Kawasaki’s Versys family has a new touring-ready member for 2027, and it fills the space between the twin-cylinder Versys 650 LT and the Versys 1100 SE LT. The all-new 2027 Kawasaki Versys 900 SE LT is built around a 948cc inline-4 that the Akashi-based company says draws on its Supernaked Z models, wrapped in a new steel trellis frame and rolling on 17-inch wheels. Kawasaki is bringing one version to the US, equipped for touring, with a $13,599 price tag. It reaches dealers in March 2027. Here is what that money buys.
At $13,599, the Versys 900 SE LT costs $3000 more than the Versys 650 LT and $6200 less than the Versys 1100 SE LT. For that extra money, the 1100 adds 151cc of displacement and Kawasaki’s semi-active KECS suspension. Outside the Kawasaki showroom, Yamaha’s Tracer 9, which features an 890cc triple, lists at $12,599 with standard hard side cases.
The LT designation means Shad hard side cases are standard. Kawasaki and Shad developed them alongside the bike, with damping elements in the mounts to absorb vibration and chassis movement. Each case holds 32 liters and is rated for about 11 pounds. The ignition key locks and releases them. A 47-liter Shad top case that holds two full-face helmets is a Kawasaki accessory and mounts alongside the side cases.
The SE badge brings a long list of standard touring gear. Hand guards and heated grips with elements that wrap fully around the grips are included. Compact LED fog lights are mounted to the frame. A radiator screen protects against stones and debris, and resin frame sliders protect the frame and engine in a tip-over. A vented lower cowl and a center stand round out the list. On this model, SE does not mean electronic suspension; the available fork and shock settings are adjusted by hand.
The 2027 Kawasaki Versys 900 SE LT is the first Versys with radar. Front- and rear-facing radar sensors run Kawasaki’s Advanced Rider Assistance Systems (ARAS): Adaptive Cruise Control Lite, Forward Collision Warning, and Blind-Spot Detection. ACC Lite holds the speed the rider sets and closes the throttle to keep a gap to the vehicle ahead, with Near, Medium, and Far following distances. As the gap opens, it feeds the throttle back in until the bike returns to the set speed. “Lite” means that, unlike the adaptive cruise control on the Ninja H2 SX, ACC Lite cannot apply the brakes. It’s up to the rider to brake when traffic slows sharply. Braking cancels the system, and the RES switch resumes it. Opening the throttle overrides it temporarily.
Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and Blind-Spot Detection (BSD) alert the rider without taking control. FCW uses the front radar to track the distance and speed of the vehicle ahead, and it puts a warning on the TFT screen if it calculates a collision risk at the current speed. Riders can choose Early, Medium, or Late alert timing, or turn it off. BSD uses the rear radar to watch the adjacent lanes. When a vehicle is in the blind spot, an LED in the mirror on that side lights up, and it flashes if the rider signals a move toward that lane. BSD does not monitor traffic directly behind the bike. If you prefer, it can be switched off.
The 2027 Kawasaki Versys 900 SE LT has a broad range of ergonomic options. The rider’s seat has two heights, 32.5 and 33.3 inches, and switching between them requires no tools. Kawasaki says the narrow front of the seat and the slim knee areas of the tank cover help riders reach the ground. The windshield adjusts manually to seven positions over a 1.9-inch range. The brake lever has six positions, and the clutch lever has five. Accessories include a windshield about 3.9 inches taller than stock, an Ergo-Fit rider seat about 0.8 inches higher, and a passenger comfort seat. For comfort and to reduce fatigue on long rides, the wide handlebar is rubber-mounted, as are the footpeg brackets, and the pegs have hollow rubber pads to reduce vibration. The fuel tank holds 5.3 gallons, and a USB-C outlet sits near the instruments.
Kawasaki tuned the Z900-based engine for strong low- and midrange torque. The liquid-cooled, DOHC, 16-valve engine has a short-stroke layout, and Kawasaki Europe rates it at 122 PS, or 120 horsepower. Long, narrow intake funnels feed 36mm downdraft throttle bodies, and ride-by-wire electronic throttle valves let the ECU manage fuel delivery and airflow. A lightweight crankshaft quickens engine response, and a secondary balancer reduces vibration. The four-into-one exhaust has an integrated pre-chamber and a dual-chamber silencer. Long final gearing keeps rpm down at highway speed. The power runs through a 6-speed with a quickshifter, while the clutch is an assist-and-slipper design.
A six-axis IMU runs the rider aids. Kawasaki Cornering Management Function oversees traction control and ABS. Kawasaki Traction Control (KTRC) has three modes, from the least intervention in Mode 1 to the most in Mode 3, and it can be turned off. Full and Low power settings are available, with Low limiting output to about 75% of Full. Integrated riding modes bundle them: Sport is Full power with KTRC Mode 1, Road is Full with Mode 2, and Rain is Low with Mode 3. Rider mode lets the rider mix and match. Modes change from a button on the right handlebar with the throttle closed and cruise control off.
