Kawasaki 650 Versys Tires

On this page you will find the best real world tire reviews from owners of the Kawasaki 650 Versys.

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Tire Reviewed Dry Grip Wet Grip Feedback Handling Wear Comfort
Bridgestone Battlax BT 023 (45) 92% 85% 89% 90% 89% 91%
Michelin Road 5 (23) 89% 87% 85% 80% 83% 89%
Michelin Pilot Road 2 (15) 90% 80% 86% 81% 89% 85%
Pirelli Scorpion Trail II (7) 90% 74% 87% 87% 79% 83%
Pirelli Diablo Rosso II (19) 90% 73% 86% 84% 75% 86%
Michelin Pilot Road 4 (18) 85% 84% 81% 78% 79% 84%
Avon Storm 2 Ultra (26) 86% 70% 75% 75% 88% 83%
Dunlop Sportmax D207e (6) 68% 57% 57% 53% 43% 57%

Kawasaki 650 Versys Tire Review Highlights

Writing about the Bridgestone Battlax BT 023 given 94% (160-60-17-)
Driving on mostly country roads for 0 average miles
No comments left
tire reviewed on 2023-09-29 15:44:24
Writing about the Michelin Road 5 given 93% (160-60-17-)
Driving on a combination of roads for 9000 average miles
No comments left
tire reviewed on 2023-05-09 04:43:40
Writing about the Dunlop Sportmax D207e given 40% (225-45-17-H)
Driving on mostly country roads for 3400 average miles
Had to purchase this tire after a puncture, in the dry was ok, rain made it an interesting ride.

Completed 3400 miles on it before it completely squared off.

I would avoid it if you can, it is the Marks & Spencer’s of bike tires.
tire reviewed on 2019-08-28 07:09:10
Writing about the Dunlop Sportmax D207e given 50% (225-45-17-)
Driving on mostly town for 3750 easy going miles
Didn't even make 6000km and I ride like a grandpa
tire reviewed on 2019-02-24 09:59:41
Writing about the Bridgestone Battlax BT 023 given 84% (160-60-17-W)
Driving on a combination of roads for 3500 average miles
No comments left
tire reviewed on 2019-01-20 20:05:19
Writing about the Michelin Pilot Road 4 given 100% (160-60-17-)
Driving on mostly country roads for 5000 average miles
The tires that came with the bike from new only lasted about 3000 miles. I replaced them with the Road Pilot 4 and I've done another 5000 miles and I've probably lost about 2mm in tread. The confidence the tire gives you in the wet and dry in the corners is amazing. Plus they use these tires on Police bikes so, they can't be that bad.
tire reviewed on 2016-11-10 18:14:37
Writing about the Michelin Pilot Road 4 given 90% (120-60-17-)
Driving on mostly country roads for 7000 average miles
No comments left
tire reviewed on 2015-08-15 14:03:55
Writing about the Pirelli Scorpion Trail II given 99% (160-60-17-W)
Driving on a combination of roads for 200 average miles
No comments left
tire reviewed on 2015-07-24 09:05:05
Writing about the Avon Storm 2 Ultra given 89% (160-60-17-)
Driving on a combination of roads for 6000 spirited miles
Im on my second set of these tires now,i was so impressed with the longevity of the first set i had that i decided to go for them again.I weigh 16stone and i got 6000 miles out of the rear,it hadn't really squared off either,it still held its round profile after that mileage but the rubber was past the indicators on the grooves so i renewed.I Could not fault them in any way,in the dry they stick like glue and are very reassuring in the wet,never had and movement at all and ive ridden in a lot of rain this year.
tire reviewed on 2012-11-29 20:43:01
Writing about the Pirelli Diablo Rosso II given 87% (160-60-17-H)
Driving on mostly country roads for 0 average miles
No comments left
tire reviewed on 2012-11-24 07:59:38
Writing about the Michelin Pilot Road 2 given 57% (160-60-17-W)
Driving on a combination of roads for 3000 spirited miles
I bought a pair of these tires in 2008 to replace my Bridgestone 020's as these were aparently the best sport touring tires at the time. I did a couple of hundred miles to scrub them during July in the dry before I moved to Spain. They seemed to feel better than the 020's but wasn't sure about out right grip from the rear.
When I tried the bike on Spains scorching hot roads they were next to useless, I was losing the front at every roundabout and could barely use the throttle before the losing rear traction. After a few hundred miles I got a puncture in the front, so I swapped to my spare wheels which had some well used Dunlop 207rr's.
The Dunlops made the bike ride able again although the tarmac was noticeably less grippy than in England still, but at least the bike was safe again.
In 2010 back in England I got the bike out for a track day at Mallory during July on a hot summers day. Half way through the rear 207rr was shot and losing grip everywhere so I switched to the rear Pilot Road 2ct.
It was surprisingly good allowing me to scrape the peg around gerards at 110mph, so these tires do work well at the right temperature.
I carried on using this rear tire (allied to a pilot power front) this summer. It was fine for commuting to work at a sensible pace in all weathers but never felt good when cold.
On faster rides the rear would move around on colder days which was disconcerting at higher speeds. In the wet even on a warmer day it was a joke, the throttle needed careful control through every bend as it threatened to cause a highside on the 60hp versys.
I've owned many sportsbikes, raced a ZX10R and race a supermoto, I dread to think what this tire would be like on anything with any power. Michelin Maccadams were always crap and the Pilot Roads are a progression of those rather than a decent tire.
After 3000 miles the tire showed little wear despite a few wheelies and a few quick rides, but it all ended when I was riding home in the wet one night. I went through a corner I'd been through hundreds of times much faster at about 70mph in 4th gear, I wound the throttle about a third of the way and it went sideways. I thought I was coming off as the bars crossed up, but thank fully as the throttle was shut (no choice when the bars are not under your control, I have highsided a couple of times)it calmed down. I know it wasn't oil or diesel because the front would have let go first (have crashed on diesel, nearly on oil too).
Needless to say it is going in the bin where it belongs, and I'll buy a proper tire.
tire reviewed on 2011-08-23 16:02:36
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