News Kawasaki Unveils Its New Color Schemes; Is a Versys 900 on the Way?

As it does every summer, Kawasaki is unveiling the color schemes for its upcoming model year. For some motorcycles, the designs and colors are more dynamic. For a few others, there are no changes. This first wave gives us a glimpse of which models won’t be changing and allows for some speculation about the 2027 lineup. For example, we learn that the aging but still very appealing Versys 650 remains unchanged. However, this compact adventure bike must compete against the new generation of Yamaha Tracer 7s, the all-new Suzuki SV7-GX, and increasingly aggressive Chinese competitors.

It’s in this segment that a surprise could catch the market off guard. Spy photos (taken from very close up...) from our colleagues at Motorrad show details of a possible Versys 900, powered by the 4-cylinder engine from the Z 900 and Z 900 RS. This all-new crossover would follow the formula of the Versys 1100—namely, a roadster transformed into a trail bike, very road-oriented, with a smooth and powerful 4-cylinder engine. This model would give the Yamaha Tracer 9, Triumph 800 Tiger Sport, Ducati Multistrada V2, BMW F 900 XR, and many others a run for their money—note that it will be the only four-cylinder in the bunch.

Kawasaki’s new lineup showcases the 2027 models of the Versys 650, Z 1100 and Z 1100 SE, Z 500 and Z 500 SE, Vulcan 650 S, Ninja 500 and Ninja 500 SE, ZX-6R 636, ZX-4R, and ZX-4RR (now A2-compliant). Since the new color schemes for the Z 900 RS, Eliminator 500, Z H2, and Z H2 SE have already been unveiled in Japan, nothing new is expected on that front. However, documents have revealed a power reduction for the Ninja H2 in the United States. Will this provide an opportunity for it to return to Europe, equipped with the Z H2’s engine? Nothing is less certain.

The 2027 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R 636 will be available in:

• Spark Metallic Black / Flat Spark Metallic Black
• Lime Green
• Matte Carbon Metallic Gray / Spark Metallic Black

The 2027 Kawasaki Ninja 500 will be available in:

• Flat Spark Metallic Black / Spark Metallic Black

The 2027 Kawasaki Ninja 500 SE will be available in:

• Lime Green
• Matte Graphenesteel Metallic Gray / Spark Metallic Black

The 2027 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4R will be available in:

• Metallic Black Spark

The 2027 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4RR will be available in:

• Lime Green
• Matte Carbon Metallic Gray / Spark Metallic Black
• Matte Graphenesteel Metallic Gray / Spark Metallic Black

The 2027 Kawasaki Versys 650 will be available in:

• Candy Lime Green Type 3 / Spark Metallic Black
• Carbon Metallic Gray / Spark Metallic Black

The 2027 Kawasaki Z1100 will be available in:

• Ebony Black / Carbon Metallic Gray

The 2027 Kawasaki Z1100 SE will be available in:

• Matte Graphenesteel Metallic Gray / Matte Carbon Metallic Gray / Flat Blazed Candy Green

The 2027 Kawasaki Vulcan 650 will be available in:

• Carbon Metallic Gray / Bluish Green-79H Metallic Green
• Flat Spark Metallic Black

The 2027 Kawasaki Z 500 will be available in:

• Ebony Black / Carbon Metallic Gray

The 2027 Kawasaki Z 500 SE will be available in:

• Candy Persimmon Red / Carbon Metallic Gray
• Blizzard Pearl White / Candy Lime Green Type 3 / Ebony Black