KAWASAKI VERSYS 1000 SE (2019 - 2020) Review

Not as “sporty” as some other bikes in its class, but for touring it is ideal. Bigger payload than a K1600.

Super smooth and 120bhp is enough for me, thanks. Quick shifter is excellent if used as recommended, ie above 2500 rpm under acceleration, and with a closed throttle when downshifting.

No issues after 4 years and 17,000 miles. Build quality is very good. Exotic Italian machines come nowhere close for reliability.

Servicing quite expensive. It takes a long time for a mechanic to disassemble and reassemble all the kit, in order to get at the engine. Bike is great vfm compared to comparably equipped German and Italian machines.

The SE has every electronic aid you need, and the GT includes a complete touring package. Contrary to the MCN review, the TFT dash does have a colour display option. Michelin R6s made a big improvement in handling compared to OEM tyres. A bike like this should have tyre pressure monitoring (I fitted my own easily for £100).

Comfortable. Can be ridden very spiritedly. More than enough power for on the road. I can ride over four hours without any issues. By which time needs a fuel stop. My wife rides pillion regularly without any issues. Longest stint has been three hours.

No issues. Smooth as silk.

🤞no issues

I do all the maintenance myself using fully synthetic oil and Kawasaki parts. OEM Chain and sprocket set changed at 21000 miles.

Cruise control is a must for those motorway miles when away on tour. I have the full GT package including hand guards, and have never had the need for heated grips. I wasn’t keen on the OEM Bridgestones. I have used three sets of Metzeler Road tecs. They transformed the bike. However, I am now using Pirelli angel GT 2’s. They have so far proved to be even better.

Bought for its pillion capacity for which it’s fine, pretty good all rounder when riding solo too, can do long ride’s comfortably

A little under geared for my liking but getting used to it

Only had it a month do difficult to say

Came with top box and panniers

Ride quality is excellent. I love the upright riding position, looking out over the traffic. Ride mode and suspension preload adjustment at the touch of a button is very cool. On SPORT setting the suspension is a little firmer, but the difference is subtle and I use ROAD most of the time. RAIN cuts engine power and changes a few other parameters, but I have only used it in really heavy downpours. I agree with others that the back brake is a little weak for such a big bike. The RIDEOLOGY app is a bit gimmicky and I only tried it a few times.

OK, I love Jap fours for their smoothness, particularly from a standstill. If you prefer a thumping, lumpy, vibrating twin then it won’t be for you. But I know which I prefer for a long day in the saddle. Engine is plenty powerful enough for touring at legal speeds, but it won’t bite your head off, and there is bags of low down torque.

I haven’t seen any corrosion in over two years, but it is garaged and I don’t ride much in the winter. It is well constructed, feels like quality and has never let me down.

Around 45 mpg, so not thirsty.

The SE GT model has pretty much everything you need. Heated grip control could be more intuitive, and the fog light switch is tricky to access with gloves on. The screen is great, just need to make sure the fixing attachments are well screwed in. The Kawasaki radiator guard is a must, and looks good. Also consider the Kawasaki clear film protection package for the panniers. My dealer fitted this and did a great job. I can’t understand why big tourers like this aren’t fitted with tyre pressure monitoring. I added the Michelin system, which isn’t expensive and is very easily installed. I noticed a big improvement in handling and grip when I replaced the OEM tyres with Michelin Road 6s.

3 hours at a time is easily achieved. By which time it’s nearly due a fuel up. Longest day I’ve done is 7 hours. Slight bum numb was the worst I experienced. With the full luggage it’s go anywhere anytime but not off road.

Spirited riding 44mpg. Normal riding 53mpg 118bhp is more than enough for road riding. I’d guess it would also be fun on the track

No issues here.

I do all the maintenance myself covering 7-8000 miles a year in all weathers.

Cruise control makes the touring motorway slog a doddle. Bike was transformed when I changed to Metzeler roadtec.

Nothing to complain about and comfortable 3 hours in the saddle. Cruise control eases wrists on long motorway drags. My pillion says it's the most comfortable she's been!

Very smooth power delivery and more than enough power for rideouts or touring fully loaded.

Two winters and 11,000 miles and still looks pristine. No evidence of fastenings being attacked by salt.

