Version 1100 | Image source: Kizad Adil Darukhanawala
The name “Versys” is a combination of the words “versatile” and “system,” and considering Kawasaki’s flagship crossover at first, this name seemed optimistic. I mean, how versatile can a 257kg motorcycle with long-travel suspension and 17-inch wheels be? So instead of overthinking it, I did the obvious thing, which was I spent the next few days living with him.
However, before I got into the saddle, I had to come to terms with what the Versys 1100 looked like. This is not a motorcycle that is going to end up on aspirational posters on walls. From the front, it has an undeniable, menacing presence, and traffic instinctively makes way for it. But the wide subframe and those 17-inch alloys make the proportions look awkward and almost unresolved. I initially blamed the inline design of the 1099cc engine for this wide waist. Then I climbed into the 820mm seat, and so on, none of that mattered.
The riding position can be likened to a lounge chair. Upright, relaxed and in control, as if you were sitting on a perfectly placed sofa to enjoy the scenery. This offer also includes the instrument cluster. Watching the deep orange needle of the analog tachometer push to redline while the numbers flashed impatiently was strangely satisfying. I left each gear engaged longer than necessary, enjoying the deep growl that was integrated into the full metal concert. As expected, there was a downside.
The bike is laughably short in the first four ratios. By 4,000 rpm, a gentle hum signals a shift to a higher gear. By 6,000 rpm, vibrations appear through the tank, handlebar and footpegs, leaving you no choice but to listen. However, in traffic, that short gearing and the retractable nature of the engine works to its advantage, allowing you to navigate gaps without constantly moving the gearbox. But rush hour is where the illusion cracks. Engine temperatures exceed 110°C, and the clutch becomes heavier and eventually refuses to cooperate. Not that anyone buys the Versys 1100 for their daily commute.
Proves his point
On the highway, everything changes. The same predictable, linear power delivery becomes its biggest strength. The Versys doesn’t provoke or challenge you, but gently pulls you into a rhythm, a state of tranquility where fatigue melts away and the kilometers go effortlessly. Do not think that this calmness is laziness; After all, there are 133 hp and 11.4 kg-m at your disposal. Twist the throttle hard enough, and you’ll lift the front wheel and cruise past 200km/h without breaking a sweat, helped by the fact that there’s no wheelie control here to play spoilsport.
The electronics package is refreshingly sparse: ABS, three-level traction control and two riding modes – “low” and “full”. Switching between them requires a full stop, which feels old-fashionedly charming, as does adjusting the windshield via two manual knobs. If you find a setting you like, leave it in the “Full” position and continue riding.
The braking experience reflects the character of the bike. They’re progressive and reassuring, but if you grab a handful in a moment of excitement, they flirt briefly with sportbike territory, even shutting down the front for a split second. It sounds dramatic, but he never felt in danger. If anything, this fleeting moment of sting helped the cleanup go faster, and I found myself appreciating its honesty.
The suspension is also tuned for comfort first. In stock settings, it really feels like a magic carpet, as long as you stick to the runway. Potholes are barely registered and broken roads are carelessly ignored. However, push harder into corners, and you’ll need to tune in. After a certain point, the butt starts to feel unstable, gently reminding you that this isn’t a supersport in ADV gear.
A fully fueled 21-litre tank makes the Versys feel heavy from a standstill. There’s no hiding it. But once you’re rolling, it shrinks noticeably around you, never feeling as heavy as its numbers suggest. Even mundane things, like placing it on the center platform, are surprisingly easy – the Kawasaki’s design makes it look like a job a teenager could manage.
And rest? This is where the Versys won me over. No matter how long the trip was, how bad the traffic was or how late the return was, I always felt like I could come back and do it all again. Even the drivers were consistently impressed, so much so that I briefly entertained the wild idea of spending 100 kilometers behind myself.
Which brings me back to this name. Priced at INR 13.89 lakh (ex-showroom), the Versys 1100 undercuts most middleweight European ADVs, even if it offers wider versatility. Certain omissions like cornering lights are certainly hard to justify at this price. But if what you want is a motorcycle that turns highways into rest areas and days into longer ones, the Versys doesn’t need to brag too loudly about being versatile; It just keeps going. And somewhere along the way, you’ll stop questioning the name altogether, just like I did.
© World of Cars
Posted on February 13, 2026
