Kawasaki Versys 1000 S 2022 vs. BMW R 1250 GS 2021

Kawasaki Versys 1000 S 2022

Kawasaki Versys 1000 S 2022

BMW R 1250 GS 2021

BMW R 1250 GS 2021

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Overview - Kawasaki Versys 1000 S 2022 vs BMW R 1250 GS 2021

In terms of the engine and drive train, the Kawasaki Versys 1000 S 2022 features an in-line engine with a bore of 77 mm and a stroke of 56 mm. It has a power output of 120 HP and a torque of 102 Nm. The starter is electric, and the transmission is a chain. The bike has four cylinders and a displacement of 1043 ccm. On the other hand, the BMW R 1250 GS 2021 has a boxer engine with a bore of 102.5 mm and a stroke of 76 mm. It has a higher power output of 136 HP and a torque of 143 Nm. The starter is also electric, but the transmission is a prop shaft. The BMW has two cylinders and a displacement of 1254 ccm.

In terms of suspension, the Kawasaki Versys 1000 S 2022 has an upside-down telescopic fork for the front suspension with a travel of 150 mm. It offers adjustment options for compression, preload, and rebound. The rear suspension consists of a swing arm with a monoshock and a travel of 152 mm. It also has adjustment options for compression, preload, and rebound. The chassis is made of aluminum and has a rake of 63 degrees and a trail of 106 mm. The front brakes are double disk. The bike is equipped with ABS, ride by wire, and a quickshifter. The front tire diameter is 17 inches, and the rear tire width is 180 mm with a diameter of 17 inches. The wheelbase is 1520 mm, and the seat height is 840 mm. The kerb weight with ABS is 257 kg, and the fuel tank capacity is 21 liters. Additional equipment includes heated grips, cornering lights, and LED headlights.

Kawasaki Versys 1000 S 2022

Kawasaki Versys 1000 S 2022

On the other hand, the BMW R 1250 GS 2021 has a telelever front suspension with a travel of 190 mm. It offers adjustment options for preload. The rear suspension consists of a single swing arm with a monoshock and a travel of 200 mm. It has adjustment options for preload and rebound. The chassis is made of steel and has a rake of 62.9 degrees and a trail of 109 mm. The front brakes are double disk. The bike is equipped with ABS, anti-slipping control, hill start assist, riding modes, cornering ABS, ride by wire, and traction control. The front tire diameter is 19 inches, and the rear tire width is 170 mm with a diameter of 17 inches. The wheelbase is 1525 mm, and the seat height is 850 mm. The kerb weight with ABS is slightly lighter at 249 kg, and the fuel tank capacity is 20 liters. Additional equipment includes cornering lights, LED headlights, and an adjustable windscreen.

BMW R 1250 GS 2021

BMW R 1250 GS 2021

In terms of strengths, the Kawasaki Versys 1000 S 2022 is praised for its smooth yet emotional engine, high-quality chassis, terrific wind protection, great seat comfort, and effortless handling. It is also noted for its completely neutral behavior when leaned over. On the other hand, the BMW R 1250 GS 2021 is praised for its great ride comfort and ergonomics, powerful engine, great connectivity app, easy-to-read display, confident feel in the saddle, practical riding aids, and versatile chassis that accommodates every route. It is also considered easy to ride.

However, the Kawasaki Versys 1000 S 2022 has some weaknesses, including a quickshifter that works poorly at low revs, a windshield adjustment that cannot be operated while driving, and a cruise control system that takes some getting used to. On the other hand, the BMW R 1250 GS 2021 is criticized for its rough overall appearance and somewhat clumsy gearshifts at low revs.

Technical Specifications Kawasaki Versys 1000 S 2022 compared to BMW R 1250 GS 2021

Kawasaki Versys 1000 S 2022
BMW R 1250 GS 2021

Engine and Drive Train

Engine typeEngine typeIn lineEngine typeBoxer
BoreBore77 mmBore102.5 mm
StrokeStroke56 mmStroke76 mm
Engine powerEngine power120 HPEngine power136 HP
Rpm at Max. PowerRpm at Max. Power9,000 rpmRpm at Max. Power7,750 rpm
TorqueTorque102 NmTorque143 Nm
Rpm at TorqueRpm at Torque7,500 rpmRpm at Torque6,250 rpm
Compression RatioCompression Ratio10.3 Compression Ratio12.5
StarterStarterElectricStarterElectric
Clutch TypeClutch TypeMultiplate in oil-bathClutch TypeAntihopping
TransmissionTransmissionChainTransmissionProp shaft
Transmission TypeTransmission TypeGearshiftTransmission TypeGearshift
Number of gearsNumber of gears6Number of gears6
CylindersCylinders4Cylinders2
StrokesStrokes4-StrokeStrokes4-Stroke
CoolingCoolingliquidCoolingliquid-air
DisplacementDisplacement1,043 ccmDisplacement1,254 ccm

