Kawasaki has just imported the Versys 650 touring motorcycle to India for homologation and the tourer is expected to launch in India very soon.
Touring motorcycles were not very popular in India initially. Even if someone did feel like owning one, choices for the same were next to zero. Kawasaki was the only manufacturer in this segment for a very long time with the very capable Ninja 650 (more of a sports tourer). Though the Ninja 650 is not an all out tourer, it can do a superb job at it nevertheless. Competition to the Ninja 650 until recently, came from the newly launched brand Benelli, in the form of the TNT 600 GT and this Italian motorcycle is completely touring oriented, equipped with a very powerful four-cylinder engine. Kawasaki has not taken this move lightly and is planning to launch its touring Kwacker, the Versys 650 in India.
The Japanese company has just imported the Kawasaki Versys 650 to India for homologation, which points towards a launch in the near future. However, we should not compare the Versys 650 with the Ninja 650 as both are different machines altogether. Younger sibling of the more powerful Versys 1000, the Versys 650 is a very comfortable motorcycle featuring a huge windshield, which is height adjustable; raised handlebars for an upright position and a big seat for the rider.
The Kawasaki Versys 650 is powered by a 649cc, parallel-twin, four-stroke, liquid-cooled fuel-injected engine. The engine uses a DOHC, 4-valves per cylinder layout. The bike produces a maximum power of 68.1 BHP at 8500 RPM and 64 Nm of torque at 7000 RPM. It is the same engine that does duty on the Ninja 650 and other cycle parts are also common. The other siblings of the Versys 650 include the ER-6n and the upcoming Vulcan S.
Internationally, the Versys 650 is available in four colours, namely, the iconic Kawasaki green, white, black and yellow. However, only a couple of colours will be made available in India. The Versys 650 will make for a good mid-level touring motorcycle in India, which is both fast and comfortable for long distance travelling. This bike is expected to be priced around Rs. 6 (ex-showroom) and will compete with the Benelli TNT 600 GT in the market.
