The new Kawasaki 650

[Mike101]

At least they have sorted out that headlight on the old version...personally i could never live with that but this looks just like the rest.

Mike

[Bart1]

I have a MK 1 too, but they have addressed several things with this model.

Improved front calipers.
Bigger rear disc.
New engine mounts(anti vibration)
New fork internals
New rear shock with remote preload
Strengnthened subframe.
A bit more power.
Engine efficiency mods.

and many more.

[chico]

i'm on my 2nd MK1 Versys 650, nearly 60,000 mls combined, most of that on long trips in Europe, its a road bike, makes no pretensions to being off road at all really, its more in the vein of a cheap Multistrada..(although some have modified them to go off road)

as Bart says, they've made a long list of small modifications to this model to correct all the issues people mentioned..(brakes/vibes)....and they've resisted giving it lots more power, all that's changed visually is the fairing/headlight....and i'd be more bothered if it gives better weather protection than how it looks.....exclusivity dosent matter when you're riding (for me anyway)

[Pathfinder]

I don't get the distinction between this type of adventure bike as people are calling them and a touring bike.

[jonesthesteam]

What's wrong with the looks of the MK1? - Its lovely!

Versys2.JPG (59.6 KiB) Viewed 1319 times

[picos mestizo]

I don't get the distinction between this type of adventure bike as people are calling them and a touring bike.

No definitives, only personal opinions gleaned from what each individual uses it for.
The name is the give away.............does anything you want it to do :whistle:

Here's the off road ER6 version :whistle:

versysoffroad.jpg (75.78 KiB) Viewed 1319 times

[onslowe]

I've got the MK1 and prefer it's looks but then I never was up to date with the latest fashion. The worst problem on the original was the harsh suspension and vibes. If they have solved those issues it will be a very decent bike and plenty fast enough unless you always take a pillion or heavy loads.

[chico]

I don't get the distinction between this type of adventure bike as people are calling them and a touring bike.

it isn't an adventure bike.....if you include going off road in that label.....the whole adv thing now complicates everything....Kawasaki were keen to keep the adv tag off the Versys....for what its worth, I see the adv tag covering bikes with some ability to go off road.....however that in itself has no bearing on adventure whatsoever...lots of trail bikes are now called adv bikes.....its just marketing, but the adv tag probably originated because taking your bike where there are no roads, or normal civilization is more of an adventure.....which is fair enough, but that dosent mean a week off road in the Pico's is an adventure or not, its just a weeks off road riding near to civilization, not in the same bracket as overlanding for 6 months.....and now we can't even go for a ride without even having an adventure....how mad can it get.... :silly:


what it probably means is that the "road" versions of all the current "adv" bikes do make good all round tourers.... :laugh:

[Kinioo]

MK1 was, well, on of a kind....the new one is a bit Fazer ish...nice though !

[Bart1]

I once read in an early ABR mag that you can have an adventure going to the Post Office ??