We’re big fans of Kawasaki’s touring bikes here at Adventure Bike Rider. In fact, when we set off to discover if we could ride Scotland’s NC500 in a weekend, we chose the Versys 1100 and Ninja 1100 and came away thoroughly impressed by their ability to cover big miles while putting huge smiles on our faces.
So, when Kawasaki announced it was adding an all-new Versys 900 to its range for 2027, our interest was well and truly piqued.
And from the looks of things, this isn’t simply a smaller version of the Versys 1100. Kawasaki is billing it as the sportiest Versys yet, combining the comfort and practicality of a touring motorcycle with the performance and handling of something altogether more spirited.
A 120bhp four-cylinder engine
One of the biggest attractions is undoubtedly the engine. Kawasaki has borrowed inspiration from its Z range of naked sports bikes, equipping the Versys 900 with a 948cc inline-four producing 120bhp and 97.3Nm of torque.
That’s plenty of performance for a touring motorcycle, and Kawasaki promises smooth, manageable power at lower revs, with an increasingly exciting response as the engine spins towards its 9,500rpm power peak.
It’s backed up by an all-new steel trellis frame, designed to deliver agile handling without sacrificing stability when carrying a passenger and luggage.
There’s also a near 50:50 weight distribution, long-travel suspension, and 17” wheels front and rear, fitted with Metzeler Roadtec 01 tyres.
In other words, this is very much a road-focused machine, designed for everything from motorway journeys to attacking your favourite mountain passes.
Touring comfort meets clever technology
Of course, there’s little point having an exciting engine if you’re aching to get off after a couple of hours in the saddle. Thankfully, Kawasaki hasn’t forgotten the touring side of the equation.
The Versys 900 features an upright riding position, a windscreen adjustable through seven positions, and a seat that can be set at either 825mm or 845mm.
There’s also a substantial amount of technology, including traction control, selectable power and riding modes, cornering management, enhanced ABS, and a quickshifter.
Perhaps more interestingly, the Versys 900 is the first bike in the family to feature Kawasaki’s Advanced Rider Assistance Systems (ARAS).
These include adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and blind spot detection. They’re features that could well prove particularly useful when covering hundreds of motorway miles on a European tour.
A 5” colour TFT display provides riding information and turn-by-turn navigation through Kawasaki’s Rideology smartphone app.
Kawasaki Versys 900
If you’re planning a big trip, Kawasaki has also developed a luggage system comprising two 32l panniers and a 47l top box.
Tourer and Grand Tourer versions will be available, while the more comprehensively equipped Versys 900 SE adds heated grips, handguards, LED fog lights, a centre stand, and other touring accessories.
And there’s more good news. The standard Versys 900 is priced from £10,899, with the SE starting at £11,799, excluding on-the-road charges. Both are expected to arrive in UK dealerships in April 2027.
So, could the new Versys 900 be the pick of Kawasaki’s touring range?It’s certainly an enticing prospect. A punchy four-cylinder engine, sporty handling, plenty of touring comfort, and a generous helping of modern technology sound like a cracking combination.
Having enjoyed riding its bigger siblings around Scotland, we can’t wait to find out whether the new 900 delivers the same grin-inducing experience. You can watch video of riding the NC500 below.
