2025 Kawasaki Versys 1100 - First Ride review

Comments · 309

• DE

  @denniselenson560 · 1 year ago

  happy to see an analog revcounter on a new bike, not the prettiest but I'll take this anyday over just another screen

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• ST

  @Stinger4 · 1 year ago

  I just purchased a new 2025 Versys 1100LT SE. I love the bike, I never thought I would end up on a bike like this after riding cruisers for years. I have a back injury and I can ride this without any discomfort at all. Well done Kawasaki!

  23

• MI

  @michaelcaldwell7107 · 1 year ago

  I have a 2020 Versys 1000. Certainly a very well planted bike, but if it falls over it is hard to get upright as it is fairly heavy. I find the engine very good for everyday riding. Plenty of torque down low and a huge jump in power at 5,000 rpm, which is when it gets a bit buzzy, but in reality, that's not where I do the majority of my riding anyway. Since I've owned the Versys, I've gotten used to the vibes it does create. Recently, while testing a bunch of big twins, I was quite surprised by the amount of vibration they had. Some people call it 'character', but after riding a big four, the twins seem quite shaky to me. The Versys is an excellent two-up steed. The handling hardly changes at all and my lady says it's quite roomy and comfortable back there. The saddlebags, while stylish, fairly well made, and easy to get on and off, could be bigger. The rear part has a 'kink'  that lowers the capacity and makes it hard to fit a helmet into. If they made them simply rectangular it would solve the problem, but they've had that design for a very long time. Overall, it's a great bike. It's built like a tank,  extremely reliable and just does it's thing without fail year after year. Kawasaki make them to last and this engine has had all the kinks ironed out a long time ago.

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• TH

  @the.bikerhub · 1 year ago

  I love the versys, such an underrated bike as always compared to the gs but people forget how much cheaper it is. Look forward to hearing your thoughts over the next couple of weeks

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• RO

  @robcig · 3 weeks ago

  Looking forward to seeing your review of the Versys 900 when it’s released.

• KI

  @kingsqueak1 · 3 months ago

  What I didn't notice the first time I watched this was your crawling through town in 3rd and 4th gear and it was totally fine with it. Pretty cool.

• MA

  @marchen7984 · 1 year ago

  I think your right about the fit and finish, I have had bikes from all the big four Japanese manufacturers, they are all good, but I find kawi is a slight step up.

  11

• SC

  @Screamingtilltheend · 1 year ago

  Honestly the Versys is such an underrated bike. Purely because its just &quot;another adventure bike&quot; that isn&apos;t a GS.<br>I have a 2012 650 and its a fantastic bit of kit, never let me down even when I went down on black ice last winter. Sure it can be a bit buzzy at certain rpm&apos;s but ive done 4/5 hour days riding and its just ended up being filtered into the background and the value of these on the second hand market is insane. I picked mine up, with 6k! miles for 3.4k. Its now sitting at 63k. I highly recommend anyone considering a solid, well built, daily ride to take a versys for a spin

  3

• DU

  @ducksoff7236 · 1 year ago

  You are hilarious. The analog with the tft looks awesome. I almost want to buy one just for the dash.

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• RE

  @redskinStu · 1 year ago

  I agree with your Z900 comments, I owned a 2018 z900, best bike Ive ever owned, and that engine sound...when in 3rd, twist that throttle and take off, sounds like Sauron destroying Middle Earth

  2

• RR

  @RRRRefuelRideRace · 1 year ago

  It was a very good bike before and it is also now. Not really light, not really sporty, but fine for some long distance traveling and Saturdays afternoons pushing.

  2

• IA

  @iangriffiths9930 · 1 year ago

  I’m really keen to see the new KLE500 ! <br>Hopefully I won’t have to wait too long.

  3