2010 Kawasaki Versys v BMW F650GS v Suzuki V-Strom

Five miles was all it took for MCN's road testers to agree the new 2010 Kawasaki Versys is fun to ride. 100 miles later it was clear the new bike should be just as popular as the 2009 Versys. But is the new Versys the best middleweight do-everything bike available? Watch the video to see it take on the BMW F650GS and Suzuki V-Strom.
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[@1967whaley]

"so in effect you've got 3 different bikes here" - these MCN guys know their onions

[@sfcmathews32]

So, in this video, we had two full minutes of the three of them riding past the same red, brick farmhouse in the same curve? That's some high cinema there.

[@MathieuTechMoto]

lol very true

[@dashippo]

Not overly impressed with the wheelies. This is a general bike review, i want to hear about functionality. I've never seen somebody test a prius on function by doing donuts in a parking lot.

[@intergalacticbasketballdro7186]

Versys 650 VS Prius ? ! LOL ! 🤣

[@dashippo]

@@intergalacticbasketballdro7186 Obviously you don't get metaphors.

[@joedkat]

I am 8 years late to this comment but it made me laugh out loud

[@billycheeseman9795]

Grow down ABIT pal

[@Ronanpob1]

I use my 06 v-strom pritty much every day- & I love it. Took it to south France last year fully loaded- just a joy. To work, I'm on road and gravel AND dirt!! Soaks them up. It sometimes gets a hard time over looks, but each to their own...it certainly does the job.

[@TheJ0RD1E]

I own and ride a Versys and the major issue I have with it is the seat. I am 6'2" so the stand over is not the problem, the issue is that it slopes forward and after a while you find yourself sitting on your own 'nads. There are forums out there discussing what causes this and how you might be able to fix it, but it's a bit annoying. All in all I love my bike, but I'd want to warn anyone wanting to do long distance touring as this can be an issue.

[@intergalacticbasketballdro7186]

Some Versys owners modify their front seat mount to cure this issue. My solution was simple. When I first purchased my Versys, I experienced the same nad smashing frustration, but then I realized that if I just extended my arms straight and slid back in the seat, (forcing myself to sit away from the gas tank while riding, then after just a few minutes of sitting in that position, the foam seat padding begins to compress, and then my ass settles down into the seat, and I am sitting comfortably, (no longer sliding forward into the gas tank).

[@CampervanKevin]

I have had a vstrom before. Very good bike. It was totaled when my truck was hit and it was on the back. Threw the bike off and destroyed it. I didn't ride for about a year. I bought a new 09 Versys about 6 months ago. Very happy with my purchase. Fun is a good word to describe the Versys. It does everything well.The handling is superb. Aftermarket has all the small factory ills covered. I would recomend this bike.

[@theymusthatetesla]

I rode a Versys 3 years ago in Bavaria. I fell in love with it. Now I have an ER6n...same engine, but with conventional styling. The Versys I rode had panniers. It was lovely, but at five feet four, it WAS a bit of a nuisance to get on and off. Although once on the move, no problem. Even at a standstill in traffic, I could put my foot down with few problems. It was just the getting on and off, which was the real problem. These bikes will put a grin on your face, that's hard to remove!!

[@simon44]

Tried all of these. V Strom 1. Versys 2 BMW 3 but to be honest theres very little in them. The Kawk has the best build with the Susuki and BMW suffering cosmetically but the V Strom and Versys are the most fun. I went with the V Strom because of the shear value for money and its ability to tour all day with no pains or aches.

[@reasoningphaedrus4376]

I've ridden a V-strom and my own Ninja 650 (which has the same motor as the Versys) and I think the reviewer got it right. The V-strom is comfortable as hell but its motor doesn't even come close to approaching the fun factor of Kawi's 650 parallel twin.

