Australian Road Rider — Bike Guide 2017

Australian Road Rider Bike Guide 97

Tourers

The 2017 Versys 650 refuses to be restricted to any one classifi cation. Diffi cult to

explain and impossible to categorise, the Versys 650 is one of those machines that

exceeds the sum of its parts. Its combination of long-travel suspension and sporty 17in

wheels and a low-mid range focused parallel-twin engine results in a highly versatile

package able to offer riders maximum riding excitement in a wide variety of street-

riding situations, especially on twisty mountain roads.

On any street, the new Versys 1000 offers maximum riding enjoyment. The highly

responsive in-line-four engine, combined with a nimble chassis, delivers sport

performance in the most comfortable of settings. A weekend solo scratch, the daily

commute, the long-distance tour, solo or two-up, the Versys 1000 will handle all that

you can throw at it.

The ideal motorcycle for commuting around town through the week and covering

large distances on the weekend, the Versys 650L is a highly talented performer. The

Versys range of motorcycles is all about going where you want, when you want.

KAWASAKI VERSYS 1000 $15,999

KAWASAKI VERSYS 650L $10,599

Engine: Liquid-cooled, four-stroke parallel-twin

Displacement: 649cc

Power/Torque: 41.3kW @ 8000rpm/ 55Nm

@ 5500rpm

Transmission: Six-speed, multi-plate wet

clutch, chain fi nal drive

Tyres: F: 120/70ZR17 R: 160/60ZR17

Seat height: 840mm

Kerb weight: 216kg (wet)

Fuel capacity: 21L

Warranty/Service interval: Two years

unlimited km/6000km

SPECIFICATIONS

VERDICT: QUIRKY-LOOKING LEARNER

Engine: Liquid-cooled, four-stroke parallel-twin

Displacement: 649cc

Power/Torque: 51kW @ 8500rpm/ 64Nm @

7000rpm

Transmission: Six-speed, multi-plate wet

clutch, chain fi nal drive

Tyres: F: 120/70ZR17 R: 160/60ZR17

Seat height: 840mm

Kerb weight: 216kg (wet)

Fuel capacity: 21L

Warranty/Service interval: Two years

unlimited km/6000km

SPECIFICATIONS

VERDICT: TOURING ALL-ROUNDER

Engine: Liquid-cooled, four-stroke in-line four

Displacement: 1043cc

Power/Torque: 88kW @ 9000rpm/

102Nm/7500rpm

Transmission: Six-speed, multi-plate wet

clutch, chain fi nal drive

Tyres: F: 120/70ZR17 R: 180/55ZR17

Seat height: 840mm

Kerb weight: 250kg (wet)

Fuel capacity: 21L

Warranty/Service interval: Two years

unlimited km/6000km

SPECIFICATIONS

VERDICT: BE DIFFERENT

KAWASAKI VERSYS 650 $10,599

Forget all you know: the MGX-21 was created to make you feel today what others

will only experience tomorrow. MGX refers to Moto Guzzi eXperimental; 21 makes

reference to the year the fi rst motorcycle came out of the Mandello del Lario factory.

Or, if you prefer, 21 — like the inches of its front lenticular carbon-fi bre wheel. MGX-

21 will show you a future you didn’t envisage and will push you far beyond the city

borders. You’ll be able to ride to a horizon of your choice, confi dent in the bike’s ability

to take you anywhere you wish and carry all you require in the integrated side luggage.

You can do this alone or with a passenger, thanks to the removable pillion seat.

MOTO GUZZI MGX-21 $35,000

Engine: 90° Transverse V-twin, four-stroke,

four-valve, dual spark ignition per cylinder

Displacement: 1380cc

Power/Torque: 71kW @ 6500rpm/ 121Nm

@ 3000rpm

Transmission: Six-speed, shaft fi nal drive

Tyres: F: 120/70R21 R: 180/60R16

Seat height: 740mm

Kerb weight: 341kg

Fuel capacity: 20.5L

Warranty/Service interval: 24 months

unlimited km/NA

SPECIFICATIONS

VERDICT: CARBON CRUISER

LAMS APPROVED

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