Kawasaki has recently presented the 2010 Versys and although the funky middleweight motorcycle carries on technically unchanged, it is anything but a disappointment in terms of engine performance or handling. While most riders could have lived with a slightly lower riding position, the bike is now simply redesigned, but retains the original style that caught interest in the first place. > More
Kawasaki Motors has today published the official presentation video of the 2010 Versys, which is technically unchanged, but gets what is Kawasaki’s idea of a pretty face.
Kawasaki starts the week at full throttle and releases the first photos and info regarding four of their 2010 street models, the Ninja ZX-10R, Z1000, Concours 14 and Versys. We have come to find that they are a bit retained with the upgrades, something that defines their strategy in the uncertain times that we’re traversing.
The best example in this concern is definitely the new Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R, which gets the looks of its middleweight brother, the ZX-6R, and an 18-position Ohlins steering damper. I believe it’s in vain mentioning how much more we were expecting considering the competition in this class, but in the end 200bhp is nothing to laugh at.
At least Kawasaki doesn’t break the “all-new 2010 Z1000” promise and the new bike will be powered by a 1,043cc inline-four engine developing 136bhp and 81lb/ft of torque. The frame is now made of aluminum while the suspension and brakes are new as well and the thing has a dry weight of 436.9lbs (198.2kg). The 2010 Kawasaki Z1000 also looks new, but that doesn’t necessarily mean better. It should make a statement against motorcycles such as the Ducati Streetfighter and MV Agusta Brutale 1090RR, but definitely not at a first glance.
The 2010 Kawasaki Concours 14 gets traction control and a fuel economy mode as well as anti-lock brakes and a much more appealing design.
At the bottom of our list is the new Kawasaki Versys, which gets a new strange headlight and what we dare calling a facelift. Powered by the same 62bhp 649cc parallel-twin, this versatile middleweight motorcycle
should now be an even sweeter ride thanks to the new footpegs with rubber inserts, clearly a nice touch claimed to reduce vibrations.
Expect to read more about each model on this page in the next couple of days.
Although Kawasaki never designed the Versys to be a naked, but a middleweight sport-touring motorcycle, WrenchMonkees have come up with their own approach towards the original Japanese idea. They got rid of the strange looking headlight and half fairing then brought not only their own headlight and headlight brackets, but also a new front fender, Rizoma handlebar and clamps as well as front and rear turn signals. Further enhancing the bike’s now much sportier nature is the WM seat, while the custom paint and exhaust heat wrap make this a veritable midnight naked, if you accept the term. > More
Kawasaki presents the 2009 Versys without having too much to mention under the “Improvements” heading as the bike is still a relatively new introduction, a faultless one considering the many positive opinions we got related to it.
They do ad a new color scheme, the Blue in the pictures, apart from Kawasaki Green, but the Versys remains the same all-rounder with many secrets yet to be unveiled when you jump on its seat. Combining a touring-like riding position with sports-like design and performance, a rider would have to reconsider its idea about data such as the 64 Hp, 45lb/ft moving 454 lbs wet weight.
That’s a great bike to get for just over $7K, now painted, hopefully, according to your preferences.
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