2022 Kawasaki Versys 650 LT First Ride Review

[Hugh Janus]

Thanks to a 55.7-inch wheelbase, the Versys 650 LT is extremely agile and willing to change direction without hesitation. (Kevin Wing/)

The 2022 Kawasaki Versys 650 LT is no one-trick pony. It’s most certainly a jack of all trades. By incorporating all the elements necessary for a fun, versatile motorcycle, Kawasaki has made a serious attempt to provide consumers with a one-size-fits-all bike. Those elements: comfortable ergonomics, for a neutral and upright riding position; a 649cc parallel twin, tuned for low- to midrange power; a large adjustable windscreen, for long-distance comfort in all weather; two 28-liter side panniers, for, you know, stuff; and selectable Kawasaki Traction Control (KTRC) modes. All with a sub-$10,000 sticker price. It would seem to be a no-brainer. So is it?

The 2022 Versys range gets quite a few updates. The Versys 650 LT receives new styling, including a revised headlight cowl resembling the Versys 1000 model’s complete with LED headlight, a redesigned tailsection, and a large windscreen offering roughly 80mm of adjustment.

Kawasaki's Versys 650 LT receives styling updates and traction control for 2022. (Kevin Wing/)

To complement its new appearance, the 650 LT gets a new 4.3-inch TFT color display along with Bluetooth technology to communicate with Kawasaki’s Rideology app. There’s switchable traction control with three rider options; Mode 1 is the least intrusive, while Mode 2 is more conservative and restricts the greatest amount of wheelspin. However, if you find yourself on a gravel road, or the stock Dunlop Sportmax D222 tires are really hooking up, or you have the constant urge to lift the front wheel to show off for your buddies, the traction control can be disabled with a quick push of a button.

New for 2022 is a 4.3-inch TFT color display with automatic background color adjustment. (Kevin Wing/)

The design of the rider aids and the implementation of technology on the Versys 650 is spot on; the system is neither overcomplicated or overwhelming. On a motorcycle like this, it’s not necessary to have an abundance of switchable settings, modes, and data feedback; save that for the superbikes. The few options that are available are simple to navigate and noticeably different. It’s like ordering a burger: There are only a few truly important choices to make, and everyone already knows what they like.

However, if crunching data is your bag, the Rideology app allows riders to go into the app after a ride and study their route, average speed, total time in motion, and even set up or check maintenance interval schedules. To top it all off, the data is all shareable across the Rideology platform with other Rideology users. It’s like Strava for Kawasakis.

Two unique features that the LT model receives above the base-model Versys 650 are wraparound hand guards for additional wind protection as well as 28-liter side panniers. (Kevin Wing/)

This first ride on the 2022 Versys 650 LT was spent on a variety of riding conditions and surfaces, which is pretty much what Kawasaki thinks its intended buyers will do with this machine. On a mix of freeways, city streets, and canyon twisties, the Versys 650 LT was a wonderful riding experience in any condition it was subjected to. On the freeway, there was more than adequate wind protection with the windscreen in its highest position, and the ride was smooth and quiet. No vibration comes through the seat, handlebar, or footpegs. The middle-width handlebar has a slightly swept-back bend and allows a comfortable position in every riding situation. Combine those characteristics with a neutral, upright seating position, and the bike is most certainly a favorable choice for knocking out the commuting miles or hauling a rider to their favorite canyon road.

A relatively wide seat that tapers toward the 5.5-gallon gas tank provides plenty of wiggle room to shift body position. (Kevin Wing/)

When the road gets curvaceous, this bike certainly comes out to play. With its 55.7-inch wheelbase, the 650 LT is agile and quick to turn in without sacrificing midcorner stability. Initiating a lean angle was effortless; the motorcycle confidently tips into turns and keeps its attitude through the entire corner. The relatively flat, wide seat is narrower at the front, allowing riders to shift body position as desired depending on the corner. Initiating midcorner adjustments is effortless and immediate. The chassis gives good feedback, allowing the rider to either tighten or open up the turn radius confidently and quickly.

Due to the Versys 650 LT’s friendly engine, a majority of the time was spent with the traction control disabled. (Kevin Wing/)

The Versys 650′s engine has great low- to midrange pull that propels the bike through and out of corners in predictable but exciting fashion, with the motorcycle performing most happily in the 4,000 to 8,000 rpm range. On Cycle World’s in-house Dynojet 250i dynamometer the 649cc DOHC parallel twin produced 59.3 hp at 8,300 rpm and 41.5 lb.-ft. of torque at 7,100 rpm. The roads where we rode it were a series of tight and flowy corners, and the bike could simply be left in third gear, the quick-revving 649cc parallel twin’s linear powerband delivering a nice push and allowing the rider to get back up to speed in no time. Fourth and second were only necessary on a few straights, sweepers, or truly tight corners, but when shifting was necessary it was direct and precise.

