Kawasaki Versys 650

The Versys 650 used to be the entry-level model in Team Green’s adventure motorcycle portfolio, but it will now be positioned one step above the upcoming Versys-X 300. Not much has changed on the India-spec model, other than the updation of the motor to meet BS4 emission norms, a green/black paint scheme, and a revised instrument cluster that now includes a gear position indicator.

The Versys 650 chassis is based on the chassis of the outgoing Ninja 650, but it gets high-quality suspension components. The front forks are separate function forks that can adjust for preload as well as rebound. The rear remains a KYB mono-shock with a remote preload adjuster. ABS is standard on the Versys 650. The high-quality suspension and stiff chassis make the Versys 650 one of the sweetest-handling motorcycles in its category on any surface, despite the wheels and tyres being biased toward tarmac. The engine in the Versys 650 is the same 649cc parallel twin that does duty in the Z650 and Ninja 650, but has been optimised for the Versys.

The Versys 650 has only one model that competes directly with it: the four-cylinder Benelli TNT 600GT.