barrygrussell
Senior Member
Test report originally published in Wroommm!! and reproduced here by kind permission of FMSCT-Live
Like any market where there are significant import taxes Thailand’s motorcycle market is distorted by a 70% tax on any motorcycle not assembled in the Kingdom. In practical terms, that means that unless you are the owner of a successful business or an expatriate on a multinational remuneration package, you will look for the Made in Thailand sign before you make your buying decision. Looking at bikes of over 125cc, one of your first stops will be Kawasaki, the only one of the main Japanese manufacturers to make big bikes here.
We were looking for an affordable bike to shuttle to and from the Thailand Circuit, about an hour’s journey beyond Bangkok’s city limits. We wanted comfort, speed and the ability to cope with the demands of filtering through Bangkok’s congested streets, as well the routine cracks and bumps of Thailand’s highways, so Kawasaki Versys virtually selected itself. At Bt280,000 (US$9,300) it stands alone in this market as a middleweight, affordable adventure style tourer.
We got hold of a nicely run-in Versys with around 7,000km on the clock from Bangkok Bikes Rental. BBR are a safe bet, having stuck to their guns in Thailand’s often tricky motorcycle hire business, providing well-prepared bikes and third party insurance cover from a reputable international company.
The Versys is powered by Kawasaki’s tried and tested 650cc 63bhp parallel twin engine, which provides a useful 45lb ft of torque at 6800 rpm. The original model drew complaints of vibrations, but these have been damped out with better mountings on the new version, so all you feel is a thrumming above 2,000rpm. The engine revs willingly up to the 10,500 red line, though most of the time it only needs to work in the 3,000 to 8,000 zone where you get smooth, useable power. Gear changes are positive, with a gentle click into each gear and it was easy to select neutral when at a standstill; in fact, in around 400km I didn’t hit a single false neutral. Clutch-less upward changes during brisk acceleration were easy too. The front brake works well with less fork dive than you might expect from such a tall bike, while the back brake, which got used a lot to balance the bike when manoeuvering in traffic was a little spongy and required heavy pressure to get the desired effect.
Although the screen looks small there was very little buffeting at higher speeds and the seating position, which gives excellent visibility, is natural and comfortable, with no aches or pains on a two and a half hour trip that took in a mix of fast roads and wriggling through Bangkok traffic. The pillion seat is fine for sub 50kg passengers, but a bit short for anyone more full-sized, so it is better for lone riders. The mirrors give excellent visibility with virtually no vibration.
A full 19 litre tank will easily take you more than 300km, so you really can rack up the distance without when you get a clear run. When you do stop in this land of light motorcycles, the imposing Versys, with its angular good looks attracts admiring nods and glances.
The Versys is an easy bike to live with, mixing practicality with fun and economy for around a quarter of the price of BMW’s definitive adventure class leading GS and without the funny indicator switches. With Kawasaki now rivalling Honda for reliability, it’s hard to think of a reason not to own one.
Kawasaki Versys at a glance
Price: Bt280,000
Power/ Torque: 63bhp at 8,000rpm / 45lb ft at 6,800rpm
Top speed: 185km/hour (estimated)
Fuel tank / range: 19 litres / 300km (mixed urban touring)
Wroommm!! Verdict The Versys is the only bike you ever need to own unless you’re an adrenalin junkie or a poser... A fun, stylish, practical, affordable motorcycle.
With thanks to FMSCT-Live for permission to publish on RideAsia
Like any market where there are significant import taxes Thailand’s motorcycle market is distorted by a 70% tax on any motorcycle not assembled in the Kingdom. In practical terms, that means that unless you are the owner of a successful business or an expatriate on a multinational remuneration package, you will look for the Made in Thailand sign before you make your buying decision. Looking at bikes of over 125cc, one of your first stops will be Kawasaki, the only one of the main Japanese manufacturers to make big bikes here.
We were looking for an affordable bike to shuttle to and from the Thailand Circuit, about an hour’s journey beyond Bangkok’s city limits. We wanted comfort, speed and the ability to cope with the demands of filtering through Bangkok’s congested streets, as well the routine cracks and bumps of Thailand’s highways, so Kawasaki Versys virtually selected itself. At Bt280,000 (US$9,300) it stands alone in this market as a middleweight, affordable adventure style tourer.
We got hold of a nicely run-in Versys with around 7,000km on the clock from Bangkok Bikes Rental. BBR are a safe bet, having stuck to their guns in Thailand’s often tricky motorcycle hire business, providing well-prepared bikes and third party insurance cover from a reputable international company.
The Versys is powered by Kawasaki’s tried and tested 650cc 63bhp parallel twin engine, which provides a useful 45lb ft of torque at 6800 rpm. The original model drew complaints of vibrations, but these have been damped out with better mountings on the new version, so all you feel is a thrumming above 2,000rpm. The engine revs willingly up to the 10,500 red line, though most of the time it only needs to work in the 3,000 to 8,000 zone where you get smooth, useable power. Gear changes are positive, with a gentle click into each gear and it was easy to select neutral when at a standstill; in fact, in around 400km I didn’t hit a single false neutral. Clutch-less upward changes during brisk acceleration were easy too. The front brake works well with less fork dive than you might expect from such a tall bike, while the back brake, which got used a lot to balance the bike when manoeuvering in traffic was a little spongy and required heavy pressure to get the desired effect.
Although the screen looks small there was very little buffeting at higher speeds and the seating position, which gives excellent visibility, is natural and comfortable, with no aches or pains on a two and a half hour trip that took in a mix of fast roads and wriggling through Bangkok traffic. The pillion seat is fine for sub 50kg passengers, but a bit short for anyone more full-sized, so it is better for lone riders. The mirrors give excellent visibility with virtually no vibration.
A full 19 litre tank will easily take you more than 300km, so you really can rack up the distance without when you get a clear run. When you do stop in this land of light motorcycles, the imposing Versys, with its angular good looks attracts admiring nods and glances.
The Versys is an easy bike to live with, mixing practicality with fun and economy for around a quarter of the price of BMW’s definitive adventure class leading GS and without the funny indicator switches. With Kawasaki now rivalling Honda for reliability, it’s hard to think of a reason not to own one.
Kawasaki Versys at a glance
Price: Bt280,000
Power/ Torque: 63bhp at 8,000rpm / 45lb ft at 6,800rpm
Top speed: 185km/hour (estimated)
Fuel tank / range: 19 litres / 300km (mixed urban touring)
Wroommm!! Verdict The Versys is the only bike you ever need to own unless you’re an adrenalin junkie or a poser... A fun, stylish, practical, affordable motorcycle.
With thanks to FMSCT-Live for permission to publish on RideAsia
