2008 Kawasaki Versys Information and Photos

[Hondo]

From the Kawasaki Media site-

Specifications

Engine: Four-stroke, liquid cooled, DOHC, four-valve per cylinder, parallel twin
Displacement: 649cc
Bore x stroke: 83.0 x 60.0mm
Compression ratio: 10.6:1
Maximum torque: 44.9 lb/ft @6,800 rpm
Cooling: Liquid
Fuel injection: Digital fuel injection with two 38mm Keihin throttle bodies
Ignition: Digital CDI
Transmission: Six-speed
Final drive: O-Ring chain
Frame: Semi-double cradle, high-tensile steel
Rake / trail: 25 degrees / 4.3 in.
Wheelbase: 55.7 in.
Front suspension / wheel travel: 41mm hydraulic telescopic fork with adjustable rebound and preload / 5.9 in.
Rear suspension / wheel travel: Single offset laydown shock with adjustable rebound and spring preload / 5.7 in.
Front tire: 120/70x17
Rear tire: 160/60x17
Front brake: Dual 300mm petal discs with two-piston caliper
Rear brake: Single 220mm petal disc with single-piston caliper
Overall length: 83.7 in.
Overall width: 33.1 in.
Overall height: 51.8 in.
Seat height: 33.1 in.
Dry weight: 399 lbs.
Fuel capacity: 5.0 gal.
Color: Passion Red
MSRP: $6,899
Warranty: 12 months
Wholesale distributor: Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.
9950 Jeronimo Road
Irvine, California 92618
(949) 7700400
www.kawasaki.com

Features

Unique features

Aggressive styling

Powerful parallel-twin engine

Compact size and weight

Long-travel suspension

Comfortable cockpit


Engine

649cc parallel twin-cylinder, DOHC engine is the most compact in its category.

The engine is considerably smaller than that of the Ninja 500 and helps reduce the dimension of the entire motorcycle 

Tuned to deliver smooth, responsive power in the low-to mid-rpm range with exceptional roll-on response –ideal for negotiating city traffic

Triangular crank and transmission shaft layout makes it short front to back, a semi-dry sump oil system reduces overall engine height, and the narrow pitch of the chrome composite plated aluminum cylinders helps reduce engine width

Muffler with 3-way catalyzer and bullet-tip opening is mounted below the engine to help lower the center of gravity and aid weight centralization 

180-degree crankshaft plus balancer shaft for extremely smooth engine operation 

Oil jets on the connecting rod big ends spray oil on the undersides of the pistons to aid cooling


Liquid Cooling

Maintains consistent engine temperatures for long engine life and sustained power during hard use 

Allows closer engine tolerances for more horsepower 

Fewer external hoses because the coolant is routed through the engine cases

 

Digital Fuel Injection (DFI)

Utilizes 38mm Keihin throttle bodies with ECU controlled sub throttle valves for optimum performance and rideability

The sub throttles, located behind the main throttle valves, permit the DFI system a more precise throttle response, similar to a constant velocity carburetor

Automatic fast idle system makes starting and warm-up easy

Precise fuel injection plus exhaust catalyzer significantly reduce emissions


Digital Capacitor Discharge Ignition (CDI) System

Microprocessor controlled timing never requires adjustment and is ultra responsive to engine needs

Spark plug mounted “stick” ignition coils are compact and help reduce weight

 

Six-Speed Transmission

Cassette style transmission means the shafts and shift drum are in a compact layout that is easily removed as a single unit from the case for easier maintenance

 

Trellis Frame

High tensile steel trellis frame is small and light

Designed using 3-dimensional computer analysis to achieve the optimum stiffness balance for better handling

Narrow at the knees and feet for increased rider comfort and control 


Single shock Rear Suspension

Aluminum gull-wing swingarm and offset, laydown single rear shock complement the frame design to create an integrated line flowing from the steering head to the rear hub 

Short, compact frame and engine design allows the swingarm to be longer, which helps improve overall handling

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 much firmer near the end of the stroke for a more planted feel


Long-Travel Fork

41mm Inverted fork with stiff springs combines the best of off-road and sportbike-type suspension for excellent performance over a wide range of conditions

Tapered, relatively short outer tubes help provide the ideal stiffness balance to compliment chassis settings

Fork height, preload and rebound damping can all be adjusted to fine-tune the suspension to specific conditions or riding style


Triple Petal Design Brake Discs

Petal design rotors offer improved cooling and warp resistance

Same rotor design as found on the Ninja ZX™-6R and ZX™-10R supersport machines


Six-spoke wheels

Also found on the Ninja ZX-6R and ZX-10R; the six-spoke design requires much less material between spokes so that the rim thickness is thinner and overall wheel weight is reduced

 

Comfortable Cockpit

Each part of the two-piece seat was designed with a different thickness and firmness of foam to optimize comfort for both rider and passenger

Passenger seat and grab bars were designed to provide a natural seating position for added comfort

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


Adjustable Windscreen

Three different settings, each 20mm apart, allows riders to adjust windscreen height to suit their preferences

Now some pics-

[Hondo]

Here it is- 

[Hondo]

More goodness-

[Hondo]

Final 2 pics from Kawasaki.com -

[blastfurnace]

I forgot which one of you said you were going to buy me this...

[46moo]

Um....I believe that was Hondo and I'm pretty sure he said there was one in the works for me as well.   

[Hondo]

I wish I had those kinds of resources....

