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Kawasaki sprung a surprise with it’s new entry into the small bore adv market, a model that hadn’t already been widely rumoured or confirmed.
KAWASAKI has revealed this new addition to the Versys family, with a 296cc parallel-twin engine.
Called the Versy-X 300, it’s tuned for low-and-mid-range power according to Kawasaki and comes with an assist and slipper clutch making the lever easier to pull.
An all-new steel ‘backbone’ frame uses the engine as a stressed member and it comes with a long-travel 41mm fork and gas-charged shock.
Kawasaki says the shock’s ‘housed in a reinforced framework anticipating the unpaved roads capabilities of the Versys-X 300’.
It offers comfort, with an upright riding position and large windscreen, and promises long-distance potential like bigger models in the range, the firm says.
Wide bars promise maneuverability and it comes with a gear indicator, while the digital dash includes remaining fuel range and fuel consumption meters.
The tank is 17 lites and the seat height is ‘low’ according to Kawasaki – although full specifications have not yet been released.
Accessories include an optional higher seat, luggage and ‘touring options’.
Two pre-accessorised editions are also to be offered: the Versys-X 300 Urban and the Versys-X 300 Adventure.
The Urban will come with tank pad, hand-guards, centre-stand and a 30-litre top case. The Adventure will have a tank pad, engine guard, centre-stand and two 17-litre panniers.
The tank/fairing area is very Kawasaki.
I think this is a great step in the right direction. No its not ‘perfect’ but it’s well on the way. Even if it’s 170kg dry it’s still going to be at least 20kg lighter than the 800 @michael_j_breen referred to above, if not up to 40kg lighter if it’s wet weight. It’s lighter than any other twin cylinder adv currently confirmed and power is slightly better than a dr650 or klr650 and way above any of the other small bore offerings recently announced.
Norjo’s in Christchurch had a couple. Quite impressive, feels very light just sitting on it.
No demonstrator though, they are hard to get apparently, next shipment is December.
Very promising.Hmmmmm.
weighs about the same as a dr650. Has slightly more power. Is more complicated. Has a fair bit more plastic.
So apart from achieving all that with 350 less ccs, why is this so much better than a dr650 or even a KLR650?
Ok, so it’s got abs. But I thought was not such a great thing off road and even on gravel?
It’s $1,000 more expensive than a new dr650.
I am not thinking of buying one.
I do like the fact that manufacturers are addressing the gap between 250 and 650cc machines.
400 to 500 would be where I would like to see some effort from them.
Still think its a nice wee bike for 80% tarseal 20% gravel, felt very smooth too compared with thumpers.
Oh and slipper cluthch aswell as six speed and fuel injection, early estimates are 450K per tank!!
I agree its overpriced though.2 Versys-X 300’s are currently being ridden across Australia in a test for the new model.
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