Versys-X 400 speculations thread

The sumo is probably the most interesting as I had assumed the Japanese had given up on them

I'm not sure at this point. My riding buddy retiring and we talked about shipping bikes to colombia and going to TdF next fall.. that is if vaccine available and restrictions are over.. then I will park bike there and will need one for NA. Not sure which one would be the best choice my budget is around 4k and I need one I can ride across the country, ride CABDR/TAT and ride home. 390 is down on power comparing to my SD and XCo so logically speaking it wouldn't be the best to keep in states.

It is worth noting that used dirt rims are easy to find, used supermoto rims are not. If I were to buy the new klx300 I'd get the supermoto model and a set of rims off of eBay for like $300. Then I would have two bikes in one.

I'm just pleased with myself for accurately predicting the unveiling of the klx300 twins.

So how would the KLX 300 SM compare to the Versys-X on the highway?

What SuperMoto would you choose between the KLX 300 and the DRZ-400?

The Versys 300 is very good on the highway or freeway, 60/70/80mph cruising speeds and up to 85mph for passing in either 5th or 6th gear, and it runs smooth. Its also makes a good long distance day rider, 500 to 1,000 mile day rides can be done if you set it up for that and if you like that kind of riding. For long riding you will need a seat mod, better windshield, throttle friction lock, cramp buster, 15T front sprocket, rain gear, and get used to riding by yourself.

People in Europe used to do this back when DRZ was available. SM model had USD forks, Enduro had regular, selling SM for 21-18 you can actually make some money lol

But they're singles!

Perhaps I should have used the word "siblings"

Thanks for the info David. I have a Versys-X, I was hoping for the same info but for the KLX 300 SM, in theory of course.

I've owned a drz400s and a VX300. The drz400 was tuned for midrange power and was slow to pull past 60 mph or so . I did open the airbox and exhaust and re-jetted the carb. So definitely more spunk than stock , but still not much top end power. Another problem for me was lack of wind protection, vibration and getting blown around in traffic . On the trails, dirt , gravel or secondary it did great. The klx300 will probably be around 5 less hp power and lower torque.

More dirt and a little highway , I would say klx300. Highway and dirt or gravel roads, the VX300.

I think the vx300 would be better at most things a 300 SM could do . Short of hitting jumps and high speeds on rough surfaces.

Your power output guesstimate for KLX300 is spot-on. Kawasaki New Zealand reports the following power output for 2020 KLX300R and we can assume, I think, that KLX300 will be pretty much the same (note: I included conversions to non-metric units for our non-metric inmates):
- Max power = 29 PS (28.6 HP) @ 8000 RPM
- Max torque = 26 Nm (19.2 ft-lb) @ 7000 RPM

For comparison, a stock DRZ400s makes about 34 hp and 25.5 ft-lb torque. DRZ curb weight is about 15-20 lbs more than KLX250/300 and DRZ400s seat height is 36.8 inches which is >1.5 inches higher than KLX250/300.

I cannot see the KLX300 being as good on the highway as Versys-X 300. Or, at least not as good for anything other than shorter distances. Based on KLX300R perfromance figures, will come in around 28-29 hp. That's enough power to maintain a 100 kmh or a little higher but only if there is no substantial wind and/or incline. Also, KLX300 has no wind protection to speak of. I really like wind protection on the highway (especially if it is cold and/or wet) but that's just me. I do think KLX300 would be a fun, fuel-efficient urban commuter bike.

I will say that my uncorked klx250 can pretty well maintain 100 kph pretty well even with mountains and wind, I would reckon the klx300 would at least be able to go 110 pretty reliably. Of course, the versys 300 is going to be a better road machine with ~10 extra horsepower and far better wind protection. (not to mention a more sculpted seat)

I would love to see a versys 300 vs klx300 drag race, they have similar torque, the versys has more hp, but the klx has ~80 less pounds. Let's hope a reviewer makes it happen.

Impossible to know on a motorcycle nobody has tested yet.
A lot of the behavior will depend on how the gears have been distributed.
A 300cc is very good news for the dual sports crowds but lets be realistic here, it will continue to be a light and windy bike that is better for
the dirt than it is for the road. All the geometry (blueprint), suspensions and engine suggest it is going to be a nicer dual sport, nothing more, nothing less.

I am happy and also the honda 300 is coming but at the same time I am disappointment because....

