VOLUME 59 ISSUE 28 JULY 12, 2022 P89
PRACTICALLY
SENSIBLE
NEED A JACK-OF-ALL-TRADES
MOTORCYCLE THAT WON'T BREAK THE
BANK? KAWASAKI MIGHT HAVE JUST
THE TICKET IN THE NEW VERSYS 650.
BY RENNIE SCAYSBROOK I PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEVIN WING
A
nip here, a tuck there,
and, voila, you have your
2022 Kawasaki Versys
650. If only it was that easy,
right? Well, it kind of is.
Released in two variants in
the $8899 Versys 650 and the
upper-class $9999 650 LT,
Kawasaki's mid-level touring
bike is getting a fresh suite of
electronics including two-stage
traction control, a new 4.3-inch
dash and revised bodywork
including new LED headlights,
a four-way adjustable screen
and more expansive bodywork
to keep the rider comfortable
on long trips.
The LT's $1100 premium
comes with the benefit of twin
28-liter KQR hard saddlebags
with the ignition key matched to
the lock and hand guards that
will keep a little of the chill off
your mitts when the air gets cold.
The Kawasaki Versys 650 has
been a stablemate in the big K's
touring lineup since making its
debut as a 2008 model, providing
millions of highway and backroad
miles to its riders via its near bul-
letproof 649cc parallel twin-cylin-
der motor. Kawasaki really nailed
the powerplant, so much so they
have not given it a single update
since it came out in 2008.