[@intergalacticbasketballdro7186]

I own a Versys 650. It comes stock with a 38 tooth rear sprocket. (Both) the 650 Ninja and the Z-650 have a 34 tooth rear sprocket. This gives them a higher top speed, but it offers the Versys better torque and acceleration I like the Versys, because I don't like to go faster than 120 MPH. A tall stance, a short swing arm, and four more teeth on the rear sprocket makes the front wheel of the Versys 650 gradually lift off the ground if you twist the throttle a little to much. (In 1st gear, sometimes 2nd gear, too) It does good "Power Wheelies". (Plenty of power for passing vehicles on the freeway, if you just know how to downshift before twisting the throttle).

[@CaptainDangeax]

***** I also was a big fan of Kawazaki last century, but I got married, 3 childrens... Now the kids are grown a little, I wanted to return to bike and I went to Kawa. Eew, those bikes are ugly, and I road tested the V-strom with my wife. I signed the check the same day and now I don't regret it, the V-strom is a fantastic ride everywhere anytime, solo and duo.

[@Petros_DT]

I had all 3 in my life for more than a year each one. I'm not a big fun of BMW but guess what...was by far the best on acceleration and cornering. It had the most comfortable position for the rider the most relaxed, it is thiner than vstrom and kawasaki you can tell and not bad at all for a single cylinder. Kawasaki wins only in top speed and is a little bit more beautiful than BMW. Something in between is vstrom not too bad not too good at Something 😅. Hope this was helpful.

[@HawkGTboy]

Yeah, the new Versys looks positively badass. I have a Wee Strom, but if I had to replace it tomorrow, I'd look really hard at the Versys.

[@intergalacticbasketballdro7186]

Forget about paying for high maintenance costs on a BMW F650GS. If you prefer a great handling road bike, then get a Versys 650 or if you need that 19" front wheel for off roading, then get a 650 V-strom. I agree with this video's producer. That Versys 650 motor is really fun and sporty ! Kawasaki is the winner !

[@stoneblue1795]

Hell yeah, agreed. Have a Versys myself. Trouble free, it is what it is, RELIABLE.

[@tyboys]

I have the vstrom and love it. I'm in Utah and have been on it all winter and have take off road more so then when I had my klr. Its not as high price as the BMW but can do all it can plus. I love the the vstrom and more fun with it then I did with my old f4i.

[@flavionemoto]

Versys is a fantastic bike! I enjoyed a lot! Pretty good!

[@garystackhouse5787]

Yet ANOTHER useless and biased MCN "shootout". The fastest bike always wins. Comfort never counts, utility never counts. The bike that seems most like a MotoGP bike wins the day every time. Same as recent "Scrambler" shootouts where although a "Scrambler" has traditionally been designed as a dual purpose bike, and even though reviewers all agree the Triumph is a much better bike off-road and far more comfortable, the Ducati always wins the shootout because it's faster on-road!! GARBAGE!!

[@jonathanmellish4439]

MCN please use more on bike footage like this and reduce static camera footage which isn’t very interesting.

[@spiderthenics9462]

I always liked the versys. Never owned one and im on the verge of changing that.Old ones with reasonable miles are like 3k euros in my country. What are your thoughts for this bike as a daily commuter ? I live in Greece and its mostly sunny here.My work is like 12 minutes using car and 10 using my small scooter. I used to own a Kawasaki z750 when i was younger but although i like naked bike i want a more comfortable ride now.

[@shiftyshamsk]

"It's a job I suppose" attitude. I've seen more excitement at a funeral. My wife's farts are more entertaining than this review.

[@Effenent]

I'm sure they're easier on the ears too.

[@shiftyshamsk]

​@@Effenent😂😂

[@SWTrailsAndWheels]

some fire road and offroad capability comments would have been useful in this category.

[@vagelispavlopoulos]

only for the comparison between a bike with full panniers and others with not its a joke review...

[@Le_Sourpuss]

@simon44 Thank you very much for your comment Simon, I'm scanning for a light bike that's able to do very well in off-road while keeping some road-going capabilities hence my question. You have a very good point about BMW service there ;) There's also a chance that all these bikes are just too heavy for my goal heheh Thanks!

