By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Sport Tourer
Kawasaki Versys 650 (LE E) vs Versys 650 (LE F)
In stop-and-go downtown traffic the 2015 Kawasaki Versys 650 flicks around on its wide handlebar and doesn't fight you at walking pace. The 2022 Kawasaki Versys 650 settles you upright on compliant suspension.
So which one do you buy?
The 2022 Versys 650 has the edge if…
Daily commuting & city riding
Edges it: 2022 Versys 650
Your daily ride leans slightly toward the 2022 Versys 650. Fit and price can easily outweigh that.
Comfortable long-distance riding
Slight edge: 2022 Versys 650
The 2022 Versys 650 nudges ahead once the miles pile up. Still, it's a narrow gap.
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Nose ahead: 2022 Versys 650
For your first season, the 2022 Versys 650 makes slightly more sense. Fit and confidence at a standstill still come first.
What makes each one tick
2015 Versys 650
There's almost no buzz left in the 2015 Versys 650, because its engine mounts soak it up and the twin pulls clean from low revs all the way to the top. Corner entry takes almost no effort, since the light chassis turns in neutrally. A cross-country day doesn't grind you down behind its wind protection. The plush seat outlasts the miles.
Nils rode the 2015 Versys 650 in the Canary Islands in 2020 (NastyNils Testride).
2022 Versys 650
Highway wind mostly slides past the 2022 Versys 650, pushed aside by its tall windscreen and broad fairing. The throttle draws a smooth shove from the twin that doesn't run dry before an eager top end. The light frame swings into bends. The wide bar keeps a long commute painless.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- Traction Control: standard on the 2022 Versys 650, not offered on the 2015 Versys 650.
- Slipper Clutch: standard on the 2022 Versys 650, not offered on the 2015 Versys 650.
- TFT Display: standard on the 2022 Versys 650, not offered on the 2015 Versys 650.
Which one for the way you ride
There's no real gap on twisty roads and running costs. Sit on both and let fit and price decide.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
2015 Versys 650
What owners say
Strengths
- Agile, neutral handling
- Butter‑smooth power delivery
2022 Versys 650
What owners say
Strengths
- Supremely comfortable ergonomics
- Excellent wind protection
- Proven, reliable engine
- Agile handling despite size
Known problems to check before you buy
2015 Versys 650
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
2022 Versys 650
- Stator failure at high mileage The alternator stator can burn out at higher mileage. The windings overheat and break down, so the charging output drops. The first sign is usually a battery that slowly goes flat and struggles to start the bike. If the rider keeps going, the charging system can fail completely and leave the bike stranded.
What they share
- Wet weight
- 476 lb (216 kg)
- Displacement
- 649 cc
- Engine
- Parallel twin
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Fuel capacity
- 5.5 US gal (21 L)
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Front brake
- 300 mm
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
- Rear tire
- 160/60-17
Where the spec sheets split
| 2015 Versys 650 | 2022 Versys 650 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 33.1 in (840 mm) | 33.3 in (845 mm) |
| 2015 Versys 650 | 2022 Versys 650 | |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 69 hp (51 kW) | 67 hp (49 kW) |
| Torque | 47 lb-ft (64 Nm) | 45 lb-ft (61 Nm) |
| 2015 Versys 650 | 2022 Versys 650 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy | 47 mpg (US) / 5.04 L/100 km | 52 mpg (US) / 4.5 L/100 km |
| 2015 Versys 650 | 2022 Versys 650 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fork | Upside-down (USD) | Telescopic |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| 2015 Versys 650 | 2022 Versys 650 | |
|---|---|---|
| Traction Control | Not offered | Standard |
| Slipper Clutch | Not offered | Standard |
| TFT Display | Not offered | Standard |
| Smartphone Connectivity | Not offered | Standard |
| LED Headlight | Not offered | Standard |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
