The 2010 Kawasaki Versys is a funky middleweight motorcycle that carries on technically unchanged and yet 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.
Introduction
If you though the headlight of the first Versys was weird, just take a look at the new stacked dual one and start reconsidering. The fairing around it is new as well and there’s also a larger, three-position adjustable windscreen for improved wind protection. Furthermore, the front fender was redesigned and together with the engine covers radiator shrouds and muffler completes the list of most notable cosmetic upgrades seen on the 2010 Kawasaki Versys.
2010 Kawasaki Versys
64-hp fuel injected parallel twin engine
Still weighing 454.1 pounds wet, this middleweight settles with its 649 cc parallel-twin’s 64 hp and 44.9 lb/ft, but the engine vibrations level should be significantly reduced thanks to the rubber mounts at the rear and rubber footpegs.
As in the case of the previous model years, this bike’s biggest drawback is the 33.1-inch seat height. Probably as soon as Kawasaki starts thinking at the Versys as to a street only motorcycle, the model’s success will be complete.
First introduced at the end of 2007 as a 2008 model year, the Kawasaki Versys was Big Green’s response to the market’s request for a fairly small and extremely versatile motorcycle. The bike got positive reviews from magazines around the world for being very lively and comfortable, but test riders could have lived with better wind protection and less engine vibrations. The 2010 model year has come to fix that and also ads improved build quality.
Competition
Also, the Kawasaki Versys was originally launched as a response to motorcycles such as the Suzuki V-Strom 650, BMW F 650 GS and despite the more than decent ground clearance, upright riding position and tall seat, it turned out being bought mostly by riders with plans to ride it on the street and didn’t cut that much in the dual-sport pie shared both by Japanese and European manufacturers. Now Kawasaki’s most inspired move would be to lower the seat at around 31.5 inches without sacrificing ground clearance. This would make the Versys even more versatile and competitive in a segment it wasn’t quite built for.
Exterior
2010 Kawasaki Versys
In the end, this is a sportbike that we’re talking about, one featuring a distinctive design shared with no other bike on the market or in the Kawasaki lineup. It clearly isn’t built for speed, but to easily manage with city traffic and turn out being a comfortable, wind protective two-wheeler down the open road. This means that, despite the imposing stature, this thing is designed around the rider and it all shows from the first look at it: the seat is spacious and the tank is narrow at the rider’s legs, while the footpegs and handlebars are brought close to the rider.
The Kawasaki Versys was never a pretty-faced motorcycle and the 2010 model year gets more serious about its image. Both the new headlight and windscreen make it more attractive and quite similar to KTMs from this point of view. We’ll have to say it looks pretty much like a sport-touring model if you watch it in your rearview mirror, but its new bar mirrors will betray it at a more thorough look.
2010 Kawasaki Versys
Although an entry-level motorcycle, the goal was to make it look high-tech and the revised muffler, clutch cover, sprocket and alternator covers, radiator shrouds, swingarm pivot covers and rear fender bring a major contribution at making the new Versys look more expensive that it actually is. At the back, you get a Z1000-style LED light, a new passenger riding position and revised grab rails. Also, the seat is now covered in a new material.
The Metallic Spark Black color enhances this model’s now much more abstemious appearance.
"The 2010 Kawasaki Versys benefits from a styling overhaul, practical changes like larger mirrors and less vibes thanks to new rubber mountings for the engine. But don’t dismiss it as a dull commuter - its punchy 649cc parallel-twin engine has enough low-down grunt to loft the front in 1st and 2nd." – motorcyclenews
"There’s just 64bhp claimed from the motor, but it delivers those ponies in a fun, vibrant fashion (which is journo-speak for ’it wheelies like a mad thing’). Top end is about 120mph indicated with a following wind, and the delivery is meaty yet smooth low-down." – superbike
"The Versys was in its elephant up in the mountains on left, right, right, left, left switchbacks. Just hold it one gear, let it thud-thud-thud out of the apex until it hits the limiter before the peel in point for the next tight corner. It makes for effortless, er, spirited riding." – visordown
Price
Starting at $7,599, the 2010 Kawasaki Versys isn’t walking on soft ground if we consider the 2009 model year’s $7,099 MSRP. We’re seeing bikes that carry on completely unchanged and demanding much more Benjamin Franklins than only a year before.
Conclusion
All in all, the new Versys should turn out providing a slightly more pleasurable riding experience for both rider and passenger. Yet, the main difference is achieved by the much more serious look.
