2025 Kawasaki Versys 1100 Arrives With Upsized Engine

We’ve reported on the rumours and type approval documents but now we can confirm the details of the new Kawasaki Versys 1100 range for 2025.

The name of the bike gives away its biggest change for the incoming model year, as the engine of the new three-bike range has swelled from 1,043cc to 1,099. The capacity hike might be relatively small, but the increase in power is fairly hefty, with the 2025 bikes producing 133bhp across the board - up from the 120bhp of the previous bikes. Peak torque is also up, with the 2025 bikes producing 82.6lb ft of twist compared to the 75lb ft of the 1,000cc version of the popular touring machines.

The increases in power and torque have been achieved by increasing the stroke of the bike by 3mm while retaining the same 77mm bore as before. That’s not all of the engine work though, as the airbox has also been redesigned and now features longer intake ducts to boost mid-range grunt. New slightly thinner throttle bodies are also present, which are linked to redesigned ducts which are said to speed up the airflow through the intake.

Naturally, with such extensive engine changes for this year, including an increased compression ratio of 11.8:1 (up from 10.3:1), the ECU has also been heavily updated. With power and torque now up from the previous model, Kawasaki has worked to prevent undue vibes from the engine with the addition of a new balancer.

The rest of the updates to the bike are generally small, with the frame and swingarm seemingly the same as before. One chassis element changed on the 2025 model is a slightly larger 260mm rear disc, up 10mm from the previous bike.

Defining each of the new machines in the range is the spec level, with the base Versys 1100 and Versys S gaining a 43mm fork with stepless rebound and preload adjustability. At the rear, each gets a horizontally mounted gas shock with rebound damping and a remote pre-load adjuster. The SE version of the bike stands out from the crowd thanks to Kawasaki Electronically Controlled Suspension (KECS) from Showa, meaning semi-active rebound and compression damping along with manual preload adjustment at both ends.

The 2025 model’s riding position is the same as before, and therefore the new bikes should be just as comfortable as before on a long-distance tour. Weights have changed slightly though, with the base model Versys 1100 tipping the scales at 255kg, the S coming in at 257kg, and the top-spec SE weighing 259kg.

Pricing for the new bikes has also been announced with the Versys 1100 costing £11,899, The 1100 S £13,649, and the 1100 SE setting you back £15,649.

Full details of each new bike can be found on the official Kawasaki website.

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