Kawasaki Versys 1000 (2015-2021) — Maintenance Specs

The Versys 1000 is Kawasaki's road-biased adventure tourer, using the Z1000's 1,043 cc inline-four in a tall-travel chassis. The 2015-2018 bikes had the original bodywork; the 2019-2021 SE LT documented here added cornering lights and electronic suspension on the top trims. Service needs mirror the Z1000 family: 3.8 L of oil with the filter, four CR9EIA-9 plugs, 2.6 L of coolant and a chain run at 30-40 mm slack. The 21 L tank, standard hard cases on SE models and 36/42 psi tire pressures define it as a mile-eater rather than an off-roader.

Quick specs

Oil capacity (with filter) 3.8 L4.0 US qt, when filter is removed

Oil capacity (without filter) 3.2 L3.4 US qt, when filter is not removed

Oil type API SG, SH, SJ, SL or SM with JASO MA, MA1 or MA2

Oil viscosity SAE 10W-40

Front tire pressure (solo) 36 psi250 kPa, cold

Rear tire pressure (solo) 42 psi290 kPa, cold

Spark plug NGK CR9EIA-9

Spark plug gap 0.8-0.9 mm0.031-0.035 in

Maintenance schedule

Specification	Value	Source
Engine oil & filter	first 1,000 km (600 mi), then every 12,000 km (7,600 mi) or 1 year	2020 Kawasaki Versys 1000 (KLZ1000D) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0049)

Fluids & capacities

Specification	Value	Source
Oil capacity (with filter)	3.8 L4.0 US qt, when filter is removed	2020 Kawasaki Versys 1000 (KLZ1000D) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0049)
Oil capacity (without filter)	3.2 L3.4 US qt, when filter is not removed	2020 Kawasaki Versys 1000 (KLZ1000D) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0049)
Oil type	API SG, SH, SJ, SL or SM with JASO MA, MA1 or MA2	2020 Kawasaki Versys 1000 (KLZ1000D) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0049)
Oil viscosity	SAE 10W-40	2020 Kawasaki Versys 1000 (KLZ1000D) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0049)
Coolant capacity	2.6 L2.7 US qt	2020 Kawasaki Versys 1000 (KLZ1000D) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0049)
Brake fluid type (DOT)	DOT 4	2020 Kawasaki Versys 1000 (KLZ1000D) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0049)
Fuel capacity	21 L5.5 US gal	2020 Kawasaki Versys 1000 (KLZ1000D) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0049)

Torque specs

Specification	Value	Source
Oil drain plug	29 Nu00b7mengine oil drain bolt (3.0 kgfu00b7m, 21 ftu00b7lb)	2020 Kawasaki Versys 1000 (KLZ1000D) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0049)
Rear axle nut	110 Nu00b7maxle nut (11.2 kgfu00b7m, 81.1 ftu00b7lb)	2020 Kawasaki Versys 1000 (KLZ1000D) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0049)

Electrical

Specification	Value	Source
Battery	12V 8Ah (10HR)	2020 Kawasaki Versys 1000 (KLZ1000D) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0049)
Headlight bulb	LED (high/low)	2020 Kawasaki Versys 1000 (KLZ1000D) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0049)
Spark plug	NGK CR9EIA-9	2020 Kawasaki Versys 1000 (KLZ1000D) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0049)
Spark plug gap	0.8-0.9 mm0.031-0.035 in	2020 Kawasaki Versys 1000 (KLZ1000D) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0049)

Tires & wheels

Specification	Value	Source
Front tire size	120/70ZR17M/C (58W)	2020 Kawasaki Versys 1000 (KLZ1000D) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0049)
Rear tire size	180/55ZR17M/C (73W)	2020 Kawasaki Versys 1000 (KLZ1000D) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0049)
Front tire pressure (solo)	36 psi250 kPa, cold	2020 Kawasaki Versys 1000 (KLZ1000D) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0049)
Rear tire pressure (solo)	42 psi290 kPa, cold	2020 Kawasaki Versys 1000 (KLZ1000D) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0049)

Official manual

Owner's manual on Kawasaki official site

Opens the manufacturer’s official website in a new tab.

