other qualities in a bike, but it's just not for me.
The Versys 1000 does offer some excitement because of its engine. It's also nice to sit on a bike which just feels more expensive and where you can just feel it has far more premium components. The novelty of that feeling, however, might wear off quite fast. Would I trade my CBR650F for a Versys 1000? I still don't think so, I feel that the sportiness of the CBR650F gives it just that edge over the Versys 1000 for me personally. But if I were in the market for a bike to do lots of long distance (highway) riding that allowed me to bring lots of luggagy with me, then the Versys 1000 is a no-brainer. It's twice as expensive as the Versys 650, which might be prohibitive for many people, but I feel it's 10 times the bike the Versys 650 is.
I was mostly interested in the Versys 1000 but decided to start off with the 650 and save the best for last. Still, I thought the 650 was interesting in its own right because it's built on the same engine that powers Kawasaki's z650 and Ninja 650 models, which arguably are Kawasaki's counterparts to the CB650R and CBR650R (or F variants). I was definitely interested in seeing how the engine in the Versys 650 would compare to my own CBR650F.
The Versys 650 is powered by a parallel twin with a completely different character than the 4-inline engines powering our bikes. The Versys 650 wants you to keep the RPM relatively high (above 6000rpm) has a tendency to stutter if you drop it below 3k. Between 3 and 6000 rpm, the engine really doesn't do all that much. To be honest, I was incredibly underwhelmed by its powerplant. It did nothing for me. It doesn't have a particularly inspiring sound, it lacks oomph and it constantly had me wanting for more. I realize the Versys is down about 15hp on the CBR650F, but I doubt that's the whole story. I wouldn't be surprised if a bike like the Tracer 700 doesn't feel as lacklustre as the Versys 650 at all.
One thing that emphasizes the lack of spice is the ergonomics. Of course, an ADV type of bike is a completely different way to sit on a bike compared to our sports oriented models (especially the CBR with its clip-ons and forward leaning posture), but the "inactive" way of sitting on the Versys makes it too much into what I'd call a practical vehicle rather than a toy to have a blast with.
Having said that, if you're looking for a cheap mode of transport on two wheels that's comfortable and practical (deck it out with panniers and a top case and you can take a lot of luggage with you) and it's definitely a sensible choice. But that's also all it is. A sensible choice, and is that really what you're looking for in a bike? If so, sure, but I want a bike that inspires me with a sense of excitement every time I step on it. And the Versys 650 definitely doesn't do that. The CBR650F on the other hand, still does after 4-and-a-half years of riding it.
Like the CBR650F, the Versys 650 doesn't have riding modes or traction control or fancy electronics. It's a very basic, bare bones package. But I don't think you need anything more than that on a 69hp bike.
So after stepping off the Versys 650 feeling a little underwhelmed, I got my butt onto the Versys 1000 S. This bike has a lot more to offer than the 650. It's got riding modes (Sport, Road and Wet), a quickshifter (up and down), cruise control and all those bells and whistles you expect on a bike in that price segment (even a max lean angle indicator, which is a cute detail). For me personally, the Versys 1000 suffers from not being a sporty bike (ergonomically speaking) just as much as the Versys 650. Yes, I realize this is entirely personal bias.
What the Versys lacks in attitude, it more than makes up in raw power. Its 1043cc 4-inline engine offers 118 peak hp which is a world of difference from the lacklustre twin in the Versys 650. The power is just always there, anywhere and you whatever you want the bike to do, it does it. It always goes. This feels incredibly liberating after riding the Versys 650, where I constantly felt like I needed just a bit more. Opening the throttle on the Versys 1000 is exciting. It just pulls away without breaking a sweat, no matter which gear, no matter what RPM. Giving it the spurs makes the front wheel feel light. Someone with bigger balls than me would probably have no problem power wheelying this bike all day long, despite its weight.
Speaking of weight, even though it has a 240kg wet weight it never feels heavy. Not even when stopped at a traffic light. It also feels quite nimble, waaay more nimble than my CBR650F. Truth be told, the same is true for the Versys 650, but that one doesn't feel nearly as confidence inspiring in the corners as the Versys 1000 does.
When in Road mode, the Versys 1000 feels incredibly smooth. It never stutters, not even when instantly killing the throttle or putting the power on. My own CBR650F does give a very obvious on/off jolt when turning the throttle on or off, but the Versys 1000 really doesn't. It does, however, when you put it in sport mode, but when you really want to give it the beans, you don't want some ECU smoothing out your inputs.
The gearbox feels very smooth, like velvet. Compared to the gearbox in either the CBR650F or the Versys 650, shifting gears on the Versys 1000 feels very luxurious.
So, the final verdict: I would never ever buy a Versys 650. It doesn't excite me in any way. Maybe other people look for other qualities in a bike, but it's just not for me.
The Versys 1000 does offer some excitement because of its engine. It's also nice to sit on a bike which just feels more expensive and where you can just feel it has far more premium components. The novelty of that feeling, however, might wear off quite fast. Would I trade my CBR650F for a Versys 1000? I still don't think so, I feel that the sportiness of the CBR650F gives it just that edge over the Versys 1000 for me personally. But if I were in the market for a bike to do lots of long distance (highway) riding that allowed me to bring lots of luggagy with me, then the Versys 1000 is a no-brainer. It's twice as expensive as the Versys 650, which might be prohibitive for many people, but I feel it's 10 times the bike the Versys 650 is.
