Car Parts 2011

The Versys is led by the ER-6n and followed by the Ninja 650R. Don’t let the green bike’s racer looks deceive you. The Ninja has nothing on the Versys when the roads get twisty.

The Versys and ER-6n also share many features with their fraternal-triplet sibling, the Ninja 650R. But while the Ninja 650R and ER-6n have identical, peakier versions of the same engine, the Versys has revised intake and exhaust cams, a 10.6:1 compression ratio instead of 11.3:1, and redline set 500 rpm lower at 10,500.

While officially considered a “worldwide bike,” the Versys was designed first for the European and Canadian markets, and launched there in 2006. Then after many requests from U.S. riders, Kawasaki brought it in, at first as a 49-state 2008 model. California got its Versys in 2009, when a required evaporative emissions canister was fitted.

Even so, the bike is still much better appreciated in Europe, as evidenced by its sales performance.

“We also have to realize that the lion's share of Versys are purchased in Europe where they understand and embrace this type of motorcycle and where it is ridden enthusiastically,” says Kawasaki’s Public Relations Supervisor, Russ Brenan.

The American motorcycle press never underappreciated the Versys, however, and some publications loaded it with accolades, saying it is well suited for anyone, be they new or experienced or somewhere in between.