CAFÉ RACER 76: THE JERK – KAWASAKI VERSYS 650 ’13 by Studio Motor

Written by Donny Ariyanto

Another month and another killer creation from us. As before, we have turned our nimble fingers to a Kawasaki Versys 650 but this time we have taken it in a decidedly different model. And that direction is mostly a hard left off the bitumen, onto the soft grass and up the nearest embankment. We like Kawasaki Versys 650 for Scrambler model, it borrow design elements from dual purpose bike. It has same platform as Kawasaki’s other 650cc twin motorcycles, the Ninja 650R and the ER-6n. It shares the same electronics, engine, wheels, brakes and main frame as its siblings. Where it differs is in riding position, rear sub frame, suspension components, and engine tuning. And now we are introducing our latest build – an amazing 2013 Kawasaki Versys 650 and we are calling THE JERK.

One day our customer came to the garage and brought his Kawasaki Versys 650. He asked us to see what we’d do with it. He didn’t want a Café Racer, He wanted a bike suitable for everyday life that He could also ride off-road. He wantedride it to the horse stable every day. Which gave us an idea to build a mix between a street and an off-road bike. The first step was the removal of the factory plastics, bodywork and not so cool, or classic windshield. To replace the original bodywork the Studio Motor team handcrafted a new tank out of 1.2 mm galvanized steel. Its unique shape was designed to hug the flowing lines of the stock frame perfectly. Finished in metallic, candy orange with silver panels at the side tank it’s more suited to the bike than the factory tank ever was and features a signature style Studio Motor Design fuel cap. The only modification to the frame came in the form of a new tail loop. The loop includes a passenger grab rail which supports a Scrambler style tuck and roll seat, which was also designed and built in house at our workshop. For a more retro look the stock exhaust was replaced with a custom 2-into-1 stainless steel header and vintage style reverse megaphone muffler. The original rims were then treated to a set of dual sport Avon Distanzia 120/70-17 and 160/60-17 for front and rear. The stock bars replaced by Pro Taper fatbar. Custom made fenders and a unique headlight and retro tail light combo were then all that was left to complete THE JERK.