The 2022 Kawasaki Versys 650 LT puts the “V” in versatility. It might not be the best at anything but it is quite good at most things. (Kevin Wing/)

The 650′s throttle response is also impressive; the bike uses a ride-by-wire system, and power delivery and throttle actuation felt intuitive and responsive. This pays rider dividends when rolling on or off the gas midcorner or when adjusting power mid-wheelie.

The exhaust on the Versys 650 LT exits below the swingarm allowing both side panniers to be equal in volume and shape. (Kevin Wing/)

Overall, suspension delivered a very sporty ride for our 130-pound tester, holding up well under aggressive braking and when flicking the bike through quick transitions. Providing 5.9 inches of travel, the 41mm telescopic fork offers adjustable rebound and preload while the shock provides 5.7 inches of travel and remote preload adjustment. In the twisties the fork provided a good balance between stiff and sporty as well as plush and comfortable.

When laying into corners, the fork would compress into the stroke in a progrssive manner without sacrificing too much travel. Easing into the upper part of the stroke allowed the front wheel to feel very planted and underneath the bike, increasing corner confidence. The single offset laydown shock provided a similar sensation. As the load increased on the rear of the bike in corners or under acceleration, the shock would compress just enough to make the bike squat, increasing rear tire feel. The 2022 Versys 650 LT suspension is plush and predictable, never busy or abrupt. It’s just right for day-to-day use on varied road surfaces.

There is no shortage of stopping power from the bite of two 300mm rotors and twin-piston Nissin calipers at your fingertips. Additionally, all Versys 650 models now come standard with ABS. (Kevin Wing/)

Similarly, the rear brake has a good feel, providing a nice balance between a connected initial bite that’s not too grabby and confident stopping power. ABS intrusion was minimal and only kicked in when it was appropriate to do so. When slowing for decreasing-radius corners, the 250mm rear rotor gives just enough help to slow and settle the bike, increasing rider confidence and making the rear end feel more planted.

The back of the bike features a single offset lay-down shock offering 5.7 inches of travel with remote adjustable spring preload. (Kevin Wing/)

The 2022 Kawasaki Versys 650 LT is intended to be a crowd pleaser; the name, after all, is taken from the concept of a “versatile system.” Kawasaki has improved on the bike’s already exceptional versatility by adding a judicious splash of technology and rider adjustments and giving it a face-lift as a bonus. It’s clear this motorcycle was carefully thought out and thoroughly tested; Kawasaki realizes the little things matter, and nailed the small quality-of-life details like using the ignition key to open the side panniers. For $9,999, the only thing the 2022 Kawasaki Versys 650 LT might possibly need is a splash of color to offset the metallic black paint. Other than that, it’s hard to think of anything to add to this true jack of all trades.

An extremely agile chassis provides quick handling characteristics when the road gets twisty. (Kevin Wing/)

2022 Kawasaki Versys 650 LT Specification

MSRP:	$9,999
Engine:	DOHC, liquid-cooled parallel twin; 4 valves/cyl.
Displacement:	649cc
Bore x Stroke:	83.0 x 60.0mm
Compression Ratio:	10.8:1
Transmission/Final Drive:	6-speed/chain
Cycle World Measured Horsepower:	59.3 hp @ 8,300 rpm
Cycle World Measured Torque:	41.5 lb.-ft. @ 7,100 rpm
Fuel System:	DFI w/ Keihin 38mm throttle bodies (2)
Clutch:	Wet, multiplate
Engine Management/Ignition:	TCBI w/ electronic advance
Frame:	Double-pipe perimeter frame
Front Suspension:	41mm hydraulic telescopic fork, rebound and preload adjustable; 5.9 in. travel
Rear Suspension:	Single shock, preload adjustable; 5.7 in. travel
Front Brake:	Nissin 2-piston calipers, dual 300mm petal discs w/ ABS
Rear Brake:	Nissin 1-piston caliper, 250mm petal disc w/ ABS
Wheels, Front/Rear:	17 in.
Tires, Front/Rear:	Dunlop Sportmax D222; 120/70-17, 160/60-17
Rake/Trail:	25.0°/4.3 in.
Wheelbase:	55.7 in.
Ground Clearance:	6.7 in.
Seat Height:	33.3 in.
Fuel Capacity:	5.5 gal.
Cycle World Measured Wet Weight:	502 lb.
Contact:	kawasaki.com

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