[@lorcanroche2987]

Mk1 Versys still the best. Lighter and easier to chuck around. Got too fat as it evolved even though power increased.

[@tjmcbryan]

yeah you can buy a lowering kit for quite cheap that you can fit on the versys, i forget the name right now but apparently its easy to fit.

[@elcabrononwheels]

@SuperSonicPsykic I have a 2009 Versys and have put over 16500 miles on it and its my first bike. I think it is a great learner bike and I don't think I'll get tired of it soon. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the others. BMW is a great bike if your willing to pay a little extra. V-strom is a classic but the overall wet weight of V-strom is about 480 lbs while the Versys weighs in at 454 lbs. This will make the Versys a little more responsive when riding.

[@simon44]

The V Strom has a lovely engine

[@simon44]

@euheide Theres only one Kawasaki dealer here in Ireland and they only service Kwaks that are bought from them. It didnt stop me buying them and they were by far the best bikes I've had. The most reliable too. Any mechanic should be able to work on them and most parts can be replaced with universal parts so that isnt really an issue there. They de-value like a stone into water but that makes them fantastic second hand value. Worth every cent.

[@vasquez228]

Kawasaki is the best. I love the Versys!!!

[@rgod58]

I said this in another video about the v strom, BMW should have gone with inverted forks and a 17 inch front wheel, it would give the bike better feel on the road. and leave the offroading to their single cylinder 650's or the f800gs

[@sgpsimonb]

not sure I'd take a Versys off road in the same way the F650GS can... looks like a fun road bike though.

[@simon44]

@euheide I know the perfect bike for you then: the Kawasaki KLE 500cc. No major top end power from it but the newer models look amazing with their gloss finish and they lovely sound, cheap as chips to buy and maintain, light and have a nice bit of torque. Its like a skinnier version of the V Strom. Seemingly great fun too.

[@harrybaules]

These guys have the best job in the world

[@JimmySlacksack]

Classic MCN bike review Zzzzzzzzzz

[@w3media]

@zenrhythman - I would have expected that considering the BMW is an 800cc bike compared with the 650cc of the Kawasaki or Suzuki. (again another reason that this review is an odd comparison) But when you also consider that the BMW costs about 50% more than the Suzuki (on road in AU) you could easily add a Givi top box, panniers, centre stand, heated grips, bash plate, radiator guard and touring screen and still get some petrol money back in change from what you would spend on the standard BMW.

[@awwylde]

@smokemifugotem100 Actually, the Versys *is* listed as a dualsport in some places, such as the Kawasaki New Zealand website, for example.

[@animal100000]

Good reveiw mate spoken naturally not like your reading it off a script so you know what youre on about.

[@crimsonflame242]

TBH id take the V-Strom so comfy to ride and as showed in the video can be fast and fun, for me it would be the best all rounder but all are good bikes :D

[@DSNCB919]

The BMW looks like a Spork

[@Womanwolfrider]

Riding around the same bend 20 times isn't a road test, these are adventure touring bikes, so why pick the one with a peaky engine, surely low down torque should win?

[@aussybum]

ride a vstrom 1000 now.may get the versys as my next bike

[@EppingForest304]

I'm glad for the versys, it was previously under rated

[@smokemifugotem100]

@MaverickAus "From touring, to off-road exploring" from the BMW Motorrad Website - "If you’re torn between smooth pavement and wilderness trails, jump on a DualSport." Dl650 listed from the Suzuki website as such. The Versys is the only one out of the three that is not listed as a dual purpose bike. Now you can argue that none of them are, but I see these bikes all over the backcountry. So before you pop off you POS do a little research.

[@KPKonliner]

LOL the fart ! I thought it was the engine sound !

