Image gallery: 2016 Kawasaki Versys 650 road test

Kawasaki launched the 2016 Versys 650 in India last month. We have ridden the motorcycle and you can read all about it here. Here are a few images from the shoot.

The Kawasaki's ergonomics are just right to stand up and ride if you need to. But it's not off-roader. Keep to tarmac or soft-roading and it proves to be a plush, rewarding motorcycle to ride relaxed or as hard as you like

The Kawasaki Versys 650' seat height is 840mm and it has 170mm of ground clearance. That makes the sense of lean angles a bit exaggerated. But it's a competent cornering machine that is both stable and accurate while being nimble and responsive. Excellent suspension also means mid-corner bumps - I even hit potholes - fail entirely to affect the motorcycle's poise

The Kawasaki Versys 650's footpegs were adjusted for this model year. The tall bars create an upright riding position that is extremely comfortable for riding all day. A wide, firm and super comfortable saddle for the rider and generous pillion pad promise extended two-up touring holidays

See the little black knob above the end of the rear monoshock? That's the remote preload adjuster. You can just twirl it effortlessly to alter ride height so that the suspension is always at its best whether you're riding along, with bags, with a pillion or with a pillion and bags. A terrific addition to a touring-oriented motorcycle in our books

The Kawasaki Versys 650 uses a trellis frame that ends with a plastic cover over the swingarm pivot. Also note the grabrails with neatly integrated mounting points for Kawasaki's optional hard luggage

Kawasaki gives the Versys 650 excellent Dunlop Sportmax tyres that are the same size as the Ninja 650. They proved to be grippy as well as not so soft as to get cut up by the cruft of our roads during the test

Note the spiderweb of tubes that make up the bottom of the beefed up new subframe. We wish the design were a little neater. But the subframe allows the Kawasaki Versys 650 to offer a more stable platform when two-up with luggage, says Kawasaki

Currently, the Kawasaki Versys 650 only comes in black for India. Finish levels are very good and build quality is excellent. Here's a motorcycle that will age gracefully and slowly while you rack up the miles

The twin-headlamp fairing looks proportionate and the really liked the feel of the Showa Separate Function Forks which give the Versys 650 a smooth, controlled ride that's plush and absorbent without even a hint of a wallow

That screen is terrific. The two black knurled knobs allow tool-free and rapid height adjustment so that you can have a breezy but turbulence and wind-blast free setting no matter how tall you are

See the slotted ring? The ABS system uses that to determine the speed at which the wheel is rotating. ABS is vital in machines of this kind of speed and we're happy that Kawasaki are offering ABS on the Kawasaki Versys 650 in India

Effective mirrors, terrific adjustable screen and upright ergonomics make the Kawasaki Versys 650 a comfortable machine whether on the commute or out riding 14 hour highway days

The simple but proven 649cc parallel twin makes a bit less power than the Ninja 650 but brings extra torque across the rev band. This plus new-found smoothness make this version of the engine far sleeker, far more responsive feeling than the Ninja 650

In a nod to the chance that the Versys 650 will probably be carrying stuff at the rear, whether people or cargo, Kawasaki gave it a bigger 250mm petal disc. With ABS, naturally

The meters are a simple design and hence, easy to read on the Kawasaki Versys 650. We did miss a gear indicator though. At least an indication that you're in top gear would be useful on a machine which makes this kind of effortless torque

The Kawasaki Versys 650 has all the little convenience bits that make the experience complete. Like reach adjustable clutch and brake levers. Clutch effort is low as well so riding even in heavy traffic isn't a forearm workout

A nice looking rear-end, no? The Kawasaki Versys 650 is just begging for you to add some bags and head out for a long ride

Also see:

2016 Kawasaki Versys 650 road test review (India)

Choosing between the Kawasaki Versys 650 and the Ninja 650

Also see: Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT vs Kawasaki Versys 650 Video