Kawasaki Versys 1000 S versus Suzuki V-Strom 1000
Kawasaki Versys 1000 S
Suzuki V-Strom 1000
Year of construction / RRP / Test report
Competitors
- Service
- Comfort
- Handling
- Torque
- no sports engine
Dimensions & Weight
Length : 2.270 mm Height : 1.490 mm
Seat : 840 mm
Weight : 257 (max: 459 ) kg
Length : 2.280 mm Height : 1.470 mm
Seat : 850 mm
Weight : 232 (max: 440 ) kg
Engine
Displacement: 1.043 ccm
Hub: 56 mm
Hole: 77 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: O-Ring Kette
Aisles: 6
Displacement: 1.037 ccm
Hub: 66 mm
Hole: 100 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6
Performance
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
Performance: 101 HP at 8.000 U/Min
Torque: 101 NM bei 4.000 U/Min Tank contents: 20 Litre
Consumption: 5 l
Reach: 417 km
Chassis
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)
Bridges (aluminium) Front suspension:
Telescopic fork 43 mm (travel 160 mm) Rear suspension:
Central strut (travel 160 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm aluminum Tyres at the front: 19 M/C x MT 2.50 110/80R19 M/C 59V
Rear tyres: 17 M/C x MT 4.00 150/70R17 M/C 69V
Brakes
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)
Double disc (∅ 310 mm) Rear brake
Disc (∅ 260 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.
Conclusion - what's stuck?
What remains? Astonishingly, it is the on-board computer that characterizes the Suzi. Never before. The computer is clear: With a switch you can choose additional information such as range or temperature. With the second switch, the pilot chooses from three stages the intervention of the traction control - and finished. There is simply no more. If you feel like some competitors have purchased a mobile Playstation, there is nothing that would be further than the V-current.Doesn't it sound like love at first sight? Maybe not, but the solid and trouble-free handling of the Suzuki V-Strom 1000, which we noticed already at the first encounter, describes the Suzuki everywhere and in every situation. If you want to ride a motorbike fast but relaxed, if you want to study the user manual, who likes the look and who likes to surf on the torque wave: Love does not always arise at first sight, give yourself the chance.
The test machine was kindly provided to us by Bergmann & Söhne in Tornesch. It can be purchased there as a guide for 10,690 € with about 2,500 km - good offer!
