2018 Kawasaki Versys-X 300. Photos by Kevin Wing.
Editor’s note: This Quick Read is part of our Mini-ADV Comparison Test Review of the Kawasaki Versys-X 300, BMW G 310 GS and Royal Enfield Himalayan.
For many riders, the purpose of an ADV bike is not to hammer truck trails and negotiate rock gardens; it?s to be a comfortable, versatile street bike, with the ability to turn down a dirt road if desired. This is where the Versys-X 300 fits in, and when it was introduced in 2017, Kawasaki described it as a ?Multi-Purpose On-Road Touring Bike? (MPORTB") with an ?adventure style and rugged look.?
Read our in-depth First Ride Review of the Versys-X 300 here.
Indeed, its tall windscreen and fairing, Ninja 300-derived engine and shorter 5.1-/5.8-inch front/rear suspension are juxtaposed with dirt-oriented spoked, tube-type rims (with a 19-incher up front) and roomy ergonomics that make it easy to stand up off-road. Read our comparison test of the Versys-X 300, BMW G 310 GS and Royal Enfield Himalayan here.
With the proven Ninja 300 engine beating at its heart, the little Versys loves to be wrung out in the twisties.
The high-revving (redline is at a howling 13,000 rpm) parallel twin feels and sounds like a sportbike, and requires plenty of shifting to stay in the powerband. It handles freeway speeds easily, the windscreen keeping the elements at bay and weights on the footpegs and grips taming the worst of the vibes, and the 4.5-gallon tank is good for about 215 miles.
A...