November 2025. Motorradundreisen is in the province of Barcelona, more precisely Sant Fruitós de Bages. Eleven degrees Celsius in the morning, later 26 degrees and sunshine. The Versys 1100 SE starts the day with two 28-liter side cases packed with layered clothing. The road-test verdict after the first few meters: “A kind of fundamental trust in the Versys develops almost immediately.” That is the sentence a touring motorcycle should aim for. Not adrenaline. Not intimidation. Trust.

For 2026, the Kawasaki Versys 1100 SE is technically unchanged but gets two new color combinations: Metallic Deep Blue/Metallic Diablo Black and Emerald Blazed Green/Metallic Diablo Black. The color choice is typically bold Kawasaki, with emerald green serving as a brand signature for decades. Underneath the paint is the complete package carried over from 2025.

The Engine: 1,099 cc Inline-Four From the Ninja Family

1,099 cc. Inline-four. DOHC. Liquid-cooled. 135 hp at 9,000 rpm. 112 Nm at 7,600 rpm. Ride-by-Wire. This is the same basic engine used in the Ninja 1100SX, but tuned for touring duty in the Versys: more torque lower in the rev range, softer throttle response in city traffic, and enough reserve for highway passing.

The bidirectional quickshifter comes standard, allowing clutchless upshifts and downshifts. Cruise control is standard and holds the selected highway speed. Combined fuel consumption is 5.6 L/100 km. The 21-liter tank gives a range of around 375 km. That is the fuel-stop interval of a properly designed long-distance motorcycle: fill up early in the morning and arrive in the evening.

Showa Skyhook EERA: Semi-Active Suspension Explained

Showa Skyhook EERA, Electronically Equipped Ride Adjustment, is the technical heart of the SE model. It is the feature that separates the SE from the standard Versys 1100, which costs EUR 14,220 including destination. The system continuously reads riding conditions, acceleration, brake pressure, lean angle, and road surface, then adjusts compression and rebound damping in real time. The rider selects one of several suspension modes—Comfort, Sport, or Sport+—and the system handles the rest autonomously.

After the Spain test, Motorradundreisen concluded that the Skyhook delivers excellent comfort. The suspension automatically balances comfort on poor roads with firmer control on good pavement. If you ride two-up with two loaded 28-liter cases and do not want to manually reconfigure the suspension every time the load or road changes, that is the Skyhook promise. And it works.

Brembo, KIBS, 259 kg: The Braking System Explained

Four-piston Brembo radial calipers work on twin front discs. Kawasaki Intelligent anti-lock Brake System, KIBS, optimizes braking according to lean angle and coordinates the system for cornering situations. Curb weight is 259 kg. That is the mass of a fully equipped adventure tourer, and the brakes need to control it with authority. Brembo and KIBS are Kawasaki’s answer.

Standard vs SE Equipment Package

Heated grips are standard. A TFT display with smartphone connectivity and voice control is standard. The motorcycle is prepared for 28-liter side cases with factory luggage mounts; the cases themselves are accessories. Cornering lights and handguards are standard, as are USB-C and riding modes. This is the equipment package that justifies the SE. The standard version at EUR 14,220 including destination does without heated grips, Skyhook, and the connected TFT package. The roughly EUR 3,800 difference for Skyhook, heated grips, connectivity, voice control, and cornering lights is a clear argument for year-round long-distance riders.

840 mm and the Riding Position

Standard seat height is 840 mm, adjustable between 820 and 860 mm. That is typical adventure-tourer territory. The 1.80-meter Motorradundreisen tester described the riding position as immediately the right one. Handlebar height and sweep are well suited to long stages: the upper body leans slightly forward, weight is distributed evenly between handlebar and seat, and there is none of the wrist pressure associated with a sportbike. Passenger comfort was rated excellent. A 259 kg motorcycle carrying two loaded 28-liter cases and a passenger is the reality of long-distance travel. The Versys handles it.

EUR 18,020 Including Destination: The Competition

The Versys 1100 SE costs EUR 18,020 including destination. A BMW R 1300 GS starts at EUR 19,990 before additional charges in base form. The Yamaha Ténéré 700 World Raid is EUR 13,699, while the Honda XL750 Transalp is EUR 11,449. The Versys 1100 SE costs more than sub-800 cc adventure bikes, but less than an R 1300 GS with equivalent electronics. What Kawasaki delivers for EUR 18,020 is 135 hp, 112 Nm, semi-active Skyhook suspension, Brembo brakes, cruise control, voice control, heated grips, cornering lights, and a four-year warranty. That is a compelling package.

