Ride Review - Kawasaki Versys 650 vs Suzuki VStrom 650 XT

When you talk about a sub-liter class adventure touring motorcycle, there are virtually no options in the Indian market. So naturally, there was no way I was letting go of the opportunity to ride the Suzuki VStrom 650 XT for a week in North Thailand!

It is quite apt to view the Suzuki VStrom 650 and the Kawasaki Versys 650 in the same league, the major point being the latter sells in India and the former doesn't. Both these motorcycles are baby versions of their 1000 cc counterparts; however, the 650cc variants provide not only a cost-effective entry point into the lucrative adventure tourer category, a gradually growing segment in a maturing two-wheeler market but also the same versatility as their 1000 cc variants. 

Ever since I extensively rode the 2017 Suzuki VStrom 650 XT for about 1700 km, I have been getting numerous requests from fellow riders and motorcyclist friends to compare and contrast the VStrom 650 with the Versys 650, which I proudly own. It is the first time I am penning a review of any motorcycle, but rest assured, I will give it my best shot.

Let me start off by comparing features on each of them one by one-

Looks- 

Arguably the better looking of the two, the Versys looks sportier and more compact. Looks are anyway a personal choice so I will leave this distinction at that. What matters beyond looks is what a motorcycle offers the rider!

Front View of the 2017 VStrom 650 XT

Seat Height-

If you are shorter than 5’8’’, the 841 mm seat height on the Versys will make you uncomfortable at certain times, especially on steep downhills and in city traffic, because your feet won't rest firmly on the ground which means you will be tiptoeing! The VStrom on the other hand, will be more comfortable if you are slightly shorter owing to its 6 mm lower seat height than the Versys. 6’2’’ and taller, you may find the compact seating of the Versys more apt than the VStrom. 

Power and Torque-

In terms of pure numbers, both the motorcycles are nearly identical with the VStrom offering a tiny amount more power and the Versys offering a tiny amount of more torque. Practically, the Versys has a higher mid-range torque and its throttle response is also livelier and quicker, sometimes so much so that it scares you! However, the downside is that the Versys 650 has a jumpy throttle response at lower rpms. Refinements of these minute downsides is what you get to see on the VStrom. However, I would say that the differences are negligible. 

Relaxed seat height w.r.t Versys 650

Display Panel- 

The Versys' panel includes a gear indicator, rpm meter, odometer, two trip meters, fuel mileage, range, fuel meter and time of day. The V-Strom 650, meanwhile, displays air temperature in addition to everything the Versys shows you. Utility-wise, the VStrom panel is better but it looks shoddy, to say the least, when compared with the Versys.

Console of the VStrom 650 XT

Braking-

The braking on the Versys is much more responsive than the VStrom- if you want the Versys to stop, it will stop immediately; but the VStrom braking is milder and you need to exercise extra caution at higher speeds because of the sightly larger braking distance. 

1) ABS- Both the motorcycles come with ABS as standard, however, there is no option to disable it on either of them. 

2) Traction Control- The Versys 650 has no traction control (TC) and this sets the VStrom 650 apart. There are 3 levels of TC- OFF, 1 and 2 and like any other TC system, takes wheel speed, throttle position, gear and crank position to determine when to reduce power to hold traction.  

Suspension- 

Neither bike’s suspension can be classified as great; nevertheless, both the Versys and V-Strom have remote preload adjuster knobs at the rear, a real convenience while touring with luggage. 

The Versys permits preload and rebound damping adjustment at the front but only preload adjustment at the rear, while the VStrom is the exact opposite, with preload adjustment allowed at the front and rebound damping and both preload adjustment allowed at the rear. 

Handling and Maneouvring- 

A tall and heavy sports bike is how you would characterize the Versys. Even though it carries some bit of adventure with respect to its styling, the reality could not have been farther from the truth! 

Once you exit the highways and hit the twisties is when you realize that the VStrom emerges a clear winner. On the Versys, you are forced to juggle between flickability and abrupt throttle response and simply cannot ride extremely hard in corners because there is absolutely no scope for mid-corner corrections. The VStrom is hands-down the more dirt-oriented of the two, with a 19-inch front wheel, 90/10 on-/off-road tires and spoked rims, not to forget the ADV-style beak! If at all you find yourself staring down a rocky patch of road- dirt, gravel or whatever, the VStrom gives you the confidence you need to manage such terrain in the sense that if the rear end does come loose, the traction control immediately kicks in. This assurance that all is well makes it an extremely capable adventure motorcycle.

