I traded in my Yamaha V Star 650, for this 2008 Kawasaki Versys 650. “Wow”, I have no regrets! This bike is a “blast”! It’s fast, (fuel injected) and nimble, and the seating position is great. Go down and take one for a test ride, you won’t be sorry. As for any women thinking about getting a bike. It is a “must” to include one of these in your test ride before you make your final decision. I guarantee you’ll love it!
http://www.topspeed.com/motorcycles/motorcycle-reviews/kawasaki/2008-kawasaki-versys-ar37911.html#2forum17038
Not a Ninja
A close look at the Versys’ hard parts reveals it to be much more than a re-clothed Ninja. And riding the Versys showed it to be far more than any entry-level motorcycle.
The 649cc parallel twin engine is basically the same as the 650R, with the exception that both intake and exhaust camshafts sport less duration (intake drops from 272 degrees to 260 degrees, while the exhaust is reduced from 260 degrees to 252 degrees) for better low-end and midrange power. The same style under-engine exhaust is used, but a connector pipe has been added between the two header sections to aid exhaust scavenging. The radiator is 40mm wider than the Ninja’s unit, increasing cooling capacity by a claimed 12 percent.
Although the steel-tube frame is nearly identical to the one on the 650R, the steering geometry has been relaxed slightly (rake has been increased 0.5 degrees to 25 degrees, with a corresponding 0.1 inch increase in trail) to adapt to the Versys’ higher stance and wider range of intended riding environments. The aluminum swingarm is all new, however, with a more substantial-looking curved box-section design on the right side and braced square-tube construction on the left. The rear subframe has also been reinforced with additional bracing, in order to handle the increased loads of a passenger (which was more of an afterthought on the Ninja) and the optional hard luggage.
Big changes are apparent in the suspension, with the 650R’s somewhat wimpy/ cheap-looking conventional fork replaced with a longer-travel (from the Ninja’s 4.7 inches to 5.9 inches) 41mm inverted fork. Spring preload and rebound damping are fully adjustable (unlike the Ninja’s non-adjustable units), although rebound is only adjustable on the right-side fork leg, probably for cost reasons. The rear shock is still mounted in a cantilever setup (no linkage) but now has rebound damping adjustability to accompany the spring preload adjuster. Wheel travel has also increased in the rear, going from 4.9 inches on the Ninja to 5.7 inches; internal gas pressure has been doubled (up to 284 psi) in order to deal with the increased suspension travel. Wheels are the same, as are the dual two-piston sliding calipers and 300mm petal discs; the discs themselves, however, are 0.5mm thicker for improved fade resistance.
As you’d expect with the high handlebar, the ergos are substantially revised from the 650R. The footpegs are actually lowered and moved forward compared to the Ninja, with a much better and thicker padding on both rider and passenger sections of the seat. The handlebar is not only 3 inches wider than the 650R, but also 4.25 inches higher, offering up a much more suitable riding position for longer rides. Adding to that aspect is a larger fuel tank on the Versys, which holds a full 5.0 gallons instead of the Ninja’s 4.1-gallon unit.
A small quarter-fairing covers a new instrument panel with centrally mounted analog tachometer flanked by warning lights on the left and an LCD panel on the right sporting a digital speedometer, odometer/tripmeter, fuel gauge and clock. The windshield can be mounted in one of three different positions (in 20mm height increments).
a close look at the Versys’ hard parts reveals it to be much more than a re-clothed Ninja. And riding the Versys showed it to be far more than any entry-level motorcycle.
The 649cc parallel twin engine is basically the same as the 650R, with the exception that both intake and exhaust camshafts sport less duration (intake drops from 272 degrees to 260 degrees, while the exhaust is reduced from 260 degrees to 252 degrees) for better low-end and midrange power. The same style under-engine exhaust is used, but a connector pipe has been added between the two header sections to aid exhaust scavenging. The radiator is 40mm wider than the Ninja’s unit, increasing cooling capacity by a claimed 12 percent.
Although the steel-tube frame is nearly identical to the one on the 650R, the steering geometry has been relaxed slightly (rake has been increased 0.5 degrees to 25 degrees, with a corresponding 0.1 inch increase in trail) to adapt to the Versys’ higher stance and wider range of intended riding environments. The aluminum swingarm is all new, however, with a more substantial-looking curved box-section design on the right side and braced square-tube construction on the left. The rear subframe has also been reinforced with additional bracing, in order to handle the increased loads of a passenger (which was more of an afterthought on the Ninja) and the optional hard luggage.
Big changes are apparent in the suspension, with the 650R’s somewhat wimpy/ cheap-looking conventional fork replaced with a longer-travel (from the Ninja’s 4.7 inches to 5.9 inches) 41mm inverted fork. Spring preload and rebound damping are fully adjustable (unlike the Ninja’s non-adjustable units), although rebound is only adjustable on the right-side fork leg, probably for cost reasons. The rear shock is still mounted in a cantilever setup (no linkage) but now has rebound damping adjustability to accompany the spring preload adjuster. Wheel travel has also increased in the rear, going from 4.9 inches on the Ninja to 5.7 inches; internal gas pressure has been doubled (up to 284 psi) in order to deal with the increased suspension travel. Wheels are the same, as are the dual two-piston sliding calipers and 300mm petal discs; the discs themselves, however, are 0.5mm thicker for improved fade resistance.
As you’d expect with the high handlebar, the ergos are substantially revised from the 650R. The footpegs are actually lowered and moved forward compared to the Ninja, with a much better and thicker padding on both rider and passenger sections of the seat. The handlebar is not only 3 inches wider than the 650R, but also 4.25 inches higher, offering up a much more suitable riding position for longer rides. Adding to that aspect is a larger fuel tank on the Versys, which holds a full 5.0 gallons instead of the Ninja’s 4.1-gallon unit.
A small quarter-fairing covers a new instrument panel with centrally mounted analog tachometer flanked by warning lights on the left and an LCD panel on the right sporting a digital speedometer, odometer/tripmeter, fuel gauge and clock. The windshield can be mounted in one of three different positions (in 20mm height increments).
vicky79 cheered this 6 years ago
