Kawasaki Versys 1000

Having spent the last two years on big adventure bikes with either 19in or 21in front wheels I'm looking forward to getting on the Versys with its smaller road-focused 17in front and the plethora of tyre options it will bring. It’s going to be a real mile-muncher and I’m hoping it will be fun and engaging when the going gets twisty.

Year: ALL

Long term update: End of the winding road

10 March 2016 by Michael Guy

After nigh-on a year and more than 13,000 miles, it’s time to say goodbye to the Versys. I’d like to tell you it’s been emotional, but it hasn’t and that’s because it’s been the most competent,...

Long term update: Green gremlin strikes

18 February 2016 by Michael Guy

It’s taken 12,000 miles and seven months of riding, but I’ve finally found a fault with Kawasaki’s brilliant all-rounder. Well when I say ‘fault’, what I really mean is ‘minor glitch’. 2000 miles ago...

Long term update: Can sensible be fun?

28 January 2016 by Michael Guy

The digital display on my Kawasaki Versys 1000 clicked past 11,000 miles on my way to work last week and it occurred to me just how much my biking habits have changed over the years. Eleven years ago...

Long term update: 10,000 miles and counting

15 January 2016 by Michael Guy

You learn a lot about a bike riding it through winter. Cold, wet rides give you plenty of chance to get serious about your evaluation of a bike. In the summer months rides go past in a blur of...

Long term update: 'I laugh at winter'

30 November 2015 by Michael Guy

With a 140-mile commute to the office and back, it’s fair to say I’m going to be racking up the miles this winter. I know it hasn’t turned really cold just yet, but right now I’m feeling optimistic...

Long term update: Versys versus Versys

17 October 2015 by Michael Guy

The 2015 Versys 1000 has been receiving rave reviews since its launch at the end of last year and in 6000 miles I’ve been seriously impressed. The previous 1000 never managed to generate the same...

Long term update: Racing the sun

05 August 2015 by Michael Guy

There is something satisfying about watching the sunrise. The sense of tranquillity from being the only person awake at 4.30am has a lot to do with it. So with a full 16 hours of daylight ahead of me...

MCN Fleet: Is Versys a match for GS?

24 June 2015 by Michael Guy

Last year I covered 16,000 miles on a BMW R1200GS Adventure, the epic round-the-world mile-muncher. In eight months of ownership it never once disappointed, and that included a few 600-mile days...

Long term update: Move over BMW and KTM

05 June 2015 by Michael Guy

Since the day our Senior Road Tester Michael Neeves came back from the launch of the Kawasaki Versys singing its praises I’ve had my eye on the big Kawasaki. Our Mr Neeves loves his sportsbikes so...