2021 Kawasaki Versys 650: Delivery and initial ownership experience

I feel, a 650cc, tall seating bike is the most suited to our roads, especially if you want to stick to the highways and some off-beat roads.

BHPian iamahunter recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

MY 2021 Versys 650

As there are tons and tons of reviews on the Versys 650, this will not be a review, but it will be my perspective about

• Why did I choose the Versys to start?
• What would my experience with this bike would be like.
• My adventures on this ADV.
• Modification, Accessories, Maintenance, so basically up keeping the bike and running it.

Likes

• Comfortable seat and upright sitting posture.
• Adjustable suspension.
• Adjustable Windscreen for height.
• Powerful and Reliable 650cc parallel twin cylinder engine.
• Negligible vibration.
• Virtually unlimited modifications and after market accessories available.
• A super strong and helpful Versys community.
• Bare minimum electronics.

Dislikes

• Seat Height for an average Indian.
• Top heavy nature of the bike
• Kawasaki's expensive service and spares cost.
• Poor stock lights.
• Only one color available.

I feel, a 650cc, tall seating bike is the most suited to our roads, especially if you want to stick to the highways and some off-beat roads. The speed and comfort which a 650cc motorbike can achieve is more manageable. Also, the fuel compatibility of a robust 650cc engine is better than few liter class motorbikes with high octane requirements.

The Alternatives Considered

1. Honda CB500X

Honda BigWing's Testride CB500X

Likes

• Honda's buttery smooth engine. (Slight buzz at minimum triple digits)
• Comfortable seating posture
• Light weight
• Brilliant heat management.
• Honda's reliable and less expensive service cost.

Dislikes

• COST
• Literally no such Honda community.
• Limited aftermarket accessories.

This was the first bike I considered and apart from the cost, I was actually willing to sacrifice and settle for the lower power and the simplicity of the bike.

2. KTM Duke 390 ADV

Bhpian Kailash's 390 ADV

Likes

• Light weight, lightest of them all.
• Comfortable sitting posture.
• Loads of Electronic aids.
• Sazzy Colour scheme.
• 19" front wheel.

Dislikes

• Single cylinder vibrations.
• End of day - it’s a jacked up Duke 390.
• I felt, this bike is more of a gadget than a bike (may be age is catching up). And I fear so much electronics.

3. Suzuki V-Strom

Mohan's Suzuki V-Strom

Likes

• Wonderful smooth V-twin
• Comfortable seating posture.
• Seat can be lowered by simple "jugad"
• Long service intervals.
• Service and spare costs are way less than the Kawasaki.

Dislikes

• Initial purchase cost.
• Looks - Personally I don’t mind much, but it’s far from a looker.
• The sales team's dis-interest in selling the bike.
• Not a deal breaker, but the accessories are sparse and expensive in India.
• What a bike this is! Totally impressed by the motorcycle, but really let down by the super slow and non-interested sales team.

Alternative not considered

RE Himalayan - Same power as my CBR, and not a fan of the RE vibes.

Benelli TRK 500 - Been there, done that - No Benelli for me anymore.

Test ride and pre-booking experience

Thane showroom's testdrive Versys 650.

I think with the big bikes a test-ride is one of the most important parts. Having a good long test-ride of a bike helps one understand many positives and short-comings of the said motorcycle. At times, you might even want to change the type of motorcycle you want, sports bike, superbike, an adventure tourer or a cruiser may be. Ride each type of the bike and understand what suits your requirement best!

The KTM 390 Adv and Vstorm were kindly lended to me by fellow bhpians for a ride. Neither of the 2 showrooms were eager or had the bike for a test-ride. Where as Honda Bigwing Andheri had the bike and did offer a great test-ride experience. More on it here (Honda CB500X launched at Rs. 6.87 lakh).

So there are 3 Kawasaki showrooms in and around Mumbai.

Anzen Kawasaki - Andheri (nearest)

Motosaki Kawasaki - Thane

Motosaki Kawasaki - Navi Mumbai.

