The Kawasaki Versys 650 made its first debut in 2009 and immediately established a name for itself as a well-balanced machine that is exceptionally enjoyable with its powerful parallel-twin engine. As for 2022, the new Kawasaki Versys 650 LT comes with various upgrades such as new traction control, upright riding position, long-travel suspension, cast-aluminum 17-inch wheels, low 6.7-inch ground clearance, and other amazing features. Whether riding to work or taking a free ride, the new Versys 650 ensures you remain very comfortable and have an exciting riding experience as you enjoy your ride. Additionally, the 2022 Versys 650 features several modifications on the front end, including LED headlights, a four-way adjustable windscreen, a sleek dashboard, and a sharper front cowl. Here, we will take a closer look at the 2022 Kawasaki Versys 650 LT.
The Kawasaki Versys 650 comes in two versions; the LT and standard model. The Kawasaki Versys 650 LT is ideal for riders who prefer taking long-distance adventures. At the same time, the standard model is perfect for daily commuters, offering you comfort and user-friendly features. The 2022 Kawasaki Versys 650 LT is fitted with a wide array of upgraded features and improvements, such as; a full-color TFT with smartphone connectivity, a four-way-adjustable windshield, and 28-liter saddlebags, standard LED headlights, among other amazing features. The 2022 Versys 650 is powered by a 649cc 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, two-cylinder DOHC parallel-twin engine. The Versys 650 is a middleweight bike that borrows design features from adventure tourers, dual-sport, and sport bikes. The 2020 Versys 650 LT is exceptionally smooth, fuel-efficient, and easy to maintain, making it the perfect ride for beginners. The bike is best-known for its responsive engine, good handling, very comfy ergonomics, and reliable brakes. The Kawasaki 650 LT was introduced to the Canadian and European markets as a 2007 model. In 2010, the bike was redesigned with a new standard headlight, improved rubber engine mounts, enlarged mirrors, and other functional features. The main middleweight adventure-touring rival motorcycles of the 2022 Kawasaki Versys 650 LT include the Honda NC750X, BMW F 750GS, Yamaha Tracer 9 GT, and Suzuki V-Strom 650.
According to Topspeed, the 2022 Kawasaki Versys 650 LT is powered by a DOHC, liquid-cooled, four-stroke 649cc parallel-Twin that delivers an impressive amount of horsepower and torque. This engine is still used with the Z650 and Ninja 650 and is rated at 63 hp at 8,700 rpm and 43 lb-ft of torque at 7,300 pm. The new Versys LT engine is compact, focusing the bike’s overall weight at the bottom with its low-slung exhaust. The compactness of this engine is further enhanced with the inclusion of a triangular transmission and crankshaft design that makes the engine appear short from front to rear. Moreover, the narrow pitch of the cylinders helps reduce the engine’s width, while the semi-dry-sump oil system helps cut the engine’s overall height. This unrivaled 649cc engine is best known for its smooth power delivery, ensuring you have an exceptional ride experience. In addition to the new traction control, the new Kawasaki 650 LT is fitted with a quick-revving engine that lets out an amusing growl in the low to mid-rpm range. Unfortunately, there are downsides experienced with this engine, such as a clunky gearbox and a slightly sudden on/off the throttle.
The new Kawasaki Versys 650 LT is fitted with a cable-actuated wet clutch, final chain drive, and 6-speed gear transmission. The bike’s chassis features a tubular-steel dual-pipe diamond frame with an aluminum Swingarm. Suspension travel is about 5.7 inches for the rear and 5.9 inches for the front. It has a 41mm front telescopic fork with an easily-adjustable spring and rebound preload, while the rear suspension has a single shock layout with remotely adjustable spring. The 650 LT suspension is perfectly balanced and has great tuning to allow for over 5 inches of travel at both ends. The rear suspension fork with a user-friendly adjuster makes adjusting the shock much easier to accommodate the added weight of a second passenger. Braking duties in the 2022 Kawasaki Versys 650 LT are handled by dual 300mm petal-style discs squeezed between two piston calipers for the front and a single 250mm disc with a single-piston caliper. The brake pairing in this motorcycle is very effective and reliable as it brings the bike to a well-controlled stop. Moreover, ABS comes standard on both the front and rear brake discs.
One notable feature of the 2022 Kawasaki Versys 650 LT is its updated styling that showcases some resemblance with the Versys 1000 model. The upper fairing has a more flowing and sharper look, which is well-complemented with new LED headlights. A new windscreen can also be easily adjusted in four positions over a 3-inch range for better wind protection. According to Ultimatemotorcycling, this new Kawasaki 650 features a new 4.3-inch full-color TFT infotainment display with Bluetooth connectivity, a thin-film-transistor display that provides an added level of visibility during the day and night. In addition to the automatic display brightness adjustment, the TFT displays detailed information about the bike via Kawasaki’s RIDEOLOGY THE APP. Other notable specs with the 2022 Kawasaki 650 LT include; 5.5 gallons of fuel capacity, 33.3-inch seat height, and color options between Metallic Flat Spark Black and Metallic Spark Black.
The 2022 Kawasaki Versys 650 LT features incredible improvements, particularly in electronics. Thanks to the bike’s light steering and well-balanced chassis, the new LT bike has better handling and a neutral riding position. This bike runs on a large 5.5-gallon fuel tank and has a fuel economy of 42.5 mpg, which is quite impressive considering the size of this bike.
Benjamin Smith is one of the managing editors of Moneyinc. He has a strong interest in sports, video games, and above all, food.
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