Kawasaki Versys 1000 S versus KTM 1090 Adventure

Make
Model
Make
Model
Make
Model
Kawasaki

Kawasaki Versys 1000 S

Crossover
KTM

KTM 1090 Adventure

Adventure

Year of construction / RRP / Test report

Built von 2020 bis 2023
Built von 2017 bis 2018
RRP 14.795 €
RRP 13.395 €
waveform
waveform
Pros:
Pros:
  • Performance
  • Engine
  • Comfort
  • Space
  • Precise chassis
Cons:
Cons:
  • Windscreen noisy

Dimensions & Weight

Wheelbase: 1.520 mm
Length :
2.270 mm Height : 1.490 mm
Seat :
840 mm
Weight :
257 (max: 459 ) kg
Wheelbase: 1.560 mm
Length :
2.255 mm Height : 1.485 mm
Seat :
850 mm
Weight :
228 (max: 450 ) kg

Engine

Motor design: Four-stroke in-line four-cylinder 4 Cylinder
Displacement: 1.043 ccm
Hub: 56 mm
Hole: 77 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: O-Ring Kette
Aisles: 6
Motor design: V 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 1.050 ccm
Hub: 63 mm
Hole: 103 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6

Performance

Maximum speed: 226 km/h
Performance: 120 HP at 9.000 U/Min
Torque: 102 NM bei 7.500 U/Min
Tank contents: 21 Litre
Consumption:
5 l
Reach:
404 km
Maximum speed: 228 km/h
Performance: 125 HP at 8.500 U/Min
Torque: 109 NM bei 6.500 U/Min
Tank contents: 23 Litre
Consumption:
6 l
Reach:
411 km

Chassis

Frame type:
Double profile frame (aluminium)
Front suspension:
43 mm upside-down fork (travel 150 mm)
Rear suspension:
Horizontally arranged back-link gas pressure central strut (travel 152 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm
Tyres at the front: 120/70ZR17M/C (58W)
Rear tyres: 180/55ZR17M/C (73W)
Frame type:
Lattice tube (chromium-molybdenum)
Front suspension:
WP USD telescopic fork, Ø 43 mm (travel 185 mm)
Rear suspension:
Mono strut (travel 190 mm)
Rear suspension:
Aluminum casting two-arm swingarm
Tyres at the front: 110/80 R 19
Rear tyres: 150/70 R 17

Brakes

Front brake
Double petal brake discs. Brake caliper: Double radially mounted, monobloc, opposite 4 pistons ( 310 mm) Rear brake
Single petal brake disc. Brake caliper: Single piston ( 250 mm)
Front brake
Double disc, Brembo 4-piston radial fixed caliper ( 320 mm) Rear brake
Single disc, double piston floating caliper ( 267 mm)

Conclusion - what sticks

Driving pleasure, tour suitability, reasonable price-performance ratio and anything else? To be honest, there are hardly any points of criticism for us. The bike rides really extremely pleasant and smooth. The upright Adventure sitting posture in combination with the supple row quad is a great combination, which brings a lot of advantages on longer tours.

The optics can be discussed as always, but that's also a matter of taste here. By the way, the machine is available in the two color combinations Pearl Storm Gray / Metallic Diablo Black / Metallic Flat Spark Black & Emerald Blazed Green / Metallic Diablo Black / Metallic Flat Spark or in short Gray / Black & Green / Black. We find both successful and appealing.

Only a 19" front wheel instead of the 17 incher would be Dietmar and me perhaps still a concern. But even there, the spirits are divided, because the 17 inches in front of course ensure a good steering behavior. Either way, the Kawasaki Versys 1000 S is an excellently successful travel machine and Kawa does not promise too much! "Every street - At any time" we can sign with a clear conscience.

The test machine was provided to us by Heller & Soltau.

Price/Availability/Colors/Years of Construction

  • Price: from 14.595 €
  • Years of construction: from 2021
  • Availability: from 2021
  • colours:

    Pearl Storm Gray / Metallic Diablo Black / Metallic Flat Spark Black &

    Emerald Blazed Green / Metallic Diablo Black / Metallic Flat Spark

Thumbs up!

Well, we had little to complain about during the test. We are curious to see what KTM wants to bring as a successor, because the gap left by the discontinued model is a big one.

The handiness, the great engine and the overall package of the KTM 1090 Adventure show once again that the very big adventures with 150+ hp bring only very little advantages in practice. So why not even screw down a number?

Would going to the dealership be worthwhile? Yes in any case. Maybe at the 11,500 Euros he even puts a bigger disc or the missing main stand on it ...

Price / Availability / Colours / Years of Construction

  • Price: 13.395€
  • Used (2 years old): 9,000€
  • Years built: 2017-2018
  • Availability: good
  • Colours: black-orange