Kawasaki Versys X-300 launched in India at Rs 4.6 lakhs

Kawasaki has launched the Versys X-300 in India at Rs 4.6 lakhs (ex-showroom, Mumbai and Delhi). The bike is the manufacturer’s small-capacity adventure touring motorcycle and is being assembled at their new Chakan plant in Pune.

The Versys X-300 gets a long-travel suspension and upright riding position thanks to the relaxed placement of the footpegs and the wider handlebar. It also sports a tall windscreen to ensure minimum windblast. The Versys X-300 rides on 19-inch front and 17-inch rear spoke wheels shod with 100/90 and 130/80 section tyres respectively. The bike sports a low seat height of 812mm making the bike accessible to shorter riders as well. 

It uses a new backbone-type frame, however at the heart of the bike is the same 296cc parallel-twin engine as the Ninja 300 which is available in India. This unit produces 38.5bhp and 27Nm of torque and is mated to a six-speed gearbox which is claimed to be super light. Suspension is taken care of by 41mm telescopic forks up front and a preload adjustable monoshock at the rear. The Versys X-300 comes to a halt with a single 290mm petal disc for the front and a 220mm petal disc at the rear with ABS as standard. The bike features a large 17-litre fuel tank capacity to ensure fewer fuel stops.

The Versys X-300’s instrument console includes an analogue tachometer with a digital display that houses the speedometer, odometer, gear indicator, coolant temperature, fuel gauge and clock.  The bike is available in a green/grey colour scheme and bookings for the motorcycle have already begun at dealerships.

The Versys X-300 is currently the only small capacity touring bike in India. However, it will compete against the BMW G310 GS which will arrive in India in mid-2018. It will also go up against the KTM 390 Adventure which is expected to debut in 2019 and be less expensive than the Versys X-300.