The Kawasaki Versys 1000

Thinking of picking up Kawasaki’s new ‘adventure’ bike, the next contender for the BMW GS crown, hold your horses and examine what you’re getting first.  Looking for an off road behemoth to take on the roughest trails?  ..this is not the bike for you.

Want a gentlemen’s adventure, nice hotels, scenic roads, all travelled in comfort, with a nice turn of speed on tap to perk up your day, then this is your bike.

This is a kind of factory floor Frankenstein from Kawasaki.  A re-tuned Z1000 engine, Versys 600 looks, and some nice traction control and abs tech thrown in to control the big beast.  This is another of the ‘don’t get yourself dirty’ adventure bikes, carry all your luggage and a pillion around the world but stick to nice tarmac roads to do it.

Its looks have divided opinion given that it appears that the quite nice modern looking Versys 600 has taken a dose of dodgy steroids, but you’ll certainly make an impression roaring up to the next Hilton hotel on your travels.  UK pricing is £9,499 which is another plus on the reasons to buy list.  It’s different, we’ll leave it at that