TC is a gem and the tyres have superb wet grip!

On the road, however, the Versys steers telepathically. It is extremely easy to pick a line and even if you change your mind and pick another line, the Versys will do it for you in the slightest of efforts. 

The VStrom’s V-twin engine is remarkable in terms of user feedback and response to the rider making it gentler compared to the Versys’ hyper-energetic parallel twin engine. 

Wind Protection- 

Wind protection on the Versys is hands-down better, while it is just adequate on the VStrom. To put things in perspective, the V-Strom’s windscreen creates less buffeting around the rider’s head but less protection around the body. However, the Versys’ adjustable windscreen provides more effective body protection and head buffeting.

Vibrations-

The V-Twin engine of the VStrom is an absoute gem and virtually no vibration makes its way to the footpegs or handle bars, regardless of engine speed. If at all the vibrations are felt, they are scarce and through the seat only. On the parallel twin engine of the Versys, there are slight vibes felt at higher speeds, especially on the mirrors, but neutralized to a large extend by the rubber-clad footpegs and larger bar-end weights. 

Overall, engines on both these motorcycles are extremely refined and the impeccable on-road etiquette of these machines will make anyone want to ride them far and beyond! 

Other Accessories- 

A standard 12V socket next to the display, plastic handguards and a lower engine cowl come as standard accessories on the VStrom, all of which are optional on the Versys. 

Final Verdict-

Electronics and rider aids are basic on both these machines, but that’s acceptable considering these are built to be attractive both in price and utility. However, with it’s impeccable handling and maneouvring, adventure-readiness and corner-carving capability, the VStrom 650 literally stole my heart. A relaxed tourer with ABS and Traction control as standard combined with the ability to magically whiz past even carelessly maintained roads (that's the feeling I got!) would definitely make the VStrom 650 XT my first choice! 

Just in case you are interested, have a look at this-

Tech Spec	Kawasaki Versys 650 LT	Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT
Price (Approx.)	8.1 Lakh	8.6 Lakh (Converted Price)
Engine	649cc, Liquid-Cooled Parallel-Twin	645cc, Liquid-Cooled 90° V-Twin
Valve Train	Dohc, 4 Valves Per Cylinder	Dohc, 4 Valves Per Cylinder
Bore X Stroke	83.0 X 60.0 mm	81.0 X 62.6mm
Compression	10.8:1	11.2:1
Fuel System	EFI	EFI
Clutch	Wet, Multi-Plate	Wet, Multi-Plate
Transmission	6-Speed/Chain	6-Speed/Chain
Frame	High-Tensile Steel Trellis Frame, Steel Gullwing Swingarm	Cast Aluminum Twin-Spar, Cast Aluminum Swingarm
Front Suspension	Showa 41mm Fork, Adjustable For Spring Preload And Rebound Damping; 5.9 inch travel	Showa 43mm Fork Adjustable For Spring Preload; 5.9 inch travel
Rear Suspension	Showa Shock Adjustable For Spring Preload; 5.7 inch travel	Showa Shock Adjustable For Spring Preload And Rebound Damping; 6.3 inch travel
Front Brake	Nissin Two-Piston Calipers, 300mm Discs With Abs	Tokico Two-Piston Calipers, 310mm Discs With Abs
Rear Brake	Nissin One-Piston Caliper, 250mm Disc With Abs	Nissin One-Piston Caliper, 260mm Disc With Abs
Front Tire (Stock)	120/70 R17 Dunlop Sportmax	110/80 R19 Bridgestone Trail Wing
Rear Tire (Stock)	160/60 R17 Dunlop Sportmax	150/70 R17 Bridgestone Trail Wing
Rake/Trail	25.0°/109 mm	25.3°/109 mm
Seat Height	841 mm	835 mm
Wheelbase	1415 mm	1560 mm
Measured Weight (Wet/Dry)	232/212 kg	240/222 kg
Fuel Capacity	21 L	20 L
Fuel Mileage	City- 18 kmpl Highway – 21 kmpl	City – 22 kmpl Highway – 25 kmpl
Range	400 km	450 km
Warranty	24 months or 30000 km, whichever is earlier	12 Months and Unlimited Mileage