Now the Japanese company has release preview pictures of a trailie styled version of the bike, with upside down forks, wavy style disc brakes, a beefy looking swingarm and a practical riding position.
There are no details on the power output, but it's likely to be around the same spec as the ER6n.
Kawasaki says that the bike will be tuned for a punchy, low rpm response, making riding in town traffic that bit easier.
The Versys is Euro 3 compliant so should run fairly lean and return over 45mpg too.
Dramatic
The styling is certainly dramatic, with a high screen, wide handlebars and decorative sump guards either side of the exhaust system.
But the Versys is no off-roader; the bash plate doesn't meet in the middle underneath the bike, plus the cast wheels would be ruined if you started rock-hopping on this motorbike.
Instead, this is a rival to bikes like the Ducati Multistrada 620 or the Aprilia Pegaso 650 - a kind of "soft-roader" if you like.
If the price is competitive - and it hasn't been set as yet - then the Kawasaki could be ideal for those who want some basic weather protection, an upright riding position and an economical mid-sized motorcycle.
The new Versys will probably make its UK debut at the NEC show in October.
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