By Réhann Coetzee

Amid a bunch of test bikes and a launch of a whole new range by an importer, my biggest surprise actually came from riding Kawasaki’s baby adventure bike, the Versys-X 300.

This was the first time I got to ride it, but it had fascinated me right from the time that it was launched. This is because of the modern parallel-twin engine as well as the fact that there seems to have been more of an effort from manufacturers to offer adventure bikes in smaller engine capacities. Honda’s CRF250 Rally and BMW’s G310 GS are examples of this.

Kawasaki says its Versys-X 300 is an adventure-styled touring model that builds on the any-road any-time performance of Kawasaki’s Versys models by adding increased capability on unpaved roads. More manageable in both weight and power, and more readily available than many larger-displacement models, the Versys-X 300 offers easy access to motorcycle adventure.

Once you’ve gotten used to the fact that the 296cc engine needs to stay on the boil to move smoothly, it not only is surprisingly fun to ride, but makes more sense as every kilometre passes – and the filling stations. Because a tank range well in excess of 400km will be a laughably easy to achieve, even the way I rode it.

I didn’t have the time to test it properly for fuel consumption, but I rode it from Randburg to the other side of Hartbeespoort Dam and back and I was in quite a hurry. At one stage, down a long downhill, I saw 150km/h on the clock, the engine spinning at 11 000rpm. Coming back on the R512, traffic did not delay me and I had no problems passing faster cars on the uphill. I won’t say I rode as fast as I could, but I didn’t dilly-dally. After leaving just after 9:00, I rode back to a meeting in Bryanston in 45 minutes. I’m not sure how much faster I would’ve done that on a 1200, because traffic tends to be a bit of an equaliser with a larger bike.

I am clearly not the intended target market, as I probably weigh at least 30kg more than the typical buyer. But even that didn’t make it an uncomfortable ride. A colleague asked me if I also found the seat to be uncomfortably hard. He weighs less than me, but I don’t think that was the reason that I couldn’t agree with him. I found the seat to be firm and well shaped, but not uncomfortable at all.

As a matter of fact, nothing about the bike felt uncomfortable. When I left KMSA, I felt other vehicles in the traffic might not be giving me the room I’m used to. That probably is because the Versys-X 300 does not have an imposing presence. But the test bike had the optional fog lights and once I switched that on, I felt traffic behaved better.

The seating position is comfortable behind the large screen and even while wearing an adventure helmet, the air didn’t buffet at sane speeds.

I didn’t get a chance to ride the baby Versys on dirt, but the long-travel suspension leads me to think that it would be quite comfortable. Although the engine is very capable, it is unlikely that it would land the rider in trouble off-road.

If you are looking for a commuter bike that is a surprising amount of fun, you have to give very serious consideration to the Kawasaki Versys-X 300. Although this might be very different with a pillion, it is an incredibly capable bike. It has a modern bullet-proof engine that is happiest at above 8 000rpm and actually turns into fun at 10 000rpm. Yet the fuel consumption, even the way I rode it, was still better than 4,5l/100km.

That means 17 litres of the expensive stuff will keep you going for more than 400km if you ride in a semi-civilised fashion.

But don’t take my word for it, go try it yourself. You will not be disappointed.

Technically speaking: Kawasaki Versys-X 300

Engine: 296cc, inline 2-cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder, liquid cooled

Power: 29,3kW @ 11 500rpm / 25,7Nm @ 10 000rpm

Gears: 6 speed, chain

Fuel tank: 17 litres

Seat height: 845mm

Tyres: 120/70/17 front, 160/60/17 rear

Brakes: 2-piston 290mm single disk (front); single-piston 220mm single disk (rear)

Wet weight: 184kg

Price: R75 500