By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Sport Tourer
Kawasaki Versys 1000 (LZT00B) vs Versys 650 (LE E)
Kawasaki Versys 1000 vs Versys 650: long days, loaded bags, one choice to make.
Out of a slow bend on a fat throttle, the Kawasaki Versys 1000's engine shows you exactly what's coming, and it's that clear pull that gets you hustling. The Kawasaki Versys 650 picks up cleanly from low revs, and hardly a buzz reaches the bars.
So which one do you buy?
The Versys 1000 has the edge if…
Comfortable long-distance riding
Slight edge: Versys 1000
The Versys 1000 nudges ahead once the miles pile up. The difference is a smoother engine. Still, it's a narrow gap.
The Versys 650 has the edge if…
Daily commuting & city riding
Small edge: Versys 650
Your daily ride leans slightly toward the Versys 650. Put it down to a smaller footprint and lighter steering. Fit and price can easily outweigh that.
Which one's the smarter buy
No clear winner on value
Neither bike is the clear better buy at these used prices. The Versys 650 costs less, but that doesn't make it the smarter spend.
What makes each one tick
Versys 1000
Early spring to late fall, the Versys 1000 does the daily grind and doesn't flinch as the miles stack up. The big windscreen shelters two.
Nils rode the Versys 1000 in Austria in 2015 (NastyNils Testride).
Versys 650
Around town the Versys 650 turns on its wide bar with a light chassis that doesn't fight you at low speed. Off the brake lever and into a bend, it flicks over quickly and holds a neutral line. A plush seat and suspension that's compliant over rough pavement take the sting out of a cross-country stint. On the highway it holds its lane.
Nils rode the Versys 650 in the Canary Islands in 2020 (NastyNils Testride).
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Versys 650 has the lower wet weight: 476 lb (216 kg) vs 551 lb (250 kg).
- The Versys 1000 makes more peak power: 120 hp (88 kW) vs 69 hp (51 kW).
- The Versys 1000 makes more peak torque: 75 lb-ft (102 Nm) vs 47 lb-ft (64 Nm).
Which one for the way you ride
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Sits this out: Versys 1000
The Versys 1000 isn't a first bike. Learn on something gentler and come back to it later.
Call it even on twisty roads and running costs. Choose on fit, price and the one that makes you grin.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
Versys 1000
From Nils' own saddle time
Strengths
- Swallows A Full Touring Load
- Built To Run Long
- 120 hp, Plenty In Reserve
- Controls You Stop Noticing
- Willing From Low Revs
Trade-offs
- No Cruise Control Fitted
- Fork Seals Can Weep
- Steering Head Bearings Wear
- Neutral Light Plays Tricks
Versys 650
What owners say
Strengths
- Agile, neutral handling
- Butter‑smooth power delivery
What they cost used
These prices compare an 8-year-old Versys 1000 with an 8-year-old Versys 650.
- Versys 1000
- $6,300
- Versys 650
- $5,000
At eight years old, the Versys 1000 sits around $6,300 while the Versys 650 lands near $5,000. That's a $1,300 gap in the 650's favor. They're pulled from earlier market records, not live listings.
What they share
- Seat height
- 33.1 in (840 mm)
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Fuel capacity
- 5.5 US gal (21 L)
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
Where the spec sheets split
| Versys 1000 | Versys 650 | |
|---|---|---|
| Wet weight | 551 lb (250 kg) | 476 lb (216 kg) |
| Versys 1000 | Versys 650 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1043 cc | 649 cc |
| Engine | Inline-four | Parallel twin |
| Power | 120 hp (88 kW) | 69 hp (51 kW) |
| Torque | 75 lb-ft (102 Nm) | 47 lb-ft (64 Nm) |
| Versys 1000 | Versys 650 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy | 43 mpg (US) / 5.5 L/100 km | 47 mpg (US) / 5.04 L/100 km |
| Versys 1000 | Versys 650 | |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake | 310 mm | 300 mm |
| Rear tire | 180/55-17 | 160/60-17 |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Versys 1000 | Versys 650 | |
|---|---|---|
| Traction Control | Standard | Not offered |
| Ride Modes | Standard | Not offered |
| Slipper Clutch | Standard | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
