We’ll Soon See This Kawasaki Motorcycle In Action At the Tour De France… Wait, What?

Kawasaki’s liter-class tourer will play a very important role in the iconic cycling race.

Photo by: Kawasaki

By: Enrico Punsalang

Jun 10, 2025 at 8:35am ET

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The Tour de France is the pinnacle of professional cycling. It’s a grueling, high-drama, high-stakes event where riders battle for glory through punishing climbs, sketchy descents, and unpredictable weather. On the flip side, Kawasaki has long been a staple in the motorcycle world—reliable, high-performance, and instantly recognizable in its signature green.

So what happens when these two icons collide? You get a crossover nobody asked for, but every two-wheeled enthusiast will love.

Kawasaki has just been named the official motorcycle supplier for the Tour de France and all other races organized by the Amaury Sport Organisation (A.S.O.) until 2027. That includes the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, Paris-Roubaix, La Vuelta, and more. Central to this partnership is the Kawasaki Versys 1100, an adventure-tourer purpose-built for versatility, which makes it the perfect machine for supporting a world-class cycling race.

Photo by: Kawasaki

It’s all in the name: Versys, short for “versatile system.” This bike isn’t just for Sunday rides or long-distance touring. It’s got the muscle to chase down the peloton, the comfort to keep support staff alert over hundreds of kilometers, and the agility to handle everything from slick cobblestones to hairpin mountain passes.

A total of 45 Versys 1100s will be deployed for duties like media coverage, safety enforcement, resupply, and logistical support. These aren’t just motorcycles tagging along—they’re part of the race’s core operations. With tech like rider-to-motorcycle voice interaction, Kawasaki is also pushing forward on the tech front.

“We are proud to rekindle our relationship with world-class cycling,” said Shigemi Tanaka, President of Kawasaki Motors Europe. “The Tour de France, along with the 21 other events we’ll be part of, offers a global platform for showcasing human and mechanical performance in an ecologically responsible environment.”

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This partnership is more than just good PR, as it’s a meeting of two performance-driven worlds that rarely cross paths. Cyclists and motorcyclists may not share the same power source, but the passion, precision, and dedication to the ride? That’s universal. Seeing a fleet of Versys motorcycles weaving through the Tour de France is a reminder that at the end of the day, it’s all about the love of the ride.