Suspension Front

Front suspensionFront suspensionUpside-Down telescopic forkFront suspensionTelelever
TravelTravel150 mmTravel190 mm
AdjustmentAdjustmentCompression, Preload, ReboundAdjustmentPreload

Suspension Rear

SuspensionSuspensionSwing armSuspensionSingle swing arm
Shock absorberShock absorberMonoshockShock absorberMonoshock
TravelTravel152 mmTravel200 mm
AdjustmentAdjustmentCompression, Preload, ReboundAdjustmentPreload, Rebound

Chassis

FrameFrameAluminiumFrameSteel
RakeRake63 degreeRake62.9 degree
TrailTrail106 mmTrail109 mm

Brakes Front

TypeTypeDouble diskTypeDouble disk
DiameterDiameter310 mmDiameter305 mm
PistonPistonFour pistonsPistonFour pistons
TechnologyTechnologyradial, PetalTechnologyradial

Brakes Rear

TypeTypeDiscTypeDisc
DiameterDiameter250 mmDiameter276 mm
PistonPistonSingle pistonPistonDouble piston
Shock mountShock mountFixed caliperShock mountFloating caliper

Assistance Systems

Advanced Rider Assistance SystemsAdvanced Rider Assistance SystemsABS, Ride by Wire, QuickshifterAdvanced Rider Assistance SystemsABS, Anti-slipping control, Hill start assist, Riding modes, Cornering ABS, Ride by Wire, Traction control

Dimensions and Weights

Front tyre widthFront tyre width120 mmFront tyre width120 mm
Front tyre heightFront tyre height70 %Front tyre height70 %
Front tyre diameterFront tyre diameter17 inchFront tyre diameter19 inch
Rear tyre widthRear tyre width180 mmRear tyre width170 mm
Rear tyre heightRear tyre height55 %Rear tyre height60 %
Rear tyre diameterRear tyre diameter17 inchRear tyre diameter17 inch
LengthLength2,240 mmLength2,207 mm
WidthWidth950 mmWidth952.5 mm
WheelbaseWheelbase1,520 mmWheelbase1,525 mm
Seat HeightSeat Height840 mmSeat Height850 mm
Kerb Weight (with ABS)Kerb Weight (with ABS)257 kgKerb Weight (with ABS)249 kg
Fuel Tank CapacityFuel Tank Capacity21 lFuel Tank Capacity20 l
License compliancyLicense compliancyALicense compliancyA

Equipment

EquipmentEquipmentHeated grips, Cornering lights, LED-HeadlightsEquipmentCornering lights, LED-Headlights, Windscreen adjustable

Pros and Cons in comparison

Pros and Cons in comparison

Kawasaki Versys 1000 S 2022

Kawasaki Versys 1000 S 2022

Versys stands for "versatile system" and that is exactly what the Kawasaki tourer actually represents. Comfort and sportiness, slow and fast, short and long - the Versys can do it all. The chassis responds superbly, the handling is absolutely effortless, the engine emotional and at the same time sensible. In this price range, it is hard to impossible to find a better compromise.

Engine is smooth yet emotional

high-quality chassis

terrific wind protection

great seat comfort

effortless handling

completely neutral behaviour when leaned over

Quickshifter works poorly at low revs

windshield adjustment cannot be operated while driving

cruise control takes some getting used to.

BMW R 1250 GS 2021

BMW R 1250 GS 2021

The GS also impressed us with its versatility during the test in November 2021. We rode the bike on a wide variety of terrain and were once again very satisfied. The motorbike convinces in every situation with its easy handling and practicality. On the other hand, it can also be ridden delightfully irrationally.

Great ride comfort and great ergonomics

Powerful engine

Great connectivity app

Easy-to-read display

Confident feel in the saddle

Practical riding aids

Versatile chassis accommodates every route

Easy to ride

Rough overall appearance

gearshifts at low revs somewhat clumsy

Price Comparison Avarage Market Price Kawasaki Versys 1000 S vs BMW R 1250 GS

There are a few key differences between a Kawasaki Versys 1000 S 2022 and a BMW R 1250 GS 2021. In terms of price, the actual average price of a BMW R 1250 GS 2021 is about 35% higher. Compared to BMW R 1250 GS 2021 there are less Kawasaki Versys 1000 S 2022 bikes available on the 1000PS.de Marketplace, specifically 8 compared to 66. It takes less time to sell a BMW R 1250 GS with 55 days compared to 195 days for the Kawasaki Versys 1000 S. Since model year 2021 1000PS.de editors have written 5 reviews for the Kawasaki Versys 1000 S and 50 reviews for the BMW R 1250 GS since model year 2019. The first review for the Kawasaki Versys 1000 S was published on 04/11/2020 and now has more than 49,600 views. This compares to more than 305,600 views for the first review on BMW R 1250 GS published on 19/09/2018.

Price Kawasaki Versys 1000 S

Model year
Current average market prices

Price BMW R 1250 GS

Model year
Current average market prices

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