[@BrakeHorsePower92]

I agree with the fact that the Kawasaki is fugly. The BMW is ok, BMW likes asymmetrical headlights. Doesn't bother me. The Suzuki looks quite good actually. 1.BMW 2.Suzuki 3.Kawa...no wouldn't take that one at all...:S

[@filofilo8127]

Ok so these bikes aren't exactly good looking but they do have a quirky appeal (at least or me) I own a 650 vstrom and am very happy with it. Tested the Kawasaki but prefer relaxed position of the vstrom. I can't speak for the BMW but I am sure it's a great bike although some reviews tend to point to the seat being a bit uncomfortable. In the real world most of us will be riding thse bikes on the bitumen and the suzuki is good on those long rides here in Australia. Overall the vstrom is great on comfort and cheap on maitenance.

[@jabird212]

what's with the camera in the beginning?

[@w3media]

Beemer is a great bike - but IMO too expensive for what it is. The Suzuki will go anywhere the bigger GS BMW's will go, and probably more reliably. The Kawasaki is a great bike, but why would you compare it to the other two?...it's a road bike - forget taking that up a fire trail. PLUS I would never own a bike I couldn't put a centre stand on.

[@sethdog1000]

wish the vstrom 650 wheelbase was a little shorter, like 59" or 60.0", an easy notch over 650 dual sports.

[@CYOTsNiper]

Geez how many times are you going to go through that same corner LOL

[@edhawk21]

looks like Rutland water! nice place

[@Matrixdragon99]

Brian Cox does motorcycle reviews?

[@simon44]

@euheide Yeah I tried nearly all the trailies and mid range bikes of this class before making a decision. The F800GS was fantastic in so many ways but its too off road focused for me and in the real world with that 21inch front tyre the handling on corners is alot more difficult than say the 19inch on the 3 bikes we have in this video. Seen as handling is biking 101 it wasnt a go for me. Plus the price of the BMW's is ridiculous and so is the cost of the servicing for them.

[@guyNbluejeans]

I like that burnt-orange color.

[@ivanovivan11]

@afterGR In front of -vstrom, versys looks like it will fall apart

[@Le_Sourpuss]

@simon44 Thanks again Simon! :) Didn't know that one. But I've been reading some reviews and it's definitely an awesome bike. Too bad Kawasaki's assistance where I live is close to non-existent. It's still worth considering though as there are little alternatives that offer those qualities. Thanks ;)

[@Le_Sourpuss]

@simon44 Did you consider the F800GS? :)

[@ariwerf]

you mean like the Versys with its underslung almost invisible exhaust.

[@homersimpson2963]

Versys engine is taken from the ER6. V-Strom motor steals the sv650 powerplant. Which is more fun?

[@girlinagale]

I just don't want a bike with those huge silencers sticking up at a daft angle. Rode a Kawasaki er650 for a few months and the exhausts were almost invisible, much prefer.

[@turbobirdy]

I know - were they only allowed test the bikes within a 2 mile radius? I'd expect better quality overall from an MCN road test. Very amaturish, especially the dubbed-in audio at the end.

[@peacefuljeffrey]

I'll still take the V-Strom. (Well, that's what I currently ride!)

[@botiroti1]

how come europe gets a much larger variety of bikes than the us???

[@limeheadrickey]

i saw i few bmw's today that looked like dirtbikes on crack they were sick i was so excited to watch vids of them on youtube, but i was shocked to see there only about 10 000

[@jasonsitu]

you guys always test dual purpose bike on the road, thats not dual purpose testing is it?

[@joewarcupinhull]

the BMW's forks look like they have been taken off a custom bike. a strange looking thing it is

[@ruuman]

so much the same verdict as last year

[@bikingwithgrantygrant779]

Pretty poor video. Wheelies and attempts at hanging off the side of the bike aren't really necessary for these bikes. Wish more information was given such as fuel efficiency ect and a bit more focused on what its like to live with.

[@girlinagale]

Yup, looks a great bike.

[@90Eduard]

This looks like a comercial for the versys all the way !

[@mehdibb4186]

That Dude does not want to be there

[@stormworks4882]

your mates in the background are quite distracting with all that chatter

[@MillaEzPresso]

Why didn't you specify the farter in the credits?

