Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE bike review | MCN | Motorcyclenews.com
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- Опубликовано: 24 фев 2019
- We've been riding the latest #Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE. Find out what we thought and why MCN Road Tester, Michael Neeves recommends the standard bike over the SE spec version here.
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Hands down the most reliable, no fuss, easy to maintain and comfortable bike I have ever owned was a Versys. I did lots of touring, daily commuting and even my first track day on that bike and it took every piece of abuse I threw at it. If you want reliability and for people to say "I didn't know Kawasaki made a bike like that!" Go get a Versys.
Agreed, Versys 650 is a great bike. The only competition for this is Tracer 700.
The perfect combo would be the Versys 650 chassis and suspension with the Tracer 700 motor. I have a Versys 650 myself, it corners as well as any sportbike, but is comfortable enough to ride all day, and rock solid reliable.
@@013nil vstrom
@@mrvwbug4423 for the power, would you then go with the Versys 1000 instead of the 650 you have?
I'm just wondering, instead of giving this category of bikes a confusing adventure/ title, can we just start calling them GT bikes? It seems to me that they fit the definition of the Grand Touring tradition. That is sporting roots with some added comfort to make a pretty decent, all around Gentlemen's or Ladies Express? I feel it would make things less confusing in this category.
I agree.
Agreed
I like all the Versys.Wish they made the big one shaft drive.
Seriously not enough bikes with shaft out there
“...looked like a flying fridge”😆😆😆 that statement made me blow my coffee out my nose !!!
Rofl...
+1 😂
I still have my '17 Versys 1000LT. I really love it. To me its that do anything bike; sporty riding or long day touring with the wife and luggage. It would be nice to have all the electronics for convenience but I still can't justify the price bump. At the same time I could only imagine the headache and price of having to service or replace parts. The only things I added to mine is a corbin holeshot seat, thicker grips, bigger touring screen and sw-Motech luggage racks along with givi trekker cases.
Yep, the top spec Versys is just way over priced compared to the competition. I owned the 2015 facelift model, was a great bike and well priced with the luggage. The reason I sold was it was underpowered.
It wasn't underpowered. Unless you we're breaking the law every day riding it. You wanted more power. Fair enough.
Clown
Flying fridge 😂 a mate at work said it looked like it was made of LEGO.😂
Went for demo ride today (along with 4 other models). I was really impressed with this one. It was completely off my radar. The only reason I even tried it, all other models I cared for were already taken. So, I went with this one and loved it. Definitely became one of my overall favorites. Price? Well, lil steep. Chain? Well, for that money I would want shaft. But, looks, comfort, features and overall feel, I really liked it. Shifter and brake lever felt lil mushy but, quick shifter is easy to get spoiled.
Thanks for the good advice!
I love my versys 1000 -22 standard.
hmm, In what sense KTM, BMW or Ducati is more premium then Kawasaki ???
Imagine if Kawasaki put the h2sx motor in this?!
I got my brand new 2017 Versys 1000LT for $8500USD after a $2500 trade in('09 Suzuki SV650SFA). A killer price that I couldn't walk away from. Would I want the electronics of the new SE? Very much so, but I don't know if I could justify the price of the new SE.
I really want this but having the 2016 model I can't justify the cost for just a few upgrades.
How's the windscreen on this bike? Much buffeting??
Nothing against chain final drive, but If it had a shaft, I’d have it my garage.
It hurts that it doesn't.
European bikes still don't have the reliability of the Japanese bikes and when they go wrong get ready for a shocker !!!!!!!--- check out reliability tables for the facts
Yeah, 'cos they copy. Like cars and a lot else they copy not just engineering but concepts, vehicle classes and ground breaking developments. The most obvious recent example Yamaha triples wouldn't have happened without Triumph. The whole UJM revolution of the 70's gave us nothing but weight and smoothness. The proof of this is BMW's s1000rr and the Pangiale v4.
