Editor’s note: This Quick Read is part of our Mini-ADV Comparison Test Review of the Kawasaki Versys-X 300, BMW G 310 GS and Royal Enfield Himalayan.
For many riders, the purpose of an ADV bike is not to hammer truck trails and negotiate rock gardens; it’s to be a comfortable, versatile street bike, with the ability to turn down a dirt road if desired. This is where the Versys-X 300 fits in, and when it was introduced in 2017, Kawasaki described it as a “Multi-Purpose On-Road Touring Bike” (MPORTB?) with an “adventure style and rugged look.”
Read our in-depth First Ride Review of the Versys-X 300 here.
Indeed, its tall windscreen and fairing, Ninja 300-derived engine and shorter 5.1-/5.8-inch front/rear suspension are juxtaposed with dirt-oriented spoked, tube-type rims (with a 19-incher up front) and roomy ergonomics that make it easy to stand up off-road.
Read our comparison test of the Versys-X 300, BMW G 310 GS and Royal Enfield Himalayan here.
The high-revving (redline is at a howling 13,000 rpm) parallel twin feels and sounds like a sportbike, and requires plenty of shifting to stay in the powerband. It handles freeway speeds easily, the windscreen keeping the elements at bay and weights on the footpegs and grips taming the worst of the vibes, and the 4.5-gallon tank is good for about 215 miles.
Perhaps because of its tall profile and light 385-pound wet weight, it’s susceptible to cross winds, and we also noticed the engine coolant temperature gauge rises nearly to the max when working through rush-hour traffic at 15 to 45 mph, even on a mild day.
The made-in-Thailand Versys-X 300 is available both with and without ABS (non-switchable), and is the only one of our trio to utilize an assist-and-slipper clutch. The assist function is almost overkill; clutch pull is so easy that it suffers from lack of feel, but in stop-and-go traffic it’s beneficial. If your adventures are mostly of the paved variety, the Versys-X 300 is worth a look.
Click here to read about the BMW G 310 GS.
Click here to read about the Royal Enfield Himalayan.
2018 Kawasaki Versys-X 300 Specs
Base Price:$5,399
Price as Tested: $5,699 (ABS)
Warranty: 1 yr., unltd. miles
Website: kawasaki.com
Engine
Type: Liquid-cooled parallel twin
Displacement: 296cc
Bore x Stroke: 62.0 x 49.0mm
Compression Ratio: 10.6:1
Valve Train: DOHC, 4 valves per cyl.
Valve Insp. Interval: 12,000 miles
Fuel Delivery: DFI, 32mm throttle body x 2
Lubrication System: Wet sump, 2.5-qt. cap.
Transmission: 6-speed, cable actuated assist-and-slipper clutch
Final Drive: Sealed chain
Electrical
Ignition: TCBI w/ digital advance
Charging Output: 294 watts max.
Battery: 12V 8AH
Chassis
Frame: Tubular-steel backbone w/ box-section steel swingarm
Wheelbase: 57.1 in.
Rake/Trail: 24.3 degrees/4.3 in.
Seat Height: 32.1 in.
Suspension, Front: 41mm stanchions, no adj., 5.1-in. travel
Rear: Single shock, adj. for spring preload, 5.8-in. travel
Brakes, Front: 290mm disc w/ floating 2-piston caliper & ABS (as tested)
Rear: 220mm disc w/ floating 2-piston caliper & ABS (as tested)
Wheels, Front: Spoked, 2.15 x 19 in.
Rear: Spoked, 3.00 x 17 in.
Tires, Front:Tube-type, 100/90S19
Rear: Tube-type, 130/80S17
Wet Weight: 385 lbs. (as tested)
Load Capacity: 376 lbs. (as tested)
GVWR: 761 lbs.
Performance
Fuel Capacity: 4.5 gals., last 0.8 gal. warning light on
MPG: 87 PON min. (low/avg/high) 46.4/47.7/50.6
Estimated Range: 215 miles
Indicated RPM at 60 MPH: 7,100
