Some worthy updates:
https://www.motorcycle.com/mini-features/2019-kawasaki-versys-1000-se-lt-first-look.html
https://www.motorcycle.com/mini-features/2019-kawasaki-versys-1000-se-lt-first-look.html
Last edited:
2019 Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE LT
- Thread starter STLRider
- Start date
Bryce
Ya, Whatever!
I can't see it being a $18k bike though.
Longdog Cymru
Well-Known Member
Well I owned a Gen 1 Versys for 5 years before buying my Super Ten a few months ago, if I had known that Kawasaki were going to make a great bike perfect for 2019, then I probably would have waited.
Some great updates with everything I could have asked for on the 2019 bike, well done Kawasaki!
Boris
Well-Known Member
Agree! My mate has a Gen 2 bike, and it's great. The new updates will make it even better.
yoyo
Well-Known Member
That's a nice looking bike, I love a 4 cyl engine but I'd miss having a shaft drive now, that said every bike I've had has had a chain oiler fitted and never caused me any problems, let's hope they have it at the NEC.
richarddacat
Well-Known Member
With all the rave about ADV bikes I wonder why hasn’t the enclosed chain covers come back? Or covered belts?
Seems to me like a great idea. The last bike I remember having an enclosed chain was the XV920RH but enduros back in the day used them pretty often.
Seems to me like a great idea. The last bike I remember having an enclosed chain was the XV920RH but enduros back in the day used them pretty often.
Banderboy
Active Member
Seems like it wouldn't be all that difficult to enclose the chain and have an automatic tensioner so no need for adjustments. Man to the moon and all that.
Never ridden a Versys. Plenty of people here have, and they seem to like them. BUT....$18k....chain drive....It might be a great bike, but those two reasons alone....would take it off of my list. And definately would never replace my beloved Tenere.
Longdog Cymru
Well-Known Member
I had a 2012 Series 1 Versys for 5 years before trading it in for my Super Ten. I have to be honest, the Versys is a simply brilliant motorcycle and if I wasn't offered a pittance by the Kawasaki main dealer, I probably wouldn't have my Super Ten now. I love my Super Ten but there are still some aspects of the big Versys that I miss and I could easily go back, it's that good!
cycledelic relic
Well-Known Member
I had ta think about that for a bit...but then saw where you are located
Big Versys in 2012= DL1000 V Strom re badged in Europe.
The 2019 Versys 1000 has nothing in common with that bike.. cept engine size
Sent from my LGL62VL using Tapatalk
Big Versys in 2012= DL1000 V Strom re badged in Europe.
The 2019 Versys 1000 has nothing in common with that bike.. cept engine size
Sent from my LGL62VL using Tapatalk
bnschroder
2014 Super Tenere ES
Color yes, and I like the analog tach, but there is an awful lot of black plastic for that size of a screen
gv550
Well-Known Member
Huh?
2012 Versys in Canada was a real Kawasaki 1000 4 cylinder, no Suzuki parts involved. It was a bit ugly with the stacked headlight and bulky muffler and never sold very well. My local dealer still has one in the showroom, 7 year old new stock!
Probably a great bike to ride, but the MultiStrada rip-off nose and chain are turn-offs to me.
cycledelic relic
Well-Known Member
Well....I guess Im an idiot.... I didnt even remember that version. & of course it was never offered stateside. I was thinkin of the KLV1000 based on the Strom & available while Suzy & Kawa were in bed together...but much earlier.
Scuse the misinfo
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gv550
Well-Known Member
And I've never heard of the KLV1000, likely because it was never sold in Canada! 63 years old and still learning............
Boris
Well-Known Member
This is incorrect, the big Versys in Europe from 12-15 was an inline 4 with a very ugly front end. The 1000 VStrom was a big adventure style bike that Suzuki made, which Kawasaki also made a version of.
The 2019 Versys has plenty in common with both previous versions of the Versys 1000.
tallpaul
Well-Known Member
The KLV1000 wasn't even made by Kawasaki. The VIN plate still says "Suzuki Motors" on it...
Squibb
Well-Known Member
When I bought one in 2005, Suzuki was painted out with a black marker pen; how pointless. We enjoyed the KLV though - eveyone seemed to think it was a KTM, given they were all bright orange. Poor bottom end fuelling, anything below 4k rpm, always a hindrance, not helped by the gearing, which I think it must have inherited from the Suzuki Widowmaker sports bike. Good value bike though - traded it 3 years/20k later at nominal loss. & cheekily the dealer sold it on at original list within 7 days.
Returning to subject, I also ran a Versys 1000 gen1, 2012-4. Lovely creamy smooth engine, good tourer, but spoilt by budget suspension & pug ugly looks (as others have mentioned). However the 2019 V1K SE, with semi active suspension & radial front calipers looks an interesting prospect. BTW, the styling is meant to ape the Kawasaki H2SX front end, rather than the Duke. I must try one when they land, probably as a potential replcement for my FJR rather than the Super10.