BS6 Kawasaki Versys 650 Launched In India, Gets Slightly More Expensive

Gets a cleaner-running motor but misses out on the Ninja 650’s Bluetooth connectivity

Not one to be overshadowed by the recent launch of the Triumph Street Triple R, Kawasaki has rolled out a new bike of its own on the very same day. The model in question is the reasonably popular Versys 650 which has received its BS6 update. With this, the only model in the manufacturer’s parallel-twin 650cc range now yet to comply with the latest emission norms is the Vulcan S cruiser, and judging by its lukewarm response, we doubt Kawasaki is in a tearing hurry to update it.

Coming back to the Versys 650 BS6, bookings are now open and it has been launched at Rs 6.79 lakh, making it a scant Rs 10,000 more expensive than its BS4 predecessor. In fact, this is even smaller than the BS6 price hikes seen on much smaller bikes like the TVS Apache RR 310 and Honda XBlade BS6. For an apples to apples comparison, the Ninja 650 received a not-so-insignificant increment of Rs 35,000 along with its BS6 update.

That being said, the Ninja did receive a fair chunk of new hardware -- including a minor redesign, sharp new LED headlights and even a colour TFT instrument cluster with Bluetooth connectivity -- all of which the Versys misses out on. What you get instead is an updated 649cc motor, and that’s about it. The flipside of it being kinder to the environment is that output is down from 69PS and 64Nm to 66PS and 61Nm, while weight has gone up by 2kg.

The only visible difference is a new candy lime colour scheme that has a smattering more Kawa green and less black than before. Full details in the press release below:

Press Release: India Kawasaki Motors Pvt. Ltd. (IKM) announces the addition of BS-6 compliant MY21 middleweight Adventure Tourer the all New Versys 650 in its family. The new Versys 650 will be available in Candy Lime Green colour, at an ex-showroom price of INR 679,000/-.
The new Versys 650, is an ultimate Adventure tourer machine, and will carry forward the legacy created by Brand Versys. Difficult to explain and impossible to categorise, the new Versys 650 simply exceeds the sum of its parts. The supremely balanced Adventure tourer the new Versys 650 was and will always be a popular choice of the riders who surrounds themselves with Nature, Journey, Travelling, and are inclined towards exploring the new highs. With long-travel suspension & sporty 17” wheels, plus a slim, upright riding position and its low to mid-range focused Parallel-Twin engine, the new Versys 650 is a sports partner, city friend and mountain road conqueror all in one.

Highlights of the new MY21 Versys 650 are:
1. 649cc parallel twin engine (Cleaner Emissions)
2. Large volume fuel tank (21Litres)
3. Inverted front fork
4. Petal brake discs
5. Adjustable windscreen
6. Wide handlebar
7. Offset laydown single-shock with remote preload adjuster
8. 17” wheels
9. Sharp sporty styling
10. Gear Indicator

Kawasaki motorcycles possess both power and grace so are often recognised as being different to other bikes. This results from certain guiding principles adopted at the design stage. Rideology is Kawasaki’s rider-centric development philosophy focused on how the riding experience offered by a Kawasaki is crafted, ensuring that our machines are fun to ride and rewarding to control. This approach has been the force behind many of our legendary machines, and in our pursuit of all possibilities it will continue to guide the future creation of Kawasaki motorcycles.

The new Versys 650 will be available at INR 679,000/- (Ex-Showroom).