@@bluedick321 IF the Japanese can copy and improve and make reliable and affordable bikes is that not better for all of us.Not so sure about the copying though-i think for a long time now they have lead the field in research and development.As for the two bikes you have mentioned not many of us can afford to buy them or the expense to look after them .Even with the high cost of owning one of these bikes you should get reliability but you don't -far from it
Totally agree, I'm a great fan of the Honda cub. I just think European thought is needed sometimes to find new directions, not just adding weight and tech. The world would be poorer place without Alfa, Ferrari or KTM say.
I've owned two BMW's and had zero issues with them, just did scheduled maintenance (8K miles intervals). Two years ago I bought a Yamaha FJR 1300 and its had two issues, one a year in and still unresolved. Temp gauge doesn't work properly, bounces multiple temps every few seconds and the most frustrating is intermittently my cruise craps out and won't work. It take me shutting off the bike and restarting it. Yamaha has made two suggestions to fix it and they worked each for 2 - 3 months then the issue is back. This is my first and last Yamaha bike but it makes your comments about Euro bikes total nonsense. Also, my Yamaha has 4K mile service intervals so its costs me about the same to service my Yamaha as it did my BMW. I ride around 9K miles per year.
@@bluedick321 Mate, it was the bike race between Yamaha, Kawasaki, and Honda, that brought us the technology we have and know today. You say that the Japanese copy, and yet, for the last couple of years Kawasaki has had the fastest production bikes in the world, not to mention that no other brand has developed a supercharged motorcycle.
Test road this today.... it's an amazing machine. Torn between tracer gt900, v Strom and versys. I think versys despite being £3000 more it's worth it
Micheal mentioned about bmw s1000xr, but XR don't have even LED lights , no tft dash etc - old motorbike ! definitely new versys is better, different league.
Beautiful
Good job
This is May 2020 and I'm looking at a beautiful black 2017 with 8k on the clock for $8k and might be able to get it for a little less.
Yes, one can get a great deal on a used, low-mileage Versus 1000 LT. It's just a great bike for us mere mortals who don't need to set our hair on fire with every ride. Also, too many electronic gizmos doing everything for us on bikes today. The old model has all the power and electronic aids that I'll every need.
Kawasaki all the way
Hello i have one question. Is it worthy to buy se version or i should choose the standard version? In your option sir 😊
He literally answered this question in the video…
the "base" model is not offered in the USA,so I bought a V strom 1000.Much more value for the money.
VFR1200X Crosstourer is much better than both of this.
@@BestRex do they even make the VFR anymore?
Not sure about that. But Crosstourer is WAY much better than both V-Strom and Versys.
@@BestRexUnfortunately, Honda doesn't sell any of the VFR line in North America at all these days due to very poor sales of the line in the past decade here, so they're not an option for us here. The closest offering we have available from Honda here is the Africa Twin.
Gofr5, that is a lie. The truth is: VFR1200X and VFR800F Interceptor are fore sale in the US: powersports.honda.com/2017/vfr1200x.aspx powersports.honda.com/2015/interceptor.aspx
The top spec model needs a lot more power to compete with the Euros
Would love to see a variant of the H2 supercharged motor on the big Versys
Lol the ktm will break after 40k 😂
@@RandomHondaGuy as a ktm rider I feel 40k is very very generous.
I do like those "Shower" forks. I thought they used to use Showa forks ;)
Great review. Appreciate advice on standard model. I hope Kawasaki will sell it in the states.
Great review?? wtf are you on?
STD will not be available in states, mostly , but its just a guess.
I finally got to see one. Great looking machine but as soon as I sat on it I knew it wasn't for me. The seat was hard as a piece of granite rock. I jumped off and sat on a 2020 Goldwing. Perfect !
Never thought I'd see the day that an inline four kawasaki was lacking ponies down below. Apart from that, looks very tasty :-)
Most of my many bikes have well over 120HP. I went on trip to a 3rd world country and rented 2 different 125cc bikes and had a blast. I think HP is over rated. There is a time and place for horsepower. That Kawasaki HP is fine. These English bike reporters I respect and enjoy but they are spoiled with very powerful bikes .
