Five Things I LOVE About My Kawasaki Versys 650: A One-Sided Kawasaki Versys Review

Here's the thing: I LOVE my Kawasaki Versys. I feel like it's the absolute right motorcycle for me. In this one-sided Kawasaki Versys review video, I share five things I really love about this motorcycle. The Versys is incredibly comfortable, especially the riding position, it accelerates well and is nimble so on-road motorcycle performance is surprisingly good for such an upright bike, it has fantastic aesthetics (the Kawasaki Versys looks cool, for sure), it has great features like ABS, adjustable suspension, and and an analog tachometer, and best of all the Kawasaki Versys is insanely fun to ride and very, very versatile.

If you're considering picking up a Versys for yourself, this glowing Versys review will probably seal the deal. Whether you're looking at a Versys 650 or a Versys 1000, these five reasons to love the bike apply.

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Gear List: (any purchase you make using these links supports the channel at no additional cost to you!)

Phone Mount:

Camera Gear:

Comms:

Helmets:

Jackets:

Pants:

Boots:

Gloves:
Sedici Modena

Versys Mods:

CRF250L Mods:
Tires:
Motion Pro LiteLoc Rim Locks:
Heavy Duty Tubes:

2016 Kawasaki Versys LT
2016 Honda CRF250L
2018 Honda Grom ABS

[AlgeriaRiderdz]

I have 2013 KLE650, I bought it 2nd hand and immediately fell in love with it. I ride it everyday for commuting, highway and on cities. I went on long road trips with guys in bigger bikes (GS 1200, Yamaha Super Tenere 1200) but my Kawasaki didn't feel small or incapable. Last month I went in trip to the heart of the Algeria desert (5730kms) riding 750 kms per day on pavement and off road and she didn't let me down. She always put big smile on my face. I love her.

[truthoverall]

Love my 2016 Versys 650... bought the kqr bags, and top case with back pad for my lady, and it performs flawlessly, even with both of us on it. I was a little concerned, coming off a big VTX 1300 cruiser, that it wouldn't be able to eat up the big freeway miles down here in Texas, but those concerns have definitely been put to rest. It is a big difference going from a big cruiser to this... the fun factor has increased big time. I have only owned it for about 4 months now, but don't see myself ever getting rid of it. It's perfect for me, and what I was looking for.

[flyrc]

I’ve had mine since 2009
30000km
Been the best all around bike I’ve riden.
I have a Harley Ducati and the Versys.... I ride the Versys 90% of the time. It was designed in Italy for the European market before it came to Canada then the USA .

Got bags and it does two up riding well. Cruises at 130-140km/hr two up....no problem.

Went to thicker oil and it shifts much smoother and the clutch hooks up much better.

Best bang for the buck Versys 650!!!

[sisyphusdw]

First off, great videos about a great bike! I have a 2016 Versys 650 LT, also orange. I'm a Giants fan. I ride it as a touring bike. It's the perfect bike for my moto aspirations: Get there safely, quickly, with a big smile in style... I don't have a stable of motorcycles, but I do have a few bicycles. Since I've pedalled a bicycle across 11 western states, I'm planning to reprise those rides with 6 gears instead of 22. I agree with the 5 things you love and I am not as annoyed with the 5 things you "hate". I don't narrate the video I take nor do I use a bluetooth device so the noise/buffeting from the windscreen isn't an issue that earplugs/helmet don't solve for me. Could be that I don't know any better because of hearing loss and I'm a numbskull (that's another story)... When I place my DrySpec bags on the rear SW-Motech luggage rack, throwing my 34 inch inseam over the hard cases and bags is something of a challenge. Standing on the peg then throwing the leg is a breeze. Likewise when dismounting. Of course, you've got to trust the side stand and the ground under it. As for lubing the chain, it's a little unnerving lifting the bike onto the rear stand solo, but I've figured out how to position myself while levering the stand and holding the bike upright... Until I fail... Mirrors seem fine to me, perhaps because I sit a little taller on the bike? The downward seat angle isn't a problem either, especially when I have the bags on the rear rack. They're a nice backrest. It is a top heavy bike. When loaded with bags it is tippy. I've dropped it twice, scuffing the shift side case. It's a battle scar of freedom, I suppose, if stupidity is a synonym for freedom. My riding buddy just got a VStrom (to add to his Triumph T-120 and Honda Hawk in his garage). He loves it as his touring bike. With all due respect to Mormons, I love my one wife, she satisfies me completely. I can't imagine trying to keep 3 wives happy... Hope to see you on the road sometime. I'm only one state south... Keep up the entertaining videos!

