It’s another middleweight update for 2022, and next up for a makeover is
the tour-ready Kawasaki Versys 650 - alongside the Versys 650 Tourer & Grand Tourer for those
who would prefer even more touring proficiency. Fitted with the well-trodden 68bhp 649cc parallel
twin, that you’ll also find on the Z650 and Z650RS (that we recently tried out in Marseille on the
press launch), the Versys doesn’t benefit from any mechanical updates, instead, the Japanese
manufacturer hopes riders will ‘let the good times roll’ with plenty of new touring & rider features.
First, and most importantly for some, is the introduction of the Kawasaki
Traction Control System, or KTRC. With 2 levels and switchable on/off,
it’s the first time the middleweight tourer has had this traction control tech fitted.
But the most glaringly obvious change is the four-way adjust screen and larger front cowling
with new LED headlight & blinkers, giving it more resemblance to the 1000cc sibling.
Tech fans will be happy to hear that there is a new 4.3” TFT dash with smartphone connectivity,
with the screen brightness able to auto-adjust in changing conditions.
The Tourer and Grand Tourer packs introduce panniers/panniers & top box respectively,
with the GT even getting fog lights, power outlets and GPS brackets (amongst others).
Serious adventurers apply within! Price is confirmed as £7799 for the Metallic
Spark Black for 2022, or +£100 on top for silver or lime green colours. The 2021 model is listed
on the Kwak website as £7549, so it’s up £250. On this topic, we were chatting to an English
fella in a bar in Milan about touring on middleweights. He didn’t understand
why anyone would go for a middleweight, and surely every rider would go for a bigger bike?
It’s a valid point, but you can’t discount the capabilities of middleweight machines like these.
They’re often lighter, cheaper to run, less likely to get you in trouble with the Policia Local,
and just as capable of going two-up for hundreds of miles.