The steel trellis frame is new, and Kawasaki developed it from analysis of the Versys 1100’s aluminum twin-tube frame. The engine is a stressed member, rigidly mounted at five points, which cuts frame weight. The trellis subframe borrows from the Z900 and Ninja H2 SX, with lower tubes running to the swingarm pivot, and it is rated for a 485-pound payload, the same as the Versys 1100. An aluminum swingarm with extruded arms completes the chassis. A forward rider position and the swingarm pivot location put weight distribution near 50:50. The wheelbase is 61.0 inches, with 24.5 degrees of rake and 4.2 inches of trail.
Wheel travel is long-legged: 5.9 inches up front and 6.3 inches in the rear. The inverted 43mm cartridge fork adjusts for spring preload and rebound damping at the top of the right fork leg. In the rear, Kawasaki’s horizontal back-link layout puts the shock and linkage above the swingarm, which centralizes mass and keeps the shock away from exhaust heat. The shock adjusts for rebound damping, and a remote, hand-operated preload adjuster simplifies setup for a passenger or luggage.
Radial-mount monobloc calipers grip 310mm semi-floating front discs. The four-piston calipers are fed by a radial-pump master cylinder. A 260mm disc and single-piston caliper handle the rear. ABS is standard, and the IMU makes it cornering-aware. Along with wheel speed, the system reads lean angle and adjusts brake pressure to control wheel slip when the rider brakes in a turn. In hard straight-line stops, pitch management helps keep the rear wheel on the ground as weight shifts forward.
The cast 17-inch wheels use a five-spoke design based on the Z900’s, with large-diameter hubs and bearings to support touring loads. Metzeler Sportec 01 tires are standard.
The 5-inch color TFT display offers two layouts. Type 1 is the sport layout, with a triple-bar tachometer in the black theme. Type 2 prioritizes touring information and gives navigation, ACC Lite, and FCW alerts more prominence. The background switches between white and black with ambient light, or the rider can choose either one, and a joystick on the left handlebar runs the menus. The Rideology The App Motorcycle app connects a smartphone wirelessly for ride logs, maintenance records, call and email notifications, and setting riding modes on the phone before uploading them to the bike. Turn-by-turn navigation on the TFT and voice commands are optional.
Kawasaki calls the new styling Aero Edge, and the Versys 900 is the first Versys to wear it. The compact front cowl takes cues from the Z models, and the engine and frame are partly exposed. Lighting is all LED, and the triple headlight uses two upper low beams and a lower high beam. The tail is short, the muffler sweeps up, and the side cases follow the same lines. The only color is Plasma Lime Green/Metallic Spark Black.
Kawasaki has put its newest rider-assistance technology on its middle Versys, not its flagship. The 900 SE LT is the only Versys with radar, and it costs $6200 less than the 1100, which gets semi-active suspension instead. The sport-tourer has plenty of sport features, including 17-inch wheels with Metzeler hypersport tires, a Z-inspired inline-4, and a full suite of IMU-based rider aids. The upright riding position and adjustable windshield are all about touring and comfort. On paper, the 2027 Kawasaki Versys 900 SE LT is loaded with enough standard equipment that the top case is the main thing left to buy. We can’t wait to put some miles on it.
Our bike review this episode is the Yamaha MT-03. Do not underestimate this bike; you get a lot of motorcycle for your money! Associate Editor Kelly Callan rode the smallest MT for several weeks, and that included commuting on it. One of the things that impressed her, was how the MT-03 acted like a larger motorcycle. Kelly also spent some time chasing Editor Don Williams through the canyons when he was on the Yamaha MT-07—obviously a much larger machine. She tells us about how it all went.
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We’re closing in fast on the 34th annual Biketoberfest, October 15–18, when all roads will lead to Teddy Morse’s Destination Daytona—the more than 100-acre motorcycle playground in Ormond Beach Florida. This week we get to hear all about it from Teddy Morse himself. With his trademark high energy and enthusiasm, he tells us all about his recently established Triketoberfest that happens the week before, and how the Destination Daytona complex turns into a full-throttle hub of demo rides, vendors, custom builds, live music, food trucks, shops, and nonstop pavilion energy. So, whether you’re on two wheels or three, whether you’re hunting parts or lining up a test ride; grab a cold one and soak up the energy and gorgeous Florida fall weather. This is one of the many Daytona Beach places where Biketoberfest feels like home. So don’t forget: make sure you download the Biketoberfest mobile App from Apple or Google Play or visit www.biketoberfest.org and we’ll see you there!
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Our guest this episode is Greg Arnold, Mecum’s motorcycle auction director. He bought his first bike at eleven, joined the company in 2011, and has spent more than a decade helping turn this incredible event into the place collectors, consignors, and dreamers all show up. Next February 3rd through 6th, Mecum will—for the 36th time, bring the world’s largest vintage motorcycle auction back to South Point, Las Vegas. That’s over two thousand bikes over four days. Board-track racers, barn finds, customs, race iron, and especially, those incredible machines that make the room go quiet. Greg gives us insight into what it takes to make this event work so incredibly well, and if you’re interested in selling your pride and joy, what steps you have to take to make it happen.
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Here’s quick reminder to check out our monthly digital magazine. It’s filled with everything you want to read on motorcycling, including some things you’ve probably not seen elsewhere. It’s absolutely free and you will find it on the Apple App Store and of course on Google Play as well.
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