Parallel Paradox

Is the baby Versys a confused little child ?

- Ajinkya A Nair

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN i blurt out these figures? 296cc liquid-cooled DOHC 8-valve parallel twin. Peak power produced at 11,500rpm. Rake of 24.3-degrees. Assist and slipper clutch. The stuff is definitely entry level supersport/naked territory. Even I’d be fooled by my statements if it weren’t for that hefty angular fairing, spoked rims, and tall windscreen. Ah, so an entry-level adventure motorcycle by Kawasaki, with an “X” to its name. But… there are exposed header pipes, tiny and slippery rubber footpegs, road biased tyres and only 130mm of front-wheel travel! Oh man, am I confused.

But it’s not all that confusing once you familiarise yourself with the family it comes from. The Versys clan has always been one for “mile-muncher first, with some dirt-road potential”, unlike its KLR cousins that are steadfast with their “off-road bike with some street potential” motto.