Parallel Paradox
evo India|JUNE 2018

Is the baby Versys a confused little child ?

Ajinkya A Nair
Parallel Paradox

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.

This story is from the JUNE 2018 edition of evo India.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the JUNE 2018 edition of evo India.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM EVO INDIAView All
evo India

FAST STEAD

This Skoda Octavia RS 230 is fast enough to blow your mind but not its engine

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2021
Ford Fusion
evo India

Ford Fusion

Practical, great engine and dynamics, but weird styling ensured buyers stayed well away

time-read
2 mins  |
August 2021
evo India

Mahindra Bolero Neo

Armed with an iconic badge, a fresh face and a mechanically locking differential, the Bolero Neo could just be the compact SUV you’ve been looking for

time-read
5 mins  |
August 2021
evo India

RISING FROM THE ASHES

The third generation Suzuki Hayabusa is one of the fastest production motorcycles in the world, and a bike that truly deserves to be ridden flat out at the High Speed Track at NATRAX

time-read
7 mins  |
August 2021
BIJOY KUMAR Y
evo India

BIJOY KUMAR Y

Bijoy is quite looking forward to what the recent space launches could mean

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2021
evo India

DOA: HSV HRT 427

This racing-inspired 7-litre Holden Monaro garnered more than enough interest for its limited production run to sell out. But sadly the sums didn’t add up

time-read
2 mins  |
August 2021
evo India

Mini Cooper S Convertible

Mini gives the Convertible a more modern front end, more technology on the inside and a very bright paint scheme

time-read
5 mins  |
August 2021
evo India

VW Taigun GT

Good news! With two GT variants, Volkswagen are set to make the 1.5 TSI motor even more accessible to us enthusiasts

time-read
8 mins  |
August 2021
THE DOCTOR CHECKS OUT
evo India

THE DOCTOR CHECKS OUT

As Rossi decides to hang up his boots after 26 seasons, we take a look back at his journey through MotoGP

time-read
2 mins  |
August 2021
“IF THE RATING IS DONE, NATRAX COULD BE ONE OF THE TOP THREE PROVING GROUNDS IN THE WORLD”
evo India

“IF THE RATING IS DONE, NATRAX COULD BE ONE OF THE TOP THREE PROVING GROUNDS IN THE WORLD”

Speaking to Dr N Karuppaiah, additional director and centre head, NATRAX

time-read
4 mins  |
August 2021