KAWASAKI VERSYS 1000 (2012 - 2015) Review

Version: mk1 61 plate

Year: 2012

Annual servicing cost: £100

I wanted an affordable 2nd hand bike that could do just about everything and which would be comfortable for my lanky 6'4" frame. This ticks all the boxes. It ain't the prettiest bike in the world but it's reliable, comfortable and handle's well enough for me. It's as happy on a blast, a bumble along B roads or touring.

Year: 2012

Annual servicing cost: £100

A very nice bike with plenty of engine power and chuckable. Won't win any beauty contests though. I bought the Versys a couple of months ago with 35k on the clock. Coming off a R1150GS meant the seat height and riding position didn't need any getting used to and is great for tall riders. It's difficult to fault this bike except for the vibration through the handlebars that make the mirrors pretty useless at anything over 60mph. An all-rounder used to be something like a VFR but this also fits the bill. Powerful, easy to ride, nice handling, reliable, semi-sporty but superb for touring. What more do you want?

Buying experience: Bought used privately so not much to say here. Paid 4500 with hard pannier cases, top box, centre stand, satnav bracket and power socket.

Version: K3

Year: 2014

Annual servicing cost: £90

Very smooth, brilliant engine, just tip in for cornering

Buying experience: Dealer £5990

Year: 2012

Annual servicing cost: £300

This is a powerful, smooth, comfortable bike for solo or two up journeys. I've been using it for the odd commute between Peterborough and London and even after spending a shift riding a BMW F800GT, I still look forward to the ride home on the Versys.

Buying experience: I bought second hand from Superbike Factory in 2017. Although at first it kept cutting out and breaking down, Superbike Factory took it back several times but couldn't find the issue. When I sent it to a specialist bike electrician he found that the previous owner whrn removing its alarm had made a serious hash of the wiring, but this was rectified without much expense and has been faultless since. The electrician said that there is no way Superbike Factory would have known nor would have found the issue.

Version: GT

Year: 2016

First the bad: When you first come to a halt you need to be ready for putting your foot down, this is a tall bike. Similar story when doing tricky U-turns on a slope etc BUT with the wide bars, it's really not really that much of issue once you get used to it. On the subject, it's a big bike but doesn't feel it, at all. As soon as I sat on it, It just felt right. Fog light's are OK, not amazing. Headlight, not great! OK it's not terrible just wish it had twin dual beams. The good: I wanted power and to feel plugged-in to the bike. I'm in Scotland and the kind of roads here demands a bike that has plush but stable ride quality and absolutely on-it handling. Tight twisty B roads with downhill sketchy hairpins (with bumps/gravel/sheep) or open sweepers, motorway (awesome), even in town, this bike bosses everything. All day comfy, 200+ tank range, luggage, 3rd person view, but the gem of this bike is the handling, it destroys a back road, I mean absolutely walks it. Just rolls into a turn laughing at you. That and the motor that's as powerful as you'd want in a sit up bike, it'll get somewhere stupid fast and without much effort. Also not a problem stretching your arms when you twist the throttle, but is equally happy just ambling about enjoying the view. I've got the carbon grey one, it's understated and slightly sinister. Doesn't draw too much attention to itself parked up and I like the flashing red light on the dash.

Buying experience: Kirkcaldy Kawasaki, totally spot on.

Year: 2014

Traded in my 2013 ZZR1400 which I absolutely loved, but age and size ment that a change was required. Test rode a couple bikes, but the Versys 1000 beat the Triumph & BMW in both looks, comfort and power

Year: 2015

Ticks all the boxes. Great as a daily commuter. Comfortable with long legs suits touring. Surprisingly nimble for a tall bike when attacking the twists and turns.

Version: Grand tourer

Year: 2015

Annual servicing cost: £100

Superb bike for the money panniers and top box are made by givi and are quality fuel consumption is excellent pulls like a freight train at low down revs gear change is slick and smooth and the induction roar when you open it up is intoxicating

Buying experience: Bought from a dealer as he gave me a corking price for my 2010 bike but as i found out to my horror the service department was full of class clowns that for me were dangerous

I traded in my SX as getting on now as although initially the riding position was ok started getting groin ache. My big gripe with the SX was a rattle between 2 & 3K revs in every gear, they all do it! This detuned motor seems to have got rid of that, yippee. I have owned a BMW GS an an RT, but never really liked the engine, that aside the price of these machines is outrageous. I know the Kwaka will never go off road but in reality who does? This bike ticks all the boxes for me comfy smooth handles really well on the twisties, loads of after market stuff, great value, mine is green, seems to be an abundance of white ones out there.

One of the best bikes out there. It does the lot, touring commuting, fun round the twisties. Get past the looks and buy one before everyone else does!

I bought my versys 1000 two weeks ago from KJM motorcycles .I test rode the bike wife my wife as pillion on some twisty back roads and thought it was very good .I had a 2010 zzr1400 before and i loved it but my wife said it gave her a sore back on longer trips and wanted something more comfy.We had versys out at weekend and thought it was great and very quick big bike and the comfort is second to none .I then got it out on my own and had a blast with the boys on the sports bikes and lets just say it wont be left behind and as for the vague comments about the front end i cant see anything vague about it and it felt very safe on the corners and they were not slow ones .The wind protection is good too and very stable in high winds too nothing more to say but go get one you wont be disappointed !!! 25th september

Irode this bike yesterday on full power mode with the highest amount of traction control as you say the power is instant low down very responsive,riding position is very good with extreamly comfortable seat i rode on a variety of roads conditions were wet/muddy/dry in places brakes are far better than on my current bike ie greater cornering speed with good feedback the only thing i would like to see is a higher screen & hand gaurds which are avaliable,weather protection is very good after the test ride i only had mud on the tips of my boots & it returned 42.2mpg yes im very impressed also the dealer said i could take it out again on a dry day they could not be more helpfull with lots of payment options.