2008 Kawasaki Versys™

2008 Kawasaki Versys™ pictures, prices, information, and specifications.
Model Type
Standard
MSRP
$6,899
Warranty
12
Insurance
Finance
Generic Type (Primary)
Standard
Manufacturer Country
Japan
Introduction Year
2008
Parent Company
Kawasaki
Display Name
Versys(TM)
Year
2008
Make
Kawasaki
Engine Type
Parallel Twin
Cylinders
2
Engine Stroke
4-Stroke
Torque (Ft Lbs/Nm)
44.9 / 60.9
Torque RPM
6800
Cooling
Liquid
Valves
8
Valves Per Cylinder
4
Valve Configuration
DOHC
Bore (mm/in)
83 / 3.27
Stroke (mm/in)
60 / 2.36
Displacement (cc/ci)
649 / 39.6
Compression Ratio
10.6:1
Starter
Electric
Fuel Type
Gas
Carburetion Brand
Keihin
Fuel Injector
Yes
Fuel Injector Size (mm)
38
Carburetor
No
Carburetion Type
Fuel Injected
Transmission Type
Manual
Number Of Speeds
6
Primary Drive (Rear Wheel)
Chain
Reverse
No
Wheels Composition
Aluminum
Front Tire Width
120
Front Tire Aspect Ratio
70
Front Wheel Diameter
17
Rear Tire Width
160
Rear Tire Aspect Ratio
60
Rear Wheel Diameter
17
Front Tire (Full Spec)
120/70 R17
Rear Tire (Full Spec)
160/60 R17
Front Brake Type
Dual Disc
Front Brake Diameter (in/mm)
11.8 / 300
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Rear Brake Diameter (in/mm)
8.7 / 220
Front Suspension Type
Inverted Fork
Front Suspension Size (in/mm)
1.6 / 41
Front Travel (in/mm)
5.9 / 149.9
Front Adjustable Fork Pre-Load
Yes
Front Adjustable Rebound Damping
Yes
Front Central Suspension Strut
No
Steering Damper
No
Rear Suspension Type
Twin Sided Swing Arm
Rear Travel (in/mm)
5.7 / 144.8
Rear Adjustable Shock / Spring Pre-Load
Yes
Rear Adjustable Rebound Damping
Yes
Number Rear Shock Absorbers
1
Rear Suspension Material
Aluminum
Air Adjustable
No
Steering Control
Handlebar
Length (ft)
6.98
Width (in/mm)
33.1 / 840.7
Height (in/mm)
51.8 / 1315.7
Wheelbase (in/mm)
55.7 / 1414.8
Length (ft/ft)
6
Length (ft/in)
11.7
Dry Weight (lbs/kg)
399 / 181
Fuel Capacity (gal/l)
5 / 18.9
Engine Displacement to Weight (cc)
1.63
Seat Type
Two-Piece
Adjustable
No
Seat Material
Vinyl
Seat Location
Driver and Passenger
Folding
No
Seat Height (in/mm)
33.1 / 840.7
Number Of Seats
2
Grab Rail or Strap
Standard
Frame
Steel
Body Material
Plastic
Hand Grips
Standard
Foot Peg Location
Driver and Passenger
Adjustable
No
Chain Guard
Yes
Drive Shaft Guard
No
Fork Guards
Yes
Saddle Bag Guard
No
Belt Guard
No
Hand Guards
No
Brush Guard
No
Light Guard
No
Exterior Covers
Standard
Front Fender
Standard
Rear Fender
Standard
Top Crown
Standard
Stand Type
Kick
Handlebars
Standard
Upper Fairing
Standard
License Plate
Standard
Digital Instrumentation
Standard
Clock
Standard
Tachometer
Standard
Trip Odometer
Standard
Speedometer
Standard
Temperature Warning Type
Light
Fuel Level Warning Type
Gauge
Warranty (Months/Condition)
12 / Limited
Battery Warranty (Months)
0
Windshield Mounts
Standard
Metallic
No
Handlebar Lock
Standard
Headlight Mounts
Standard
Halogen Headlight (s)
Standard
Headlight (s)
Standard
Light Type
Halogen
Rearview Mirrors
Standard
Windshield Lowers
No
Height Adjustable
Yes
Tinted
Yes
Height
Mid
User Reviews
3 reviews
  • By Johnnie Johnson (I am an Owner) on Jan 24, 2024

    2008 650, I have been riding for 45 years, i will never buy a HD again. This bike is so fun and wheelies even better without much use of the clutch. TOTAL FUN

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  • Best of 4
    By  (I am an Owner) on Dec 19, 2008

    I have been riding for approximately 50 years, am a certifed MSF Rider Coach and until very recently a licensed CCS, WERA and AHRMA racer. My garage currently shelters a Honda Hawk an EX 500 (both modified for race/track use only), a Yamaha FJ 1200 and a 2008 Kawasaki Versys. I enjoy them all, but ...

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  • Kawasaki Versys Equals Great Fun
    By  (I am an Owner) on Nov 13, 2008

    I have been waiting a long long time for someone to build the perfect bike. A bike that can be rode to work. A bike that can blast through the corners. A bike that you can take trips on. A bike that you can ride on most USFS roads on. The Versys can do all of that stuff and you will be grinning ...

    Some of you might not think it is perfect but lets see. It has inverted forks that has a lot of travel. This is the first stock bike I have ever owned that I had to back off on the preload. At a lite 225 lbs it really suprised me. It has a massive gull wing swingarm and a firm feeling rear shock. Really high tech for such a cheap bike. Reminds me of my Buell all the way to the underneath exhaust. Add all of this together and this bike handles.

    The engine is a different animal. It makes great mid range power. Pulls hard all the way up to redline. The good thing is that you will have no need to get it anywhere near redline to have fun or enjoy riding it from point a to point b. You do not have to bother with changing gears a lot, unless you are playing around. There are very few places it will not go in 6th gear. It is the greatest little 650 ever.

    To some people the brakes fell a little weak but for me I like them just fine. When you clamp down on them they bring you to a good steady stop. Almost as good as ABS but without all the computer crap. You will not have to worry about locking the rear wheel up when trail braking and believe me that is a good feeling. It has all the brakes you will ever need.

    The handlebars are near perfect and are nice and wide. Again like a motard. Very comfortable for all day riding and really great when playing in the mountains. One place where the Versys does come up short is the seat. It pretty much sucks but when you compare it to the higher priced BMWs of equal size it matches up pretty good. A lot better then the new 800s from BMW.

    In summary the Versys is the best bike you can buy for less then 7000 dollars. It is even better then bikes costing twice as much. After 10,000 miles the grin is still there. It is a bike made for everyday riders. A bike that can do anything. A bike that just makes you happy to be on and to me the best bike ever built. What else are there to say? Except thank you Kawasaki!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    William Dailey

    Suches ,Ga.

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