Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE review (2019) | Best sports tourer vs S1000XR?

It is a sporty cruiser.
Not the type of bike i would take off road.
But has a nice sporty look with the cruiser comfort, and ability to carry some stuff.

Touch the ground if you're 5'8? I've had an R80GS, R100GS and a Tiger Trail. Always liked being able to go up back roads - not being restricted. Probably favour a Triumph Tiger XCH but the Kawasaki is an impressive bike.

I have an s1000xr ! If the versys matched it in power I would buy one just for the reliability factor!

Just wish it was shaft driven.

Super video 👌🏻👌🏻

Like standing on a what? 😅

Nice helmet design

I never did and probably never will understand people using ADV bikes for touring. Buy a god damn tourer or cruiser. Which ever you may prefer.

it is way to pricey. no shaft drive, less hp than competition, and a bit to heavy. the direction is good,vut fear it is not enough..

118hp? isnt this over 140?

The geometry of an adventure bike with a 17 inch front wheel. Its a particular niche shared with a few other bikes and am glad that there is a japanese entry.

Nice review!

Horses for courses. A big engine in a mild state of tune will last forever.

properly! Have owned Versys's in the past. You cannot find a better bike to munch miles, have some fun in the corners and commute on. They are truly do it all bikes with a nice price tag.

Why the negative connotations?

just compare the price and built quality......you'll never prefer the bmw over this!

Gtr1400 with shaft drive better concept.

Just wondering, is a chubby hamster quick-shifter better or worse than a slim hamster quick-shifter?

You missed out on how it's even more uglier than before....🤮🤮

I was in Lanzarote last week at the Hesperia. Loads ofbthe Kawasaki boys were there. Nice looking bike but silly money I’m afraid!

I have the 2017 Kawasaki Versys 1000 LT and it is such a great bike. I can easily take my girlfriend and I on a 4-5 day trip (or longer if women didn't want so many god damn outfits ha)

Fjr will smoke it

Based on my own personal experience (I have a Versys 650 and have ridden the 1000), the Versys is a great bike for doing a lot of miles on twisty roads. They corner extremely well, they just don't get up to the stupid speeds of a supersport or supernaked, but have plenty of power for overtaking. The 650 will happily cruise at 80-85mph all day, the 1000 would happily cruise at 100 all day. Once you replace the crummy stock tires with a set of Road 5s or Angel GTs the handling truly comes alive and the bike feels like a weapon around corners.

Pretty much call the 1000 SE what it is, a Japanese version of a S1000XR or Multistrada S, just with less power and a much cheaper price and better reliability. In fact the new Multistrada 950S may be this bikes closest competitor, it has the skyhook suspension and touring amenities of its big brother (including cruise control, which all 2019 Multistrada 950s get), it just has the 113hp 950cc motor instead of the 160hp 1260 motor.

This obsession with complex massive litre+ tourers is ridiculous. People have had two-up adventures round South America on an XT660. I toured the UK on a CB550 and had some absolutely terrific times. My modern choice for big touring would be a Tiger 800 of GS800 but there are dozens of modest choices available, old and new. Save your pennies for the cost of ferries, accommodation and various equipment including camping gear.

I sooo want one.

Does kawaki have an adventure bike option for this year or are they still going with the klr650?

And the cost ? Right in the territory of the GS if you get the SE variant.

Rode to 49 states on an 03 VTX 1800R and putt 99k miles on it. Shaft drive. Totally reliable and comfortable. Just not a twisty road bike. This VERSYS 1000 would have been funner..

I love the package. I’m glad someone is building universal Japanese motorcycles again. The only issue I have that’s not really a problem, it’s a matter of taste. All in line fours feel the same. It doesn’t matter what decade they were made, it doesn’t matter who makes them, they all feel and sound the same. Just sayin

Outclassed by tracer900

I really hope they don't kill the Concourse because of the new Versys. I hope I get the money and buy me a concourse.

That's a really braw bike but it needs another 30bhp to compete with its rivals. I totally believe Kawa will soon see that and will give it a power bump ... when they do my S1000XR will be getting chopped in ... I want to be riding a Kawa again, I'm a Kawa gut not a BMW guy.

isnt the z1000sx a better choice?more power,more torque and cheaper,better tourer for roads

I just purchased my new 1000 SE LT+ and if the weather holds out I will be able to pick it up next weekend, We ride mostly 2 up in twisty roads,,, My 2015 Versys has been great, so I am looking forward to my next level Versys. Its all about the journey.

Nice bike

Good work keeps going brother

I HAVE ONE SERIOUS - SERIOUS QUESTION! Are the handle bars buzzy? I never ever want to ride a bike with buzzy handle bars again in my life

I owned a 2017 GS, 2001 r1150 GS. Wanted to get another bike and test rode the KTM 1190 Adv but finally settled on a Versys 1000. The versys was last on my list, but I was surprised on how much a good bike it actually is. It is so easy to ride, the power is so forgiving yet it is still very powerful. For two up riding, I believe the versys is the best bike out there. Brand factor, may not have the appeal of the beemer, KTM or Ducati, but after owning a versys- I wonder why I have not rode a kawasaki earlier. For those who are looking at adv styled bikes but don't really go off road or just mild tracks, u need to test ride a versys before deciding.

oH mY GOD, It has the face of the Locust from the pit. You tell me different.

I'm looking at the specs for this touring bike, but I'm not finding anything about cruise control. What's up with that ? How do you TOUR without electronic cruise control??

I’ve just bought this bike after watching this review then having a test ride

Riders that have tried it, have veary positive rew. BMW XR has some bad rew. and Multistrada has many. But on roads,you will meat 10 of each EU bikes, for one Versys. They say - "only 120hp" and "only 245 km/h. Boys will be boys.
ps.
Do people know, that driving over 130 km/h with paniers or with pillion is a NO NO, not legal

140mph tourer ...............comfortable.............no brainer ......

Nice talk 👍 . Funny to read all the comments. Particularly the ones about the 120 hp. Most of those commentators don’t even know what 120 hp can do. I do, and i also know that biking is about fun, no matter how much hp you have.
Although i have to admit i still love kicking the ass of all those boys with a 200 bhp bike (but get scared at the first turn) just after they asked me if sell icecream too.

In terms of comfort which is better
GS1250 or Versys 1000se

Even a 10 year old Pan European comes with an electric screen. Something this new machine lacks.

You are absolutely right. So many make some 300 bhp ultras sports as the benchmark for motorcycles. Ridiculous. Bit like comparing a pick up truck with a Nissan GTR. They are built for different purposes. The Versys would likely be much more usable on the road, reliable, put up a lot more miles, not to mention cost effective.

Love it

It would be fun to have an adventure endurance race class like 1hr-2hr