2008 Kawasaki Versys motorcycle review.

Any you guys rode the 2008 Kawasaki Versys or own one? If so I would like to hear your comments on the Versys. I have been reading the reviews of this new motorcycle and it appears Kawasaki has hit a home run, or at least a triple, with this new motorcycle.

2008 Kawasaki Versys motorcycle.

From what I gather the Versys was not intended for sale in America but due to the stories about how great the motorcycle was coming from riders in Britain and Europe, Kawasaki is offering the motorcycle in the USA starting this year.

The Versys is a mid-size sport-touring motorcycle based on the ZX-14 design. Intended as a multi-purpose ride the Versys has a 649cc engine derived from the same motor on the Ninja 650R. This is a parallel twin cylinder motor, 10.6:1 compression ratio, 89 horse-power and a claimed torque figure of 44.9 lb-ft @ 6,800 rpm. The engines characteristics are described by Kawasaki as "entertaining for even the most advanced riders, yet predictable enough to inspire confidence in less-experienced motorcycle riders." Sounds like a good all around motorcycle to me and the Kawasaki Versys motorcycle sounds like a great choice for novice and medium level motorcycle riders as well as a good bike for a beginner to pick.

One thing that jumps out at me is the really cool way Kawasaki has incorporated the gas tank and fairing into a clean and smooth one-piece design. I like this look. The Versys frame is a steel trellis design with a new gull-wing aluminum swingarm. The wheelbase is 55.7 inches and the rear suspension is a right-side mounted shock. The shock is a Showa unit you can adjust for preload and rebound damping. This Showa shock has two-stage damping valves that give the rider a soft feeling that becomes stiffer as the load increases through-out the 5.7 inches of travel. The suspension on front of the motorcycle offer 5.9 inches of smooth travel by using 41mm inverted telescopic forks which are adjustable for height, preload and rebound damping. The Versys brakes are the same as the ones used on the Super sport and Super bike Ninjas and provide a strong and smooth feel to the rider. The motorcycle has 17 inch, six spoke wheels adorned with a 120/70 front tire and 160/60 rear rubber. The MSRP for the Versys is $6,899 and the motorcycle weighs 399 pounds.

2008 Kawasaki Versys motorcycle.

What Kawasaki has come up with in the Versys motorcycle is a modern version of the scramble motorcycle of the 1960's and 1970's. Remember the Honda CB 175 or 350? Of course the 2008 Kawasaki Versys is a much beefier version of the traditional dual-sport motorcycle of old.

Engine Type
Four-stroke, liquid cooled, DOHC, four-valve per cylinder, parallel twin
Displacement
649 cc

Bore & Stroke
83.0 x 60.0 mm

Compression Ratio
10.6:1

Maximum Torque
44.9 lb/ft @6,800 rpm

Cooling
Liquid

Fuel Injection
Digital fuel injection with two 38mm Keihin throttle bodies

Ignition
Digital CDI

Transmission
6-Speed

Final Drive
O-Ring Chain

Frame
Semi-double cradle, high-tensile steel

Rake/Trail
25°/4.3 in.

Front Tire Size
120/70-17