Motorcycle travel is something that has never really gone out of fashion, but it is fair to say that it has never really been more in fashion than today. This fact is supported by an impressive selection of motorcycles that can be used for travel. From small dual-sports all the way up to massive full dressers, there is something out there for everyone.
The kind of bike you buy will most certainly depend mostly on what kind of riding you want to be doing, and your budget. Adventure bikes are great, but if you have no interest in bombing down the odd fire road, they don’t make an awful lot of sense. Bigger, dedicated touring bikes are significantly more comfortable, but are also significantly more expensive. There are a few bikes that split the difference, but only one has truly gained the trust of its owners all over the world.
To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Kawasaki. Whereas, the opinions are our own.
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The Kawasaki Versys 650 LT ABS Is Trusted By Owners For The Long Haul
MSRP: $10,399
The Versys 650 has long since been the default choice in the middleweight touring space. It has proven to be one of the most reliable motorcycles in the industry, and while there are several other bikes now competing in this space, the Versys remains a top choice. Over the years, the list of inclusions has certainly improved, but the price has also gone up, and while it offers good value, it is no longer the bargain it once was.
The Tiger Sport 660 is the most like-for-like alternative currently on the market. Its sporty triple certainly makes it stand out from the crowd of parallel twins, but it is missing a couple of features that come standard on other bikes. It is technically cheaper than the venerable Kawasaki, but even the luggage is optional. Adding that or anything from the aftermarket will result in the price swelling a fair bit.
Honda has the NC750X as an automatic option. It is not the only automatic motorcycle with loads of storage. Maxi-scooters tend to get frowned upon by some enthusiasts, but if you are willing to be more open-minded about the whole thing, the BMW C 400 GT is an excellent option. It offers even more storage, higher levels of comfort, and premium touches for a lower cost than any of the other touring bikes in this space.
The Versys 650 Has A Bulletproof Twin Engine
Power: 66 Horsepower
With no known issues over the course of its lifespan, Kawasaki’s 650cc parallel-twin is the reason why so many people trust this bike for long-distance travel. Chinese manufacturers chose to license, then subsequently update, this powertrain for a reason. It is just immensely reliable and, as long as you take care of basic maintenance, it won’t let you down.
A Versatile Operator
Like pretty much any modern parallel-twin, it has solid midrange performance, with most of its torque available from around 3,500 RPM. Out of all the major manufacturers, Kawasaki was the first to explore the use of a multi-platform powertrain like this. It is a true Jack of all trades and goes in everything from the Vulcan S cruiser to the Ninja sports bike. As you might expect, it doesn’t offer thrilling performance, but it certainly has “enough” power for all these applications. In many ways, it is the perfect engine for the Versys.
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The Versys 650 Is The Pragmatic Choice
For those looking for a genuine all-rounder, the Versys might well be one of the most practical options on the market. It is more than comfortable enough to take across the country, yet it is still pretty light and, without the saddlebags attached, nimble enough to handle the tightest city streets. Naturally, it is not an ADV and won’t be able to go down your favorite trail, but you can still bomb down the old fire road without fear.
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All The Right Touring Toys
The latest LT version is positively feature-rich, all things considered. In terms of electronics, you get the usual ABS and traction control as well as a TFT dash. It is important to remember that this is a budget-friendly model, yet it still gets hand guards, an adjustable windshield, fully adjustable suspension, and luggage all as standard fitment.
While not necessarily seen as a feature, the level of comfort on offer here is also pretty impressive for a bike of this size. You really can get on and just ride, and you won’t notice that you are actually on a bike that costs half as much as some of the other, more extravagant tourers. Well, until you really twist the throttle and ask for more.
The big caveat to the whole Versys 650 experience is the fact that while it does just about everything you would ever ask of it pretty well, it does it all with appliance-like efficiency. There is absolutely no theater involved at all, and that is rather unfortunate, because riding a motorcycle should always have that.
Motorcycles are inherently dangerous vehicles, which is part of why we ride them, and that feeling of “danger” is missing. It just feels “safe.” This is not necessarily a bad thing at all, and it clearly does appeal to many riders because these bikes still sell in large numbers, but to others, it might well be a dealbreaker. Like any motorcycle, a test ride is pretty important because no matter how good it might be on paper, motorcycles are not ridden on paper.
Chassis, Suspension, And Weight Specifications
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Chassis |
Steel diamond frame |
|
Front Suspension |
41mm telescopic fork with stepless adjustable rebound and spring preload (5.9-in travel) |
|
Rear Suspension |
Single offset laydown shock with remote adjustable spring preload (5.7-in travel) |
|
Weight |
483 lbs (without saddlebags) |