Verdict

The 2026 Kawasaki Versys 1100 SE is the adventure tourer for riders who cover long stages with a passenger and luggage and refuse to sacrifice either dynamic ability or comfort. 135 hp, Showa Skyhook EERA, Brembo, quickshifter, cruise control, heated grips, voice control, and a four-year warranty for EUR 18,020 including destination. Motorradundreisen summed it up as “fundamental trust after the first few meters.” That is exactly the verdict a touring motorcycle should aim for.

 

Quick Check

+ Showa Skyhook EERA semi-active suspension: adjusts compression and rebound damping in real time; excellent comfort on changing road surfaces.

+ 135 hp / 112 Nm: strong inline-four from the Ninja family, with enough reserve for passing even at 259 kg plus luggage and passenger.

+ Brembo radial front calipers + KIBS cornering ABS: premium-class braking system.

+ Bidirectional quickshifter standard.

+ Cruise control standard.

+ Voice control + TFT display + smartphone connectivity standard.

+ Heated grips standard.

+ Cornering lights + handguards standard.

+ 21-liter tank / approx. 375 km range: well suited to long-distance use.

+ Seat height adjustable from 820 to 860 mm: adaptable to different rider sizes.

+ 4-year warranty with unlimited mileage.

+ EUR 18,020 including destination: less expensive than a BMW R 1300 GS with comparable electronics.

 

– 259 kg ready to ride: a heavy motorcycle.

– 5.6 L/100 km: not especially economical.

– Manual suspension setup is largely replaced by autonomous Skyhook control; riders who prefer manual adjustment may favor the standard version.

 

Technical Specifications: Kawasaki Versys 1100 SE (2026)

Make / Model: Kawasaki Versys 1100 SE (2026; 1,099 cc inline-four; Adventure Tourer; technically unchanged from 2025; Category A license); manufacturer: Kawasaki Motors Europe N.V., Almere, Netherlands

Engine: 1,099 cc DOHC inline-four; liquid-cooled; 135 hp / 99 kW at 9,000 rpm; 112 Nm at 7,600 rpm; Ride-by-Wire; bidirectional quickshifter standard; cruise control standard; Euro 5+; CO2 128 g/km; 5.6 L/100 km

Front Suspension, SE: Showa 43 mm USD fork; Skyhook EERA, Electronically Equipped Ride Adjustment, semi-active and electronically controlled; 150 mm travel

Rear Suspension, SE: Showa Skyhook EERA monoshock; 152 mm travel; aluminum double-sided swingarm; electronically controlled damping in real time

Brakes: Four-piston Brembo radial front calipers with twin discs; single-piston rear; Kawasaki Intelligent ABS, KIBS; lean-angle-optimized cornering ABS

Wheels / Tires: Cast wheels; 17-inch front and rear; 120/70 ZR17 front; 180/55 ZR17 rear; 63-degree steering-head angle; 106 mm trail; 1,480 mm wheelbase

Weight / Seat Height: 259 kg ready to ride; 840 mm seat height, adjustable from 820 to 860 mm

Fuel Tank / Range: 21 liters; 5.6 L/100 km; approx. 375 km range

SE-Exclusive Equipment: Showa Skyhook EERA semi-active suspension; heated grips; TFT display with smartphone connectivity and voice control; cornering lights; handguards; factory luggage mounts for 28-liter side cases, cases optional

Standard Equipment: Bidirectional quickshifter; cruise control; KIBS cornering ABS; traction control; riding modes; USB-C; LED lighting

2026 Colors: Metallic Deep Blue / Metallic Diablo Black (BU1); Emerald Blazed Green / Metallic Diablo Black (GN1), two new designs versus 2025

SE vs. Standard Versys 1100: Standard: EUR 14,220 including destination; conventional manually adjustable suspension; no Skyhook, no heated grips, no connected TFT. SE: approx. EUR 3,800 more for Skyhook, heated grips, TFT connectivity, voice control, and cornering lights.

Stationary Noise: Not published; Tyrol limit 95 dB(A)

Warranty: 4 years, unlimited mileage, Kawasaki

Competition: BMW R 1300 GS from EUR 19,990 ex-factory before destination with comparable electronics; Honda NT1100 around EUR 15,500, more touring-focused and less sporty. Versys 1100 SE: 135 hp, semi-active suspension, Brembo, cruise control, four-year warranty for EUR 18,020 including destination.

Price in Germany: MSRP EUR 17,545 ex-factory / EUR 18,020 including destination