Versys-X 300 lighter and well-executed
My buddy Steve has been riding motorcycles for about 10 years. He’s a conservative rider, seldom venturing much past 130 kilometres an hour and not prone to riproaring past slow-moving taxis and tractor trailers. He rides an older Kawasaki Versys 650, a larger bike seeming unnecessary.
Here’s the thing, though: his pace is moderate enough that he could easily get away with Kawasaki’s new 300 version of its Versys, the inexplicably labelled X. Indeed, during a long-weekend jaunt, he didn’t ride any slower or take off from lights with any less dispatch for riding the baby Versys. Oh, he had to rev the poor little 296-cc twin to the moon, but his pace was not diminished.
And here’s the kicker: Steve is six-foot-six and weighs about 105 kilograms, the kind of size that usually precludes even mid-displacement motorcycles, let alone the tiny tiddlers marketed as “beginner” bikes.
But not the Versys-X. Besides a willing — if screaming — motor, Kawasaki’s latest adventure touring bike is an all-but-full-size motorcycle, giving larger novices a new alternative and offering even some experienced riders a lighter, cheaper and easier handling choice of bike.
The formula is fairly simple. Take the proven, high-revving, 296-cc parallel twin that powers Kawasaki’s littlest Ninja and slap it into a quasi dirt bike-like platform. Gussy it up a bit with anti-lock brakes, throw in some (available) saddlebags/top case and you would have a fair rendition of a true adventure bike.
It’s not such a far-fetched concept, what with smalldisplacement bikes becoming popular these days and adventure tourers all the rage. What truly sets the little Versys apart is that it is extremely well executed. The engine, for instance, may not be much changed from the Ninja 300, but the minor alterations do make it a little more pleasant. Redlined at a modest (for a smalldisplacement twin) 12,000 rpm, the X actually possesses some mid-range torque and even a modicum of low-end grunt before peaking, according to Kawasaki, at 39 horsepower at 11,500 rpm.
Power may be modest, but more than adequate for the novice riders. It’s also frugal. Even constantly wringing it out had me averaging 4.2 L per 100 kilometres, which means the 17-L gas tank should be good for 400 km.
If the engine hasn’t quite left its small-bike roots behind, the chassis makes a more valiant effort. Obviously, the Versys-X, at 175 kilograms, is a lot lighter than full-size bikes, but it never really feels small. The seat, as per adventure-bike norm, is significantly taller than that of a sport bike. In fact, at 815 millimetres off the ground, the seat is not that much different from other mid-size adventurers. Compared with other beginner bikes I’ve tested, the Versys feels almost full-size. That might not be ideal for novices of diminutive stature, but it gives taller beginners a choice beyond low-seat Rebels and CB300s.
The same outsized performance applies to the chassis. Handling, as one might suspect, is light, the steering lightening quick. On the other hand, the X is not nearly as darty as one might expect from such a lightweight package. And the modest weight tasks the IRC (semi, kinda) off-road GP-210 Trail Winners (100/90-19 front and 130/80-17 rear) modestly, so you can attack hairpins and sweepers with a surprising degree of élan.
That said, the little Versys — despite the “X” moniker that I think is supposed to denote off-road ability — isn’t going anywhere near the Dakar. The occasional gravel road and the lightest of trails are the 300s limits, its primary off road ability being its relatively light weight.
The other notable feature of Kawasaki’s junior adventurer is the build quality visible throughout. The main components — the stainless steel exhaust, the spoked wheels, the well damped suspension — look top notch.
The little Versys is also surprisingly well equipped. Standard in Canada, at the $6,399 base price, are anti-lock brakes. Ditto, the Assist & Slipper clutch.