[johnnygross]

I've been riding here on mexico last 5 months, rode down from Bend, Oregon. Great riding here, we don't need no stinking rules. Great fun. Yammi sound like I'm ready for more horsepower

[MyA]

I have a 2018 SE (Green One). Love it. For the price point you are getting a lot of bike. Best bike I have ever had. Love the handling and comfort. I am 6’1” 195 lbs and it fits me perfect. Power is just right but I do wish it had just a bit more torque. Anything below 3000 RPM and it starts to bog a bit in any gear, but that is the only minor negative I can say about it. Love the Attack Helicopter look. It must have one of the best fuel ranges of any bike ever made which makes it great for long range touring. I did a 5000 km trip to Nova Scotia last summer and several other slightly shorter ones. Going out east again next month. The bike loves to eat the Kms. It is more stable on the road than my FJ09 was.

[petertspock]

I bought my 2009 Versys new and love it . I have 4 other bikes but just can't sell it, too much fun. Added side and top cases and rode it to Sturgis South Dakota from New Jersey with passenger and many other trips.

[allegory]

I just got a 2021 LT. Wow what a fun bike, love it.
I like:
The analogue tach,
The abs
The mpg display
The easy on/off hard cases
The powerband of the engine

[TheCaretaker]

great review mate i have had three versys so far currently riding the 2016 GT version brilliant for solo camping/touring, great video thanks for the honest review

[techguyMD]

Picked up a 2019 Versys 1000 SE+ LT jus over a month ago... already have over 1200 miles on it. Love it.
Comfort
Power
Safety (ABS and traction control)
Electronic suspension
Throttle by wire cruise control

[PatriotNC]

I bought a 2019 Versys 650 several months ago. I'm still breaking it in. But so far I'm very impressed with the bike. Good power, all that I'll need. Good handling and I especially like the brakes. My last bike had terrible brakes, so it's nice to finally be able to stop better. I think you get quite a lot of great looks and features for a good price. Definitely a keeper. Great video, hope to see more on this bike.

[victorkdobby]

Bought a brand new candy green 2018 Versys 650 & love riding it in Sarawak, East Malaysia. So far have clocked in 38k kms on the odo & slowly progressing. Fantastic bike, relatively cheap to maintain & l have no height issues despite being 5' 6" tall. Only problems is Kawasaki should have thrown in a centre stand for easy maintenance. Just my two cents, fellas.

[Wildirishmanbiker]

I had a CB 500x and went to a versys myself a year ago. Went from KY to AZ with no issues. Love this bike too! Keep on keepin om

[nathan]

I dont plan on getting one, but for sure will always agree with 5. As long as you the rider have fun on it, then it might as well be the best bike in the world haha

[scorpio]

Love my 2009 Versys 650. Agree with all your points. Dad bikes rock!

[charliesmith]

I researched and purchased a 2014 model today. I feel EXACTLY the way you feel about the bike. I've owned a lot of motorcycles. Big and small. This bike is a good all around bike. Very fun.

[firesail]

Somehow I missed this episode. As you said, it is just a fun bike; the luggage options are endless and easy to take on and off. The features are great. I added a tooth to the front sprocket for more relaxed freeway riding and, for me, it made the gear ratios more natural. Loving it even more now.

[giftedplanksify]

All around beautiful bike Dork!! I was an Oregonian before I was forced to come back to California!! Really miss Ashland!

[Land-Shark]

My ZX-14R got stolen this week, so I'm needing to look into a new bike, and I've decided to not get another sport bike. So I've been eyeballing the 2020 Versys 650 LT as my next bike, but will be adding a top case for my camera gear.
I watched your other video about your Hates and the remedies, and am glad the fixes aren't costly.
I had tons of fun on my old Ninja 300 ABS, so I know I'll be happy with the 650, as it's far more useful for my curent riding needs, and my license will be much safer if I avoid sport bikes this time.
I appreciated hearing from a local about how their Versys 650 ownership experience was, so, thank you! :)

[DorkintheRoad]

Thank you to the 300 people who have rightly pointed out that the Versys is a Parallel Twin and not a V-Twin as I mistakenly said in the video. I do know that. I just misspoke.