[TusharK]

Kawasaki has launched the 2018 Versys 650 in India. The touring bike is priced at Rs. 6.50 lakhs (ex-showroom, India).



In terms of its dimensions, the 2018 Versys 650 measures 2,165mm in length, 840 mm in width and has a maximum height of 1,450 mm. The wheelbase is 1,415 mm, while the seat height is 840 mm. The bike weighs 216 kg and comes with a 21 litre fuel tank.



The 2018 Versys 650 gets updated long-travel suspension, comprising of 41 mm adjustable upside down front forks. It gets an adjustable monoshock at the rear and it rides on 17-inch wheels. The instrument cluster has also been updated and now comes with a gear position indicator. Besides this, the windshield offers 2-inches of adjustment.



The Versys 650 is powered by a 649cc, parallel-twin cylinder, liquid-cooled engine which produces 68 BHP @ 8,500 rpm and 64 Nm of peak torque @ 7,000 rpm and is paired with a 6-speed transmission. Brakes come in the form of dual semi-floating 300 mm petal discs with 2-piston calipers in the front and a single 250 mm petal disc in the rear, equipped with a single piston caliper.

The 2018 Kawasaki Versys 650 is offered in the same green and black colour scheme as the outgoing model. It will be available from mid-November.

Link to Team-BHP News

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Very minor update that most people would be hard pressed to even notice.

2017-


2018-


The price however is 10k lesser than the original launch price back in 2015. Gear position indicator added last year is a very worthy addition as well.

[Rachit.K.Dogra]

This is based on the new 2017 Ninja 650? Right? It seems so from the new swing arm design. But shouldn't this bike also benefit from the weight loss that Ninja had?

Rachit

[indrokneel]

Originally Posted by Rachit.K.Dogra

This is based on the new 2017 Ninja 650? Right? It seems so from the new swing arm design. But shouldn't this bike also benefit from the weight loss that Ninja had?

Rachit

Rumour mills quote that a totally new Versys is in the offing in 2019 which surely will benefit from the new design of 2017 Ninja 650. The newly launched 2018 model however only has cosmetic changes in the logo across the fuel tank.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by Rachit.K.Dogra

This is based on the new 2017 Ninja 650? Right? It seems so from the new swing arm design. But shouldn't this bike also benefit from the weight loss that Ninja had?

Rachit

Swing arm looks identical to the earlier versions. I believe this is only a colour refresh and nothing more.

The third generation is expected by end 2018, probably as a 2019 model.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Still remains very relevant in 2018 -

Still "The best bang for your buck in the motorcycling world".

https://youtu.be/8ggEBAKjQ7s

[v12]

Good news for those looking to buy / book a Versys this month. Got this information on the Versys WhatsApp.

[v12]

The above offer is on the MY2017 Versys 650. 10,000. Cashback and a top case.

For the MY2018 model, it is a 5000 cashback and topcase.

Not sure of the topcase offered is the same as what is displayed in the pic (OE Kawasaki) - which I believe is manufactured by Givi.

[v12]

The 2019 Versys has been launched in UK. Just like the 2018 model - it just has a different decal set.

[shreyascashyap]

Planning to get an adventure bike by March. Contenders being Versys 650 and V-Strom 650. Had a test ride of both bikes this past week. This would be my first big bike; my only experience with bikes like these being about 2kms spent on a friend's Street Twin.

Had a surprisingly pleasant experience at the Kawasaki bangalore dealership. Called up the showroom and they kept it open 15 mins past their closing hours just so I could take a look around. They told me test ride wouldn't be possible since it's closing time but asked me to return the next day. The guys from the showroom followed up in the morning to check when I would be coming around and had kept the bike ready for me. Took down my DL details and had me fill a form and that's it - was ready to go in under 5 mins. I was under the impression getting test rides of superbikes would be a more difficult proposition! There was no pillion, I was following a marshal who was on a Z800. Got a decent 20 mins on the bike in a mix of empty roads and bumper to bumper traffic. The bike was not as difficult to maneuver as I had feared. It was extremely comfortable to ride and both my feet touch the ground when I'm on the bike. Power delivery was smooth and the bike pulls really fast (I don't really have any comparison I can make here, total newb with big bikes) All in all, I was totally blown away.

