By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Sport Tourer
Kawasaki Versys 650 (LE E) vs Honda NC750X (RH 09-DCT)
Kawasaki Versys 650 vs Honda NC750X: which one's easier to live with on a long trip.
On a long run up through the gears, the Kawasaki Versys 650 pulls clean from low revs, and there's hardly a buzz as it winds out to the top. The Honda NC750X hands over its shove early in the rev range. Up top, it's already run out of breath.
So which one do you buy?
The Versys 650 has the edge if…
Comfortable long-distance riding
Narrow edge: Versys 650
The Versys 650 should leave you a bit fresher after a long day. Credit more range per tank and better wind protection. Should, not will: the margin is small.
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Slight edge: Versys 650
In the twisties, the Versys 650 asks a bit less of you to go quickly. The reason: better suspension. Call it a modest edge.
Which one's the smarter buy
Nothing in it on value
The price gap is too small to decide the value question. Neither bike is the clear better buy for the money.
What makes each one tick
Versys 650
On the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Versys 650 flicks from bend to bend off its wide bars and light chassis, and it's just as easy to turn at walking pace in town. There's real give in the suspension when a bump arrives. It soaks up the hit. The plush seat's still welcome at sundown.
Nils rode the Versys 650 in the Canary Islands in 2020 (NastyNils Testride).
NC750X
There's a planted feel at a crawl from the NC750X's low center of gravity and 31.5 in (800 mm) seat. At a red light, the brake lever settles the bike to a stop. The chassis won't squirm on the stop. The upright bars shrug off hours of interstate.
Nils rode the NC750X in the Canary Islands in 2024 (NastyNils Testride).
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The NC750X has the lower seat: 31.5 in (800 mm) vs 33.1 in (840 mm).
- The Versys 650 has the lower wet weight: 476 lb (216 kg) vs 493 lb (224 kg).
- The Versys 650 makes more peak power: 69 hp (51 kW) vs 59 hp (43 kW).
Which one for the way you ride
On commuting, running costs, and a first bike, these two are a wash. That's where your budget and your inseam get the final say.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
Versys 650
What owners say
Strengths
- Agile, neutral handling
- Butter‑smooth power delivery
NC750X
What owners say
Strengths
- Comfortable long-distance companion
Trade-offs
- Engine lacks top-end excitement
- DCT gearbox requires acclimatisation
Known problems to check before you buy
Versys 650
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
NC750X
- Front tire inner ply-cord defect (recall KS4, 2024 models) Recall 25V435000 On certain 2024 NC750X motorcycles produced between February 4 and August 1, 2024, the front tire (Dunlop, supplied by Sumitomo) was manufactured with a defect that can cause the inner ply-cord to loosen and unravel over time, leading to potential loss of handling and control. Honda issued recall KS4 (NHTSA 25V-435). Dealers replace the front tire free of charge.
- Intermittent stalling due to FI-ECU programming defect (recall KN0) Recall 21V901000 Improper fuel injection control mapping on early 2021 DCT models caused insufficient fuelling when stopping or accelerating from a stop, leading to engine stalling. Affected units produced from March 18 to August 30, 2021. Honda issued safety recall KN0 in the US (NHTSA 21V-901) to reprogram the FI-ECU and DCT-ECU.
What they cost used
These prices compare a 5-year-old Versys 650 with a 5-year-old NC750X.
- Versys 650
- about $5,500
- NC750X
- about $5,800
What they share
- Engine
- Parallel twin
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
- Rear tire
- 160/60-17
Where the spec sheets split
| Versys 650 | NC750X | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 33.1 in (840 mm) | 31.5 in (800 mm) |
| Wet weight | 476 lb (216 kg) | 493 lb (224 kg) |
| Versys 650 | NC750X | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 649 cc | 745 cc |
| Power | 69 hp (51 kW) | 59 hp (43 kW) |
| Torque | 47 lb-ft (64 Nm) | 51 lb-ft (69 Nm) |
| Versys 650 | NC750X | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy | 47 mpg (US) / 5.04 L/100 km | 67 mpg (US) / 3.5 L/100 km |
| Fuel capacity | 5.5 US gal (21 L) | 3.7 US gal (14.1 L) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Versys 650 | NC750X | |
|---|---|---|
| Traction Control | Not offered | Standard |
| Ride Modes | Not offered | Standard |
| Manually Adjustable Front Suspension | Standard | Not offered |
| USB Charging Port | Not offered | Option |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
