Honda NC700X Vs Kawasaki Versys 650 - Used Motorcycle Comparison

In this used motorcycle comparison video I am looking at and riding Honda's 2016 NC700X DCT ABS and Kawasaki's 2009 Versys 650. There are lots of options in the used bike market. These two machines are mid-sized adventure bikes. They are both designed to do most types of riding well. Either is good for commuting, light-duty touring, sport riding, etc. However, what are they like to ride in the real world? What are their personalities like? Let's take a ride and find out together!

[@Mc3premium]

Excellent review. To the point. The nc due to the dct is in its own class. It would be more accurate comparison between the manual nc and the versys. Because it's totally different feeling when you have the absolute control of the bike. The dct solves it all out for you. But as you correctly said the fun factor of the versys is unique. I think it's crystal clear that whoever seek the joy of driving a bike the versys is the way to go. But the versatile system in this case is the honda. On the other hand one great feature that the versys misses is the exhaust sound that really is very bad. On the contrary the throaty sound exhaust of the honda is a melody especially the 2021 model. Unfortunately you can't have it all. Keep us informed with your great reviews!

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Thanks and well said!

[@ridingwithrusso7790]

I think the Honda in the practical choice, it’s like the Camry of motorcycles, which for some people may be the answer. But most people buy motorcycles to have fun, for most of us we have a car to get around, a motorcycle should make you smile or even scare you!

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Well said.

[@marklang5169]

The '15 n up Versys is improved much in vibration (rubber motor mount) and wind protection. Really nice factory saddle bags if you like. Heated grips. Gear indicator. A really nice ride at a reasonable price imho.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

For sure. The Versys is an all-time favorite of mine. Cheers!

[@disekjoumoer]

I have a Versys 2009 Model, and although it's old, it's still a robust enjoyable machine. The short wheelbase makes it one of the best cornering bikes out there, and despite that, I've done 110 mph on the autobahn here in Europe without any problems.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

I agree. The Versys is so much fun in the corners, but is capable everywhere else as well. Cheers!

[@filoIII]

Versys will WHIP it in the twisties.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

No doubt!

[@user-sh5dy5tr9d]

Nice comparison. I enjoyed hearing your thoughts on them. 👍 Eric in NC

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Thanks, Eric!

[@flexjay87]

i agree with your assessment. Love the look of the Honda, and practicality for commuting. The Kaw fun factor would be a blast to ride. The Honda needs three things to be much better, and a homerun : 900 cc engine , shaft drive and six speed transmission !

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Agreed. I would like to ride the NC750X since it's supposed to have more juice than the NC700X.

[@flexjay87]

@@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538 , yeah, forgot about that. Maybe they should try the Yamaha thing, and do a 3 cylinder ? My friend had one in 1978 , it had decent power, and sounded very cool/ different :)

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

@@flexjay87 You may be onto something. The 3-cyl Triumphs and Yamahas are really fantastic. Or they could use the Africa Twin motor but keep street oriented wheels and tires.

[@flexjay87]

@@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538 i do not know much about that Africa Twin, but i see people seem to like it, for its intended purpose.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

@@flexjay87 I've ridden the manual transmission Africa Twin on the street and enjoyed it. 🙂

[@intergalacticbasketballdro7186]

Riding a motorcycle that doesn't have a gear indicator forces a rider to be more conscious and eventually to become a better overall rider.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

A gear indicator is a nice feature that I appreciate.

[@hazlitt1]

@@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538 A gear indicator doesn’t stop you from developing as a rider. It just confirms what gear you’re in, while you are learning to sense which gear you are in.

[@Bud_51]

Gear indicators are nice but out of the 75+ bikes I have owned less than about 10% had one. The only time I have looked for one is when I'm on a bike going down the highway that feels like it needs another gear. Goldwings early FJR's and so-forth...

[@thenexthobby]

I like the look of that Kawasaki, and I'm a vintage guy who hates the look of many newer bikes. Perfect blend of naked and a bit of body, like a smarter street supermoto. Compare that to what the Versys 650 looks like now, and they're all bodywork and touring and ... yuck.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Agreed. I like the simplicity of the original.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Hopefully you've checked out my vintage bike videos as well. My passion is the vintage bikes.

[@suzyamerica4679]

I picked up a 09 Versys as my first bike. Still riding it many thousands of miles later. It does everything from dual sport to road. Stable on gravel at highway speed, if you know how to do that.

[@aepineda]

What the redline of the versys? I have one and I reach 8k rpm but it supposedly hits 11k rpm (I don't believe it, at 8k rpm its feels like at the top of the powerband).

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

@@aepineda Just look at the tach. Redline is where the tach changes color to red. Cheers!

[@samuelroselli138]

So… What do you grab the keys to more? These or your classic UJMs (Z1, GS1000, CB900, etc.)? I still have memories of my Dads Nighthawk S, Looking into getting a KZP to street fighter out.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

The classics are what gets me up to go riding 🙂! But, I'm content if I'm on a nice bike regardless. Cheers!

[@stefanblanaru3512]

Nice video! Quick question: How tall are you? I'm 187cm and I want to buy the Versys 650 from 2009 and I just want to know if I'm not too tall for it..

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Thank you. I'm 192cm. The Versys fits me well. Cheers!

[@DeSchutterB]

Can confirm, i'm 1m95 and it's a great match ergonomics wise...

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

@@DeSchutterB Right on, thanks!

[@aepineda]

I'm 1.87m and I have a 2012 Versys, it's just the perfect height.

[@mehdigharbi8804]

What about consumption?

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

The Honda is more fuel efficient.

[@joseluiscordero6021]

Hola amigo, tengo una duda, vi el niv de una honda nc 700 x año 2016 pero sus dos últimos números son de diferente forma a los otros, en todas las nc 700x es así?

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Hola Jose, La NC700X 2016 es diferente en muchos aspectos en comparación con la NC700X 2012 o la NC700X 2014. He tenido tanto el 2012 como el 2014 anteriormente.

[@mattsnip]

Isn't that a NC750X....?

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

The NC700X came first.

[@mattsnip]

@@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538 Yeah, I know. Wrong bike in the title of the video was the point I was making....

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

@@mattsnip The title and the bike in the video are NC700X.

[@mattsnip]

@@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538 different exhaust, different rear end, but ok if you say so. 👍

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

@@mattsnip They redid the styling on the 700 but the 750 wasn't introduced in the US until 2018.