You know how luxury motorcycles have always been seen as the kind of machines that demand big money? Rightly so, too, as they are built for comfort, performance, and long‑haul ease. But here’s the twist. In today’s market, inflation has pushed the cost of everyday goods higher, and even entry-level motorcycles feel more expensive than they used to. That makes the idea of owning a luxury bike sound like a stretch at first.
The good news is depreciation flips that story around. Those high-end touring motorcycles that once sat proudly at the top of the price ladder have been steadily dropping in value on the used market. That price drop works in your favor. Instead of shelling out showroom prices for something like a Honda NX500, you can step into the world of a liter-class premium touring machine. After looking across the market, we found one Kawasaki that stands out as a genuine luxury bargain.
The Kawasaki Versys 1000 LT Is The Luxury Motorcycle That’s Now Cheaper Than A Honda NX500
When Kawasaki brought the Versys 1000 LT to the U.S. market back in 2015, it was a big deal. This was the brand’s first true liter-class sport tourer for American riders, and it came in with a price tag of around $12,799. The LT badge stood for “Light Touring,” but the reality was that the bike was anything but light. It offered a smooth inline four engine, full touring capability, and sat proudly above the Versys 650 in Kawasaki’s lineup.
By 2018, the model had been refined one last time before Kawasaki rolled out the more expensive Versys 1000 SE LT+ with electronic suspension. Fast-forward to today, and the latest successor, the 2025 Versys 1100 SE LT ABS, starts at $19,499 and brings a larger 1,099 cc inline four, electronic suspension, advanced rider aids, and smartphone connectivity.
The Typical Listing Price For 2018 Kawasaki Versys 1000 LT Is $7,270
Today, that 2018 LT, which once carried a premium sticker price, can be found on the used market for anywhere between $5,000 and $7,500, depending on condition. Kelley Blue Book even lists its typical trade-in value at just over $5,020, with a typical listing price of $7,270. Compare that to the Honda NX500, which comes in at $7,399 before destination charges and dealer fees, and you start to see the bargain.
Don’t get us wrong, the NX500 is a solid entry-level adventure bike, but when you put it side by side with the Versys 1000 LT, the difference in luxury and performance is obvious. You are looking at a motorcycle that once cost nearly $13k, now available for about half that, while the newest generation commands close to $20k.
The Versys 1000 Has A Proven Inline‑Four That Still Pulls Strong
The Versys 1000 LT borrowed its heart straight from Kawasaki’s performance lineup, sharing the same inline four with the Ninja 1000 sportbike and the Z1000 naked machine. The difference is that instead of chasing sky‑high revs and screaming horsepower, Kawasaki tuned this motor for strong low and mid-range torque. That makes it feel relaxed and confident when you roll on the throttle, exactly what you want in a touring bike.
Effortless Passing Power For Endless Highways
Back in its era, plenty of rivals were running twins or triples, but Kawasaki stuck with the four-cylinder formula it had been perfecting for decades. With a 77 millimeter bore and 56 millimeter stroke across four cylinders, you get a total displacement of 1,043 cc. On paper, that translates to about 118 horsepower and 75 pound-feet of torque.
The liquid-cooled setup adds to the refinement, with digital fuel injection and 38 millimeter Keihin throttle bodies giving crisp response no matter the elevation. Power gets to the rear tire through a cable-actuated O-ring chain, and the six-speed gearbox is paired with a slipper and assist clutch.
This Flagship Ducati Monster Is Now Cheaper Than A New Honda
This used Ducati is an exotic streetfighter of yesteryear, packing up to 145 horsepower
A Frame Built To Handle Years Of Miles
The Versys 1000 LT earned its place among premium touring motorcycles by delivering a ride that feels genuinely luxurious on long hauls. Kawasaki went with a twin-tube aluminum design, both lighter and stiffer than the steel setups. By making the engine part of the structure, the whole chassis feels planted when you are cruising at speed, yet it still has the agility. The steel trellis subframe is no afterthought either. It is designed to carry a passenger and those big saddlebags without a hint of flex.
Upright Comfort Meets Agile Confidence On Any Road
As for suspension, you have 43 millimeter inverted forks and a horizontal back link shock, both offering nearly six inches of travel. They are adjustable for rebound and preload. The 5.9-inch ground clearance gives it the stance of an adventure bike, but the 17-inch wheels front and rear keep the handling firmly in sport touring territory. Braking is handled by Tokico triple discs, with dual four-piston calipers on 310 millimeter rotors up front and a single-piston caliper on a 250 millimeter rotor at the rear. ABS comes standard.
Comfort is where the Versys really shines. You sit upright at a seat height of 33.1 inches, and the saddle is wide, comfortable, and supportive. A wheelbase of 59.8 inches adds stability at highway speeds. Even with a curb weight of 549 pounds, or about 20 pounds more when fully equipped, the Versys 1000 LT surprises with agility.
This Kawasaki Versys Is Surprisingly Nimble In The City
It comes as no surprise that one of the most versatile motorcycles in the world is actually a great city commuter
Safety Tech That Still Delivers Peace Of Mind
Even though the 2018 Versys 1000 LT has a few years on it, it still packs plenty of tech to keep you confident on the road. Sure, it doesn’t have the fancy IMU‑based cornering electronics that showed up on later models, but Kawasaki gave it a solid safety net. You get KTRC with three modes to play with. You can also toggle between Full and Low power, with Low cutting output to about 75 percent when you want a calmer ride. Braking is handled by KIBS, Kawasaki’s intelligent ABS, which reads throttle position, clutch action, and gear choice to deliver precise intervention.
Creature Comforts For Rider And Passenger Alike
Touring comfort is enhanced by a large windscreen that can be adjusted without tools, letting you fine-tune airflow to find the perfect pocket of calm air. Handguards come standard to keep your fingers warm on chilly morning starts, and the dash mixes an old‑school analog tach with a digital multi‑function display. The LT also shipped with 7.3-gallon hard saddlebags that look like they belong on the bike rather than bolt-on afterthoughts. Passengers benefit from a spacious pillion seat and sturdy grab handles, making the Versys 1000 LT a true two-up touring machine.
Sources: Kawasaki Motorcycles