Kawasaki Versys 650 Review

[@twed168]

Owned 11 different street bikes, my 2012 Versys is the all time favorite , doesn’t do anything great but does everything pretty damn good

[@ScoutsOut]

Nice, good to hear. I could easily see myself getting one soon

[@MegaTrill88]

@@ScoutsOut I agree! My 2012 Solar Yellow Versys 650 was my best bike until got my 2022 Moto Guzzi V85 TT Guardia d'Onore. My 2012 Versys 650 was an excellent all rounder and I'm considering getting a 2023 or 2024 Versys 650. Just wish Kawasaki made a shaft drive Adventure/Sports touring bike in the 650cc-1200cc range.

[@jDot2414]

How’s this bike with a passenger?

[@2WheelTalk]

The versys 650 is a magnificent bike! I like the design of the cases, and the display is a major upgrade compared to the older models. Very nice review!

[@ScoutsOut]

Totally agree, I’ve been running my KLR 650 as a commuter with is doing ok but i really want the versys now for day to day

[@glennscott1100]

The versys 650 trans was always clunķy. I have a 2011.clunķy from day one. Didn't matter how much clutch adjustment. Love this bike.

[@ScoutsOut]

Ohh I didn't know that, I felt bad talking crap about the tranny as most kawis have good ones

[@IslandADV]

Thanks for taking it out for rip for us man. My wife and I are thinking of getting one as a couples bike and she really only cares about comfort, so the thoughts on that were appreciated. The bike does sound great eh. Cheers.

[@ScoutsOut]

Nice, glad it was helpful let me k ow if you get one and what you guys think cheers

[@TrailTales]

Nice one again Scout... Great that you're able to get out to these things... And that the companies put them on... :D

[@ScoutsOut]

Thanks bro, yea I’ve been super lucky!

[@paulf2534]

Thank you for the review. I have the 2023 Z400 at the moment but looking at the 650 for my next bike. The Z400 is a great city bike as it is small and light yet I have taken it on the freeway and I thought it would be knocked around by the wind but it handles really well. Glad you mentioned the rear ABS being touchy as I find it the same on the Z400.

[@ScoutsOut]

Nice man, glad it was helpful and would be a perfect second bike for the z, use the versys to get to and from work and just have fun on the z

[@iulianlazar8893]

Maybe i missed it, but something major to mention about this bike is that it will never let you put it in second from first if you are not moving (say you want neutral at the lights and accidentally put it in second); never! Some centrifugal ball bearings in the box.

[@ScoutsOut]

Oh I didn’t know that, very cool

[@winnipegtrucker5854]

These are really nice bikes. I like the upgraded dash, which adds the next level to the bike. I have the 2016, and it's been a real nice bike. It would be nice if it had cruise control, it would make long trips much better. Other then that, we'll worth checking out. Thanks for the review.

[@ScoutsOut]

Yea they really are, thanks for watching and commenting

[@scottdavis9318]

Thanks for the great review . The Verseys 650 , Klr650 , Honda cb500x are on my radar . Just wondering which 650 Kawasaki do you like the best? Thanks for the great video. 👍

[@ScoutsOut]

Thanks Scott, it’s hard to say the verseys was amazing on the street the KLR is good off road but not so good on the highway. If you don’t plan on going off road the versys is a much better bike

[@FarmerRiddick]

I'm considering a Versys as a NewB beginner bike - used of course! Being 6'3, I'm realizing physical limitations in selection and even price. My daughter n law has a 650 Ninja, and it kinda felt smallish, yet ride-able Hate the handlebars on that bike though. Being in the mountains of Colorado, I have long 6% grades, two lane hairpins and a couple of miles on dirt to my driveway when I go to civilization. Anything you would recommend on this type of bike in upgrades for terrain differences and travel differences? Fiddler's Green

[@ScoutsOut]

Haha yea I can't stand the ninja 650 handle bars either. As for the versys I think it would be fine for that. Keep up on the maintenance and maybe a filter that can be cleaned and keep up on cleaning it. Some really light terrain tires would help

[@moton8tion866]

Waiting on that ranking board! Good one sir.

