Versys 1000 Spied

[Schneegz]

From Frenchies Motonet.com, via Hell for Leather Magazine:



That's supposedly the Z1000's I-4.  Too bad.  I'd hoped that the long-rumored Versys 1000 would feature a parallel twin.  I'm sure it'll be a big hit in Europe.

[R Doug]

That's supposedly the Z1000's I-4.  Too bad.  I'd hoped that the long-rumored Versys 1000 would feature a parallel twin.

+1. A big P-twin would be sweet.

[2DFlyer]

+1. A big P-twin would be sweet.

Yep.  I4 ruined the moment for me too.

[JSharp]

You could always pull one plug wire. It would vibrate more and probably still have more power than an 800GS.












 

[Zixxerpilot]

Don't underestimate that zthou engine.  It's quite potent.

Sent from my Motorola Atrix using Tapatalk.

[Schneegz]

Don't underestimate that zthou engine.  It's quite potent.

It's a beast.  It's just not the kind of engine I'd like in this kind of motorcycle, especially with the awful gas mileage most testers report.  Again, it's a great tool, just not the one I'd have used for this application.  It's like using a hammer to pound in a wood screw.

My guess is Kawi went with the Z1000 engine to save money, which is an admirable goal - especially right now.  

[Tpoppa]

That particular I4 has twin like power delivery.  I suspect it will work quite well on that bike.

[R Doug]

I would like to see an HP and torque curve of this motor to a Yamaha Super Tenere.  I'll bet the parallel twin of the Yam will be more flat.

If anything, it would be cool to have another parallel twin on the road to hear that unique raspy sound.  

[DaisyCutter]

Devils Advocate:
*All that luggage + tubless tires makes me think about a lot of road miles, where a I4 could be more pleasant than a P2.
*Maybe there's a off-road ignition selector which dumbs the engine down for sloppy stuff.




IMO, Kawasaki should find a way to fit the old KLR plastics to a Versys, and have a regain a utility-styled KLR that can hold 85mph on a steep uphill, loaded 2-up, for $5999.


I'd say about 15 hp is the only reason I didn't keep my KLR forever.



I don't want a $11,000 and 999cc/120hp/550lb dirtbike to drop in the rocks.  

[Giaka]

I guess it really depends on how much they de-tune the Z1000 motor. The Ninja 650 motor the plopped in the Versys is pretty darn gutless. I think they whacked off a good 10 hp for some reason.    I like my Versys but it feels like it needs about 30 more HP to be a REALLY fun bike.

If this Z1000 motor is tuned right this thing will be a blast. Not sure it will tip the scales over 500lbs though. The Ninja 1000 is only like 502 right? How much does the Z1000 weigh? I bet there is only a 25 to 30 lb difference between the gutless Versys twin and the Z1000 motor. As far as the bike not having a P twin, I am glad it doesn't because I am less than impressed by the one I have now. A V twin would have been so much better.

[JSharp]

A Z1000 is listed as 481lb but they feel lighter. The mass feels low and centrally located.

Will they still be able to call it an adventure bike if it isn't overweight and underpowered?