Kawasaki Versys 650 Tourer Plus 2016 — Specifications

Who hasn't dreamed of hitting the road on a whim, panniers locked and headlights on, without wondering if there's an accessory missing from the catalog? That's exactly the promise of the Kawasaki Versys 650 Tourer Plus, a fully-loaded version of a mid-size tourer that has already proven itself in the segment. Where the standard Tourer laid the groundwork with its side cases and handguards, the Plus variant adds two auxiliary lights and a gear position indicator on the dashboard. Two additions that seem trivial on paper, but that change the game when the road stretches on past sunset or when you're stringing mountain passes together without wanting to fumble around the six-speed gearbox.

Mechanically, we find the familiar 649 cc parallel twin, faithful as ever. Its 69 horsepower delivered at 8,500 rpm and 44.8 Nm of torque at 6,800 rpm won't impress anyone at the track day café. But this engine, flexible and well-geared, proves to be a remarkably effective companion on back roads. It pulls without complaint from mid-range revs, tackles corner-exit acceleration with confidence, and carries the whole package up to a 200 km/h top speed. Against a Suzuki V-Strom 650 or a Honda CB500X, the Kawasaki plays the compromise card: punchier than the Honda, a little less temperamental than the Suzuki. The high-tensile steel tubular frame and the 1,415 mm wheelbase provide reassuring stability, while the 41 mm inverted fork, adjustable in preload and rebound, offers a level of customization that's rare at this price point. The rear mono-shock, with its remote preload adjuster, rounds out a balanced chassis that soaks up rough roads without transmitting every imperfection to the rider.

The braking, however, deserves a caveat. The dual front discs clamped by two-piston calipers get the job done, but nothing more. We would have appreciated radial-mount or at least four-piston calipers for sharper bite during hard braking, especially with the 214 kg wet weight to slow down. ABS remains optional on this 2016 model year, which feels stingy when the competition is starting to offer it as standard. On a machine designed to eat up the miles, that's a questionable choice.

On the equipment front, the Tourer Plus package justifies its existence. The two 28-liter hard panniers with a single-lock system, the tank protector, and the handguards form a coherent package for the regular tourer. The nearly 19-liter tank allows comfortable range between fuel stops. We do regret the absence of a tall windscreen in the package, though: with a seat height perched at 846 mm and a clearly road-oriented vocation, wind protection remains the weak link of the whole setup. Taller riders will appreciate the upright riding position, while shorter ones will have to cope with the seat height.

Priced at 8,599 euros, the Kawasaki Versys 650 Tourer Plus positions itself as a rational choice for the rider who wants a versatile machine, ready to go without a trip to the accessories dealer. It's neither a sportbike in disguise nor a hardcore adventure bike, but a pragmatic tourer targeting A2 license holders with a restrictor kit and experienced riders looking for a no-frills middle ground. The Kawasaki Versys 650 Tourer Plus price remains competitive against equivalent packages from Suzuki or Yamaha, provided you accept its few concessions on braking and wind protection.