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Introduction
ONE MOTORCYCLE FOR ALL OCCASIONS:
THE 2009 KAWASAKI VERSYS™
Seven-day versatility ready for commuting, casual treks or canyon
running
While the 2009 Kawasaki Versys™ may defy attempts to pigeon
hole it into a preordained role, the truth is this is a machine
that epitomizes versatility. The editors at Motorcyclist magazine
may have described this jack-of-all-trades motorcycle best: "The
most impressive thing about the Versys is what it can do. That
would be just about anything, and for a lot less money than anything
else out there. Call it whatever you want. We're calling it Motorcycle
of the Year."
To create the Versys, Kawasaki engineers turned to the already
user-friendly Ninja® 650R sportbike. Building upon its 649cc
parallel-twin engine, six-spoke superbike-inspired wheels, light
steering and neutral handling chassis; they added an adjustable-height
windscreen, a longer "gull" shaped swingarm, adjustable,
long-travel rear shock, long-travel inverted 41mm forks and provided
it with a roomy, comfortable cockpit. The resulting motorcycle
is ready to excel at almost any task its rider needs, from gridlock
traffic jams, to canyon carving, to long-distance touring.
A major element in the flexibility of the Versys motorcycle is
its compact liquid-cooled, fuel-injected, DOHC, 8-valve, 649cc
parallel-twin engine. This engine was already lively enough for
even the most advanced riders, yet predictable enough to inspire
confidence in less-experienced motorcyclists. However, it was
modified to deliver its smooth power earlier for brisk off-the-line
acceleration with plenty of supple torque for the cut-n-thrust
commute environment, while still offering excellent fuel economy.
Its suspension offers the latest in sophistication with an advanced
Showa rear shock utilizing a free piston and two-stage damping
valves for progressive compression damping, which firms significantly
as the shock moves through its stroke. This allows a wheel travel
feel that is initially soft like a dual sport, but firms to near
sportbike levels as suspension loads escalate. This high-tech
shock is connected to the longer-than-average aluminum gull-wing
swingarm made possible by a short/compact engine and chassis.
The high-tech suspension approach continues up front with a fully-adjustable,
41mm tapered-tube inverted fork that combines the best of off-road
and sportbike suspension action for a stiffness balance that
is a perfect match to the Versys chassis settings. In addition
to a more-comfortable ride, the long-travel fork's soft-stroke
allows easy control of the chassis' running angle by shifting
the rider's weight.
Enhancing the plush ride from its suspension is a carefully designed
cockpit that features a stepped seat constructed to provide optimum
comfort to both the rider and passenger. An easy-to-read and
informative instrument panel allows riders to quickly scan the
gauges and get their eyes back on the road. Capping off the comfort
list is an adjustable windscreen that can be raised or lowered
to three positions in 20mm increments.
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Features
649cc Parallel Twin-cylinder, DOHC
Engine
- Most compact engine in its category, helps reduce the dimensions
of the entire motorcycle
- Triangular crank and transmission shaft layout makes it short
from front to back
- Semi-dry sump oil system reduces overall engine height
- The narrow pitch of the chrome composite plated aluminum cylinders
helps reduce engine width
- Tuned to deliver smooth, responsive power in the low-to mid-rpm
range for exceptional roll-on response ideal in negotiating
city traffic
- 180-degree crankshaft plus balancer shaft smoothes engine pulses
- Oil jets on the connecting rod big ends spray oil on the undersides
of the pistons to aid cooling
- Muffler with 3-way catalyzer and bullettip opening is mounted
below the engine to help lower the center of gravity and aid
weight centralization
Liquid Cooling
- Keeps engine temperatures consistent for long engine life and
sustained power during hard use
- Allows closer engine tolerances for more horsepower
- Coolant is routed through the engine cases reducing the number
of external hoses
Digital Fuel Injection (DFI®)
- Utilizes 38mm Keihin throttle bodies with ECU controlled sub
