By NastyNils· ·
Motorcycle comparison · Sport Tourer vs Adventure
Kawasaki Versys 1000 (LZT00B) vs BMW R 1200 GS (K50)
Kawasaki Versys 1000 vs BMW R 1200 GS: long days, loaded bags, one choice to make.
Turn the Kawasaki Versys 1000 in hard and it's pointing exactly where you aimed. The BMW R 1200 GS tips into tight radii unasked.
So which one do you buy?
The Versys 1000 has the edge if…
Daily commuting & city riding
Slight edge: Versys 1000
On the way to work, the Versys 1000 asks a little less of you. Close enough that the test ride should settle it.
Traveling with luggage
Small edge: Versys 1000
For a week away, the Versys 1000 noses in front. Credit more range per tank and better wind protection. Fit the bags you want before you decide.
Comfortable long-distance riding
Edges it: Versys 1000
The Versys 1000 should leave you a bit fresher after a long day. Should, not will: the margin is small.
The R 1200 GS has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Inches ahead: R 1200 GS
The R 1200 GS nudges ahead once the pavement starts to wiggle. It's down to better suspension and a sportier chassis. Don't expect a night-and-day difference.
Which one's the smarter buy
Different bikes, different deals
These bikes sit in different classes, so the money doesn't point to a clear winner. You're trading a sport tourer's price against an adventure bike's, not comparing like for like.
What makes each one tick
Versys 1000
There's no guessing what the Versys 1000 will do under a hustle, because the inline-four lays out its power so plainly you'll keep pushing. Along the Blue Ridge Parkway, the large windscreen holds the weather off you and a passenger while the padded seat stays kind all day. You've got 551 lb (250 kg) to haul down at the brake lever before each bend. The wide bar slings it through.
Nils rode the Versys 1000 in Austria in 2015 (NastyNils Testride).
R 1200 GS
The R 1200 GS brakes late at the close of a straight, and its front end doesn't flinch. Down low, the boxer answers the throttle with a huge shove that doesn't need hectic riding to go quick. The shifter hates big lean. The Telelever soaks up the long highway home.
Nils rode the R 1200 GS in Andalusia and Croatia/Dalmatia in 2013, in Austria in 2015, and in 2016 (NastyNils Testride).
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The R 1200 GS has the lower wet weight: 525 lb (238 kg) vs 551 lb (250 kg).
- The R 1200 GS makes more peak torque: 92 lb-ft (125 Nm) vs 75 lb-ft (102 Nm).
- The R 1200 GS has the larger engine: 1170 cc vs 1043 cc.
Which one for the way you ride
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Neither one fits
For a brand-new rider, both are the wrong place to start. Learn the basics on a smaller bike first.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
Versys 1000
From Nils' own saddle time
Strengths
- Swallows A Full Touring Load
- Built To Run Long
- 120 hp, Plenty In Reserve
- Controls You Stop Noticing
- Willing From Low Revs
Trade-offs
- No Cruise Control Fitted
- Fork Seals Can Weep
- Steering Head Bearings Wear
- Neutral Light Plays Tricks
R 1200 GS
Strengths
- ABS works so finely you forget it's there
- Finds the line almost by itself in tight corners
- Huge low-rpm pull rewards a calm, lugging style
- Late, hard braking with a stable front end
- Track-capable in the morning, Alpine passes home in the evening
Trade-offs
- Runs out of revs and shifting is awkward at big lean
- High cost to buy and maintain
- Wind protection falls short of expectations
Known problems to check before you buy
Versys 1000
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
R 1200 GS
- Shaft drive U-joint corrosion The cardan shaft U-joints can exhibit premature rust, particularly on bikes used in wet conditions or not regularly lubricated, leading to driveline lash or failure.
- Fuel pump cracking On bikes built between 2013 and 2014, the fuel pump unit can crack due to a stressed support washer, leading to fuel leaks and engine hesitation.
- Water pump failure Early water-cooled GS models are prone to water pump failure, often requiring replacement around 20,000–30,000 miles. Symptoms include coolant leaks and overheating.
- Clunky gearbox The transmission can feel harsh, especially shifting between 1st and 2nd gears, with a noticeable clunk. Some owners report difficulty finding neutral.
What they cost used
These prices compare an 8-year-old Versys 1000 with an 8-year-old R 1200 GS.
- Versys 1000
- $6,300
- R 1200 GS
- $12,200
At eight years old, the Kawasaki Versys 1000 sits around $6,300 while the BMW R 1200 GS runs about $12,200. That's a $5,900 gap in the Versys 1000's favor. They're recorded from the used market, not live prices.
What they share
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
Where the spec sheets split
| Versys 1000 | R 1200 GS | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 33.1 in (840 mm) | 33.5 in (850 mm) |
| Wet weight | 551 lb (250 kg) | 525 lb (238 kg) |
| Versys 1000 | R 1200 GS | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1043 cc | 1170 cc |
| Engine | Inline-four | Flat-twin (boxer) |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled | Air/liquid-cooled |
| Power | 120 hp (88 kW) | 125 hp (92 kW) |
| Peak power at | 9,000 rpm | 7,700 rpm |
| Torque | 75 lb-ft (102 Nm) | 92 lb-ft (125 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 7,500 rpm | 6,500 rpm |
| Versys 1000 | R 1200 GS | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy | 43 mpg (US) / 5.5 L/100 km | 35 mpg (US) / 6.7 L/100 km |
| Fuel capacity | 5.5 US gal (21 L) | 5.3 US gal (20 L) |
| Versys 1000 | R 1200 GS | |
|---|---|---|
| Final drive | Chain | Shaft |
| Fork | Upside-down (USD) | Telelever |
| Front brake | 310 mm | 305 mm |
| Front tire | 120/70-17 | 120/70-19 |
| Rear tire | 180/55-17 | 170/60-17 |
| Wheelbase | 59.8 in (1520 mm) | 59.3 in (1507 mm) |
| Ground clearance | 5.9 in (150 mm) | 7.9 in (200 mm) |
| Front travel | 5.9 in (150 mm) | 7.5 in (190 mm) |
| Rear travel | 5.9 in (150 mm) | 7.9 in (200 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Versys 1000 | R 1200 GS | |
|---|---|---|
| ABS | Standard | Standard (from 2016) |
| Manually Adjustable Front Suspension | Standard | Not offered |
| Cruise Control | Not offered | Option |
| Quickshifter | Not offered | Option (from 2014) |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