It's not lacking ponies unless you fancy being in jail at the ned of the night. This engine is tuned this way on purpose. You can put it in sixth and still have great roll on from 30 mph. This engine tune is designed so you're always in the power curve and it's super under stressed. Because of that It will run forever if taken care of.
Lanzarote?
One of it's kind
So the price comparison is a little different on the other side of the pond. In the US the Versys 1000 SE sells for 18k, and the European bikes sell for a fair bit more. A SDGT is 20k in the US, while the Multistrada 1260S and S1000XR when optioned to the level of the Versys SE are both 22k. There is for the US market one other consideration. The new Multistrada 950S is also 18k, has the skyhook suspension and cruise control, and is more inline with the Versys power wise (113hp vs 120hp, but the Duc is lighter). The Versys 1000SE is in a weird spot in the US, we aren't getting the non-SE yet, and the SE is 5k more expensive than a Tracer 900GT in the US (13k vs 18k), but it is several thousand cheaper than the big European Sport/ADV tourers.
I can't see a US dealer getting close to $18K for a Versys 1000 SE. I support the Versys but there are too many left over bikes at dealers for them to get sticker except BMW's
They have had the 1000 SE for less than a month. My local Kawi shop got one of hte first in the country 3 weeks ago. Though Kawi has had trouble moving a lot of their bigger bikes as of late other than the ZX-10. Same dealer, who is the highest volume Kawasaki dealer in the region is sitting on 5 leftover 2018 Z900RSs and a 900RS Cafe.
He is also sitting on a H2-SX and it took him a month to sell the H2-SX SE he got for 2018.
I'd say the Yamaha Tracer 900 GT falls into this "sports adventure" category also.
Yam too vibey
You didn't mention the Triumph Tiger Sport. More power and character than this as well.
That’s not a bad shout, actually.
@ Road Warrior lol.
I was
Just about to mention the triumph tiger sport. Also in this category
It was the bike I thought of before the KTM - and the KTM is a cracking bike, it was just the Triumph I thought about before it.
Didnt mention the Yamaha Tracer 900 either
The sport tourer market is a little saturated with much of a muchness. Other than paint codes, it all looks the same which does mean people are going to buy the nicest (to them) looking bike. These are in the functional but dull category. Hey, at least it's not a Pan Euro
The Super Duke GT a sports bike on stilts?! Really now?!
That's a plain and normal sports tourer, no stilts, no adventure bike.
Can’t off-road on this I don’t really see why this over Ninja 1000 sx with Panniers ? I own a 2015 Ninja 1000 heated grips heated Sargent comfy seat … if I want more wind protection I’ll get aftermarket taller windscreen
You can go for European bikes for performance true, but you will spend double the money in maintenance and parts.
and double happy and double excitment
@@vageliskoios1062 Nothing is worse than unpredictable high cost of ownership of Euro bikes hidden beyond the purchase price. The Versys is reliable, low cost of ownership, and plenty powerful and quick enough to get you in trouble with law enforcement, a visit to ER, or worse
@@kannermw all bikes are good..The choice is about eveyones taste and money..Thats why we have a lot of options in the market.The european bikes are more expensive but the plesure of riding and the quality of suspensions,brakes,set up are higher than japanese bikes..I had a lot of japanese bikes..crf1000,z1000,klr 650 klx650,r1 etc..Now i have a multistrada 1200S..To riding this bike is something else..
"Yep, the top spec Versys is just way over priced compared to the competition."- Banditmanuk
I agree. It's a nice bike but it is not worth the price. With the tech and convenience of production, it cost the company 1/3 (or less) to make it. Greed just takes precedence over everything these days.
What i want to see more of are more electric and supercharged bikes
Anyone riding this with a 29” inside leg or less?
Go for the KTM 1290 SAS and you'll be happy in every way with a big smile on your face when riding.
