Top 5 used ADV Bikes: Versys 650 vs NC700X vs SCR950 vs FJ-09 vs Versys 1000 LT!

[@michaelprosser3466]

Nice to see this review, I have the 1000 LT I’ve gone from south Florida to NE Pennsylvania several times going through West VA. I love it. I did look at renewing it for something else and I just keep deciding to keep it. Nice bike.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Right on! The Versys 1000 LT is a great all-around motorcycle. Cheers!

[@douglasgrosch228]

love the new format --need all out there to give jon there bikes to review from new to old... thankyou your excellent reviewer honest to the point .. awesome ..

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

@@douglasgrosch228 Thanks, Douglas. I really appreciate the feedback. Cheers!

[@wheelie63]

one of your most interesting comparos !..........found myself liking every one of these !

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

@@wheelie63 Thanks! I like each one in its own way. Cheers!

[@ddmd80]

I had the same year & color Kawasaki Versys with OEM panniers absolutely loved that thing!

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

@@ddmd80 Right on!

[@blipco5]

I owned a 650 Versys. If you owned 10 bikes and had to get rid of one it would most likely be the 650 Versys. BUT if you had 10 bikes and could only KEEP one, it would be the 650 Versys. It is the Toyota Corolla of bikes. It doesn’t do anything great but does everything good and it is as reliable as a chopping block. Did you know it has a cassette style gear box which can be removed from the engine from the side without splitting the cases?

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

@@blipco5 Right on! I didn't know about the gearbox. That's a nice feature. Cheers!

[@recovering_rider]

Nice video Jon! Wish you a Happy New Year.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Thanks! Happy new year!

[@ashermil]

I recently completed a 9000-mile lap of the US on my 2015 Versys 1000. Awesome bike. I also have a 2010 Versys 650 (2nd gen) for a daily driver/backroads bomber. Everybody needs at least 2 Kawasaki Verses. 😂😂😂

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

You’ve got the right idea!

[@RogerHale-t7k]

Excellent again Jon. Thank you.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Thanks!

[@rolandwheeler4842]

I'll take the FJ09 myself! My buddy bought a Versys 650 brand new and commuted on it for many years. Put 95K trouble free miles on it and sold it for 2500 bucks to a company that did crash tests for some reason or another. They sent him the video of this thing going head on into a car at 60 something MPH. Jeeezzzz, nothing left of that bike...... He got his money's worth out of that bike for sure!

[@1990-t1j]

Great post!

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

That's an impressive endorsement for the Versys 650. The FJ is a fun machine as well. Cheers!

[@stefanbernardknauf467]

Well, I had a 2006 ER6-F, kind of the predecessor of the Versus 650. While it was not great at all, it was the best bike I had and the one I kept the longest. While being a Kawa fan I must say the Yamaha in this test looked interesting. Thanks for the review, and all the best in 2025!

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

I always wanted to try the ER6. If you get the chance to try an FJ-09, I think you'll like it. Cheers!

[@Kingsoupturbo]

I've ridden a 06 Ninja 650r same motor a lot, its such a good motor, makes such a good noise, its not the smoothest, or most powerful, but gosh its fun to rev up over and over, you can go wide open all the time with the reasonable power!

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

@@Kingsoupturbo Right on!

[@BiGDeE3]

good vid Jon as usual .. thx for sharing your intel

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Thanks!

[@Rickmac22]

I have the Ninja 1000sx, I love that motor and gearbox… smooth as BUTTER!

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

@@Rickmac22 Right on!

