[RishikeshK]

Kawasaki launches Versys-X 300 in India at Rs 4.6 lakh

Link

[Nilesh5417]

Kawasaki doesnt price their sub-600 offerings well is the moral of the story. This is way too much premium over the KTM390 and all the first mover advantage will be lost. The V650 suddenly seems a more logical choice and there are a few used ones that can be had at almost the OTR price of a new V300. Wish this was launched at 3.5lacs ex!

[dkaile]

http://www.kawasaki-india.com/2017/1...ched-in-india/

[AtheK]

No ABS again, wow this is one overpriced bike. I am guessing OTR will be close to 5.6 lacs in bangalore, that is quite a bit of ask.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by Nilesh5417

The V650 suddenly seems a more logical choice and there are a few used ones that can be had at almost the OTR price of a new V300.

Actually no, IMHO. X300 is a more versatile machine than the V650.

For those who wish to go off-road more, X300 makes better sense. V650 comes with alloy wheels and needs a lot more investment into rims and tires to get the same abilities as the X300 with the 19 inch front tyres.

Also, with 184kg of kerb mass and a seat height of just 815mm - this is a way more manageable bike when the going gets tough.

Surprisingly gets assist + slipper clutch which is missing in the V650 too.

If the 'super bike' size, presence and stance of the V650 doesn't matter and go anywhere capabilities matter more - makes sense to save the 2.5L and get the X300 instead.

Edit -

Originally Posted by AtheK

No ABS again, wow this is one overpriced bike.

Yikes! That's a very bad miss. Can't recommend then.

Assist + Slipper clutch yes. But no ABS? What's up with that Kawasaki?

[BackInTheFold]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

Yikes! That's a very bad miss. Can't recommend then.

Assist + Slipper clutch yes. But no ABS? What's up with that Kawasaki?

I agree. Globally, there seems to a US$300 difference between the ABS and non-ABS versions. If they want to launch only one version in India, you'd have thought that they'd pick the ABS version.

The 390 ADV still seems worth waiting for.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

ABS comes standard as per various magazines like OD below -



Can't find any such mention on the website though.

[glikithvinayaka]

Kawasaki Versys-X 300 gets long travel suspension and ABS

It has ABS standard according to this article.


https://auto.ndtv.com/news/kawasaki-...kh-1780427/amp

This segment will be filled with the ktm 390 adventure and BMW 310GS coming in next year...hopefully.

[TusharK]

The Kawasaki Versys-X 300 has been launched in India at a price of Rs. 4.6 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The smallest bike in the Versys family will be assembled at Kawasaki's Chakan plant near Pune.



The Kawasaki Versys-X 300 is a middleweight adventure bike built around a backbone, high-tensile steel frame. The bike measures 2,170 mm in length, 940 mm in width and the overall height is 1,390 mm. It has wheelbase of 1,450 mm and a ground clearance of 180 mm. The bike’s kerb weight is 184 kg and it has a 17-litre fuel tank.



The Versys-X 300 has a stepped seat with a seat height of 815 mm and an upright riding position. The bike comes with a windshield and the front cowl houses an analogue tachometer and a digital instrument cluster. The front fairing features openings which are claimed to dissipate engine heat. Kawasaki also claims that their radiator fan cover design directs hot air away from the rider, which in turn prevents other parts like frame and tank from being overheated.



The 296 cc, parallel twin cylinder, liquid-cooled engine in the Versys-X 300 is the same unit that powers the Ninja 300 although in a different state of tune. It produces 39 BHP @ 11,500 rpm and 25.7 Nm of torque @ 10,000 rpm and is paired with a 6-speed transmission. The bike also features a slipper & assist clutch.



The bike comes equipped with a single 290 mm petal type disc in the front and a 220 mm petal disc at the rear, each with dual-piston calipers. It uses conventional telescopic front forks with 130 mm of travel and a monoshock rear suspension. The bike gets 19-inch and 17-inch wire spoke wheels in the front and rear respectively.

Link to Team-BHP News

[anand.shankar]

Not sure why, but looks pathetic and anemic from the front for something that might cost well over 5L on road. Or may be its just the pics.

The front mud guard design, chrome spoke wheel and conventional fork setup looks like they are from the 90s.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by anand.shankar

Not sure why, but looks pathetic and anemic from the front for something that might cost well over 5L on road. Or may be its just the pics.