[@akhyamuhammad9157]

come on dude. lets go off road...thats dirt bike..

[@aussybum]

here the vstrom and versys are priced the same.want the kawa but black seem the common color.boring

[@smokemifugotem100]

@awwylde The Kawasaki site in the states says sport bike. The Versys forums are a mixed bag on the question of Dual Purpose. I know it used to be listed under DS on the States site a couple of years ago. Interesting Kawasaki's marketing of the same bike is different in other countries, but you New Zealanders were always a little more adventurous! ;)

[@matt98787]

it looks like they only test it on that one curve....

[@Blaxtard]

Nice comparison, i prefer the F 650 gs

[@intergalacticbasketballdro7186]

I could've bought a Vstrom or an F650GS (or a F800GS) but I chose to buy a 2009 Versys with only 5,050 miles on it. Most Versys have a noisy vibration sound in the instrument panel at around 5,000 RPM. I had no problem eliminating the vibration issues that my bike came with. Awesome bike ! It offers me easy and affordable parts and maintenance. (Unlike the BMW F650GS)

[@Jooeffoh]

Opinions vary. Personally, the only thing italian i would buy would be a pizza.

[@LiamXaoh]

I never even use the "farting" in comments in case I offend people who don't like to even see the word "farting".

[@garmit61]

Let’s show 3 minutes of crap footage of journalists riding around and then state the bleeding obvious. Another pointless MCN video.

[@ylism]

You call that a review, Really ? It only took :()" Five miles was all it took for MCN's road testers to agree the new 2010 Kawasaki Versys is fun to ride. " How much was the payoff. lol Really I could not help myself....yl

[@Le_Sourpuss]

@simon44 That was my main concern, but if it's like that than I guess it's not a problem after all heheh :) It sure is a nice bike. I will definitely start checking for second hand deals. I saw one the other day, and it's a beauty ;). Thanks again!

[@rebornbiker3406]

the new versys are coooooooooooooooooooooooooollllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll

[@iqbal4142]

nice upside down fork for kawasaki

[@renoletero]

@lamilumag hola en 0.47 se le termino el agua en el mate y luego en 0.48 de le cae un gas, jejeje

[@UserName7910]

Suzuki and Kawasaki much better than BMW.

[@gert944]

Was that a farth at 0:48 ? :-))

[@a_wise_young_man752]

Are BMWs expensive to run and maintain?

[@a_wise_young_man752]

But what about the cost of servicing and repair?

[@dont3222]

I guess they are expensive for no reason. Just because it say BMW

[@wolfnightxx]

Sobra la publicidad.

[@MagnumPI4]

someone fuckin ripped one at :47

[@blipco5]

and a beauty at that.

[@steinert]

@frontier1701 do you really think this will anybody interest

[@Scale_Slotcars_Latvia]

I wanted to review a streetfighter but they gave us these bikes instead ,so we rode like idiots and gave a useless review !

[@madstu666]

someone talking abt looks, they are all ugly as sin. BMW make beautiful looking cars for the most part but their bikes are for the most part ugly ducklings.. they will argue no doubt the ultimate riding machine has to look like a munter but however nice they ride, i wouldnt buy such a minger.. very interesting test though, cheers#

[@robertp1580]

madstu666 true but there is an odd few who are very nice looking to be honest

[@onefugowie]

i have heard the BMW is built in China now i think the motor

[@opmike343]

@thekkl YES. Most of these motorcycle "reviews" are absolute junk. You don't learn anything as their more "fluff" than any real content. I don't see how any rational human being can walk away from the video and say that actually gained something from it. One of more of an all-'round you say? WHY, specifically, is this the case? Rubbish.

[@jonaslozano32]

demasiada motos para tan estupido video... la q iba mas rapido quizas alcanzo los 100 klm/h le falto buenos pilotos a esas bestias....

[@TheHardwareguide]

You guys are unbelievable!I thought I was watchin a farting competition or sumethin!

[@marcinpiak3540]

Mindless.