A review on the all new 2019 kawasaki versys 1000 se Kindly loaned by Bournemouth kawasaki uk Please like ,share and subscribe thanks :) Any donations greatly appreciated to help me produce these reviews paypal.me/mark...
My first Kawasaki after looking at them for decades. Didn’t think I’d get back into a large tourer of any kind after selling my Norge last year. A bit put off by the looks and height, but one test ride and any issues were resolved immediately. Best riding experience I’ve ever had. Kawasaki know what they’re doing with this one.
Excellent review mate, piece of advise, your gloves may come off if you keep sliding them in without strapping , hands are 2nd hardest to fix after head injuries. Ride safe
Great bike! Another addition to my lottery win purchases (not won yet though😵) ....recently you are a reviewing machine! Really enjoying your channel thanks Mark 👍
Emerald Blazed Green. Same as my Z1000SX. It is gorgeous and truly glitters in the sunlight. Be nice if Kawasaki would produce an SE version of the SX with the same toys.
So, I think the conclusion we can draw from this review then is that it is 'Smooth'!? 😁 Another nice review, thanks Mark. I must admit that this is a bike that I do like alot so I was interested to see your review. Keep up the good work! 👍
Love it! My next bike, maybe. I’ve got the '16 650 Versys as my first bike. I ride two up and long days in saddle. Sounds like perfect next choice. Love the looks too. I know some don’t.
i have the GT 650 versys , been riding for 30 years had all sorts of bikes from 80cc to 1000cc......this is my 3rd versys and is by far the best bike i have owned it suites me for me and my camping gear .....i dont class the bike as a first bike at all its a keeper for anyone on a budget looking for a decent powered adventure tourer cheap on insurance and economical :)
Excellent review. I'd have to wait three years for price depreciation before I could afford this beautiful bike. However, my dealer has Kawasaki Versys 1000cc for sale now and I'm sorely tempted. It's a 2016 model, in black full touring kit and 14k on clock. He wants £7500 which I think is reasonable.
Was gonna trade in my Zx10r for one identical to this , then went and had my heart attack , that put a stop to that one ,, nice looking bike and would have slowed me down , never mind ,, good review Shane uk 🇬🇧
Got a 2016 model myself, love all the changes on the new one. Everything I want on the old one is here but I really can't justify the price to change unfortunately
Just a quick update on my comment, my kawa dealer here in cornwall had a second hand SE model £4k cheaper than a new one, by the time I got there an hour later it had been sold. Damn it!!lol
Mark, very good job on your bike review videos, therefore I subscribed. England looks like a nice place to ride & enjoy the country side. Keep the videos coming & ride safe friend.
The review i was waiting for. Loved the previous model, never bought one waiting for launch of the latest version. Now the top spec is more than i want to try to justify spending on a bike i'm back interested in the Tracer GT. Pays ya money and takes ya choice, but i seem to have not enough of one and too much of the other where bikes are concerned whichever way round they fall. And then there's the triumph, or maybe the bmw or possibly a....... Nonetheless an excellent review oh bringer of temptation :)
@@markpulling12 I would consider that, but...extra toys and goodies have that certain draw ,and they know i just wouldn't be happy. Same old gl or ghia scenario. Apart from the engine i wasn't impressed with the old tracer but the new one is apparently in another league. Time off for test rides is long overdue for a head or heart session but the versys is top of the list. After that i'll argue with the wallet.
I've got the 2017 model and I want the grand tourer version same as this one love the Kawasaki versys 1000 such a great bike nothing on the market can beet it for me ❤
Great review! Love my '17 Kawasaki Z650 for the price tag but very interested in the versys. 2 hours on the Z and I'm shot.. need a more comfortable bike. These Kawasaki's really do have the smoothest clutch/gearbox of any bike I've ever had.
Mark, keep the reviews coming. Your commitment to the analysis really shines through. Setting aside the individual components for a moment, would like to hear how you'd rate the overall feel of the Kawi against your favorites in the class. Was it as exciting to ride? Is this where you'd put your money if you were in the market for a top-tier tourer?
Hi erik ,up to now the triumph tiger 1200 is my favourite ,due to engine and comfort,but the kawasaki is now equal in my mind ,if it was my money id need to test the tiger 1200 again just to feel the extra punch of the engine to see how it compares to the versys ,but the versys motor is totally sublime and never felt lacking ,im going to test the base versys 1000 in a few days which is much cheaper all the best mark
Nice reviews Mark so the big question versys 1000 or sx 1000 whats for and against Mark. Both bikes are on my radar haven't test rode so your opinion would be great thanks
Hi martin ,simply put the sx1000 is more sports than tour with more peak power but the versys has more low down power and is so comfortable youll never want to get off ,for me personally i enjoyed the versys more but everyone is different all the best mark ps if your local bournemouth kawasaki has both demos
That's a really beautiful bike. The only thing I'd like is a better colour choice. My favourite is the White/Black. I'm not sure whether the SE is worth so much extra but love the bike nevertheless. Nice ride review. Thanks!
