Norcorider
Well-known member
Thoughts on the new 2027 Versys 900 SE LT ABS?
So Kawasaki finally did it – Z900 motor in a Versys. The standard equipment list is kind of wild for the money.
The engine is the 948cc inline-four, retuned for touring – around 120 hp and 97 Nm.
They gave it longer final gearing so it's not buzzing at highway speed, plus a slipper clutch and an up/down quickshifter right out of the box.
The big news for me is the radar.
First Versys to get it – front and rear. You get adaptive cruise, forward collision warning and blind spot detection.
One catch worth knowing: the cruise only rolls off the throttle to hold your gap, it won't actually brake for you.
Under that there's a full IMU package – cornering traction control, cornering ABS with rear-lift control, three ride modes plus a custom one, and power modes.
Chassis-wise it's a new steel trellis frame, adjustable 43mm upside-down fork with 5.9" of travel, radial monobloc brakes up front, 17" wheels on Metzeler SPORTEC 01s.
Payload is 485 lb, same as the 1100, so two-up touring shouldn't be a stretch.
And here's what comes standard on the SE LT: SHAD side cases that work off the ignition key, heated grips, hand guards, LED fogs, frame sliders, radiator guard, center stand and lower cowl. Add the 5" TFT with Rideology nav, USB-C, adjustable seat, 7-position screen and a 20 litre fuel tank.
Top case is the only thing you'd need to add.
It's $13,599 US and shows up in March 2027 (lime green/black only).
No Canadian pricing yet.
Curious how folks on 650s or 1000/1100s are seeing it – is this the sweet spot or does the 1100 still make more sense?
Technical specs :
ENGINE / DRIVETRAIN
- 948cc liquid-cooled DOHC 16-valve inline-four (Z900-derived)
- 122 PS @ 9,500 rpm; 97.3 Nm @ 8,000 rpm
- Assist & slipper clutch
- 6-speed, long final gearing
- Bidirectional Kawasaki Quick Shifter (KQS)
RIDER ASSISTANCE (ARAS – front & rear radar)
- Adaptive Cruise Control Lite (throttle roll-off only, no auto braking)
- Forward Collision Warning
- Blind Spot Detection
ELECTRONICS
- IMU / Kawasaki Cornering Management Function (KCMF)
- Kawasaki Traction Control (KTRC), lean-sensitive
- Enhanced cornering ABS w/ rear-wheel lift suppression
- 3 preset riding modes + Rider (custom) mode
- Selectable power modes
CHASSIS
- Steel trellis frame (new)
- Front: 43mm inverted cartridge fork, 5.9" travel, preload & rebound adjustable
- Brakes: radial-mount 4-piston monobloc front calipers; rear 260mm disc, single-piston caliper
- Wheels/tires: 17" five-spoke, Metzeler SPORTEC 01
- Payload: 220 kg / 485 lb
COCKPIT / COMFORT
- 5" colour TFT, Rideology app connectivity, turn-by-turn navigation
- USB-C outlet
- Height-adjustable seat
- 7-position adjustable windscreen
- Adjustable levers
- 5.3 gal fuel tank
- Passenger grab handles, luggage rack, helmet lock
SE LT STANDARD EQUIPMENT
- SHAD side cases, keyed to ignition
- Heated grips
- Hand guards
- LED fog lamps
- Frame sliders
- Radiator screen
- Center stand
- Lower cowl
OPTIONAL
- Top case
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
So Kawasaki finally did it – Z900 motor in a Versys. The standard equipment list is kind of wild for the money.
The engine is the 948cc inline-four, retuned for touring – around 120 hp and 97 Nm.
They gave it longer final gearing so it's not buzzing at highway speed, plus a slipper clutch and an up/down quickshifter right out of the box.
The big news for me is the radar.
First Versys to get it – front and rear. You get adaptive cruise, forward collision warning and blind spot detection.
One catch worth knowing: the cruise only rolls off the throttle to hold your gap, it won't actually brake for you.
Under that there's a full IMU package – cornering traction control, cornering ABS with rear-lift control, three ride modes plus a custom one, and power modes.
Chassis-wise it's a new steel trellis frame, adjustable 43mm upside-down fork with 5.9" of travel, radial monobloc brakes up front, 17" wheels on Metzeler SPORTEC 01s.
Payload is 485 lb, same as the 1100, so two-up touring shouldn't be a stretch.
And here's what comes standard on the SE LT: SHAD side cases that work off the ignition key, heated grips, hand guards, LED fogs, frame sliders, radiator guard, center stand and lower cowl. Add the 5" TFT with Rideology nav, USB-C, adjustable seat, 7-position screen and a 20 litre fuel tank.
Top case is the only thing you'd need to add.
It's $13,599 US and shows up in March 2027 (lime green/black only).
No Canadian pricing yet.
Curious how folks on 650s or 1000/1100s are seeing it – is this the sweet spot or does the 1100 still make more sense?
Technical specs :
ENGINE / DRIVETRAIN
- 948cc liquid-cooled DOHC 16-valve inline-four (Z900-derived)
- 122 PS @ 9,500 rpm; 97.3 Nm @ 8,000 rpm
- Assist & slipper clutch
- 6-speed, long final gearing
- Bidirectional Kawasaki Quick Shifter (KQS)
RIDER ASSISTANCE (ARAS – front & rear radar)
- Adaptive Cruise Control Lite (throttle roll-off only, no auto braking)
- Forward Collision Warning
- Blind Spot Detection
ELECTRONICS
- IMU / Kawasaki Cornering Management Function (KCMF)
- Kawasaki Traction Control (KTRC), lean-sensitive
- Enhanced cornering ABS w/ rear-wheel lift suppression
- 3 preset riding modes + Rider (custom) mode
- Selectable power modes
CHASSIS
- Steel trellis frame (new)
- Front: 43mm inverted cartridge fork, 5.9" travel, preload & rebound adjustable
- Brakes: radial-mount 4-piston monobloc front calipers; rear 260mm disc, single-piston caliper
- Wheels/tires: 17" five-spoke, Metzeler SPORTEC 01
- Payload: 220 kg / 485 lb
COCKPIT / COMFORT
- 5" colour TFT, Rideology app connectivity, turn-by-turn navigation
- USB-C outlet
- Height-adjustable seat
- 7-position adjustable windscreen
- Adjustable levers
- 5.3 gal fuel tank
- Passenger grab handles, luggage rack, helmet lock
SE LT STANDARD EQUIPMENT
- SHAD side cases, keyed to ignition
- Heated grips
- Hand guards
- LED fog lamps
- Frame sliders
- Radiator screen
- Center stand
- Lower cowl
OPTIONAL
- Top case
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
