Motorcycles .pdf

CRUISE MISSILES(Left) Gone is the previous bike’s ‘Cyclops’stacked lights (Above) Comparatively simpleclocks (Below) Quality fit and finish aboundsKawasaki Versys 1000Less tech, but a heck of a lot less money – the new Versys can fight its corner, and then someWHEN KAWASAKI ANNOUNCED an upgrade of 2012’soriginal Versys 1000 the most anyone expected was astyling tweak and a few extra gadgets. Which is whyevery second spent with 2015’s Versys 1000 comes as awelcome surprise…First off, the new Kawasaki looks sleek and modernwith conventional lights and dynamic styling. It’s not striking, butit doesn’t look like a ripped-out fridge.However, the Versys’ electronic sophistication is several leaguesbelow the BM or Ducati. You have to start it with a key, of allthings. And when it comes to pushing buttons, there are fewer tochoose from. You can swap engine modes between full (F) power,or low (L) power (smoother throttle response, 25% less poke). Youcan also choose between three levels of traction control intrusionor, at standstill, turn it off. But there’s no gyro sensor detectinglean angle and the modes aren’t integrated. A new Bosch ABSsystem delivers a smoother action, but it’s also not modulated bylean angle. The LCD clocks have a fuel gauge, fuel range, airtemperature and the usual mileages, but the gear position indicatoris a factory accessory. The screen is adjustable but uses two knurledknobs rather than a fancy mechanism. There’s no cruise control,heated grips (extra), 12v socket (extra) or electronic suspension.But here’s the thing, the Kawasaki isn’t the worse for it. Theextra bits that matter to most of us – heated grips, gear positionindicator, power sockets, luggage – are all available as accessories.Cruise control would be nice and a BMW-style quickshifter wouldbe fun, but these aren’t deal breakers.And then there are the things the Versys does better than theother two. Important things. Its mirrors are the best – blur-free andmassive. There’s a riding position that, for six-foot me, is betterthan the BMW and the Ducati. The bars aren’t as wide, which isless tiresome. Body position is balanced and the footpegs are lowerso there’s more legroom (and less ground clearance, but scrapinghero blobs is fun, right?). The screen might be clumsy to adjust,but it’s the most effective here. And the tank is a healthy 21 litres,so at 47mpg there’s a range of well over 200 miles. And acentrestand comes as standard, too.The Versys’ 1043cc inline-four motor is based on the 140bhpunit in the Z1000SX and Z1000, retuned for 114bhp. Yes it’sunderpowered compared with the 160bhp XR and 142bhp Ducati.Yes… and also no. It hasn’t the midrange shove of the BMW anddoesn’t bang like the Multistrada. But it’s got enough beef toboogie at a proper lick and it’s so much smoother than the otherpair. At 85mph in top the Versys is properly tall geared, pulling ahorizontal 5000rpm. For an inline four with a 10,000rpm redline,that’s just out of bed. And it’s creamy, a stark contrast to the highrevvingBMW which is uncomfortably frantic in comparison.So now you’re sitting there enjoying the fact you can still feelyour extremities, when a corner approaches. This will sort the menfrom the boys; the semi-active springs from the passive…And yet, while the Ducati out-steers the Versys and the BMWout-does it in terms of pure roadholding, the revised softer settingson the adjustable Versys forks and shock cope well. Unlike the firstVersys they feel plush and refined, and cope with the Kawasaki’s15kg weight deficit. Really tramp on and you feel the springssquirm in protest – and if you took all three to a track the Versys,despite its Bridgestone T30 tyres, would be the first to get out ofshape. But out on the road there’s very little in it.Which can’t be said for the price. The base model Versys costs£9885 on the road. Add some of the frills the other twoaccessorised bikes come with – heated grips, panniers with inners,12v socket, gear indicator – and you’re talking £10,964. Buy theGrand Tourer version of the Versys, which has the above plus a topbox, fog lights, engine protectors and hand guards, and the total is£11,235. That’s four grand cheaper than the XR Sport SE withadded panniers, and getting on for five and half grand cheaperthan a Multistrada Touring. You could buy an awful lot of petrol,tyres and nights in posh European hotels for that.56