Kawasaki has launched the Z650 and Versys 1000 with new colours, matching the international models. The bikes aren’t new and remain mechanically unchanged. The Z650 retains the same ‘Metallic Spark Black’ paint scheme but gets new green wheels that match the colour of the exposed frame. The Versys 1000 on the other hand remains identical to last year’s model but Kawasaki has decided to ditch the Pearl Stardust White finish replacing it with the Candy Lime Green theme. Here are some more details:
The Z650 is powered by a BS6 compliant, 649cc parallel-twin mill that puts out 67bhp at 8000rpm and 64Nm at 6700rpm. The Z650 uses a trellis frame and suspension duties are handled by 41mm telescopic forks, upfront and a preload adjustable, horizontal back-link monoshock at the rear. the Z650 gets dual, axially-mounted two-pot calipers that are mounted on 300mm petal discs, upfront and a single pot caliper chomping down on a 220mm disc at the rear.
In terms of electronics and equipment, the Z650 gets LED lighting, a 4.3-inch TFT instrument cluster with Bluetooth and smartphone connectivity and dual-channel ABS as standard.
The Versys 1000 is powered by a BS6-compliant, 1043cc in-line four engine that is good for 118bhp at 9000rpm and 102Nm at 7500rpm. The engine is mated to a six-speed gearbox and uses a slipper clutch. The sports tourer uses an aluminum twin-tube frame. In terms of suspension, the Versys 1000 gets 43mm USDs that are adjustable for rebound damping and spring preload and a horizontal back-link gas charged monoshock that gets rebound damping and remote spring preload adjustability. Dropping anchors on the Versys 1000 are twin four-piston, radially mounted calipers chomping down on 310mm discs at the front and a single-piston caliper mounted on a 250mm disc at the rear.
In terms of electronics, the Versys 1000 gets IMU-controlled ABS and traction control. Standard equipment also includes twin-LED headlamps and an adjustable windscreen. The instrument cluster however, is slightly dated with LCD display and an analogue tachometer.