A) if you are going to up a dual sport why not a 330cc or a 390cc with at least 35 if not 40hp even if it is a few more pounds so you can increase the
customer base that way, that obviously, are not looking for an enduro bike to go jump and race somewhere, right?
I am talking from first hand experience ridding the 250 not sure if I have enough justification to go buy a 300 or consider either big bore a 250, a used DRZ 400 or even a DR 650 and still have money for suspension and even aftermarket EFI retrofit.
The 300 will not be substantially better on the asphalt. Again the 300 will make a nicer all arounder dual-sport and will handle long, mostly Highway-Free adventures better, but will NOT have the versatility of a VX300 if more asphalt than dirt is on the menu.

B) They missed the boat by not having a Versys 400.
As soon as the spring hits will be going down to test drive the T700. That was not the first choice but I am sure will suite my needs and will sell other bike but in the end
I cannot have what I wanted that was something kind of in the middle between a dualsport and a heavier more powerful "SO-Called" mid size adventure. In any
case the T700 might do this better than any other bikes smaller and bigger.

Like I said from day one, if kawasaki doesn't do it some other brand will, call it T-400, v-strom 400 or Mini Africa twin. Something based on a proven small twin engine
and w/o being a heavy and expensive hog that few people want and even less people need.

Also, if I was suzuki this might be the perfect time to release a DRZ-400 with EFI and 6th gear in the same price range. So do it now or get it ready for right
after Covid (hopefully will be over sooner than later) and then how many people will be interested in a kawa 300cc vs. a modern 400 drz???

Sometimes I feel Japanese are way too conservative in their own little domestic bubble. You need to appeal more to European, US and Australian markets and
also Asians are changing their minimalist approach when it comes to having a few extra horse power whether is for work or play.

The low curiser/ bobber / classic harley style is dying and a new generation is going to want new styling and versatile machines for exploring, commuting and whatever else.
This will happen the question is who is going to be leading innovation Japanese or someone else?

VX-400 the kawa that never was.

BTW the self driving cars and the japanese chief engineer in teh middle of the video telling us for 3 mintues how they considered needs and to appeal
to the younger is simply annoying because even with the supermoto we know they have probably missed a huge opportunity by not giving more torque.
I don't see anyone rushing to the kawa SM when the DRZ 400 SM is still there. They need more cc's, and torque, specially for super moto!!
Even KTM had that figured out too.
so, a pretty bad move IMHO.

Ahhh fuzz, you all told me what I didn’t want to hear, lol. I think if someone had said the KLX could do 120-130 kmh, I may have become very interested. I would love a bike I could jump/wheelie, but 110 km/h...I am not sure I could do it.

A Versys-X 300 with some money/time sunk into lightening might be the perfect bike till our unicorn arrives. I’ve got better at carrying less for adventures, but moving the balance of my belongings on the bike still happens and I can’t pick it up without having to take some stuff off.

11 Motos, If it only takes 35 hp. to make your day, then strap a Yoshi and a tuned Power Commander on the Versys 300 to get 35.65 hp. (Stock pipe was at 32.23) plus almost 2 more pounds of torque, or about 10% more in zip. It was worth the cost, but I would still like to try a 400

I think if I got the VX-300 I would probably be very happy with it given it is lighter that is the main reason anyway ...but I was really hoping to see the same uplift as we saw with the ninja. some torque is the main thing vs. just power.
For ultra-light adventures w/o any highway at all I have the CRF that is what I am planning to use when we go to Morocco and Algeria next year (assuming we beat this covid thing)
I am going with 2 other people in small bikes and we are also planning some no-so-easy routes with lots of loose rock so the lightest the bikes the better ... nobody can go fast no matter what bike anyway.

The klx 300 is nice but a 330 or 390 with more trail/rally pedigree would have pleased a lot more people. That would have been a real wow vs. a the nice pass...

I still feel someone is going to come with that Wow product soon. Things are getting hotter by the day below the 1/2 litter department.


All those other 200hp 20-30K dollars machines are cool but seriously?

...The FAT And Furious

I would like to point out that people have been putting 300 jugs on their klx250s for quite some time, so any prospective buyers who want a pre-release review should simply check out some of the threads on the topic.

Again, I speak from the experience of owning the 250, but the 300 should have no problem doing 120-130. (especially in Ontario, you guys don't have real mountains ) Heck, I do that on my 250 but I tend to sandbag it a tad when trying to give an objective review because I'm pretty light by advrider standards.