Kawasaki Versys 650 Launch Date:Kawasaki Versys 650 in India on December 24. Presently, the Japanese bike maker sells the larger displacement Versys 1000 in India; however, with the launch of Versys 650, Kawasaki will target a younger audience as well as have a lower entry point to cater larger numbers in the country.Unofficially, bookings are open in some showrooms in select cities, and the advance amount ranges from INR 40,000 to INR 2 lakhs. The ex-showroom price is expected to be less than INR 6 lakhs, though it will be at least INR 50,000 higher than the Kawasaki Ninja 650.
This is primarily due to the addition of the Anti-lock Braking System that will be standard, reports Zigwheels. The Japanese company has been criticised over absence of ABS in Ninja 650 and ER-6n when smaller capacity motorcycles such as Honda CBR250R and KTM RC390 is equipped with ABS.
The Versys 650 will use the same powertrain of the Ninja 650, which is powered by 649cc liquid-cooled parallel twin engine that develops 68bhp of power at 8,500rpm and torque of 63.7Nm at 7,000rpm mated to six-speed transmission.
The Versys 650 takes its design from the bigger Versys 1000 motorcycle. The motorcycle comes with dual head lights, large capacity fuel tank and LED tail lights. Being a tourer motorcycle, the new motorcycle will be equipped with height-adjustable windshield and reach-adjustable handlebars. The ground clearance of 170mm comes handy for off-road rides. The Versys range is known for its touring virtues that also offers comfortable off-road ride.
The Kawasaki Versys 650 will be brought in via the CKD route to India and will be the fifth motorcycle to be locally assembled in India after the Kawasaki Ninja 300, Z250, Ninja 650 and the ER-6n.
Kawasaki Versys 650 is the third model that uses the same chassis and powertrain that are found on the Ninja 650 and the ER-6n. The engine is a 649 cc inline-twin, liquid-cooled unit with a fuel injection system, four valves per cylinder and DOHC, that produces 69 PS at 8,500 rpm and 63.7 Nm at 7,000 rpm. It is offered with a six-speed transmission.
