Kawasaki Versys 1000

Kev - Ask the boys at Kwak why they have such an aversion to designing practical bikes with a bloody center stand! I love the layout of this bike - and no doubt it'll be great to ride - but arseing about with scottoilers and those stupid little prop stands is all a bit 19th century....

Have to agree Sid, the new ER6 sure is purdy, but the Versys 1000 looks to me like a cyclops with conjunctivitis penned it's design?

As it's a road-orientated chain-drive machine it fits best as an Adventure-Sports bike. So it's main opposition (albeit at totally different capacities), as I see it anywayz, are: Ducati Multistrada, KTM 990 SMT and Tiger 800 roadie.

The MTS is playing in the premiership, so it's probably seeing itself as the leader vs Triumph and KTM only. It certainly has a 2 litre tank capacity advantage over both, although I doubt it'll match the Tiger's frugality.

It certainly can't match those boys on the dripping wet scales being 24 kg more than the KTM and 29kg more than the Tiger. It's PTW ratio (hp and torque) are slightly better than the Triumph and slightly worse than the KTM, so price point may be critical.

The KTM is light, has WP suspension and Brembo brakes and is an all day comfy ride, with a lightweight sporting edge. So it's got to be priced right versus that. The Triumph will take sales from the cost conscious short of leg. And the KTM is ready to race to coin a phrase.

So perhaps it's target audience is actually those who think two cylinder evil, four cylinders good. And perhaps want a large Adventure 'styled' bike but don't do lardy shafts and place function over form?

Good luck Kawasaki, but I doubt it will sell as well as the smaller brother unless both the price and available deals are really attractive to would be Obi Ewan's.

In lieu of the above, Kev, I'd like to ask them who they specifically think their intended target audience is? Who do they see as their most direct competition? And how do they see this segment changing over the next 3-5 years?

Saw it at the show. Much uglier in the metal than in the pictures. Why would you?

All academic, it's just too ugly. And too big.

According to www.cycleworld.com this bike won't be coming to the USA anytime soon.

I guess the American motorcycle market isn't big enough for these motorcycle companies. Vastly different from the auto segment, where US sales are HUGE.

Kevin - You mentioned how Kawasaki chose a pure road set-up for this model, as the Tiger 1050, KTM SMT, MTS etc.

Given your wealth of "actual" experience riding all/most of these Adventure type bikes, I'd like your view on the practical/actual compromises with models designed for some off-road use - 110-19/21" F & 150-17" R, longer/softer suspension and dual sport tires.

Would these specs only affect handling when riding at 80+% or even at 70%? What about in the rain?

Thanks & cheers.

I must admit, this bike was in my crosshair until I read Kevin's review. There is just no way I'm going to buy a bike with faults like these. Oh well, back to the drawing board again. Probably just gone buy a new V-Strom instead.

Far too ugly and nowhere near enough versatility for me. I'll stick with my T800XC.

Kevin, kudos to you for reporting so honestly, about faults found on your press ride.

Vibration, high speed instability, suspension issues, are all points we want to know about NOW, not after a sedate dealer demo ! I'm sure it's not easy to jeopardize your relationship with manufacturers, by speaking your mind, rather than "towing the line."

For myself, it could have been everything in an upright touring bike, that the DL1000 never was. Sadly it seems like just another budget build, with numerous inherent flaws. Especially considering the instability at elevated speeds, load it down heavily and you're looking for trouble, so common with the 2002+ DL1000's as well...

There's no excuse, for not addressing high speed stability issues, with or without luggage / loads, during the developmental stages !

996DL

I have heard of instability on the DL1000 but not had what I would consider a problem with my touring model. Cruising through Germany it was fine up to 110mph two up with a fortnights camping/touring gear on board - although I replaced the top box with a long low bag. I wasn't happy at speeds above this but the bike did it.
I suspect the issues on these bikes at least may be the result of a heavily loaded top box as this does effect stability.

Another issue could be unrealistic expectations. You simply can't expect a budget bike to perform the same way as a considerably more expensive model. The DL1000 offers superb value for money.

Regarding handling issues I wonder how many reported problems are simply down to tyre pressure? I recently started getting significant problems with one of my Guzzi's, then the other, then the XJ900. Then, after a lot of pratting about it finally came to light my tyre pressure gauge had started giving false readings. Hallelula! All problems resolved after 10 minutes with a foot pump! I wonder how many other problems are caused by innacurate pressure gauges? There are a lot about...

Kevin if you encountered front end "vagueness" at higher speeds, running solo with next to no loads carried aft in the oem equipped luggage system, it doesn't bode well for when the bike is loaded down heavily, for real world touring applications.

unconventi onal rebel you're running WITH a passenger, which might help "plant" the DL somewhat more than without and I'd guess your speed quotes are from an uncorrected, optimistic speedo as well. 1st gen DL's aerodynamically uplift / unload the front end, as speeds increase and this is exacerbated with rearward loading and types of luggage systems utilized and no, I don't forgive instability issues in touring bikes, regardless of price tags.

With years of tweaking, countless dollars and slimline Happy Trail panniers substituted over previous Zegas, my speedo corrected 04 DL1000 doesn't get overly nervous until an honest 100mph running solo, but it's still a seriously flawed, though reliable mount. Remember the damn thing was and still is, ecm speed restricted in 5th and 6th gears, from day one. Far cheaper, than getting it right the first time, by going back to the drawing boards.

Anyway all, take Kevin's frankly stated insights seriously, if you like to load a bike heavily, run solo and aren't shy of wicking it up for a high speed pass...

996DL