2023 Kawasaki Versys 650 | Test Ride Review: Better Than The Tracer?

[@Probablyevil]

After the variety of bikes I’ve had the privilege to ride, the Versys was always my favorite.

[@Richaag]

I originally ordered a Versys 650 but due to supply problems in the U.S. waited over 6 months without being able to get one. So I went in to the dealer one morning and was about to cancel my order when I saw they had a Versys 1000 in stock, on the showroom floor, ready for an owner. That bike is now in my garage.

[@gmmotomedia]

Interesting! How much more did you pay for the 1000?

[@Richaag]

@@gmmotomedia The 650 LT that I wanted was $9,999. The 1000 I ended up with (after a little negotiation) was $16,799. It was certainly more than I wanted to pay because I only wanted the bike for riding in town. It’s just that I’m 55 years old and I don’t have the time to wait for months on end to get a bike anymore.

[@gmmotomedia]

I understand thanks for sharing your experience 👍

[@migtomsar2008]

I bought the same exact bike. Very Happy.

[@americandude3825]

I owned the 650. Test rode the 1000. I prefer the 1000. On my bucket list to own.

[@nazirkazi2588]

I've ridden many bikes, owned a few, this is my favourite. I had a 2013 Versys that got stolen, I now have a 2019 and glad I came back to it after an Aprilia and a Tiger. Just can't fault this bike.

[@meazmo]

I've had mine 5 years, still a fun ride.

[@HDB112]

Looking forward to downgrading from a BMW R1200RT. Sold it yesterday. Looking for a lighter commuter bike, that's also capable of doing a serious tour with a pillion once a year. This seems like a good choice.

[@Loiczzr]

Back in October I did 1339 miles in 23 hrs on my 2020 versys 650. I did add hwy pegs on my crash bars and that helped. I often go ride about 300 miles with my 13 years old son (he is almost as tall as me) not much complain from him. (I added a backrest on the top box for him)

[@jorgeantunesclaro4450]

Did you got the versys?

[@user-xo7le5hq1b]

I have the vulcan s , and thinking of getting the versys 650 next, to add , just love that engine. Would like a diferent riding position for longer rides

[@chaoticneutralgiraffe5514]

Yeah i'm on the same position. BEcause i'm really tall i'm wondering if it would be a good choice for me..

[@gilc6733]

Same here I have the vulcan s as well but looking to do longer rides on the versys.

[@15lastone]

This bike is absolutely a Beast 😊😊 in a whole another league. Thanks for sharing 😊😊 and safe riding

[@gmmotomedia]

🙏🤙

[@googlelimp9834]

How is that a beast with only 65bhp? Ĺol

[@joecamel6835]

@@googlelimp9834 A bike isn't all about HP and the engine, size Queen !

[@Zeuspwns]

I absolutely loved my 2018 Versys that I had but the issues I had with it and the low service mileage made it just a little to expensive for my liking after almost 4 years, might try a new one soon!

[@ZuanhardieFamily]

serius i love it ..... still waiting it to came to Malaysia

[@richardmorrison2686]

I have a 2018 model , 55-58 mpg , cruises at 90 all day long , fun to ride , fits like a glove

[@scottdavis9318]

Is it ok to rev a new bike that high ? I'm used to taking it easy on a brand new bike. Cool bike and I hope it ends up in my garage. 👍

[@MetalRex100]

Hey, thanks for review! Would be nice to see Yamaha Tracer 7! What do you personally think is better for city: Tracer 7 or Versys 650?

[@gmmotomedia]

Will do as soon as 2023 demos are available. I'm leaning slightly in Kawasaki's favour but I might be wrong 🤔

[@MetalRex100]

@@gmmotomedia great, looking forward to check Tracer 7 review asap :) I know that Kawasaki is better from the quality perspective and electronics, but it seems like it more for touring. And weight is also high (219 killos dry). Personally for me yamaha midnight black view is outstanding and it’s very light. So I’m in love with Tracer 7 even if for my tall (190 cm) it will be a bit less comfortable, but for city should be ok ;)

[@emanuelperez2329]

When will the Kawasaki Versys 650 2024 testride be possible? I'm 1.64m tall and would like to hear about your experience and solutions for lowering, maintaining normal cycling and dynamic behavior. Thanks

[@gmmotomedia]

Best thing is to check with your local dealer. Kawasaki offers a lowering kit for this bike 👍

[@vedranvugrinec7744]

Hi, very nice review! It would be great to see how it behaves with two up, any impressions? Thanks!

[@gmmotomedia]

Thanks! I haven't had a chance to have a pillion during my test ride but I heard it's fantastic 2 up 👍

[@a.j.westendorp3971]

Bought this bike 6 weeks ago and I am now trading it in for the versys 1000, the engine has the power of a lawnmower and you have to keep it in the higher revs to have some power, I bought it without a testride as a commuter bike and I just cannot get used to the lack of power. Frame and suspension and build quality it excellent and it is made for more horses. Definitely not good for 2 up only due to the engine

[@amesnfire1098]

@@a.j.westendorp3971 The 1000 is so much higher in base price though. So that's a huge consideration for anyone looking to get a decent motorcycle that won't break the bank.

