The Kawasaki Versys 650, also known as the KLE650, is a middleweight motorcycle with a standard riding posture, introduced by Kawasaki to the European and Canadian markets at the end of 2006 as a 2007 model, and to the US market in late 2007 as a 2008 model.
A California model was introduced in 2009. The name Versys is a portmanteau of the words versatile and system.Based on the Ninja650R / ER-6f. Compared to the Ninja650R / ER-6f, the Versys has a more upright riding position, a re-tuned engine with stronger low and mid range power, longer suspension travel and a taller seat height. It also has a redesigned sub-frame, different seat, different handle bars, different suspension components, and a different appearance due to a different windshield and plastics.
The Versys's 650 cc liquid cooled,four-stroke parallel-twin engine has been retuned for more bottom-end and mid-range torque. This is achieved with different camshafts and fuel injection mapping. These changes cause peak torque to occur at a lower engine speed and provide better throttle response in the 3000 to 6000 rpm range. In addition a balance tube has been added between the exhaust headers to smooth out power delivery. Power is 59.4 hp (44 kW) @ 8,400 rpm, compared with the Ninja's 65.7 hp (49 kW) @ 8,400 rpm. Torque is 42 ft•lb (57 N•m), compared with the Ninja's 45.5 ft•lb (61.7 N•m) Improving the engine's low and mid range response comes at the expense of a slight reduction in peak horsepower however. A similar approach was recently deployed by Honda with their CBF1000 model. The engine uses a 180 degree crankshaft. This in turn requires an uneven firing interval (180 degrees, 540 degrees) which gives the engine note a distinctive "throbbing" sound at idle.
The Versys suspension has greater vertical travel and more adjust-ability than the suspension on the ER-6 / Ninja 650. It replaces the non-adjustable forks of the Ninja / ER-6 with an inverted front fork with larger diameter tubes. These are externally adjustable for preload and rebound damping. The right fork leg carries a damping cartridge while both legs contain springs. The rear shock is adjustable for preload and rebound damping. It is connected to a beefier alloy swing arm instead of the tubular steel swing arm used on the ER-6.