Hi folks. I'm shopping for a new commuter bike as my C14 is getting up in miles and I'm trying to save it for longer road trips. I've narrowed down my choices to the Versys or Ninja 1000s and can't make up my mind. As an added bonus, I work in a Kawasaki dealership on Saturdays and get dealer pricing on all new bikes, so either would be a good deal and the price difference is only $600 between the two, though the owner said he'd take another $500 off because he likes me.

The Versys is a tall, comfy tourer with soft suspension and strong brakes that also has standard hard saddlebags, which I probably won't use, since I can legally lane split in California and have quite a bit of traffic to contend with. It can double as a backup long-distance tourer and has a centre stand for easy chain maintenance.

The Ninja is fast, sexy, comfortable, and can be fitted with a trunk and saddlebags if desired (though it's expensive for all the parts...) The handling is purported to be excellent and IIRC, a magazine article noted that the Ninja 1k was faster in real world conditions than a ZX-10R due to having better midrange power.

I've been using a 2005 KLR650 as my daily beater and though I love Ms. Klara, she's far too slow for California freeways. I top out at ~85mph and can't go any faster! With 35bhp and only one cylinder, overtaking is easier with my VW Passat 5 cylinder than it is with this bike. Which brings me to my two replacement choices.

Versys 1000: 118bhp - ~48mpg
Ninja 1000: 138bhp - ~41mpg

Tough call. So, of these two, which would you folks choose? I'm convinced I'd be happy with either, but can only choose one!

what's the dealer price on an H2

when you say Ninja 1000 is that what's called this side of the pond the url=https://www.kawasaki.co.uk/en/products/Sport_Tourer/2017/Z1000SX/overview?Uid=090DWFBcC1gMW1xcXAkKXAlYDVFbXVwMDAlYXwoODgkMXFo]Z1000[/url] , no Ninja designation ??

The Ninja is fast, sexy, comfortable ..... The handling is purported to be excellent and...

purported?....so dealers don't employees take test rides either ehh?


No experience with either, but going on just what you presented: The Ninja.
 Because you said it is comfortable and fast and fun.
 You've got the C14 for trips, if you didn't I would have picked the Versys for you.

Now get back to your boss and negotiate those test rides and make your own decision. 

when you say Ninja 1000 is that what's called this side of the pond the Z1000 , no Ninja designation ??

It would appear so, except as usual, you get more color selection, and an adult name for the model. 

It would appear so, except as usual, you get more color selection, and an adult name for the model. 

I'm quite partial to a bit of Candy Burnt Orange

I'll stir the pot.
I would think a "650" Versys or Ninja would be better for a commuter bike as it weighs less and would be more nimble in traffic.

Ride safe, Ted

I'll stir the pot.
I would think a "650" Versys or Ninja would be better for a commuter bike as it weighs less and would be more nimble in traffic.

Ride safe, Ted

I've been thinking the same actually. The savings over the 1000 in price and fuel would be quite nice. Back to the drawing board for now haha...

It seems by your initial post speed or power is a desire.  The Versys 650 will not satisfy that but it is a nice commuter.

It seems by your initial post speed or power is a desire.  The Versys 650 will not satisfy that but it is a nice commuter.

I dunno about that. I have versys 650lt. is it a powerhouse? no. I have a c-14. But the versys is a freakin' blast to ride. it's light and short and turns on a dime. Fuel economy is good, and for a commuter it is my choice.  If I was going to ditch the c-14 and the versys, I'd get the versys 1000. I haven't ridden one, but I think I know what to expect. Oh and on the ninja 1000 - I've ridden one, and I can tell you I can pull alot of power out of it, it's really dead up til 8000 rpm. I expect the ninja is to, so my radar is up. Steve

You owe it to yourself to check out an FZ10 also, with a tune they are 150 plus hp.

At 20,000 miles a year and $3 a gal gas, the total fuel bill for the year for the Ninja would be $213 more than the Versys.

Is that really a factor?

jeez I feel really sorry for you, $3 per (US) gallon?


I pay around £1.10 per litre so allowing for exchange rates (£1-$1.30) and conversions(3.8 litres -1 USG)  that's around $5.40 per US Gallon


Ok must admit that isn't as big a gap as I thought there would be, sure the differential used to be a lot higher.

I'm paying about $2.60 per gallon for premium now.  Regular is going for 1.80 to 1.95.

This is an interesting comparison on price per litre (or liter if you prefer)  globally (in US$)

Looks like Venezuela is the place to go for fuel, that's crackers!!

jeez I feel really sorry for you, $3 per (US) gallon?


I pay around £1.10 per litre so allowing for exchange rates (£1-$1.30) and conversions(3.8 litres -1 USG)  that's around $5.40 per US Gallon


Ok must admit that isn't as big a gap as I thought there would be, sure the differential used to be a lot higher.

I was trying to exaggerate high on gas price. And hopefully the annual mileage total  And still the diff is only $213.

He'd get to ride around with 20 extra HP for only $213. I'm taking that deal 

I was trying to exaggerate high on gas price. And hopefully the annual mileage total  And still the diff is only $213.

He'd get to ride around with 20 extra HP for only $213. I'm taking that deal 

Hence why I wasn't thinking about the 650 too much. My price on these is about $3k under MSRP and no additional fees. I just pay tax. As for the gas, it's closer to $3.15 for premium in my part of California. I've seen some areas where it's closer to $4 if not over. Depends on how greedy they want to be...

I'll get to ogle all 3 again on Saturday while I'm working the showroom. I have a good arrangement with these folks that has gotten them a nice increase in sales, a good chunk of change in my pocket, and a killer deal on a new bike. I need to go back to all the particulars and get an insurance quote. Monthly cost is somewhat of a factor but not a deal breaker. Excessively expensive insurance will be (at least for now...)

Regardless of what I want, I don't have the money to do anything until I sell my KLR. It's on Craigslist and a facebook group. I even...cleaned it. When that's out of my garage, I'll decide. 

You CLEANED it?   

I'll stir the pot.
I would think a "650" Versys or Ninja would be better for a commuter bike as it weighs less and would be more nimble in traffic.

I forgot about insurance. The 650 will cost less too..

Note; Part of the reason I keep raising the 650 idea is;
                    I'm considering one too... <sly grin>
                    Want to hear what others think..

Ride safe, Ted

...... I don't have the money to do anything until I sell my KLR.. I even...cleaned it.

You CLEANED it?   

That's it, we don't need to hear any more of this kind of talk here...take it to the arena where it belongs!
 A clean KLR,. (shudder at the thought)...indeed....darn trolls...