Kawasaki Versys 1000 launched in India at Rs 12.90 lakh

The Kawasaki Versys 1000 has been launched in the Indian market at Rs 12.90 lakh (ex-showroom Pune). Though Kawasaki had commenced the despatch of the 2015 Versys 1000 to select dealerships across the country in 2014 itself, the company officially announced the adventure-tourer’s introduction during the inauguration of its new showroom in Kolkata. 

The Versys 1000 gets a brand new streamlined fairing which lends the motorcycle a leaner and sharper look. The old model’s vertically stacked twin-headlamp design has been ditched in favour of a conventional twin-headlamp unit. The new fairing, which has been designed to resemble other Kawasaki motorcycles, also enhances the Versys 1000’s touring capabilities. 

The new Versys 1000 has been built around a revised chassis, which gets a stronger rear section to accommodate larger panniers. The bike gets 17-inch wheels which might not be suitable for extreme off-roading, though it does get an adjustable windshield, wide handlebars and a tall riding position to aid its touring ability. 

The new Versys 1000 retains the 1,043cc engine which churns out 120bhp and 102Nm of torque through a six-speed gearbox. The liquid-cooled powertrain gets a three-mode KTRC traction control system as well as full and low engine maps.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Shigeto Nishikawa, Dy. MD, India Kawasaki Motors said, “We have launched superbikes ranging from Ninja ZX-14R, ZX-10R, Ninja1000, Z1000, Z800 and now Versys1000. We have also eagerly absorbed feedback and valuable insight from customers and put every effort to raise ourselves to be a higher and superb level of service provider to customers. We have recently offered a special price for the Z800 till the end of March due to the effort taken by our Indian colleagues. With those factors considered, we are targeting to grow by 50 per cent over the last year in this year.”

With seven new motorcycle launches in 2014, it is evident that Kawasaki is taking its expansion plans in India quite seriously. The Versys 1000 the company’s first motorcycle to be launched in India, this year.  It is imported to India as a completely built unit (CBU) and competes with other litre-class adventure tourer motorcycles like the Triumph Tiger 800XC and the Suzuki V-Strom.