Kawasaki Versys 650
The Kawasaki Versys 650 (codenamed KLE650) is a middleweight motorcycle. It borrows design elements from dual-sport bikes, standards, adventure tourers and sport bikes; sharing characteristics of all, but not neatly fitting into any of those categories. The name Versys is a portmanteau of the words versatile and system. It was introduced by Kawasaki to the European and Canadian markets as a 2007 model and to the US market in 2008. A California emissions compliant version was released in 2009. In 2010 new styling was applied to the headlight and fairings and several functional changes made including enlarged mirrors and improved rubber engine mounts. In 2015, a new model was introduced with a new fairing style that abandoned the older, stacked headlights for the more conventional twin headlight style commonly found on sportbikes.
2020 Kawasaki Versys 650 LT, with rear saddlebags and handguards | |
| Manufacturer | Kawasaki Motorcycle & Engine Company |
|---|---|
| Parent company | Kawasaki Heavy Industries |
| Production | 2007–present |
| Assembly | Rayong, Thailand Manaus, Brazil |
| Predecessor | Kawasaki KLE500 |
| Class | Standard or adventure touring crossover |
| Engine | 649 cc (39.6 cu in) liquid-cooled 4-stroke 8-valve DOHC parallel-twin |
| Bore / stroke | 83 mm × 60 mm (3.3 in × 2.4 in) |
| Compression ratio | 10.6:1 |
| Power | 67 hp (50 kW) @ 8,400 rpm |
| Torque | 42 lb⋅ft (57 N⋅m) |
| Transmission | 6-speed constant mesh |
| Suspension | Front: 41 mm (1.6 in) telescopic fork with adjustable rebound and preload, 150 mm (5.9 in) travel Rear: Single offset laydown shock with adjustable rebound and spring preload, 145 mm (5.7 in) travel |
| Brakes | Front: Dual-piston caliper with dual 300 mm (11.8 in) discs Rear: Dual-piston caliper with single 220 mm (8.7 in) disc |
| Tyres | Front: 120/70-17 Rear: 160/60-17 |
| Rake, trail | 25 degrees, 108 mm (4.3 in) |
| Wheelbase | 1,415 mm (55.7 in) |
| Dimensions | L: 2,125 mm (83.7 in) W: 840 mm (33 in) H: 1,330 mm (52 in) |
| Seat height | 845 mm (33.3 in) |
| Weight | 206 kg (454 lb) (wet) |
| Fuel capacity | 19 L (4.2 imp gal; 5.0 US gal) |
| Fuel consumption | 4.5 L/100 km (63 mpg‑imp; 52 mpg‑US) |
| Related | Kawasaki Ninja 650R |