[Biker Scout]

It would look good with one of my KLR roundel decals on the side instead of "Versys" (or whatever that means)

[Ron_NC]

I can see myself putting some miles on the tarmac with the Versys. Get the colored keyed Givi bags, load
them up with gear and head for the mountains. Maybe do a forest service road or two at a slow pace.

[46moo]

I wish I had those kinds of resources....

So do I!   

[caborado]

OOOOOOO.... nope not going to look to long and drool, my KLR will get jealous

[KaribKLR]

All it needs is a single swing-arm and a drive shaft...

K

[Hondo]

Here's a review of the Ninja 650R, which shares the same engine $ what looks like the frame & suspension-

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/15july05_2006kawasaki_er6n.htm

72HP!

[baytech]

Here's the UK site dedicated to the VERsatile SYStem. Its been there since ±Nov 06 - The motor is is a slightly detuned version of the ER6-N/F - less top end, more mid-range torque.
It's a midrange commuter, plain and simple. Not a sport bike, but it goes very well, not a DS, but it can, at a squeeze, do off pavement. In short, its a commuter workhorse.
http://www.versys.co.uk

[Tim]

Saw one at the dealer when I was picking up my KLR.  Neat looking machine and looks actually rideable and not terribly expensive.  Is Kawasaki the only bike maker who is finally figuring out that sore asses, wrists and knees doesn't sell a lot of bikes?

[Hondo]

some more pics that I found-

[Hondo]

Review has been approved, whenever they get one in-

[46moo]

Woo hoo!!!              

[bycharlie]

Hey Tim, I'm Just wondering where that dealer is located...  I've been a real pain calling dealers and even Kawasaki  every week here in US to find out about availability.

[Hondo]

My dealer contact said that US arrival could be as far away as Feb '08-

[Tim]

The dealer is in London Ontario Canada.  Inglis Cycle Center.  I'm sure they wouldn't mind shipping one down to you.  The dollar difference sucks for you guys right now though.  They are the best dealer I've ever dealt with.  They know what "service" means and they prove it every time I go in.  Family run and you are part of the family when you buy from them.  Check them out on the web.  www.ingliscycle.com
Happy hunting.
Tim

[baytech]

I think the 'States have timed the delivery of the Versys quite well - most of the teething problems will have been sorted by the time it hits your shores, but a few quirks will remain, too.
The European riders have found the windshield wanting, especially the taller guys - aftermarket replacements are selling well, and some have even turned to OE screen upside-down with good results. And many who changed over from a sport-bike ride are not totally stoked about the brakes, but quite a few are now fitting braided lines. The factory has acknowledged and fixed a reported fairing buzz on the earlier bikes (3 to 4000 rpm). Many rate the stock tyres great in the dry, frightening in the wet - many are now at the point where they are changing to new rubber as the originals have worn out - we await their reports on the various alternatives being tried. Many are fitting aftermarket huggers and front fender extensions as the original fender design has more to do with style than function, and there are also numerous riders fitting radiator guards, crash bars, and various other aftermarket "toys". Some have tried replacing the plastic "cheek plate" engine fairings with the ER-6N belly pan (direct fit, no mods required), with good reported results. Quite a few have fitted various aftermarket 'pipes, mainly to improve the noise factor, none seem really aware of any performance improvement.
Only one member has reported he is changing over to a ZZR1400 , not because he wants to, but because the daily 70 mile commute, and two up weekends are proving a bit much for the 650cc unit.
Those who have fitted the Kawasaki panniers are chuffed with them, but are puzzled that Kwaka do not offer a top box in combination with them - yet Givi, the Kwaka suppliers, do!! Many have fitted top boxes, of various makes and sizes, all seem happy with them.
Some are fitting hand guards, mainly for weather protection, others have changed to mirrors incorporating the turn signals, in order to free up space for additional headlights.
A few questions remain - will the 'States be getting ABS versions? - so far, only Europe has 'em. The red colour scheme in Hondo's original post seems to be a new colour just for the US. The last series of pics shows the colours available in Europe and elsewhere. The "red" in these pics is known as a "candy burnt orange", and is quite a long way from the Passion Red we're seeing in the US pics.
In general all are very happy with the Versys, acknowledging that it is very quick, but not a top end sport bike, very agile in the twisties, where many reckon they'll leave a sport bike for dead, great in town for the daily grind, and capable, but not a KLR, in the untopped road category. All reckon it makes a darn good one-up tourer, and a top notch one or two up commuter.
I think those of you who get this bike when it hits the 'States are in for a treat!!

[Ron_NC]

I talked to a Kawasaki dealer in Collinsnville VA yesterday. She said she thought
they were getting one in Aug or Sept 07.

[kentw]

i asked for a quote on versys and when available, and i got this reply:
From :  Mark spence <info@themfi.com>
Sent :  Friday, July 20, 2007 3:00 PM
To :  "'lloyd wilson'" <lloydkwilson@hotmail.com>
Subject :  RE: Thank You For Your Request
 
  |  |  | Inbox
 
 
Hey Kent don't care for your buisness this is a riders shop for riders by riders. Try Walmart.

 
 
this was from this dealership:
    Motorcycle Factory Inc.
3820 Prince William County Parkway
Woodbridge, VA 22192
703.583.9600
motorcyclefactoryinc.com

i suggest anyone in the area, or elsewhere like me, avoid business with this " riders shop for riders by riders".  i think we can decode this phrase to mean "we sell stuff to stupid marks who will pay anything for it". 
anybody know this mark spence and why he would turn away business (even though his profit margin would have been less, so would his costs)?
i'll look him up the next trip i make to maine.

[Ron_NC]

Wow! Doesn't that really piss you off.