Kawasaki Versys

Versys 650

Manufacturer	Kawasaki
Production	since 2006
Engine	649 cc liquid-cooled 4-stroke parallel twin
Bore / Stroke	83 × 60 mm (3.3 × 2.4 in)
Compression ratio	10.6:1
Power	59.4 hp (44 kW) @ 8,400 rpm
Torque	42 ft·lb (57 N·m)
Transmission	6-speed, with positive neutral finder
Suspension	Front: 41 mm hydraulic telescopic fork with adjustable rebound and preload, 150 mm (5.9 in) travel Rear: Single offset laydown shock with adjustable rebound and spring preload, 145 mm (5.7 in) travel
Brakes	Front: Dual 30  mm petal discs with 2-piston callipers Rear: Single 220 mm petal disc with single piston calliper
Tyres	front: 120/70-17, rear: 160/60-17
Rake, Trail	25 degrees / 108 mm (4.3 in)
Wheelbase	1,415 mm (55.7 in)
Dimensions	L 2,125 mm (83.7 in) W 840 mm (33 in) H 1,330 mm (52 in)
Seat height	845 mm (33.3 in)
Weight	206 kg (450 lb) (wet)
Fuel capacity	19 L (4.2 imp gal; 5.0 US gal)
Fuel consumption	4.5 L/100 km (63 mpg-imp; 52 mpg-US)
Related	Ninja 650R

The Kawasaki Versys 650, also known as the KLE650, is a middleweight motorcycle with a standard riding posture, introduced by Kawasaki to the European and Canadian markets at the end of 2006 as a 2007 model, and to the US market in late 2007 as a 2008 model. A California model was introduced in 2009. The name Versys is a portmanteau of the words versatile and system.

Technical details

Based on the Ninja 650R / ER-6f. Compared to the Ninja 650R / ER-6f, the Versys has a more upright riding position, a re-tuned engine with stronger low and mid range power, longer suspension travel and a taller seat height. It also has a redesigned sub-frame, different seat, different handle bars, different suspension components, and a different appearance due to a different windshield and plastics.

The Versys's 650 cc liquid cooled, four-stroke parallel-twin engine has been retuned for more bottom-end and mid-range torque. This is achieved with different camshafts and fuel injection mapping. These changes cause peak torque to occur at a lower engine speed and provide better throttle response in the 3000 to 6000 rpm range. In addition a balance tube has been added between the exhaust headers to smooth out power delivery. Power is 59.4 hp (44 kW) @ 8,400 rpm, compared with the Ninja's 65.7 hp (49 kW) @ 8,400 rpm. Torque is 42 ft·lb (57 N·m), compared with the Ninja's 45.5 ft·lb (61.7 N·m) Improving the engine's low and mid range response comes at the expense of a slight reduction in peak horsepower however. A similar approach was recently deployed by Honda with their CBF1000 model. The engine uses a 180 degree crankshaft. This in turn requires an uneven firing interval (180 degrees, 540 degrees) which gives the engine note a distinctive "throbbing" sound at idle.

The Versys suspension has greater vertical travel and more adjust-ability than the suspension on the ER-6 / Ninja 650. It replaces the non-adjustable forks of the Ninja / ER-6 with an inverted front fork with larger diameter tubes. These are externally adjustable for preload and rebound damping. The right fork leg carries a damping cartridge while both legs contain springs. The rear shock is adjustable for preload and rebound damping. It is connected to a beefier alloy swing arm instead of the tubular steel swing arm used on the ER-6.

Awards

2008 Motorcycle of the Year Award by Motorcyclist Magazine.

2008 Best in Class award by Motor Cycle News.

See also

• Universal Japanese motorcycle (UJM)

External links

• Official website