Actual Test ride and showroom experiences.

1. Kawasaki, Andheri.

Their the test-ride was available only inside the compound. Assuming that the bike was not registered and would not be legal to take it out on the road (which also means, that they might sell the test-ride bike to an un-suspecting customer). However, I wanted to "experience" the bike and a short ride inside the compound does not give that opportunity at-all. In-fact, their neighboring Triumph sales team was much more warm and welcoming, someday Triumph!

2. Motosaki, Thane

Next I called up the Thane showroom, and clearly mentioned that I need a thorough test-ride before I proceed with the booking. Also, mentioned that I looking at the competitive bikes as well. Surprisingly their sales team agreed to my demand of a long test-ride with the versys without any clauses. I did a longish test-ride with the bike and that actually helped me understand the bike a lot - Clarified so many doubts and assumptions and tilted my decision in the favor of the Versys. When I was back from the test-ride, the sales was not pushy towards the booking, only enquired if I liked the bike and took the feedback positively.

3. Kawasaki Navi-Mumbai

I did not bother to contact the Navi-Mumbai showroom as it’s owned by the Thane dealer itself.

Booking Experience with the Dealership.

With the MY22 model coming in around March, there was a 40k upfront discount on the MY21 models of the Versys.

The MY22 model will be coming with LED headlights and the wonderful LCD console. I particularly am not a fan of the stock LED's as they are not easy to upgrade and the change in case of failure is very expensive. I have experienced it in the CBR where I had no option but to install powerful aux light for night riding.

Secondly I am a firm believer and follower that the fancy displays are quite a distraction while riding. Also, the initial excitement dials down after a few days.

So, I decided to take the opportunity and go ahead with the booking of the MY21 model. On the booking day, I had just convinced wife to go and have a look at the bike. Somehow, I took along the cheque book and needed documents. Reaching there on a relaxed afternoon, we took our time to look at the bike, took a small ride around, also rode the Versys 1000(just for an experience) and after approval of my better half, we decided to take the plunge. We sat for the next step of negotiations and final quotation.

I was offered a deal with discount + accessories or some more discount. I checked out the accessories that were installed on the test-ride bike and was not very convinced if I would like to have that quality of on my bike. So, I took opportunity to get some more discounts. Once the negotiations were done, the booking process was simple and straight forward. And I booked the Versys 650 with Kawasaki Thane.

As the dealer had earlier said that the bike is available and can be delivered with a week, I was more than excited. But this was all brought down by some more issues at dealer side which led to a delay. The bike arrived at the showroom almost a week later than what was promised. So basically the dealer has to order a consignment of minimum 7 bikes, only then the bikes will be shipped to the showroom. This I felt was some excuse given by the dealer, to save some shipping cost. A container could fit a total of 7 bikes only and shipping them at different times would cost more to the dealer. I was slightly disappointed at this, but its so small that it can be ignored.

So, the bike landed to the dealer on 1st of Feb and was unloaded in front of me. Now a days Kawasaki doesn't send bikes in boxes, but a steel base frame to which the bike is tied up, and covered with some styrofoam type of material. At the first look itself I was awwed at that beautiful green and black shade, it was so beautiful!

Delivery Experience

The delivery date was fixed, before that the dealer would inspect the bike and do a complete PDI with Insurance formalities. During this time, I procured the desired number from the RTO office. On the D-day, I was ready with my number plates so I could get the bike home without any issues.

Curtains are out!

Post reaching the showroom, the RTO formalities were completed and the sales executive explained the bike's features on the test-ride bike itself. Post that a unveiling was done in presence of friends and family.

Handing over the key

The first start was done by my daughter and the young one shed a tear of happiness that moment! My kiddo was handed over a couple of gifts by the showroom, a very kind gesture.

A small Pooja and the bike was ready to roll out on the road! The showroom provided some fuel which was only enough to reach the nearest fuel pump.

Continue reading BHPian iamahunter's ownership review of his Kawasaki Versys 650 for more insights and information.