By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Sport Tourer
Kawasaki Versys 650 (LE E) vs Honda NC750X (RH 09)
Kawasaki Versys 650 vs Honda NC750X: long days, loaded bags, one choice to make.
You'll barely nudge the wide bars before the Kawasaki Versys 650 flicks into the bend, and it's holding a neutral line to the apex. At a crawl, the Honda NC750X tips in low and tidy.
So which one do you buy?
The Versys 650 has the edge if…
Comfortable long-distance riding
Slight edge: Versys 650
The Versys 650 nudges ahead once the miles pile up. Most of that is better wind protection and more range per tank. Still, it's a narrow gap.
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Inches ahead: Versys 650
On a winding road, the Versys 650 comes out a touch ahead. Thank better suspension for that. You wouldn't bet much on a gap like that.
Which one's the smarter buy
No clear advantage
The better buy depends on what you want it for. Neither is the clear better buy for the money.
What makes each one tick
Versys 650
The Versys 650 sits you upright on a soft seat while its suspension soaks up long interstate days. On the Blue Ridge Parkway, the handlebars swing it from side to side through the esses, and the chassis doesn't fight back. Low in the revs, the throttle brings a clean pull that keeps building toward the top end. Hardly any buzz reaches the pegs.
Nils rode the Versys 650 in the Canary Islands in 2020 (NastyNils Testride).
NC750X
The NC750X's clutch pulls in light, and its low center of gravity keeps the bike settled as traffic stops and starts. A broken patch of pavement doesn't jar the seat, since the suspension keeps the ride plush. Higher up, the twin runs short of breath and won't chase thrills. The engine just ticks off miles.
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 makes more peak power: 69 hp (51 kW) vs 59 hp (43 kW).
- The NC750X makes more peak torque: 51 lb-ft (69 Nm) vs 47 lb-ft (64 Nm).
Which one for the way you ride
Call it even on commuting, running costs, and a first bike. 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 650
What owners say
Strengths
- Agile, neutral handling
- Butter‑smooth power delivery
NC750X
What owners say
Strengths
- Low-speed agility and user-friendly handling
Trade-offs
- Engine character prioritises economy over excitement
Known problems to check before you buy
Versys 650
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
NC750X
- 2024 front-tire manufacturing defect (recall) Recall 25V435000 Certain 2024 NC750X motorcycles were recalled because the inner structure of the front tire could loosen and unravel, risking loss of control. Dealers replace the front tire.
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 $6,500
At five years old, the Kawasaki Versys 650 sits around $5,500 while the Honda NC750X runs about $6,500. That's a $1,000 gap in the Versys 650's favor. These are US market estimates, not live listings.
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) | 472 lb (214 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 | 66 mpg (US) / 3.55 L/100 km |
| Fuel capacity | 5.5 US gal (21 L) | 3.7 US gal (14.1 L) |
| Versys 650 | NC750X | |
|---|---|---|
| Fork | Upside-down (USD) | Telescopic |
| Front brake | 300 mm | 320 mm |
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 |
| Slipper Clutch | Not offered | Standard |
| USB Charging Port | Not offered | Option |
| Adjustable Windscreen | Standard | Not offered |
| LED Headlight | Not offered | Standard |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
