Kawasaki Versys
Encyclopedia
The Kawasaki Versys, also known as the KLE650 is a middleweight motorcycle
with a standard riding posture, introduced by Kawasaki to the European and Canadian markets at the end of 2006, and to the US market in 2007. A California model was introduced in 2009.
The name Versys is a portmanteau
of the words versatile and system.
/ ER-6f, the bike's 650 cc liquid cooled
four-stroke parallel twin engine has been retuned for more bottom-end and mid-range torque
. This is achieved with revised inlet and exhaust cams with shorter valve duration. This will move peak torque lower down the rev range providing a better throttle response at low revs. In addition a balance tube has been added between the exhaust headers to smooth out power delivery. Power is 59.4 hp @ 8,400 rpm, compared with the Ninja's 65.7 hp @ 8,400 rpm. Torque is 42 ft·lb (56.9 N·m), compared with the Ninja's 45.5 ft·lb (61.7 N·m)
As the bike is primarily designed for city and back-road (pavement) riding, the fuel injection system has been mapped to give strong throttle response in the mid-range from 3,000 to 6,000 rpm.
This lowering of peak torque
in the rev range gives a trade off against peak power output. A similar approach was recently deployed by Honda
with their CBF1000
model.
The engine is relatively unusual in employing a 180 degree crankshaft. This results in an uneven firing interval
(180 degrees, 540 degrees) which gives the engine note a distinctive "throbbing" quality.
Compared to the ER-6, the Versys has a redesigned sub-frame, new exhaust header design, and redesigned suspension. The Versys replaces the standard non-adjustable suspension of the ER-6 with an inverted front fork featuring greater travel and adjustable for preload and rebound damping. The right fork leg carries the damping cartridge as well as a spring and the left fork leg only carries a spring. The rear uses an alloy swingarm instead of the tubular steel item on the original bike.
The Versys' alloy wheels, ZR rated tyres, and low, exposed exhaust system are poorly suited to off-road travel and instead offer suitability to a broad spectrum of riding in lieu of specialised strength – emphasising on-road rather than off-road strength.
.
2008 Best in Class award by Motor Cycle News.
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
with a standard riding posture, introduced by Kawasaki to the European and Canadian markets at the end of 2006, and to the US market in 2007. A California model was introduced in 2009.
The name Versys is a portmanteau
Portmanteau word
A portmanteau or portmanteau word is a blend of two words or morphemes into one new word. A portmanteau word typically combines both sounds and meanings, as in smog, coined by blending smoke and fog. More generally, it may refer to any term or phrase that combines two or more meanings...
of the words versatile and system.
Technical details
Based on the Ninja 650RKawasaki Ninja 650R
The faired Kawasaki Ninja 650R, also known as the ER-6f, and its un-faired sister model ER-6n were introduced in 2006 by Kawasaki. They are middleweight, parallel-twin engined motorcycles, designed for normal use on paved roads. They have modern styling and features, with low-seating ergonomics, a...
/ ER-6f, the bike's 650 cc liquid cooled
Engine cooling
Internal combustion engine cooling refers to the cooling of an internal combustion engine, typically using either air or a liquid.- Overview :...
four-stroke parallel twin engine has been retuned for more bottom-end and mid-range torque
Torque
Torque, moment or moment of force , is the tendency of a force to rotate an object about an axis, fulcrum, or pivot. Just as a force is a push or a pull, a torque can be thought of as a twist....
. This is achieved with revised inlet and exhaust cams with shorter valve duration. This will move peak torque lower down the rev range providing a better throttle response at low revs. In addition a balance tube has been added between the exhaust headers to smooth out power delivery. Power is 59.4 hp @ 8,400 rpm, compared with the Ninja's 65.7 hp @ 8,400 rpm. Torque is 42 ft·lb (56.9 N·m), compared with the Ninja's 45.5 ft·lb (61.7 N·m)
As the bike is primarily designed for city and back-road (pavement) riding, the fuel injection system has been mapped to give strong throttle response in the mid-range from 3,000 to 6,000 rpm.
