Kawasaki Versys 1100 S

The Kawasaki Versys 1100 S takes the everyday Versys 1100 formula and sharpens it, a trim built for riders who want a sportier edge to their adventure tourer without giving up its touring range. It sits above the standard model in Kawasaki’s line-up, wider at 950mm across the bars and screen, aimed squarely at riders who notice the difference between adequate and genuinely eager.

The 1,099cc liquid-cooled inline-four carries over its fundamentals, DOHC 16-valve heads with a 77 x 59mm bore and stroke and 11.8:1 compression producing 135PS at 9,000rpm and 112Nm of torque at 7,600rpm through four 38mm throttle bodies, with the S specification tuned to feel keener through the mid-range and to hold its urgency further into the top end. A six-speed return gearbox and wet multi-disc clutch put that drive down through a chain final drive with real precision, digital ignition, electric start and forced lubrication through a wet sump all included as standard.

A twin-tube aluminium frame carries the familiar 43mm inverted fork, adjustable for rebound damping and preload, and a Horizontal Back-link gas-charged rear shock with remote preload adjustment, tuned here for a sportier, more planted feel through faster corners with 150mm of front wheel travel and 152mm at the rear. Dual 310mm semi-floating petal discs with radial-mount monobloc four-piston calipers, stiffer under load than a simpler axial design, grip 120/70 front and 180/55 rear tyres hard under braking. At 257kg, with an 840mm seat, a 1,520mm wheelbase and 150mm of ground clearance, the S carries a fraction more weight than the standard bike but turns in with real intent.

A 21-litre tank keeps the S practical for daily use as well as longer runs, while the sportier riding character never comes at the expense of comfort over distance on a run out towards Dartmoor or along the Tamar valley. It suits riders who want their adventure tourer to feel genuinely quick the moment the road opens up, without losing the Versys’s easy going nature. Find it at GT Motorcycles, your Kawasaki dealer in Plymouth, with finance available and test rides welcome from riders across Devon and Cornwall.