2011 Kawasaki Versys

If you look up Versys in the dictionary there is no listing. One must assume then that Kawasaki invented the name to define motorcycle versatility and then attached it to an all-around, do anything bike. Since the Kawasaki Versys was introduced a few years back, motorcycle magazines and the public have praised it as well. The Versys is a player in the burgeoning adventure category, going up against motorcycle class favorites like the BMW GS and the Ducati Multistrada.

The big difference is that the Kawasaki has a price tag that makes it very appealing to a wider range of motorcycle enthusiasts. The 2011 Kawasaki Versys is powered by a liquid-cooled 649cc parallel-twin, officially categorizing it as a middleweight. The modest displacement allowed for compactness, which contributes to a more nimble and manageable motorcycle (whether dealing with commuter traffic or ditches and sand washes). With digital fuel injection feeding two 38mm Keihin throttle bodies, the twin produces enough power to satisfy the advanced rider while managing to be tame enough to suit a novice. Predictability is the key, with the Kawasaki Versys power coming on in a steady torque curve.