The Kawasaki Versys 1100 gets an update with more power and technology

Motorcycles that let you go anywhere are fashionable right now, whether sport-tourers, enduros or trail bikes, gaining more and more fans, and a clear sign of this is that hardly any brand lacks one or both of them in its range. In Kawasaki’s case, if you are looking for a maxi-trail with an asphalt-oriented character, a very crowded segment, you should keep an eye on the new and updated Versys 1100.

As you may observe from its name, the most enthusiastic riders will notice that the most important change on the 2025 Versys 1100 is under the skin, in its engine, with a stroke 3 mm longer that takes displacement from 1,043 cc to 1,099 cc and which, along with other minor adjustments, raises maximum power from the previous 120 CV to a current 135 CV. This also brings an increase in torque to 112 Nm, which will be more noticeable in the mid-to-upper part of the rev range thanks to new central intake ports that are 45 mm longer than the outer intake ports.

These are not the only mechanical changes Kawasaki’s engineers have made. On the new Versys 1100, the intake tracts have also been modified to suit a change in the throttle body, so they are now narrower in proportion to the increase in displacement; this has raised the intake flow velocity, which benefits low-to-mid-range torque.

All these changes have also brought a revised ECU with settings optimised for the throttle butterfly opening characteristics across the entire rev range; precisely in keeping with that improvement across the whole rev range, a 1-4 and 2-3 exhaust configuration has been chosen. Finally, an oil cooler has been added to improve cooling, and rear-axle braking is improved with a brake disc that is now 260 mm.

The 2025 Kawasaki Versys 1100 will be offered in standard, S and SE versions, with equipment ranging from the base version, which includes features such as KTRC traction control, cornering ABS management, power and riding modes, and the Bosch IMU, among others. The Versys 1100 S adds to the above the Kawasaki Quick Shifter quickshifter, a colour TFT display, heated grips and auxiliary lights. Finally, the Versys 1100 SE adds the Showa suspension with electronic damping.