As soon as it is available in France, I take one. I'm convinced it's the right bike for me. Trail, Road, GT. Because I always travel in duo (with my wife) and loaded with luggage. But I would not take Kawasaki luggage but 2 suitcases SWMotech of 45 liters and the top case (which I already have), a Givi Trekker Outback of 59 liters. I'm going to look for a bag (tank).
I have the 16 model and love it, took the 19 model for a test ride last weekend and yes agree with everything you've said on your video and would have one in a heartbeat but can't justify the price for all the new electronic wizardry. So will wait a year or two and give it some more thought and hopefully a price drop.
Mark, I hope you can make a different video for the unveiling of your new bike, rather than what most bloggers do, maybe let us have a chance to guess what you got, drop a few clues etc, makes it more interesting for your subscribers. Thanks pal
If price wasn't a issue I would still take the Kawasaki over the BMW. I simply like the sound of a Kawasaki Inline 4 engine much better 👍. Boxers are great engines but just don't exite me much
Hi Mark.Another top quality review as always.Just out of intrest what would you buy if the choice was between the ktm 1290 adventure t and the Versys 1000?I'm torn between the two.Will be riding 2 up quite often.
Hi Jay I rode the ktm a couple of years ago ,see my review , awesome bit of kit ,but I just love the smoothness and the comfort of the versys se it fits me so well ,so definitely the Kawasaki :)
@@markpulling12 I have watched both your reviews on many occasions and my thinking is the reliability of the ktm.I am very much a Triumph fan as I ride a tiger 1200 xrt but I had sugery on my knee before Christmas and since then i struggle with the weight of it.I know the versys is heavey but wondering if it carried the weight lower down so easier to handle if that makes sense?
As always, I'm impressed with the amount of information you pack into each review. Well done, and the bike seems pretty awesome. I'm spoiled by my two big shaft-driven tourers, FJR1300ES and K1600GT, so I probably wouldn't be happy dealing with the chain. But I think the Versys is tremendous bang for the buck, with very minimal compromise.
Mark, Would you say this bike is better than Yamaha's Tracer 900 GT in your opinion if price wasn't a factor? I think I'd prefer the inline 4 engine over a triple for comfortable highway cruising and extra passing power.
Hi the tracer is great value for money ,and is more than enough bike for most people , however id take the versys anyday if money was no option,it fits me perfectly ,is armchair comfortable and the engine is pure genius All the best mark
I own both and they are totally different animals. I bought the Kwaka for 2 up work and the extra carrying capacity over the Tracer. The Tracer engine is much more responsive - right from idle and the torque makes the pillion bash your helmet when accelerating hard. No such problem on the Versys as it's much smoother and feels like a magic carpet. They are both excellent handlers and the Versys a real suprise how it holds and corrects a line if required at extreme lean angles. I love them both because they're so different. The Versys is much smoother and a superior touring machine with the higher and superior designed screen. Ergonomics are excellent on both (180 cm owner) but pillion comfort much is superior on the Versys. My teenage son prefers the Tracer as it doesn't send him to sleep😂. Both epic machines.
Hi Mark nice review. This bike should tick all the boxes for me (although I don't need all the high tech high priced stuff ) but for one thing and that is these bikes are way too tall for me and I suspect many riders. 840mm (33") or 820mm (32.1/4" low seat haha ) rules out this bike for many riders. I know some folk would suggest changing the rear suspension links but this then raises other problems with side stand lean and the difficulty using the main stand not to mention handling and ground clearance problems been there done that. Its such a shame because this bike ticks all the boxes for two up riding in comfort unlike most machines that are designed really only with the pilot in mind (no pillion).
Heh Mark, If you really want to hear the sound of that engine. Watch on YT "Kawasaki Versys 1000 on and off road ride". Make sure you watch the whole thing. What a beautiful sound it makes........Sal : )
Got my 2023 Versys 1000 SE in May of this year. I really like the bike. My only complaint is, why did Kawasaki not spec/put 90 degree tire valves (unlike my Honda NC750X). It is quite cumbersome to check tire pressure and to inflate the tires especially the front with those big rotors.