Changing plugs every 7,500 miles seems wasteful. I'll use an independent when warranty expires.57mpg over 11,000 miles. Reasonable (8000 mile) tyre wear.

The standard grand tourer is well featured. Only nitpick is the design of the panniers that look good but if rounded could be more functional for load carrying, although fits a full face helmet without problems. My additions were heated grips (now standard), a scotoiler and a radiator guard that is both functional and makes the front of the bike look a lot better.Bridgestone BT31s were ok, although the front wore quickly and with an odd ridge. I changed early at 7,000 miles with the rears only half worn. The replacement Metzler Roadtech SE 01s are much better in almost every respect. 4,000 miles and the fronts not wearing and rears slightly more than BT31s, but wear is very even with no evidence of flattening. The slow speed handling improved considerably and more confidence handling in corners and the wet.

This is the worst bit. Firstly the brakes work well even if they are prone to rusting, there have been reports of juddering but I've not experienced any of that. The front suspension however is utterly abysmal & totally under damped, the rear shock is well I suppose what we should have come to expect as std fit on a new Jap bike these days, crap but nothing like as bad as the front, it still needs changing though. The front can be improved massively by having the valves changed to Ktech which cost me £270, it’s still a long way from perfect but rideable on bumpy B roads now. This shouldn't be needed on a new bike of any kind.

The good bit, the engine really is an absolute stunner, power everywhere in the rev range & very smooth, progressive & excellent glitch free fuelling. Can't praise this bit enough.

Good job I don't ride through the winter as some components are prone to rust with the bike standing in my garage. I have to dry off brake disks before I put it away if I wash it, the drive chain has rust spots all over it at the slightest whiff of damp & needs to be kept well lubed up (scotoiler didn't cut it) & fixings are not good quality & fur up easily. Some of this can be considered minor but not the disks & overall it smacks of penny pinching on components on what is not a cheep bike. I've been riding for 46 years & owned allot of bikes (mainly Suzuki which are not renowned for being the best) & from a build quality point of view this is the worst by far. So far however it has at least been totally reliable as have the many other Jap bikes I’ve owned over the years.

Due to covid I've not done as many miles as I would have liked in the 18 months of ownership but have just booked in for the 7600 mile anual service & have been quoted £480 which to me for what needs to be done is well out of order. Together with the £80, 600 mile service thats £560 in the first year. The second year 15000 mile service includes the valve clearence checks so will be considerably more. It won't be going back once the warranty is expired & I will do future work myself.

Yes it's got traction control, power modes, cruise control, ABS which is lean sensitive but who needs all this crap when the basic cycle components are so bad. The engine has such lovely power delivery you don't need traction control or power modes, mine is in full power mode 100% of the time, I do leave the traction control switched on but at the least intrusive setting & have not needed either in 7500 miles in wet or dry. Cruise control is similarly useless for me as I rarely use motorways. ABS is of course a sensible thing to have although again I have never felt it activate. I would have been much happier without allot of this but have decent suspension from the start instead.

The bike is happy on Twisties and also eats motorway miles. Brakes are fine even when fully loaded with luggage and pillion. As already stated 2 1/2 hours in the saddle and I’m ready for a short break

Plenty of torque makes for easy riding. But when you wind it up it’s got plenty and makes for very “spirited” riding

I’ve had the bike from new , 12 months ago, and I’ve done 7500 trouble-free miles. I ride in all weather. No sign of any corrosion but I do spend hours cleaning.

These are dealer prices and they vary massively so worth phoning round. I personally will only be having the first annual service carried out to maintain the warranty. I will then complete my own maintenance as I do with all my vehicles.

Comes with cruise control which is a godsend for me on motorways. The large screen gives excellent protection and the fairings work really well in the rain keeping the vast majority of water of me. Has also a 12v socket as standard.

Stops on a sixpence

Smooth as silk

No issues

Thirsty on sports mode

Fully kitted out not as much space s as hoped

singly or 2up the ergonomics work well, We've recently changed our helmets and on a ride out last fri we really were troubled by crosswinds and turbulence from the windshield ive tried it up down in the middle with no success so am ordering a MRA screen soon.

Its great though I miss the bandits top end!!!

early days yet, (950)miles. Its not let me down yet!!!

Again too early to say.

Bloody good looks,!,!!