This lowering of peak torque
Torque
Torque, moment or moment of force , is the tendency of a force to rotate an object about an axis, fulcrum, or pivot. Just as a force is a push or a pull, a torque can be thought of as a twist....
in the rev range gives a trade off against peak power output. A similar approach was recently deployed by Honda
Honda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
with their CBF1000
Honda CBF1000
The Honda CBF1000 is a touring sports model motorcycle with a water-cooled, 4-stroke, inline 4-cylinder, 1000 cc engine based on the Honda CBR1000RR engine....
model.
The engine is relatively unusual in employing a 180 degree crankshaft. This results in an uneven firing interval
Big-bang firing order
A big bang engine is an unconventional motorcycle engine designed so that most of the power strokes occur simultaneously or in close succession. This is achieved by changing the ignition timing; sometimes in combination with a change in crankpin angle. The goal is to change the power delivery...
(180 degrees, 540 degrees) which gives the engine note a distinctive "throbbing" quality.
Compared to the ER-6, the Versys has a redesigned sub-frame, new exhaust header design, and redesigned suspension. The Versys replaces the standard non-adjustable suspension of the ER-6 with an inverted front fork featuring greater travel and adjustable for preload and rebound damping. The right fork leg carries the damping cartridge as well as a spring and the left fork leg only carries a spring. The rear uses an alloy swingarm instead of the tubular steel item on the original bike.
The Versys' alloy wheels, ZR rated tyres, and low, exposed exhaust system are poorly suited to off-road travel and instead offer suitability to a broad spectrum of riding in lieu of specialised strength – emphasising on-road rather than off-road strength.
Specifications
- Engine type: Liquid-cooled, 4- stroke parallel twin tuned for low-mid rpm torque response
- Displacement: 649 cc
- Bore x Stroke: 83.0 x 60.0mm
- Compression Ratio: 10.6:1
- Cooling: Liquid
- Fuel System: Digital fuel injection with two 38mm Keihin throttle bodies
- Ignition: Digital CDI
- Brakes, front: Petal-disc brakes
- Brakes, rear: Petal-disc brake
- Complies to EU emission limit EURO 3
- Frame: Semi-double cradle, high-tensile steel
- Caster (Rake) 25°
- Trail 108 mm
- Suspension, front: Upside-down fork adjustable for preload and rebound damping.
- Suspension, rear: Gull-type aluminium swing arm, single offset laydown shock with 13-position adjustable rebound damping and adjustable spring preload
- Front Tyre: 120/70x17
- Rear Tyre: 160/60x17
- Front Brake: Dual 300 mm petal discs with two-piston caliper
- Rear Brake: Single 220 mm petal disc with single-piston caliper
- Transmission 6-speed, return
- Final Drive Sealed Chain
- Primary Reduction Ratio 2.095 (88/42)
- Gear Ratios:
- 1st 2.438 (39/16)
- 2nd 1.714 (36/21)
- 3rd 1.333 (32/24)
- 4th 1.111 (30/27)
- 5th 0.966 (28/29)
- 6th 0.852 (23/27)
- Final Reduction Ratio 3.067 (46/15)
- Tyres: Front 120/70-ZR17 M/C (58W)
- Tyres: Rear 160/60-ZR17 M/C (69W)
- Steering Angle (Left/Right) 35° / 35°
- Overall Length 2,125 mm
- Overall Width 840 mm
- Overall Height 1,315 mm
- Wheelbase 1,415 mm
- Ground Clearance 180 mm
- Seat Height 840 mm
- Curb Mass 206 kg
- Fuel Capacity 19 litres
Awards
2008 Motorcycle of the Year Award by Motorcyclist MagazineMotorcyclist (magazine)
Motorcyclist is a motorcycling magazine in the United States. The magazine is headquartered in Los Angeles, and is published by Source Interlink Media. The current Editor in Chief, Brian Catterson, was formerly Executive Editor at rival Cycle World....
.
2008 Best in Class award by Motor Cycle News.