2025 Kawasaki Versys 1100 Confirmed with 1,099cc Engine

The confirmation comes to us once again from Down Under, where Australian authorities have updated its file on the Versys 1100 S, adding details about the engine and wheels as well as two photos of a motorcycle that doesn’t look much different from the existing model. The paint scheme appears to be the only thing different, not matching any previous liveries we can identify. It features “Versys” in green just above the front turn signal stalks, and green and gray stripes on the bodywork behind the integrated LED cornering lights. The quality of the photo isn’t great, but what appears to be the number “1100” is faintly visible just above that darker horizontal stripe.

As we previously reported, the certification only confirms the S variant, as it is the only one offered for the Australian market. In Europe, Kawasaki offers a base model Versys 1000 as well as the S and an SE, whereas the U.S. last offered the adventure-tourer in 2023 as the Versys 1000 SE LT+. Though we haven’t confirmed other variants of the updated model, it’s highly unlikely the S will be the only model offered.

While not much has changed visually, we can confirm a larger engine, with the certification confirming an Inline-Four displacing 1,099cc. That’s up from the 1,043cc engine powering the Versys 1000. With the larger displacement comes a boost in power, with the Versys 1100 S certified with a peak output of 99 kW (133 hp) at 9,000 rpm, compared to the 1,043cc engine which is certified in various markets including the U.S. at 88 kW (118 hp) at 9,000 rpm.

What’s interesting is that the certified engine number begins with “ZXT”. The Versys 1000 has an engine number starting with “ZRT” (as did the Z1000, when it was still around). “ZXT” is typically the beginning of the engine code for the version of the engine used on the Ninja 1000, which leads us to suspect that a Ninja 1100 will be coming sooner rather than later.

Of course, that leads us to wonder whether a Z1100 is also in the works. So far, there’s no indication that one is coming, but it is notable that Kawasaki has not yet announced a Z900 for 2025. The Z900RS has been certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board for 2025, but the more modern-looking Z900 has not appeared in data from either agency as a 2025 model. That could change at any moment, but at the moment, the absence of any evidence of a 2025 Kawasaki Z900 is very suspicious.

We expect Kawasaki will debut the Versys 1100 models as well as the Ninja 1100 (and perhaps a Z1100) at one of the major European shows, either EICMA in November or Intermot at its new date in December.

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