[@Voolthe]

Guys, I have a versys x 300 and I traveled many km with my wife without major issues, Versys 650 has a plenty of power to do even high highway speeds like 150/160km/h no problem

[@vedranvugrinec7744]

Hi guys, thanks for the replies! In the meantime, I checked F750GG, V-strom 650 and KTM Adv 790. At the end, circled back to Versys (love on first sight, I guess😀) as my first bike. Bike should come next week -pls keep the fingers crossed!

[@frda5219]

Merci super test

[@gmmotomedia]

🙏👍

[@MsDenver2]

Can you tell me can it be quite gentle easy to ride as I used to ride 1000cc bikes but that was over 40 years ago , I’m 64 and looking for a bike to tour on ?

[@jimh2061]

My only issue is the seat always feels like its leaning towards the gas tank. Its a good bike but a budget bike.

[@willyspessoa6255]

Ótimo vídeo brother, mas eu não falo inglês 🏍️🏍️🏍️🇧🇷

[@ed.t.hansen6499]

840mm seat; bring a step ladder. sits higher but more leg room ? 20kg more than a 500x or tiger 900.

[@ArshLX12]

Why couldn't they make it sound better 🥲

[@giovannimh]

Cant decide between Versys 650 24 or tracer 7 24 as a daily commuter.

[@gmmotomedia]

That's a very good problem to have. Test ride them both and also add to the list the Triumph Tiger Sport 660

[@ed.t.hansen6499]

Wish the seat was an inch lower

[@americandude3825]

I just wish it was an 800. I don’t need a 1000 but man the versys 1000 is perfect. I had the 650. Wasn’t super great above 70 mph for me at 245 pounds. The 650 sounds PERFECT with a two brothers full exhaust

[@thodoris3790]

yes, its better than the tracer

[@franciscoajanel]

why dont show your speedometer?

[@gmmotomedia]

No reason really, I think my camera sometimes plays up a little 😉

[@glenndelacruz2906]

you don't want to show evidence for over-speeding

[@marksanderson5135]

Doesn't want to show how much he's breaking the law by.

[@FnLn55]

Is the rear preload difficult to adjust?

[@gmmotomedia]

Not at all thanks to the knob you can easily adjust it by turning it step by step.

[@jamescharald8192]

Sir what is the real fuel consumption that you had inside and outside the city? At 140 kilometers how many revs you have and what fuel consumption at that speed?

[@gmmotomedia]

As I only had this bike for a few hours during the test ride I managed to average short of 50mpg. At that speed you're likely to be at about 7k rpm but I'm not sure as these speeds were never reached during my test ride.

[@jamescharald8192]

@@gmmotomedia thanks a lot

[@patrikmiguelongcog6005]

With my Versys 650 with city traffic in the Metro of Manila it goes at roughly 17-19km/L General average for weekend trips is at 21-23km/L Cruising with little to no traffic at speeds of 100-140km/h (only playing within 5-7k rpm) yielded me about 24-25.4km/L.

[@nursuziani3131]

Hi, is there high vibration at 5000 to 6000 rpm?

[@gmmotomedia]

Nope only after 6 👍

[@upward_onward]

How will be its performance off-road ?

[@gmmotomedia]

I haven't had a chance to take this bike off-road but to be honest I would probably look elsewhere if you just wanna ride off-road. I feel like the 17" front wheel might let you down a bit 🤔

[@upward_onward]

@@gmmotomedia wonderful

[@ace100hyper3]

Does it have a snatchy throttle on low RPM?

[@gmmotomedia]

It really doesn't!

[@williamzeller294]

@@gmmotomedia The 2018 V650LT we had had horrendous throttle snatch. That was the reason we got rid of it with only 2400 miles. I've test-ridden a 2022 and a 2023 both at demo days and the throttle snatch was greatly reduced. Nor did they vibrate anywhere near as much as our '18. Here's hoping this real improvement carries over to all production bikes as the bike has excellent suspension and balance.

[@dhavald4359]

which bike can go 70mph at 3500rpm or less?

[@chrispack3131]

Kawasaki GTR1400 is very low revving at highway speeds.. I used to own one fantastic motorcycle but very heavy 315kgs !!

[@mollygrubber]

Honda NC750X might be close to that

[@jDot2414]

how much is this bike fully dressed ?

[@gmmotomedia]

The Grand Tourer is £ 10,749.00

[@pitdog2544]

А какая максималка унево примерно...

[@agostinoborrelli9099]

Che dici me a.cossigli come prima moto??????......

[@gmmotomedia]

Certo è un'ottima moto però fossi in te prenderei la Z650 perché pesa complessivamente di meno ed è più facile da gestire nelle zone urbane 👍

[@zahirpatel9676]

Censored the speed limit 😅

[@joecamel6835]

Better than a Tracer..lmao

[@eddzuki0]

same roads i ride brother. Gt Harwood

[@gmmotomedia]

😎🤙

[@googlelimp9834]

It's a 17inch front wheel, so no offence that's a tour bike not and not a sports tour eather, to consider it for adventure being on or off road adventures id say it needs on and off road. Like a 21inch or a 19inch for a 50/50 adventure. I think Kawasaki needs a catch up. Very nice but do think it needs the 19 for a good burst off road.

[@xdx2653]

better than tracer???nope