Bike: Kawasaki Versys-x 300
Another cost-effective entry into the world of adventure biking
THE dual-purpose motorcycling scene is changing fast. Only last month did we test the Honda CRF250 Rally; BMW will launch its G 310 GS soon; and we’ve gotten our hands on another competitor, this Kawasaki Versys-x 300. The main reasons for this engine-downsizing revolution in the biking world is the substantial size of the sub-300 cm3 segment in Asia (a key market for manufacturers) and the fact that 1,0-litre-plus, dual-purpose motorcycles have become prohibitively expensive. That’s all well and good, but are these small adventurers suited to local needs?
In the flesh, the Versys-x does not appear dainty at all, especially with all the aftermarket add-ons totalling about R10 000 and consisting of, among other items, crash bars, a side-stand foot, a pannier, hand guards, a centre stand and Mitas E07 tyres. It has all the trademarks of a larger-capacity machine, including a high seating position (845 mm), upright handlebars with hand guards, a tall screen, analogue/digital instrumentation and a 19-inch front wheel to aid off-road riding. It’s only when the rider picks up the bike from its side stand (190 kg as tested and fuelled), pulls on the light clutch (with slipper function- ality) and starts the tiny parallel twin is the nimble nature of the machine revealed. The mill comes from the Ninja 300 road bike and is the only twin in a segment that’s dominated by single cylinders. It is a frenetic little engine that thrives on revs and, with just 29 kw on tap (which is still more than the Honda’s 18 kw), you must work the unit hard to make swift progress. Performance testing saw the little twin scream past 12 000 r/min many times before 100 km/h came up in just over 7,0 seconds (three seconds quicker than the Honda). It also just managed to hit a true 140 km/h during a long run.
Unlike the Honda’s softer setup, the Kawasaki provides limited travel from a relatively stiff suspension, which makes it more road-biased than its competitor. Nevertheless, we decided to take the Versys-x on a 300 km round trip that included many gravel roads to test its off-road performance and it was here that the bike’s low mass showed a distinct advantage, while limited power from the engine was also less of a limiting factor at the pedestrian speeds required on this surface.
The fact that the machine could stay with our KTM 1090 long-termer over the technical sections is a feather in the Kawasaki’s cap, although we would have liked more lenient suspension tuning (and seat) to enhance the experience. Unfortunately, the ABS function – a lifesaver on-road – cannot be switched off on dirt. We also found that the front brake needs plenty of pressure on the lever to deliver good stopping power from the single 290 mm disc setup.
TEST SUMMARY
To answer the question in the opening paragraph: the Versys-x would make an efficient daily commuter (more so than the offroad-biased Honda), plus it offers the option of playing on dirt over the weekends, as long as these off-road excursions are close to home. The reason is that the tiny engine feels stressed at motorway speeds and that rules out two-up touring into the unknown with packed luggage (a 600 cm3 bike would be a better fit).
At R74 995, the value-formoney proposition is a good one; apart from the low initial capital outlay, the running costs (riders should easily be able to better our 5,6 L/100 km figure, which included performance testing) ought to help cash-strapped consumers. The little machine’s biggest plus is that it’s still fun to ride and will regularly bring a smile to its owner’s face.