[@ScoutsOut]

Haha been thinking about it, I need to go back and put something thing together for all of them. I should be riding a few KTMs this weekend which will be cool

[@adam346]

always go for the LT version... $600? For Keyed to the bike hard-cases that are removable and act as luggage??? Yeah, take my money.

[@ScoutsOut]

Yea man for sure, so worth it. I didn’t that on my klr 650 the key system is so worth it

[@shawnallen8470]

How different is it compared to the ninja 650? Did the suspension, power, riding position feel any different or identical?

[@ScoutsOut]

For power i couldn’t really tell if there was any difference. I know that trans is different so I’m sure there is a difference in power due to gearing, i just didn’t get to ride them hard enough. Suspension was much different the ninja is is better feel but its shorter travel and for a more sportier feel. As for riding position the versys is much more comfortable its more up right, the ninja is upright for a sport bike but you are still sort of in an aggressive position.

[@its_bigbklyn]

No comparison. Two different bikes

[@ScoutsOut]

Yea for sure

[@Jtwizzle]

Seems like this bike needs cruise control, maybe make a new LT+ package for a bit more cost.

[@ScoutsOut]

Yea that would be really cool

[@jamescharald8192]

Can you please tell me what is the average fuel consumption of the bike. What is the lower you can get inside city/outside(lowest and highest you saw). Also what's the best speed on highway you can maintain in order to achieve the best possible consumption? Is 140 km good and how many revs you have at that speed?

[@ScoutsOut]

Wish I could, I only got to ride it that day so you would just have to google that info but I'm sure there is a lot out there

[@royal-enfield1]

¿so which 3 other bikes in its class would u choose ahead of the versys 650

[@ScoutsOut]

If the tracer 7 had come to American I would grab that, I haven't gotten to ride the Suzuki so I can't comment on that one but I think for saving a bunch of money the cfmoto has some real potential too

[@royal-enfield1]

@@ScoutsOut the triumph tiger 850 sport would also be a good solid choice î think

[@ScoutsOut]

Oh definitely I have a friend that had one, sold choice as well

[@jDot2414]

How’s this bike on highway?

[@ScoutsOut]

It's good man, enough power and enough wind protection just a solid bike imo

[@jDot2414]

@@ScoutsOut thanks for the response! Have you Road with passenger?

[@ScoutsOut]

No the wife isn't interested in riding with me

[@problemslayer3538]

Tracer 7

[@ScoutsOut]

Man I wish they brought that to the US, I’d own one for sure

[@problemslayer3538]

@ScoutsOut it's actually not that good. The engine is superb but the seating position slants you towards the tank and both the standard and comfort seat are crap. The v strom and honda nc750 are both better bikes

[@ScoutsOut]

Hmm, good to know

[@elainelillian5671]

'PromoSM' 💐

[@ScoutsOut]

thank you!

[@protectorh9167]

Slipperclutch, no not on the 650

[@ScoutsOut]

Your right, the ninja does but not the versys, I thought they had the same trans, no wonder I didn't like the trans on the versys

[@thodoris3790]

Kawasaki have stayed behind.this engine needs update.too weak.and where is an adventure bike like tenere?KLR is ancient and only for the US.

[@ScoutsOut]

Yea I would agree, it's a proven engine but is somewhat lackluster. I didn't know the KLR was US market only... that sucks

[@thodoris3790]

@@ScoutsOut yes,KLR.DR,XR, not for europe,unfortutanely.many years now.i think only in north america,maybe and south.but you dont have the tracer 700,as far as i know.which is better than versys 650.

[@ScoutsOut]

That's weird and no we don't have the tracer 7 and if we did I would own one, I love that bike

[@thodoris3790]

@@ScoutsOut you know something...versys650 looks much more of a bike than tracer 7.its a little small.too compact.also i prefer the looks of the versys.but,tracer7 has a better engine,the cp2.i wish kawa give to this engine at least 100cc more

[@ScoutsOut]

Yea I haven't seen the tracer 7 in persons so not sure which looks better but just the 270 over kawi 180 is the main improvement imo

[@deaczorz]

one demo ride and you call it a review? you know nothing about the bike

[@ScoutsOut]

Ok thanks for your feedback