Kawasaki Versys 1000 S versus Yamaha Tracer 9 GT
Kawasaki Versys 1000 S
Yamaha Tracer 9 GT
Year of construction / RRP / Test report
Competitors
- High-revving triple with plenty of power
- good touring and pillion comfort
- complete technical equipment
- Case and semi-active chassis series
- Clutch lever not adjustable
- Turn signals do not reset automatically
Dimensions & Weight
Length : 2.270 mm Height : 1.490 mm
Seat : 840 mm
Weight : 257 (max: 459 ) kg
Length : 2.175 mm Height : 1.430 mm
Seat : 825 mm
Weight : 220 kg
Engine
Displacement: 1.043 ccm
Hub: 56 mm
Hole: 77 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: O-Ring Kette
Aisles: 6
Displacement: 890 ccm
Hub: 62 mm
Hole: 78 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: 119 HP at 10.000 U/Min
Torque: 93 NM bei 7.000 U/Min Tank contents: 18 Litre
Consumption: 5 l
Reach: 360 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)
Bridge tube frame Front suspension:
Upside-down telescopic fork (travel 130 mm) Rear suspension:
Central strut (travel 137 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm Tyres at the front: 120/70Z R17
Rear tyres: 180/55Z R17
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)
Hydraulic double disc brake (∅ 298 mm) Rear brake
Single disc (∅ 245 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 sticks
The Tracer 9 GT is a really good development of the already good Tracer 900 GT. Although it became 1,500 euros more expensive, it has also increased technically. The well-functioning semi-active chassis alone justifies the extra charge.Also justified is the surcharge of the GT compared to the Standard Tracer 9. Although it costs 1,500 euros less than the GT, you also have to do without many delicious things such as suitcase, QuickShifter, semi-active suspension and cornering lights. If you add these features together, you have to wonder why the price gap is not larger. Clearly, the GT is the better deal!
The test bike was provided to us by Motorrad-Ruser from Haseldorf - thank you very much.