Amit Panghal
Kawasaki company is crazy to think they are going to sell a lot of these at that price range.
3:44 ..lol. How are bikes thats always on repair be called a more premium bike?
How can you say the ducati and bmw a more premium bike vs Japan brand when the japan bikes always are more reliable ?
Have it a year and trade in you’ll be lucky to see £8k
Then buy one at a year old and get a bargin ?
Exactly!
Japanese bikes vs. European bikes 😁😁😁😁💪
#fugly
its a stunning bike but you dont need a 1000 cc bike to tour
Agree, you need 1190 at the very least! :).... However I almost bought the versys 650, what a great bike.Super under appreciated.
The standard bike can be had used with low miles for less than $9k U.S. It's a great bargain. The new bike is way overpriced at $18k.
got my brand new 19 SE -LT FOR $13,200 OTD GO FIGURE!!
118 horsepower is really too much for the road....
Uhm that's like your opinion man LOL.....
Can i pick it up if i lay it down. No. Then i dont need it.
You forgot to mention the fifth bike, the Aprilia Caponord 1200, which is better than the Kawasaki all day long.
Overcome the reliability and excessive oil burning issues of the caponord that some owners have experienced after taking delivery, to take a caponord for a test ride, found the 2 cylinder engine lumpy and the need to ride low gears and higher revs to smooth it out, and the fancy suspension was nothing special!
@@grayjohn1906 I have 24k on my cap and no reliability problems. The bike is solid. The Versys only has Dynamic suspension on the se lt version, if I'm not mistaken. The Cap's ADD (dynamic damping) is under rated. The harder you push the bike the more you realize how good it is. Front end dive under heavy braking - never. Stable under high speed curve - unflappable. Comfortable- all day. And more hp than the versys too. The Versys is a great bike, but the Caponord is undervalued and misunderstood because most people have not lived with the bike long enough or lack riding experience.
@@MattMirabile I'm pleased you've had no issues with your caponord! Enjoy
Nooo. I want a real review, not some payed trip to the canary islands "review".
Flying fridge... lol
Needs 150hp
I'm sure MCN are on a bung these days------shame
A tracer provides the same quality and electronics, lighter in weight, MUCH better looks at a MUCH cheaper price...
Same quality?? I don't think so. Tracer quality build is cheap.. Tracer also is a different bike.. It's sportourer.. Aggressive.. Not comfortable but with an 'angry' motor.. Versys 1000 is a tourer bike with an amazing motor.. Smooth as hell and a very comfortable bike!! So about travel versys is a much better option.. About fun and aggressive ride tracer is better choice..
Here's a motorcycle Kawasaki has done nothing but increase weight, increase complexity, increase cost, and reduce performance since the engine was released in 2011. Yes, it's a 2011 engine/transmission. Less power every year, less torque every iteration, less performance the longer it lives. Why do Japanese companies keep following this dumb formula? All the European brands strive to provide MORE performance every time things change. For example, compare this bike to the S1000XR, a direct apples-to-apples competition. It's stupidly underpowered in comparison, and that with a bigger engine.
Yes, but we should also consider in which country we are buying it, for example, here in India, I will go for Versys or Tracer rather than S1000XR
@@013nil Right of course. I'm musing from the perspective of a USA market.
Very good points Lifted_Above. I like the bike. My Super Tenere sometimes pisses me off due to weight but I still like the bike.
It's just a little weird. ZX-10R/RR, H2/R are both stupid crazy 1-liter bikes, and the other 1043cc engine Kawasaki makes barely makes 120 at the wheel.
Engine is even older than that actually, it's pretty much the old Z1000 motor.
Not a nice looking bike and for me thats reason enough not to buy it.
Personally I think this is the ugliest adventure bike out there
Same here. Why in the hell have they made such change? Is it supposed to look like H2? Well, it doesn't. It's just hideous.
Vstrom 1000..But I agree.. Versys 1000 2015 model much more beautiful
Its FUGLY....