QUICKSPIN I Kawasaki Versys 650 LT
P92
provides ample torque right from
the go at just over 1500 rpm for
general cruising.
Kawasaki doesn't release
claimed power figures but notes
the Versys 650 has a peak
torque of 44.8 lb-ft at 7000 rpm.
You don't need to rev the 650
out to achieve decent perfor-
mance although it will happily
play along when your sport bike
fantasies take over the next time
you're out with your buddies.
There's no quickshifter, no
variable riding modes with the
Versys—what you see is what
you get—and when you consider
this is a motorcycle aimed at
less experienced riders, that's a
good thing.
On that note with the lack of
quickshifter, the gearbox has a
pretty agricultural "clunk" when
shifting. It's far from the smooth-
est gearbox I've ever tried, but
you'll never be left wondering if
you've selected the next cog be-
cause you'll feel it right through
the chassis when you do.
Kawasaki's also left the chas-
sis untouched from the previ-
ous generation that came out in
2015, so you get the same sus-
pension via the 41mm fork and
link-less shock with the handy
remote preload adjuster, and
main tubular aluminum frame
that looks as strong as an army
bike—crash the thing, and it's not
much a hammer and a decent
blow won't fix to get you out of
trouble.
The ride is a plush one, per-
fect for long-distance hauls and,
as I found, more than capable of
two-up riding (I had mum visit-
ing from Australia). It's a roomy
ride, with an expansive reach to
the handlebar and ergonomics
that encourage big days in the
saddle.
The side cases
are plenty big
enough to house a
full-face helmet.
The upgraded dash means you can now
run the Kawasaki Rideology App.
(Left) A face just like the 1000 gives the Versys a proper family
lineage. (Right) Hand guards are an LT specialty.
