KAWASAKI VERSYS 1000 (2015 - 2018) Review

Reliability and comfort are great, two up, my wife loves it, I have managed a 500 mile day, and whilst I was shattered at the end of it, I didn't need a chiropractor to get me off the bike, as I did on the blackbird

Great engine, smooth and torquey, even two up fully loaded It's not turbine smooth like the blackbird but I don't ride it like I stole it as I did on the blackbird.

Seen comments above, I do treat the bike to a couple of ACF 50 treatments per year, but the finish and build quality is fantastic, I owned a Honda blackbird previously and the build quality on the versys is almost up there with the blackbird I have only had to replace a rear breaklight switch sine buying the bike

I am averaging 46 miles per gallon, and I replace the tyre every year currently running Michelin road 5

As mentioned earlier I have fitted an MRA Vario screen as the original created buffeting for my wife, and the tutoro keeps the chain going The bike came as standard with panniers and top box, running lights and heated grips I have had pirelli angel GT tyres before the Michelin road 5, he pirelli's were good but the 5's are brilliant, giving loads of confidence in all conditions

Smooth engine and fine handling has suprised me, both very good and that engine just pulls like a train.

The engine is so powerful and smooth, it is a pleasure to ride in any weather and the electronics are capable. Wind the bike on from any speed and it will respond with urgency, even in top gear.

Build quality seems fine, with no corrosion at all as yet. Reliability seems very good and I have never yet been stranded.

Not had a service yet under my ownership, but fuel economy is very good and tyres are much cheaper than expected.

The range of settings and electronics are a great addition, reduce power or change suspension at a click of a button. Additions on my bike are the full luggage system, fog lights and power socket for sat nav. I would recommend all these additions.

1 hour with std seat 3 hours with german seat

Will set off in 3rd , will pull from 20mph in 6th. I am a 300lb male bike hits 130 easily with me sat upright Rarely gets left in twisties

On 3rd versys over 75k never a problem

2 owner performed services a year

Bridgestone t30evo tyres good life wet grip dry grip best ive tried avoid roadsmart 4 lose all feeling Avoid kawasaki heated grips use oxfords much better. Std seat not as comfy as it looks

200 miles or 2 hours no problem

Plenty of low down power pulls from 20mph in 5th Top speed not impressive but who needs it

Reasonable service costs avge 52mpg tyres T30 evo 6 to 7 thousand miles

ABS,, T30 EVO GREAT TYRES

Comfortable and good light handling

Enough power high mileage engine no issues

As above

Oil and filter service, plus chain and sprockets

All anyone could need

Excellent for two up with plenty of room. will pull from below 30 mph two up in top gear. Brakes fine ever two up and loaded. Ride is comfortable but seat can make you slide forwards but not a problem as this stops you sitting in one position on long journeys. Luggage comes off easy which makes the bike feel so different when needed. Can ride all day.

Pulls from low down, throttle take up is smooth and goes well when needed.

Excellent for pillion with plenty of load capacity. Comfortable to ride all day. Enough power and torque to make riding easy and 50 mpg at normal speeds and use.

Short service intervals

Has gear indicator, auxiliary power socket, lever adjusters, excellent mirrors and adjustable suspension. Fitted oxford heated grips- excellent. Bridgestone T31 GT tyres grip and wear are very good, warm up quick and good in wet.

I own various bikes but this one is the best all-round. The only complaint that I have is that I find it uncomfortable after about 150kms. Just on my behind, my legs are fine. I'm 6ft 3". I bought this bike a year ago and it is a definite keeper. The fact that it is much cheaper and, in my opinion, much better than its competitors helps too. I normally ride about 400kms each time I go out. Living close to the mountains means great biking roads and this machine is a pleasure.

Silky smooth. All my mates have tried it and love this engine.

All is perfect so far.

Has everything that I need.

Kawasaki at their finest! Can not be much better than this!

Have you ever doupted Kawasaki build quality and finnish lately?