Frequently asked questions

How much oil does a Kawasaki Versys 1000 take?

3.2 L drain-only, 3.8 L with the filter, 4.0 L total.

Versys 1000 tire pressure?

36 psi front / 42 psi rear when cold.

Versys 1000 chain slack?

30-40 mm per the owner's manual.

Versys 1000 coolant capacity?

2.6 L (2.7 US qt) for the cooling system.

Sources

Value	Source	Checked
Oil capacity (with filter): 3.8 L	2020 Kawasaki Versys 1000 (KLZ1000D) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0049) (p. Engine Oil section, p. 174)	2026-11-03
Oil capacity (without filter): 3.2 L	2020 Kawasaki Versys 1000 (KLZ1000D) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0049) (p. Engine Oil section, p. 174)	2026-11-03
Oil type: API SG, SH, SJ, SL or SM with JASO MA, MA1 or MA2	2020 Kawasaki Versys 1000 (KLZ1000D) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0049) (p. Specifications, p. 28)	2026-11-03
Oil viscosity: SAE 10W-40	2020 Kawasaki Versys 1000 (KLZ1000D) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0049) (p. Specifications, p. 28; Engine Oil section, p. 172)	2026-11-03
Coolant capacity: 2.6 L	2020 Kawasaki Versys 1000 (KLZ1000D) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0049) (p. Specifications, p. 28)	2026-11-03
Brake fluid type (DOT): DOT 4	2020 Kawasaki Versys 1000 (KLZ1000D) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0049) (p. Specifications, p. 30)	2026-11-03
Fuel capacity: 21 L	2020 Kawasaki Versys 1000 (KLZ1000D) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0049) (p. Specifications, p. 30)	2026-11-03
Engine oil & filter: first 1,000 km (600 mi), then every 12,000 km (7,600 mi) or 1 year	2020 Kawasaki Versys 1000 (KLZ1000D) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0049) (p. Periodic Maintenance Chart)	2026-11-03
Oil drain plug: 29 Nu00b7m	2020 Kawasaki Versys 1000 (KLZ1000D) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0049) (p. Engine Oil section, p. 174)	2026-11-03
Rear axle nut: 110 Nu00b7m	2020 Kawasaki Versys 1000 (KLZ1000D) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0049) (p. Wheel section, p. 187)	2026-11-03
Battery: 12V 8Ah (10HR)	2020 Kawasaki Versys 1000 (KLZ1000D) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0049) (p. Specifications, p. 30)	2026-11-03
Headlight bulb: LED (high/low)	2020 Kawasaki Versys 1000 (KLZ1000D) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0049) (p. Specifications, p. 30)	2026-11-03
Spark plug: NGK CR9EIA-9	2020 Kawasaki Versys 1000 (KLZ1000D) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0049) (p. Specifications, p. 28)	2026-11-03
Spark plug gap: 0.8-0.9 mm	2020 Kawasaki Versys 1000 (KLZ1000D) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0049) (p. Specifications, p. 28)	2026-11-03
Front tire size: 120/70ZR17M/C (58W)	2020 Kawasaki Versys 1000 (KLZ1000D) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0049) (p. Specifications, p. 29)	2026-11-03
Rear tire size: 180/55ZR17M/C (73W)	2020 Kawasaki Versys 1000 (KLZ1000D) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0049) (p. Specifications, p. 29)	2026-11-03
Front tire pressure (solo): 36 psi	2020 Kawasaki Versys 1000 (KLZ1000D) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0049) (p. Tires section, p. 196)	2026-11-03
Rear tire pressure (solo): 42 psi	2020 Kawasaki Versys 1000 (KLZ1000D) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0049) (p. Tires section, p. 196)	2026-11-03
Chain Slack: 30-40 mm	2020 Kawasaki Versys 1000 (KLZ1000D) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0049) (p. Drive Chain section)	2026-11-03

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