#Ninja650

With MO’s own Sean Alexander fresh off a plane from Sicily after riding the latest Kawasaki Versys 650 ABS/LT, the time was only right to revisit the original Kawasaki Versys. To do it, this Church feature goes back to 2007, and contributor Barry Winfield’s account from his brief time with the 2008  Versys 650. In many ways old and new are virtually identical. However, with the 2015 updates, that 2008 model almost seems obsolete by comparison. Here now is Winfield to give you the lowdown on Kawasaki’s 2008 Versys. Also, don’t forget to visit the robust four-page photo gallery for a heap more pictures.

Recently, we here at Motorcycle.com brought you one of our biggest tests to date, in the form of our 2014 Middleweight Mash-Up Six-Way Shootout. In it, we wrangled six bikes with minimal  or non-existant fairings, ranging in displacement from 471cc ( Honda CB500F) to 690cc ( KTM 690 Duke) and put them to the test.

It’s easy for us to get carried away in the spirit of the MOment, no matter what kind of motorcycles we’re testing here at the MO. Manufacturers are constantly showering us with the latest greatest machines: $30,000 six-cylinder sport tourers? We love them. $15,000 retro nakeds? Fantastic! Cruisers? Fresh surprises every year, including the new Indian Scout.

If we got a dime every time we were asked what to buy as a first bike, we could easily buy a Kawasaki Ninja 300, Honda CBR500R or Kawasaki Ninja 650, three bikes we feel are best suited to answer the query. The truth is, there isn’t a simple answer anymore. Height, weight, natural ability, and of course wallet size all play important roles in determining which motorcycle you should start on.