Everywhere in Europe and in the USA, this bike is affordable and exellent value for money. Fees and Taxes in Norway is something else. If import agency is a bit greedy as well, they have a serious problem.

Confidently free from all sorts of gizmos you never use anyway

I felt that the bike was top heavy and had to soft suspension

The main reason for the low score is that taxes in Norway makes this bike twice as expensive.

Heat greaps and fog lamps switches look old school compared to BMW GS.

Brakes aren't top shelf but perfectly good. Suspension needed a wee bit of tweaking, added rear rebound a couple of turns and backed off the preload on forks a bit. The ride is firm, but man does she handle the Scottish roads. All in complete comfort too. You can't beat long travel suspenders, or 17" rims with proper rubber.

Jekyll and Hyde. Pulls off the neat trick of being equally happy just pootling about without constantly egging you on to gun it. You can just pull out and sail past a line of traffic. Don't need to drop a gear, pulls right from the bottom. Then, makes an awesome noise past 6k and when that happens, oh boy does it shift! Spins up fast, really smooth too. Reminds me of my Blackbird. Light clutch pull. Nice gearbox, sits at 80 all day with plenty go available and low revs. TC is almost unnoticeable. Throttle's not snatchy. A peach.

Only done 5000m, Faultless. What were you expecting, problems?

I'm getting 50mpg average (UK)

I'm giving 4 stars here because the stock lights are good, but not on par with the best of them (my Tiger 800 had better). Also the stock screen got replaced for a National Cycle V-Stream (awesome, better than the Puig in my opinion). All the rest is great. There's space under the seat and the battery is right there. Stock fog lights (once the aim was adjusted up a bit) are awesome. The satnav is exactly where you want it (anywhere else and it's a waste of time). Accessory socket. Great luggage that's aerodynamic and doesn't stick out too far. Hand guards. Seat is sooo comfy.

It's quite a heavy bike its best giving solid stability whilst cornering rather than flicking through the twisties.Brakes are average. Suspension is perfectly fine but have had better, something to upgrade when worn out perhaps rather than change. Did a recent trip to Germany and was absolutley fine riding up to 200 miles between fill ups without needing to get off and stretch in between.

Love the sounds, a nice purposeful turbine like whine when cruising through town and then accelerates awsomely with a terrific kawasaki induction howl, tempting you to keep going much further up the rev range. Much smoother than a twin but not altogether vibe free (which is a good thing). Mirrors stay clear and no vibes through the hands. Two power modes, never felt the need to use the lower mode.

No problems whatsoever. Owner forums rarely speak of problems. a slight buzzing from something coming loose under a fairing is the worst problem I've seen, easily fixed and I will be ready for it IF it happens to me.

rear tyre lasted just 6000 miles but grip and confidence is amazing. Other servicing costs have been simple oil changes at reasonable cost.

The GT version comes with all you want bar heated grips. Gear indicator doesnt work when the clutch is in which defeats the point. But then this bike pulls strongly and smoothly at whatever revs in whatever gear so it's largely redundant anyway. A common upgrade is a better screen, I've changed mine and put an aftermarket exhaust on which saves some weight.

Can handle anything thrown at it. Perfect all rounder lacking nothing. Good for 3 hours before needing a leg stretch.

Superb engine.loads of grunt, is not fussed about what gear you are in, and will pull and pull when needed. This is truly the best engine ever in any of my bikes.

Superb build quality. No issues.

I do my own servicing, but will take to dealers when valve shims are due at 26,000.

I chose a tourer specification, including panniers but no top box as I used the box off my MK1 Versys.The T30 Bridgestones are fine.

Built for comfort for both rider and pillion - still use my old Airhawk cushion to massage my lower regions. Can ride two hours easily then take a break and carry on.

It is a peach!!

Nothing so far except a mirror that would not stay put ---- all fixed now.

I have used my previous bikes all year round - so sometimes can be expensive on servicing. Not had the 2015 long enough to get picture of overall costs.

Got all the GT extras for the price of the standard model...have a good look round, some great deals out there.