That gives it a very unique stance - one that might repel riders who are wary of top-heavy motorcycles or attract those who enjoy a large size on their touring machines. It is so big in fact that it even makes a set of sportbike-sized 120/180-section tyres look skinny. The Ninja casts the silhouette of a forward-biased, sporty machine, while the Versys stands tall and wide like an adventure motorcycle. The designs are the first big distinguishing factor between the two motorcycles. In fact, that is the idea behind this story - figuring out which is the better buy. What would make the buying decision tougher is the marginal price difference between the two. In fact, the Versys and the Ninja 1000 are tied together by the common thread of their engine and if you were to walk into a Kawasaki dealership to get yourself a touring machine for exploring roads like these, both could appeal you in their own unique ways. The Versys 1000 is the most economical ticket into the litre-class four-cylinder adventure sport genre The Ninja 1000 SX is the newest sport tourer from Kawasaki and replaces the successful Ninja 1000 at a similar price point but with new features and tech I would certainly call it Shrek if I had one (and only if it was green). Surprisingly, the large, heavy and tall Versys 1000 doesn't fall too far behind when attacking these roads either. But compared to the 650, the 1000 sounds so much better, handles so much sharper and those ogre-eared mirrors on this one also feel like the crosshairs when gunning through the winding switchbacks. Somehow the Ninja 1000 reminded me of her too, maybe for the exact same reasons. I called her that because the size, colour, grunt and those giant mirrors mounted on the fairing always reminded me of Fiona, the lady-ogre from Shrek, and her peculiar ears. The last time I rode a Kawasaki on these roads it was my own 2011 Ninja 650, which I used to call Fiona. This time we had the right bikes for this green heaven too - a glitzy green Ninja 1000 and a sophisticated white Versys 1000. A clam that is best enjoyed when you actually break it, break it with the sound of a big engine howling through the mountain road. During that season, this place looks magical as the clouds descend on the peaks of the Kalsubai mountain all through the day, there is a mist that flows through the vegetation around and many flowing rivulets along the route add a sense of calm. If you agree that Maharashtra completely transforms into green heaven during the monsoons, then places like Malshej are like the upper tier of that heaven. The photos you see here are from the beautiful Malshej ghats near Mumbai.
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