A new fairing, stacked dual headlight, new front fender and mirrors, and a Z1000-style LED tail light, give the Versys a bold new high-tech look
A larger windscreen provides a larger still-air pocket for increased comfort; three-position adjustability makes it adaptable to fit a variety of riders and climates
Revised passenger grab rails, new seat cover material, and a little fine-tuning of the passenger seating position make the Versys even more fun for passengers
Rubber bushings at the rear engine mounts and hollow rubber-covered footpegs result in reduced engine vibration and a more comfortable ride
Revisions to the muffler, clutch cover, sprocket and alternator covers, radiator shrouds, swingarm pivot covers and rear fender all contribute to the Versys bold new high-quality look
649cc DOHC Parallel Twin-Cylinder Engine
The most compact engine in its category helps reduce the dimensions of the entire motorcycle
Triangular crank and transmission shaft layout keeps it short front-to-back
A semi-dry sump oil system reduces overall engine height
The narrow, chrome composite-plated aluminum cylinders help reduce engine width
This one is tuned to deliver smooth, responsive power in the low- to mid-rpm range for exceptional roll-on response ideal for negotiating city traffic, tight backroads and anything in between
A 180-degree crankshaft and a balancer shaft produce an uncannily smooth engine
Oil jets on the connecting rod ends spray oil on the undersides of the pistons to aid cooling
An under-engine muffler with 3-way catalyzer aids mass centralization for light handling and great looks
Liquid Cooling
Engine temperatures stay consistent for long engine life and sustained power in tough conditions
Closer engine tolerances mean more horsepower
Coolant routed through the engine cases reduces the number of external hoses
Digital Fuel Injection (DFI)
A pair of 38mm Keihin throttle bodies with ECU-controlled sub-throttle valves mean optimum performance and ridability
Sub throttles, located behind the main throttle valves, give the Versys precise throttle response and great feel as well
An automatic fast idle system makes starting and warm-up easy, even on cold days
Precise fuel injection provides great fuel mileage, and the 3-way catalyzer significantly reduces emissions
Digital Capacitor Discharge Ignition (CDI) System
Microprocessor-controlled timing never requires adjustment and is ultra-responsive to the engine’s needs
Powerful, spark plug-mounted stick ignition coils are compact, light and reliable
Six-Speed Transmission
Versys racing-style cassette transmission uses a compact layout that’s easily removable as a single unit from the engine cases for much easier gearbox maintenance
High-Tensile Steel Trellis Frame
The Versys exotic-looking trellis frame is small, light and narrow at the knees and pegs for excellent comfort and control
3D computer analysis in the design process achieved optimum stiffness balance for superior ride and handling
Single Shock Rear Suspension
A distinctive aluminum gull-wing swingarm controlled by a lay-down single shock complements the distinctive frame design, with an integrated line flowing from steering head to rear hub
The short, compact frame and engine design allows the swingarm to be longer, which improves overall handling
The Showa shock has adjustable preload and rebound damping, and uses a free piston and two-stage damping valves for smooth action during initial compression that becomes firmer near the end of the stroke for a more planted feel
Long-Travel Fork
A 41mm long-travel inverted fork combines the best of dual sport and sportbike-type suspensions, to deliver excellent performance over a wide range of conditions
Tapered, relatively short outer tubes help provide the ideal stiffness balance to complement frame stiffness and chassis settings
Fork height, spring preload and rebound damping can be adjusted to fine-tune the suspension to specific conditions, riding styles and loads
Petal Style Brake Discs
Dual 300mm front petal discs with two-piston calipers in front and a single 220mm rear petal disc with a single-piston caliper in back provide plenty of stopping power
Same rotor design as found on the Ninja supersport machines, petal design rotors offer improved cooling and warp resistance
Six-spoke Wheels
Like the ones you’ll find on the Ninja ZX-6R and ZX-10R, these six-spoke wheels use less material between spokes so rim thickness is reduced along with overall wheel weight
Each section of the two-piece seat was designed with a different thickness and firmness of foam to optimize comfort for both rider and passenger
The passenger seat and grab bars were designed to provide a natural seating position for added comfort
An easy-to-read instrument panel has a large analog tachometer and digital readout for the speedometer, fuel gauge, odometer, dual trip meters and clock. White LED backlighting provides increased visibility at night
I just bought this bike today, ...Saturday June 06’ 2010! I’m 5’11" and weigh in on average at about 180lbs. For me, there is NO drawback whatsoever to the seat height. And in my opinion, I don’t want Kawasaki to convert this to just another street sport bike. Enough of those exist as it is!
I specifically love the reasons behind the development of this bike, and its versatility! The only thing I’ll change are the tires once these are worn down, and put a tire on that supports more of a dual terrain.
I bought this bike in So. Cal. at Champion Motorsports in Costa Mesa, CA. These are the only guys I will purchase from! Thanks for the awesome deal Champion! If you’re local, or not that far away, and interested, stop in and see either Art or Dave. Tell them Tommy Lee sent you!
I am looking at the Kawasaki Versys mostly because I spend a lot of time in Tijuana Mexico. In TJ you have sand, rocks and crater to monster pot holes, and the streets turn in to rivers when it rains. (No I am not joking).
What I don’t get is why TopSpeed has 33.1-inch seat height is the bike’s biggest drawback. The world is getting taller. After WW2 the Americans stood the tallest in the world but that has changed. Now we are not.
If a bike is tall or not it is not a drawback it is about choice. Just like I prefer my women to have buts smaller than mine and some riders’ like them to have Big Buts. In the end it is all good. It is just a rider’s choice.
Posted on
06.6.2010 @ 02:44
I just bought this bike today, ...Saturday June 06’ 2010! I’m 5’11" and weigh in on average at about 180lbs. For me, there is NO drawback whatsoever to the seat height. And in my opinion, I don’t want Kawasaki to convert this to just another street sport bike. Enough of those exist as it is!
I specifically love the reasons behind the development of this bike, and its versatility! The only thing I’ll change are the tires once these are worn down, and put a tire on that supports more of a dual terrain.
I bought this bike in So. Cal. at Champion Motorsports in Costa Mesa, CA. These are the only guys I will purchase from! Thanks for the awesome deal Champion! If you’re local, or not that far away, and interested, stop in and see either Art or Dave. Tell them Tommy Lee sent you!