[@user-sh5dy5tr9d]

Good morning Jon ☕️. I'm definitely interested in this category of motorcycle and enjoyed the video. I also chose the Versys 1000 as the winner and have been researching the bike somewhat in the used market. I've noted that the next generation in 2019 has CC and heated grips, which I would love to have, although I'm uncertain about the whole electronic suspension setup. *The Africa Twin is the other bike that strongly interests me, and as it stands, is on the top of my list, for it's basic off road capabilities as well as touring. Doing rides such as "BDR" routes interests me. *In both cases, the extensive "tech" on these bikes intrigues me as well as makes me apprehensive. Eric in NC

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

@@user-sh5dy5tr9d Hi Eric, I understand the apprehension with the electronics as well as the benefits they offer. Both the Versys 1000 and Africa Twin are fantastic. Good luck with your decision. Cheers!

[@mattgyver69420]

I would be hesitant to do much BDRing on the V1K, she's more ADV styled than function imo. Amazing for everything else, love mine.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

@mattcote7692 I agree. The bikes featured in this video are more street-oriented ADV bikes. Cheers!

[@jlrutube1312]

I own a Honda CTX 700 6 speed with the manual tranny. It has the same engine as the Honda NC 700X but different transmission. You will either like or not like the bike based on what you are used to riding. If you are like me and have been a cruiser guy you will probably like the fact that the CTX and the NC are long stroke motors which produce most of their power down low and are also 270 degree firing order which make a v-twin sound and feel. They only rev up to about 6400 rpms but you start getting power at like 2000 or so. Plus the CTX has pull back handlebars and forward controls. So I really love the CTX. However, if you are coming from a high reving sport type bike you probably won't like the the CTX or the NC X unless maybe you are just tired of needing to keep your bike up in the revs to get power.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

I've ridden the CTX 700 manual and it's a nice bike. It's very intuitive to ride and I prefer it to many of the cruiser style motorcycles. The NC700X fits me better at 6'-4". I think you are correct in your assessment of the CTX and NC. Cheers!

[@1990-t1j]

I have an SCR950. It's a little heavy, but it's great to ride, plus it looks so damn good. I watched your old review of it before buying it. My only complaint: it runs on tubed tyres. Impossible to compare these bikes but interesting, nonetheless. Nick

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Right on!

[@captainbeyond8668]

Onde estão as bicicletas? Só vejo motocicletas!!

[@kurtsunderbruch4711]

FWIW, I've had three of the 650 Versys (none with a stock screen), two are/were gen 1, and the other is gen 3 (probably over 160K miles combined). I've also had a 1000 LT that I put over 40K on before selling it. I've ridden the Honda. No firsthand experience with the others. There's a reason why I still have two of the 650's, and I don't have a 1000 anymore. The 1000 is a great bike, and I agree with all the things you said about it, but.... For the riding I do, I strongly prefer the 650, mainly due to weight. I've also done long tours on the 650's (longest single tour was about 7K miles). No, it's not the big comfy couch that the 1000 is, but I have more fun on the 650's.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Right on! The Versys 650 has its advantages and it is one of the most fun bikes I've owned. Cheers!

[@James-dt7ky]

Is that a belt drive on the SCR950?

[@1990-t1j]

It is, indeed. And the belt last ages. It's not a Buell. I own both an SCR and a Buell XB12X.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

It is.

[@douglasgrosch228]

jon talk to the owner at many dealership and tell them your a professional at reviewing motorcycles and you can be a benefit to your dealership riding there bikes promoting there dealership and making $$$sales just a honest review of old and new bikes,, simple business for you and me $$$ get to million subs ... cheers behind you ! your best

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

That's a great suggestion, Douglas. I plan to do just that this year. Cheers!

[@adolfgerhardhermann5952]

Where is the V-STROM 650?

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

I've owned the DL1000 and DL 650 previously and they're both great bikes. I would love to feature the DL650 on this channel in the future when I have the opportunity to do so. Cheers!

[@liberals_destroy_everythin2497]

I've noticed that you ultra-tall guys are GREAT at wheelies. I am just guessing getting your weight back is second nature. Ah well, maybe in my next life! 😀 Great bunch of bikes (except for the Yamahas, of course!) Thank you for posting.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Hahaha! If you ride an FJ-09, I think you would like it (even though it is a Yamaha). Cheers!