Why no 'Kawi 1 litre+ ADV bike?

[jettcity1]

I would think 'Kawi would jump into this category with a bigger bike than the KLR eventually. It seems many manufacturers are making them and there is alot of KLR fans. (it would be popular) just a KLR 1200 and it would sell.

 

[Kestrel]

It's never quite that easy. Once you start talking ADV bikes in the 1100cc+ category, people expect a lot more than a stripped down, no frills dual-sport. I'm sure you would find some buyers, just like the BMW HP2 Enduro did in it's day, but it would be hard to prove that there's a large enough market for such a niche to make the business case for a volume bike like the KLR.

 

[snakebitten]

All true. But I still would like to see what they could do in this niche.

A big KLR with a budget in the S10 price arena would allow for some quality bits. No reason for trying to cheap out in the 9-10K $$

For whatever reason, Yamaha is the only one that has made a serious effort to go right at the GS. A sizable market.

Seems everyone else is just pretending.

 

[BaldKnob]

Europe gets the Versys 1000 but it is a poser offroad. Essentially, a streetbike with 6" suspension. FAIL!

 

[Checkswrecks]

Europe gets the Versys 1000 but it is a poser offroad. Essentially, a streetbike with 6" suspension. FAIL!

& let's not forget the innovative 2004-06 KLV1000 KawStrom:

 

[Brntrt]

Many KLR enthusiasts, myself included, would love to have a simple fuel injected KLR 650 twin.

 

[hANNAbONE]

Why not outfit a Versys..? awesome 650 twin on it.!

 

[Brntrt]

Why not outfit a Versys..? awesome 650 twin on it.!

That would be the motor they should throw in the KLR. The cast rims and wheel size are a big reason I don't ride the versys. The ergos don't work for me as well. The most comfortable bike I've ever owned was the KLR with a Russell on it.

 

[fredz43]

That would be the motor they should throw in the KLR. The cast rims and wheel size are a big reason I don't ride the versys. The ergos don't work for me as well. The most comfortable bike I've ever owned was the KLR with a Russell on it.

I would agree, my 08 KLR with a Russell and MRA screen was the most comfortable bike I ever had. I also would like a KLR with the Versys engine in it.

 

[Dallara]

Why not outfit a Versys..? awesome 650 twin on it.!

I've got a Versys... and it's my second one.

Love the engine. But I gotta' agree with some others here. It's ergos are not as good as those of the the KLR. Some great threads over on ADVrider of guys doing incredible conversions sticking KLE Versys twins in KLR chassis. From all reports it makes a great motorcycle. It's truly a shame Kawasaki won't build something like that from the factory.

Dallara




~

 

[olie]

Europe gets the Versys 1000 but it is a poser offroad. Essentially, a streetbike with 6" suspension. FAIL!

FAIL is not exactly what people that road the Versys 1k say. When in Europe I did check their excellent ergos, talked to people that rode them and the overall opinion is very good. Obviously it is not an offroad bike... no one in their perfect mind is claiming that.

 

[viewdvb]

When I was shopping for a replacement for my Multistrada (I'm delighted with my choice of Super Tenere), the obvious bike was the Versys 1000. It ticked all my boxes EXCEPT no centre stand (maybe visual appeal wasn't that great either). Why any manufacturer thinks it is acceptable to build an ADV style bike designed for ruggedness and long distance travel and not provide a centre stand I have no idea. Even Ducati put a centre stand on my Multistrada! I believe it was laziness. They couldn't be bothered to devise an exhaust that permitted a centre stand - easier to make a standard 4 into one. Even the dealer reckoned that the lack of centre stand was costing him sales.