First to conduct a group test were Motor Cycle News. Along with Motorcycle Sport & Leisure, news stand readers have been able to read the reviews while, on the internet, Kevin Ash has added his thoughts via a launch review on the AshOnBikes web site.

Adam Child began the MCN test by asserting that the Versys had “set the cat amongst the adventure-bike pigeons”, with a machine that “blows its more conventional two and three cylinder competitors away both in terms of speed and acceleration”, adding that, “it’s more comfortable, economical and cheaper too”.

Bruce Wilson of Motorcycle Sport & Leisure immediately remarked in his road test that, “the bike steers so fast. You’ve got to ride it to believe it. You hardly have to think of where you want to go and the bike’s already aimed in that direction. It blows the competition away…” following this he wrote that he, “couldn’t believe a bike of this size could turn like the Versys does. It’s as happy to change direction at walking pace as it is at full chat on the motorway.”

Across all three testers there was uniform praise for the comfort and ergonomics of the Versys 1000, a bike that is so obviously created to cover huge distances both solo and with a passenger.

Kevin Ash is over 6ft tall and he wrote that, “the ergonomics are as you’d expect with the upright and spacious riding position which defines this class, a manually adjustable screen and plenty of consideration to passenger comfort” – a theme amplified by Bruce Wilson who commented that he, “never once felt uncomfortable. The riding position felt spot-on, with low pegs, high bars and a big, comfy seat. In short it felt like a touring bike should do.”

Adam Child of MCN was equally fulsome in his praise of the comfort and distance ability being moved to say that it, “reveals itself as a very comfortable place to sit and eat up the miles. With the manually adjustable screen set to its highest position, virtually all the wind blast is taken away”. Adam went on to write that, “With the Versys you are sat very much in the bike on its plush, wide seat.” And that, “the Versys is set up perfectly for effortless touring, the inline four-cylinder engine purrs with virtually no vibrations so you glide along.”

In terms of pillion performance, both Motorcycle Sport & Leisure and MCN rated the new Versys very highly with Bruce Wilson saying; “At last, a bike that actually offers a proper pillion setup. The seat in particular is very generous in both size and comfort. From a riders perspective, carrying a pillion is a doddle. The engine’s got so much oomph you can hardly tell you’re carrying a second person.”

MCN’s Liam Marsden at over 6ft tall commend the Versys and put it above both the BMW and Triumph competitors saying, “The Versys is the comfiest, with a wide soft seat that keeps you supported”

Naturally, each tester noted the new-to-class four cylinder engine of the Versys 1000 and the remarkable performance level now offered thanks to the carefully retuned and refocused power plant derived from the popular Z1000SX.

Kevin Ash offered that, “the engine is a thoroughly pleasing one to be in command of, with plenty of torque, an immensely strong mid-range”..and with a “strong kick at the top end”. A sentiment echoed by Adam and Bruce with MCN saying “the new Versys showed the BMW a clean pair of heels every time the roads opened up. The BMW takes 45 seconds to reach 135mph, the Kawasaki less than 20 seconds. In roll-on tests it was the same outcome – the Kawasaki digs in and disappears”.

For Bruce the feeling was shared commenting; “it pulls surprisingly hard from as low as 2000rpm and keeps going all the way to the limiter. There are no flat spots and the whole of the power delivery is creamy smooth. Twist the throttle and you can instantly feel the result at the rear wheel, regardless of what gear you’re in”.

For the much talked about electronic rider aids that come as standard fitment on the 2012 Versys 1000, MCN’s article highlighted that, “the Kawasaki is fitted with an excellent traction control system, ABS as standard and even switchable power modes for poor riding conditions". Motorcycle Sport & Leisure claimed that the KTRC traction control system amounts to “a safety net that adds far more to your ride than it takes away”.

For a bold foray into a highly competitive market – and with a unique engine configuration – the Versys 1000 has certainly won a large slice of approval from the press and dominated the UK and German competition in the first published group test.

Kevin Ash “would buy one for its all-rounder ability”, For Bruce the comfort won him over saying that “I can’t remember the last time I rode a bike and felt as comfortable”. And for MCN’s Adam Child – who tested the Versys alongside current competitor machines – it was more fundamental. “It’s that simple performance/value equation where the Versys has them beat” - high praise indeed.

See the Versys reviews and other Press Articles at the New Kawasaki Press Review web site.


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