Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE 2020 vs. BMW R 1250 GS 2021

Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE 2020

Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE 2020

BMW R 1250 GS 2021

BMW R 1250 GS 2021

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Overview - Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE 2020 vs BMW R 1250 GS 2021

The Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE 2020 and the BMW R 1250 GS 2021 are both powerful and versatile enduro motorcycles that offer a comfortable and enjoyable riding experience.

Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE 2020

Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE 2020

Starting with the Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE 2020, it is equipped with an in-line four-cylinder engine that delivers 120 horsepower and 102 Nm of torque. The engine is well-controllable and rev-happy, providing a strong pull throughout the rev range. The bike features a high-quality chassis that can be adjusted precisely to meet the rider's requirements, ensuring a comfortable and stable ride. The suspension consists of an upside-down telescopic fork at the front and a swing arm with a monoshock at the rear, offering a travel of 150mm and 152mm respectively. The suspension can be adjusted for compression, preload, and rebound, allowing for a customized riding experience. The bike is equipped with double disk brakes at the front, providing reliable stopping power. In terms of dimensions, it has a wheelbase of 1520mm and a seat height of 840mm, offering a comfortable riding position for riders of various heights. The Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE 2020 also comes with advanced rider assistance systems such as ABS, ride by wire, and a quickshifter, enhancing safety and convenience. Additional features include heated grips, cornering lights, and LED headlights, improving visibility and comfort during rides. However, some weaknesses of this model include the generously dimensioned windshield, which may not provide sufficient wind at lower settings, especially in high temperatures. The display and mobile phone app also lag behind the competition in terms of functionality and user experience.

On the other hand, the BMW R 1250 GS 2021 is equipped with a boxer twin-cylinder engine that delivers 136 horsepower and 143 Nm of torque. The engine is powerful and provides a confident feel in the saddle. The bike offers great ride comfort and ergonomics, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable riding experience. It features a telelever front suspension with a travel of 190mm, providing excellent shock absorption and stability. The rear suspension consists of a single swing arm with a monoshock, offering a travel of 200mm. The suspension can be adjusted for preload and rebound, allowing for a personalized riding setup. The BMW R 1250 GS 2021 has a steel frame, which provides a sturdy and durable construction. It is equipped with double disk brakes at the front, ensuring reliable and responsive braking performance. The bike comes with advanced rider assistance systems such as ABS, anti-slipping control, hill start assist, riding modes, cornering ABS, ride by wire, and traction control, enhancing safety and control on various terrains. In terms of dimensions, it has a wheelbase of 1525mm and a seat height of 850mm, offering a comfortable riding position for riders of different heights. The BMW R 1250 GS 2021 also features cornering lights, LED headlights, and an adjustable windscreen, improving visibility and comfort during rides. It also offers a great connectivity app and an easy-to-read display, providing convenient access to information and features. However, some weaknesses of this model include its rough overall appearance and slightly clumsy gearshifts at low revs.

BMW R 1250 GS 2021

BMW R 1250 GS 2021

In conclusion, both the Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE 2020 and the BMW R 1250 GS 2021 are excellent enduro motorcycles that offer powerful engines, comfortable riding positions, and advanced rider assistance systems. The Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE 2020 excels in high riding comfort, wind and weather protection, and a well-controllable engine, while the BMW R 1250 GS 2021 stands out for its great ride comfort, powerful engine, and practical riding aids. However, the Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE 2020 has some weaknesses in terms of its windshield and display/mobile phone app, while the BMW R 1250 GS 2021 has a rough overall appearance and slightly clumsy gearshifts at low revs. Ultimately, the choice between these two models will depend on the rider's specific preferences and priorities.

Technical Specifications Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE 2020 compared to BMW R 1250 GS 2021

Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE 2020
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 SE 2020

Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE 2020

The Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE is a particularly well-designed representative of a type that is so difficult to categorise. In the end, it is simply a very good and universal motorbike. At the regulars' table, it will hardly score points with 120 hp. But in practice, all elements of the motorbike are designed and dimensioned in such a way that you enjoy riding it for a long time. On long tours, it has sufficient power, offers dynamic handling and high riding comfort. Compared to the competition, you hardly miss the power. Kawasaki should improve on the integration of a Navigatinos app in the display.

High riding comfort for rider and passenger

Great wind and weather protection

High-quality chassis can be adjusted very precisely to the requirements

Well controllable and rev-happy engine

Strong pull from the engine

At high temperatures, the standard windshield is too generously dimensioned - even at the lowest setting, you hardly get any wind at all

display and mobile phone app cannot keep up with the competition.

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 SE vs BMW R 1250 GS

There are a few key differences between a Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE 2020 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 SE 2020 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 156 days for the Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE. Since model year 2019 1000PS.de editors have written 12 reviews for the Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE and 50 reviews for the BMW R 1250 GS since model year 2019. The first review for the Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE was published on 06/11/2018 and now has more than 25,500 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 SE

Model year
Current average market prices

Price BMW R 1250 GS

Model year
Current average market prices

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