2019 KAWAS AKI VERS Y S 1000 SE LT+
F I R S T R E V I E W
P100
ment—lean much more on the
sport side of the equation.
New for 2019 is a whole fam-
ily of algorithms and acronyms
in the Versys—think IMU, KQS,
KCMF, KIBS, KTRC, LED, TFT,
STHUMHH (Shut The Hell Up My
Head Hurts). The most notable of
these is the all-new KECS, which
stands for Kawasaki Electronic
Control Suspension. Developed
by Showa and not former part-
ners KYB, KECS consists of the
same-as-before 43mm diameter
fork and another acronym in the
Showa BFRC-lite (Balance Free
Rear Cushion) shock, although
this one has little wires sticking
out the top that allows the ECU
to modulate suspension behavior
every 10 milliseconds.
In a similar system to BMW's
Dynamic ESA, the rider can go
into the new TFT dash (now with
a rather pointless front and rear
lean-angle sensor) and select
preset parameters like rider with
luggage, two riders no luggage,
etc. However, you can also vary
compression, rebound and pre-
load adjustment levels indepen-
dently in the new Rider (manual)
ECU mode.
Should you want to leave it up
to the machine, the Kawasaki
system also houses a Sport, Road
and Rain mode that will adjust the
throttle response and suspen-
sion behavior to the pavement in
real time when working with bike
speed, suspension stroke speed
and information from the IMU such
as pitch, yaw and brake pressure.
When all's said and done, the
Bosch IMU is now the kingpin
(Above) New look, who dis?
The Versys gains LED lights
and side cornering lights for
2019. (Below) Unlike many
of the competitors, the new
switch layout is simple to
use. The motor remains
almost unchanged for 2019.
Handguards are standard
fitment on the Versys.
