Quote:
Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR If you notice the drop - it really started post the launch of the Ninja 1000. I'm not an offroader and much into adventure either - but a tourer rather - and must say that I would have been tempted to trade in some comfort for that beautiful inline4 motor, if I were in the market for one post the launch of the N1000.
If you don't need the offroad abilities and always had a dream of buying a superbike at some point - Ninja 1000 is the perfect allrounder, even though the Versys 650 is the more practical option of the two. No seat height issues to worry about either - however - in the long run the V650 is such a fantastic comfortable mile muncher that's hard to fault.
Some might argue that these are different machines - but a lot of cross shopping happens in India, especially among first time buyers. |
This thought too did occur to me as well but actually maybe NOT is what I feel.
The N1000 is more than thrice the distance in pricing 3.48L more(difference) away from the Versys 650 compared to the Vulcan S. (1.06L less) and the Z900 (1.18L more)
Both the Kawasaki showrooms that I visited had sales guys tell me that the Versys 650 sales were being cannibalized by the Vulcan S They actually recommend the Versys 650 though as they do not have enough Vulcan S to sell and there is a longer lead time.
The way I see it there are 3 segments
1) Cruisers - Vulcan - Entry level bike, a boon for shorter riders, the only sensible non Harley Cruiser option below 10L.
2) Pseudo (Due to the tyres mainly) Adventure / Sport Tourer - Versys. Most comfortable bike for India roads, good all rounder but tall.
3) Sport Bikes & Naked sport Bikes - Ninja 1000 / Z900 - For more experienced buyers for sure. Heart can call out for these. Almost super sport bikes. More aspirational.
Am leaving the category of real Super Sports out of this as they sell in low numbers
The Ninja 1000 while definitely a superb deal is still a clear class up in terms of price over the Vulcan and maybe a much more complex bike to handle. While many may be tempted to make the jump and get a "Litre" class bike, the Z900 is almost all the way there (while being naked) for all practical purposes at a much lower price point and feels like an even better deal compared to say the Ninja 1000; especially when we compare the relative 650 and 1000 cc variant prices for both.
Major numbers are coming from the below listed bikes.
Ex Showroom prices:
Vulcan S - 5.44L (1.06L less than Versys 650)
Versys 650 - 6.50L
Z900 - 7.68L (1.18L more than Versys 650)
Ninja 1000 - 9.98L (3.48L more than Versys 650)
I can clearly see the Versys is like the SUV of bikes and should in theory be the most desired vehicle, but I think the height is proving a negative for Indian riders as also the pricing. I am sorting out my vehicles right now and will pick up a bike in the coming months and versys is definitely in my top 4 options right now. It is the most sensible buy, but then I am tall and heavy so this works for me and most people are not so tall and below 5.9' it should be quite daunting and this removes the majority of the Indian audience. They then can look at either the Vulcan or the Z900 or the Ninja 1000, of these the Ninja 1000 is more or less 50% higher in price and this can result in the buyer switching to another brand as well in the process.
In any case Kawasaki is definitely taking the fight to the Harleys and should overtake them in about a year i.e. if they keep up their monthly new variant / model practice for next 9 months.