I have been looking for this bike to replace my 2016 Z1000SX. the less power and more wheight made be still unsure. The guy at the shop told me to make a test drive, have not done so yet. What i'm also hearing is. The Z1000SX for 2020. It's expected that Kawasaki will do something silimar and bring a SE version of that. And yes, i know! If you start waiting you keep waiting.... then again, my 2016 can for sure keep going for bit longer. Maybe going to wait and see wat Z1000SX is going to do. Can still go for Versys 1000SE at end of or beginning of next sesion and maybe pickup a good deal on it as well. Or, do a test drive on the Versys and maybe buy one one the spot.. :) Great review Mark! Thanks for that.
Greetings frm UAE. Excellent review Mark. I have a question. You have ridden the z1000sx and the versys 19. Which one do you prefer? Im looking to buy one of these...IM 6FT 1 and look fwd to use the bike daily but cant decide between the z1000sx and the versys...pls help
Hi jiten ,id personally go for the versys 1000 just because of its armchair comfort but obviously the sx is sportier if thats what you prefer ,try them out first if you can and let me know what you decide all the best mark
Skip the electronic do-dads and get a used 2015 model for half the price. Heated grips cost $150, and a pipe and ECU flash will net ~125 RWHP. (standard is 105 RWHP)
I owned the 2015 facelift model, was a great bike but personally I'm disappointed Kawasaki haven't upped the power. When I rode with a mate who was on BMWs R1200 GS he could easily gap me. Its definitely not a match for the XR or a Multistrada. Kawasaki have thrown so many electronic things at this bike that you don't need that have pushed the price way too high. Same motor in the Z1000 makes over 140bhp
Hi Joseph ,that's a hard choice ,the new BMW 1250 with electronic suspension is a benchmark bike amazing,but the versys is so smooth but still has great suspension ,I'd say its very close all the best mark
Yet another great review. Can I get your thoughts Mark? I’m currently riding a ktm 1190 adventure but I need to change it as the miles are clocking up. The Versys is a bike a may be interested in as a replacement. I do find the kTM a vibey. Do you thing the Kawasaki is a sensible replacement or should I try to get a 1290 adventure?
Hi stix,' the versys 1000 especially the se is one of my favourite adventure tourers ,armchair comfort and butter smooth im sure youll like it all the best mark
Only problem with this bike is... the price. In Thailand it's 20% more expensive than the previous model (30% taking discounts into account). That's well above 5000$ difference. I'm sure all the bells and whistles are worth it, but one of the main advantages of the Versys was to be a much more affordable option than European bikes while offering a solid motorcycle with comparable performances and (arguably better) reliability.
Great review! Hope to change my bike in 2021 to a sports adventure model. Budget will be £8k plus whatever i get px for Harley Switchback. (6-7k??). Like to get top box and panniers inc. With that in mind, the versys 1000 is one I will look at. Also interested in testing a Triumph tiger 900 GT pro. Are there any other models you would advise me to look at when I start looking? Mainly road use, no difficult terrain. Cheers.
Hi mark the tiger 1200 is amazing but heavy ,multistrada 1200 dvt has an incredible engine...the tiger 900 has great reviews ....I think your are going to be having alot of test rides :) All the best mark
Hi richard ,yes its still tall for the likes of you and me ,but doable if your confident and there is always a low seat that kawasaki do all the best mark
It's not your height, but your inside leg length that's the key. I'm 5ft 9, with a short leg measuring 29 inches. I can't consider any machine with a seat higher than 795-800mm, which rules out most machines these days. 815 mm and I'm on my toes, which I'm not comfortable with. Mark, along with many others with longer legs than me, can get by riding bikes I can't consider, even though I'm taller than he is. It's the way it is.
I've tested the 1200 tiger & the 1200 GSA. I'm going to take out the KTM 1290 Super adventure soon. I did think about the Versys but went off it as it didn't have a few things I want. It appears now it does. I think I'll go and try one. I'm also going to take out 5he 1250 GSA as that wasn't out & they didn't tell me it was coming. I don't like the colours of the BMW really. I did love the triple black. Typical they stopped that on the 1250. I'm in a club & the Kawasaki would fit in better. I have a few bikes so that's not a major factor though.
I was going to ask how it compares to the Tiger 1200 then 10.00 I got my answer thankyou, I own a 2012 Explorer so imagine this bike would make a good trade up as i don't ride offroad.
Looks great, I want to want one but for some reason I just don't. Still prefer a tourer to look like a tourer as opposed to a touring, dirt capable lookalike bike. Also I want it to have 160 ph like the xr. Guess I'm from the lean forward sports tourer generation.
Hi Nick sorry no ,but looking at the seat and how comfortable it was for me I'd best guess it would be extremely comfortable for a passenger all the best mark