Kawasaki Versys

[Scott Paeth]

Hey, all, I was looking at the Kawasaki Versys and was wondering how much of a beginner bike it could be considered.

All I really know to guess at a bike's capabilities is the horsepower; it has 64HP, compared to the ~50 of the Suzuki GS500F and the Kawasaki 500R, and compared to the ~70HP of the SV650 and V-Strom.
That seems like a bit more than most people here would recommend, but not to the level of a GSX-R?
Has anyone here ridden them?
Does anyone have opinions on using this as a beginner bike?
And before I'm asked, I am saving up to get training before riding.

[Bachstrad37]

This bike sure looks like the Canadian version of the Kawasaki Ninja 650R. Unless I missed something, the Versys has the same identical engine specs as the Ninja 650R.

If so, it falls into the grey area of great beginner bike. Inline twins are nothing like the inline-4. Seating position seem standard rather than sport.

Personally, I think it'd be a great beginner street bike if you had previous experience with dirt bikes. Than again, I started on a 1500cc V-twin. Take my advice with a grain of salt.

[Scott Paeth]

Canada's got its own Ninja 650R; this is some new Euro/Canada only mini adventure sport thing. It's reviewing pretty well in British magazines.

Thanks for the advice, too. I figured as much; I might end up buying a beat-up old offroader and toodle around until I feel confident, and then move to something like this (or more )

[Gadjet]

Rode a Versys a couple of weeks ago. Very comfortable bike with the upright seating position and relatively wide bars. Very smooth with almost no vibration to numb the hands (although I only got to ride the bike for about a half hour - time will tell if it's noticeable on longer rides) and very responsive. Steering is very neutral and it takes almost no effort to keep the bike going where you want it to once it's tipped in. Seat is nice and comfy, and nowhere near as high as the spec sheet says - if the rider seat is 37" above the ground (2" more than the KLR650) I'll eat my hat (I can flat foot the Versys - I can't flat foot my KLR)

Beginner bike?

No.

As Bachstrad says, it has the same drivetrain as the Ninja 650R, and it shows. it is very powerful and has a responsive throttle (it's not twitchy, just responsive).

Would be a good second or third bike though, and it's one that I am looking at adding to my garage.

Owen

[Sev]

I wouldn't really have a problem recomending it as a first bike to a tall rider. If you're shorter steer clear.

And it seems bloody top heavy when you first get going on it.


And what the heck do you mean "Canadian Version" of the ninja???

[tortus]

It looks like ever since Kawasaki developed the 650R they've decided to get their money's worth and have pushed its tech into several bikes now, this being one of them.

If it rides like the 650R, then it's probably a great bike, but yeah grey area beginner bike. IMO, not a bike for a 100% completely new to bikes beginner.