I was told there are no offers or discounts right now. The breakup didn't show any handling charge, but I'm not sure if it's been included under some other heading. The OTR in bangalore is 8.5L for the 2019 model. Is there any particular time like Ugadi or something when discounts or offers are likely? How feasible is it to negotiate discounts or freebies? Are accessories better off getting fit from the showroom or do aftermarket accs make more sense? Requesting the experienced riders here to throw some light.
Thanks!

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by shreyascashyap

Contenders being Versys 650 and V-Strom 650.

Why Versys over VStrom? Just curious. You wouldn't repent either - but VStrom 650 makes a better case for itself in terms of specs now.

As for offers - didn't Kawasaki inform about 0% finance scheme? It's up on the website now as well.

Originally Posted by shreyascashyap

Are accessories better off getting fit from the showroom or do aftermarket accs make more sense?

Aftermarket - not to save costs, but to get better quality at similar costs.

[shreyascashyap]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

Why Versys over VStrom?

As for offers - didn't Kawasaki inform about 0% finance scheme? It's up on the website now as well.

Attachment 1835805



Aftermarket - not to save costs, but to get better quality at similar costs.

Versys over Vstrom: Couple of reasons - most important one being that I felt more comfortable riding the versys than the vstrom. Since I don't plan on doing any off-roading and my usage will be 100% long distance touring on tarmac, I can live with the versys. I am not a big fan of the looks of the suzuki, plus my wife wanted the bike to be in black.

They did tell me about the 0% finance, but that's valid only till end of Jan. I won't be moving back home to bangalore till March.

Where would be the best place to get aftermarket accessories from? Thanks in advance for helping me out with my queries!
Shreyas

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by shreyascashyap

Versys over Vstrom: Couple of reasons - most important one being that I felt more comfortable riding the versys than the vstrom. Since I don't plan on doing any off-roading and my usage will be 100% long distance touring on tarmac, I can live with the versys. I am not a big fan of the looks of the suzuki, plus my wife wanted the bike to be in black.

Fair enough! Welcome to the club.

We have half a dozen ownership reports in TeamBhp including mine, incase you want to spend time reading till March.

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/super...sys-650-a.html
https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/super...completed.html
https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/super...sys-650-a.html (The return of Godzilla - My Kawasaki Versys 650)
https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/super...000-km-up.html
https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/super...sys-650-a.html (Homecoming of the Hulk : Kawasaki Versys 650)
https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/super...cessories.html (The Everyday Superbike! Juggernaut, my Kawasaki Versys 650. EDIT: 2nd service & accessories)
https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/super...sys-650-a.html (Review: My Kawasaki Versys 650!)
https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/super...sys-650-a.html (My new ride - Kawasaki Versys 650)
https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/assem...me-tourer.html

Originally Posted by shreyascashyap

They did tell me about the 0% finance, but that's valid only till end of Jan. I won't be moving back home to bangalore till March.

I think there will be offers post Jan as well - specially the Versys 650 is not their big seller anymore, those being Ninja 650, Z900 and Ninja 1000.

Originally Posted by shreyascashyap

Where would be the best place to get aftermarket accessories from? Thanks in advance for helping me out with my queries!
Shreyas

For localized Indian made accessories, you can check out Zana International website - http://www.zanainternational.com/kawasaki-versys.htm

For getting international branded accessories, you can check out BikenBiker - https://www.bikenbiker.com/collections/versys-650

BikenBiker is also a distributer for Zana and is Bangalore based, so just better to just call them and ensure availability and pick it up locally to install from their shop in Wilson Garden rather than order it online.

PS: No affiliations with either brands. Just recommending on the basis of my purchases.

[shreyascashyap]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

Fair enough! Welcome to the club.

We have half a dozen ownership reports in TeamBhp including mine, incase you want to spend time reading till March.


I think there will be offers post Jan as well - specially the Versys 650 is not their big seller anymore, those being Ninja 650, Z900 and Ninja 1000.


Just recommending on the basis of my purchases.

Thanks! Looking forward to buying it! I will ping you after I book the bike so you can add me on the Bangalore whatsapp group for Versys owners. I'm sure I will have a lot more queries.

I have already read all the ownership threads, multiple times Need to find something else to occupy my time till March haha

Shreyas

[ani_meher]

Wasn't this 2019 Versys 650 supposed to be a new design? Or is it now expected from 2020 version?