The front mud guard design, chrome spoke wheel and conventional fork setup looks like they are from the 90s.

Should be due to the offroad bias. It comes with a 100 section width front tyre, whereas many cheaper models come with a 110/120.

Same can be seen in other off-road focused vehicles. I recently saw the Africa Twin upclose and it just had a 90 section front tyre and that's a 15L bike.

[dkaile]

I can clearly see ABS written on this gallery photo from their Indian website -



Cheers...

[Urban_Nomad]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

Actually no, IMHO. X300 is a more versatile machine than the V650

How so? Because of the spokes / 19 inch wheels? How about the powerplant which still has a weak bottom end (per multiple online reviews) and revs all the way to ~13K. Have you ever seen someone try to patch a punctured tube, in the middle of a trail, without a centre stand? Let me tell you, its not pretty

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

For those who wish to go off-road more, X300 makes better sense. V650 comes with alloy wheels and needs a lot more investment into rims and tires to get the same abilities as the X300 with the 19 inch front tyres.

Given its weight, ya it probably will be better. But if you plan to do any offroading on this, the ABS needs to be switched off. Not an option on the 300 I am afraid unless you want to pull fuses / play around with sensors

The investment on (19 inch front) rims is not too bad for the 650. Abroad - its prohibitively expensive (some have done it on their Versys - Excel rims make one that are a direct fit), but not so much in India. And the whole "Spokes are an absolute must" for going off road is not something I buy. If you will be regularly jumping off rock faces; yes its needed. Otherwise, a set of high profile knobbies work pretty good for an average rider

I experienced this first hand during my recent ride to Spiti on my Duke 390. Anyone who has been there will tell you that Chandrataal to Manali is not exactly smooth (LOL). Think big fat boulders, jagged rocks and your regular gravel etc. I was flying (by my standards) on this terrain. It was so much fun. And this is on a motorcycle that's not exactly known for the strength of its alloy wheels either

Versys 650 + set of continental TKC 80s / Kenda Big Block / Heidenau Scout (beg someone or get it during your next trip abroad) in stock front and rear sizes + adequate body protection - I would not think twice before hitting a few trails to be honest

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

Also, with 184kg of kerb mass and a seat height of just 815mm - this is a way more manageable bike when the going gets tough

True, but then by off road standards - 184 is not exactly lightweight. Better than 220 ... sure

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

If the 'super bike' size, presence and stance of the V650 doesn't matter and go anywhere capabilities matter more - makes sense to save the 2.5L and get the X300 instead

Between this and the 650; A used Versys 650 is what I would personally prefer (not easy to come across on the classifieds). Minus the heft, its simply an awesome bike

I am however looking forward to the BMW GS 300 or the 390 ADV launch. The maintenance in not just consumables; but common replacement parts that are a result of a tip over / off roading are simply too expensive for me to seriously consider either of the machines

The 300 severely overpriced. I expected better from Kawasaki

[aghate]

I think it is overpriced for what it provides. Have watched reviews of it. INR 4.6L ex-showroom takes it beyond 5L on road which seems expensive. I am comparing apples and oranges here, but an Indian mindset will say that you get the HD Street 750 for paying a bit more and get more power.

This will even make less sense when RE launches the Himalayan 650 and it will be priced less and hopefully around the 5L mark. IMO if you want a small adventure bike then you already have the Himalayan and its 2018 edition gets the ABS and FI. Why would you spend 3 Big Ones additionally just for one extra cylinder?

[Red Liner]

Agree with Urban_Nomad here. Unless you are whipping the throttle at 80 kmph on rock trails, you just dont need the spoke wheels. Its an overblown adv urban myth thats been downed way too many times at some starbucks outlet.

Secondly this bike has as much fairing as the versys 650. Not funny to fix.

For a cheapish dual purpose bike, it has to be made in india. So if you want real cheap and only dual sport with no touring duty, the hero x pulse sounds right. Say 70/30. Former being offroad and latter being tarmac.

Want touring action in addition to dual purpose riding, like a 50/50, the 390 adv or the baby gs.

Want 30/70, wait for the KTM 790 adv r, or buy the africa twin from honda. Dead opposite of the x pulse or a crf250. I dare say the ktm might just be a 40/60 and become the proverbial unicorn.

20/80, the versys-650 has you covered beautifully. 20% offroad and 80% tarmac.