BMW G 650 GS versus Kawasaki Versys 1000 S
BMW G 650 GS
Kawasaki Versys 1000 S
Year of construction / RRP / Test report
Competitors
- light and manoeuvrable
- uncomplicated
- favorable consumption
- solid workmanship
- enough space for passenger
- radiates little emotion
Dimensions & Weight
Length : 2.165 mm
Seat : 780 mm
Weight : 192 kg
Length : 2.270 mm Height : 1.490 mm
Seat : 840 mm
Weight : 257 (max: 459 ) kg
Engine
Displacement: 652 ccm
Hub: 83 mm
Hole: 100 mm
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 5
Displacement: 1.043 ccm
Hub: 56 mm
Hole: 77 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: O-Ring Kette
Aisles: 6
Performance
Performance: 48 HP at 6.500 U/Min
Torque: 60 NM bei 5.000 U/Min Tank contents: 14 Litre
Performance: 120 HP at 9.000 U/Min
Torque: 102 NM bei 7.500 U/Min Tank contents: 21 Litre
Consumption: 5 l
Reach: 404 km
Chassis
Bridges (steel)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm
Double profile frame (aluminium) Front suspension:
43 mm upside-down fork (travel 150 mm) Rear suspension:
Horizontally arranged back-link gas pressure central strut (travel 152 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm Tyres at the front: 120/70ZR17M/C (58W)
Rear tyres: 180/55ZR17M/C (73W)
Brakes
Disk
Double petal brake discs. Brake caliper: Double radially mounted, monobloc, opposite 4 pistons (∅ 310 mm) Rear brake
Single petal brake disc. Brake caliper: Single piston (∅ 250 mm)
Conclusion - what sticks
Driving pleasure, tour suitability, reasonable price-performance ratio and anything else? To be honest, there are hardly any points of criticism for us. The bike rides really extremely pleasant and smooth. The upright Adventure sitting posture in combination with the supple row quad is a great combination, which brings a lot of advantages on longer tours.
The optics can be discussed as always, but that's also a matter of taste here. By the way, the machine is available in the two color combinations Pearl Storm Gray / Metallic Diablo Black / Metallic Flat Spark Black & Emerald Blazed Green / Metallic Diablo Black / Metallic Flat Spark or in short Gray / Black & Green / Black. We find both successful and appealing.
Only a 19" front wheel instead of the 17 incher would be Dietmar and me perhaps still a concern. But even there, the spirits are divided, because the 17 inches in front of course ensure a good steering behavior. Either way, the Kawasaki Versys 1000 S is an excellently successful travel machine and Kawa does not promise too much! "Every street - At any time" we can sign with a clear conscience.
The test machine was provided to us by Heller & Soltau.
