Photo: Kawasaki
Withe less and less true dual-sport bikes in the middle segment, it looks like the upper range gets favored. Meet Versys 1000, Kawasaki's new on/off bike for 2013.
Kawasaki goes for an in-line 4-cylinder engine this time, thus leaving the traditional V-Twin path and offering yet another alternative to the BMW boxer engine. The new power unit boast 1,043cc displacement and promises a lot of fun in the mid-range RPM.
It's not the first time Kawasaki takes the engine from one bike, tunes it up for a different purpose and then has it powering a completely different bike: the Versys has a Z1000 engine, but things are a bit different.
The 2013 Kawasaki Versys 1000 comes with dual power modes, with the low power one reducing the engine output to approximately 75% of Full's specs, and the intelligent power control varies according to speed, throttle position and gear. You also get a 3-mode Traction Control, the same offered for the ZZR1400 flagship bike/.
New frame, new adjustable forks, horizontal back-link shock with easy preload adjustment, standard ABS and adjustable windshield complete the big picture. We should add the wide, rigid mount handlebars, 21 L tank and Eco Drive light indicator, all making the 2013 Versys 1000 a truly nifty bike.
One thing will definitely not appeal to adventure riders: if we thought the new R 1200 GS and 1190 Adventure had small front wheels (19”), the 2013 Kawasaki Versys 1000 is even worse, as the 17” front wheel will cope even less with the abuse of bad roads, despite the bike's 118 HP and 102 Nm (around 75 ft-lbs) torque.
It's not the first time Kawasaki takes the engine from one bike, tunes it up for a different purpose and then has it powering a completely different bike: the Versys has a Z1000 engine, but things are a bit different.
The 2013 Kawasaki Versys 1000 comes with dual power modes, with the low power one reducing the engine output to approximately 75% of Full's specs, and the intelligent power control varies according to speed, throttle position and gear. You also get a 3-mode Traction Control, the same offered for the ZZR1400 flagship bike/.
New frame, new adjustable forks, horizontal back-link shock with easy preload adjustment, standard ABS and adjustable windshield complete the big picture. We should add the wide, rigid mount handlebars, 21 L tank and Eco Drive light indicator, all making the 2013 Versys 1000 a truly nifty bike.
One thing will definitely not appeal to adventure riders: if we thought the new R 1200 GS and 1190 Adventure had small front wheels (19”), the 2013 Kawasaki Versys 1000 is even worse, as the 17” front wheel will cope even less with the abuse of bad roads, despite the bike's 118 HP and 102 Nm (around 75 ft-lbs) torque.
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