throttle valves for optimum performance and rideability
- Sub throttles, located behind the main throttle valves, give
the DFI system a more precise throttle response, similar to a
constant velocity carburetor
- Automatic fast idle system makes starting and warm-up easy
- Precise fuel injection and exhaust catalyzer significantly
reduce emissions
Digital Capacitor Discharge Ignition (CDI) System
- Microprocessor controlled timing never requires adjustment
and is ultra responsive to engine needs
- Spark plug mounted "stick" ignition coils are compact
and help reduce weight
Six-Speed Transmission
- Cassette style transmission with the shafts and shift drum
in a compact layout that is easily removed as a single unit from
the case for easier maintenance
High Tensile Steel Trellis Frame
- Trellis frame is small and light and Narrow at the knees and
feet for increased rider comfort and control
- Designed using 3-dimensional computer analysis to achieve the
optimum stiffness balance for better handling
Single Shock Rear Suspension
- Aluminum gull-wing swingarm and offset, laydown single rear
shock complement the frame design via an integrated line flowing
from the steering head to the rear hub
- Short, compact frame and engine design allows the swingarm
to be longer, which helps improve overall handling
- Showa shock has adjustable preload and rebound damping and
uses a free piston and two-stage damping valves for smooth action
during initial compression that becomes much firmer near the
end of the stroke for a more planted feel
Long-Travel Fork
- 41mm Inverted fork with stiff springs combines the best of
dual sport and sportbike-type suspensions, to deliver excellent
performance over a wide range of conditions
- Tapered, relatively short outer tubes help provide the ideal
stiffness balance to compliment chassis settings
- Fork height, preload and rebound damping can all be adjusted
to fine-tune the suspension to specific conditions or riding
styles
Petal Style Brake Discs
- Braking duties handled by dual 300mm front petal discs with
two-piston calipers and a single 220mm rear petal disc with a
single-piston caliper
- Same rotor design as found on the Ninja supersport machines,
petal design rotors offer improved cooling and warp resistance
Six-spoke wheels
- Also found on the Ninja ZX™-6R and ZX-10R; the six-spoke
design requires much less material between spokes so that the
rim thickness is thinner and overall wheel weight is reduced
Comfortable Ergonomics
- Each part of the two-piece seat was designed with a different
thickness and firmness of foam to optimize comfort for both rider
and passenger
- Passenger seat and grab bars were designed to provide a natural
seating position for added comfort
- Easy-to-read instrument panel has a large analog tachometer
and digital readout for the speedometer, fuel gauge, odometer,
dual trip meters and clock. White LED backlighting provides increased
visibility at night
Adjustable Windscreen
- Three different settings, each 20mm apart, allows riders to
set the windscreen height to suit their preferences
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Technical Specifications
Engine: Four-stroke, liquid cooled,
DOHC, four-valve per cylinder, parallel twin
Displacement: 649cc
Bore x stroke: 83.0 x 60.0mm
Compression ratio: 10.6:1
Maximum torque: 44.9 lb/ft @6,800 rpm
Cooling: Liquid
Fuel system: Digital fuel injection with two 38mm Keihin throttle
bodies
Ignition: Digital CDI
Transmission: Six-speed
Final drive: O-Ring chain
Frame: Semi-double cradle, high-tensile steel
Rake / trail: 25 degrees / 4.3 in.
Wheelbase: 55.7 in.
Front suspension / wheel travel: 41mm hydraulic telescopic fork
with adjustable rebound and preload / 5.9 in.
Rear suspension / wheel travel: Single offset laydown shock with
adjustable rebound and spring preload / 5.7 in.
Front tire: 120/70x17
Rear tire: 160/60x17
Front brake: Dual 300mm petal discs with two-piston caliper
Rear brake: Single 220mm petal disc with single-piston caliper
Overall length: 83.7 in.
Overall width: 33.1 in.
Overall height: 51.8 in.
Seat height: 33.1 in.
Curb weight: 454.1 lbs.
Fuel capacity: 5.0 gal.
Colors: Candy Plasma Blue
Candy Lime Green
* Price and specifications subject to change
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