Vee-Storms are reliable, hasn't changed much over the years, and has a ton of aftermarket support. Obvious choice is to buy a used DL650 with all the aftermarkets parts you want already installed by some guy who wanted to travel the world on 2 wheels, but knocked up his GF instead.
I just bought an untitled 2015 NX700x from the Honda shop, $2500 of msrp at $4999. Don't regret for a minute that I was originally shopping for the Versys. Love this bike. Smooth, torguey, and loads of fun. And it'll go everywhere you can safely point it, even rutted fire roads and gravel. Wonderful bike.
I have a 2015 Versys 650, along with a couple of other bikes. The Versys is my Swiss army knife bike, does everything well. Really comfortable on long rides, great commuter, can even drive it on dirt roads. The adjustable suspension and high ground clearance are great fro bad roads, the engine is smooth, if not the most powerful thing out there. It has a large tank, good touring range and can handle the twisties well. Love taking it on weekend rides and overnighters with the top case and panniers. I test drove the V-Strom and loved the sound of the engine, but the bike just seemed too old school, and lacked refinement. Wasn't well laid out. Forget the Honda, it's really a scooter designed to look like a regular bike. The Versys is a fantastic bike and great value for money.
You should try the new V Strom... it's been updated in so many ways. I own a 2017, phenomenal machine. I tested a Versys and a Honda NC750, and there is no comparison. Neither of them come close to the V Strom's v-twin engine, it's so much better than the parallel twin.
@@Sloppify hey that’s interesting .I’m torn between vstrom and Nc750x. I like the look of vstrom better but at the same price you can get Dct and storage in the place of fuel tank, can’t decide
@@chrisw4215 Keep in mind these are old comments - the bikes have changed since. For 2021 the NC750X has received so many changes it is now new generation. The decision isn't really 'bout which is the best bike, it's 'bout which is the best bike for you.
I bought the NC700S which is the street version that isn't sold in the US but has the same motor, frame etc. in 2013 and are heading now for 60000 km ! Mind you I live in Costa Rica where roads are merely mediocre! This bike has performed exceptionally well under entirety home maintenance, zero mechanical failure except normal wear and tear! The bike is extremely fuel efficient and in my opinion one of the best motorcycles ever built by Honda!
CooL Thanks 4 Describing, Ur Likes Of Bike, i`m Seeing 3000mi. VaLve Adjust@ Search ? iS That True ? , & WouLd You Still Buy 2022 ModeL Today the Suspension Has Been Cheapend i` Hear 👍.
@@bryanmathew2079 I still have the bike with now almost 130.000 km. It does run like day one, actually even better. Would I buy it again ? Absolutely. In fact there isn't really a bike on the market that I would trade it in for. I have not test ridden the new model, therefore I can't really say anything smart about it. What I can say is that I also have a NC750S, a 2014 model that my Honda dealer had as a used bike and I just couldn't resist. I had bikes with way more horsepower in the past, however I really think that the NC bikes are worth every penny. I am actually a little sad that Honda decided to stop making the NC- S bikes and only continue the NC- X models. Anyway, safe rides. 👍🏍🙏
I bought a 2012 dl650 vstrom new in 2012 and in less than 4 years I have 65,000 miles worry free on it. You guys should do a bit more than look at the bikes when you review them. The vstrom motor was mew in 2012 with 4 valves per cylinder and 2 plugs per cylinder. on secondary roads I consistently average 54 mpg. I road coast to coast in 46 hours on this bike then took 12 days to get back home from CA to NY while riding sideways on dirt in Nevada at 40 mph fully loaded. The bike performs well, the 5+ gallon tank gets good range and there are a ton of add ok n's if you chose. I've ridden this bike in the Crotona midnight run in January in upstate ny, ridden in 112 F and 5 F temps, in snow , rain, and with air under the tires. If you are looking for a test rider give me a shout, I'd be happy to test ride some bikes and give a thorough review.
I had a fully loaded 2013 NC700X... Great bike !!! But like I said....Had. My new ride is the 2015 Versys 650 LT...... It is one awesome machine !!! I've also owned 2 KLR's, CBR250R, CBR500R, 2012 Concours 14 and a 2012 Versys 650 and a KLX250S. The new Versys takes the cake !!
That was a great review. All three are nice. I bought an NC. I love looks and the design of the engine. Power is more than adequate to me- especially exiting out of corners. Handling is awesome. I'm very happy.
I've taken my NC from OH to VA on the very twisty Rt. 250. I had no problem keeping up with the other guys who were on sport tourers. Bike is comfortable, has great storage, plenty of power and handled everything that I encountered with no issues. Very pleased with this bike. Don't believe that around town only crap, it's just not true.
I've got a NC 750x and I totally agree with you. Great bike and for some reason people think it's boring. Err..no. it's quick enough, reliable, economical and relaxing to ride.
I am 6 feet 1 inch tall. Weigh about 230. Just road a Kawi Versys 650....I am shocked at how much I love this bike. A purchase is in the near future. Had it going 80 on the interstate and it was surprisingly comfortable. So comfortable I may save money by purchasing the 650 instead of the versys 1000 I had been looking at. Do yourself a favor and go ride one of these.
David Holbrook I too am a larger gentleman (6'1"). I haven't tried the 650, but I have ridden the original (2012) 1000. It is physically large, but in effort to make it accessible to most riders, Kawasaki has lowered the rider portion of the seat to the point that it's too close to the footpegs. This is a large bike that lacks legroom. On it, my legs were bent at an uncomfortable angle. Also if, like me, you suffer from creeping middle-age spread it traps you between the seat step and the fuel tank. Nice engine, but poor ergonomics (surprising since most road test touted its comfort)
David Holbrook I'm 6'6", and in 2008 when the Versys hit Canada I was sold on it, right until I sat on one. I literally didn't fit; the tank contours didn't fit my legs (34" inseam). I was seriously bummed out, and ended up on a KLR650 for a couple of years. In 2011 I purchased a V-Strom (DL650) with ABS, which was the last year of the old styling. I had to add the tall seat, bar risers, and drop the pegs an inch, but it sure fits me well now. I'm currently getting that new bike itch again, and looking hard at the 2015 Versys 1000 LT and the 2015 V-Strom 1000; I did sit on a 2014 Strom 1000 late last year, and it fit nicely, but that new Versys 1000 LT sure looks great too. I'm going to check out the new 650 Versys to see if they added any leg room to it. Honestly, once you get over a certain height, especially if you have long legs, you are going to be into some mods to make the bike fit you. There really isn't any way around that.
I ride a 2017 V-Strom 650, and it's a near perfect machine. Great commuter, phenomenal fuel economy and enough grunt to take you anywhere. There is no shortage of parts available, and it's easy to work on. The amount of bike you're getting at that price point is borderline ridiculous, and the engine is rock solid. The bike is completely stable, with no buzz or vibration whatsoever. I find myself chuckling at these guys who constantly crave a larger bike. They spend more (to get not much more), their insurance premiums go up and they have to burn premium fuel. And parts cost more. Spoke to a guy recently who purchased a KTM 1090 for $15,000 all in, then spent another $2000 on accessories. My bike was $9500 out the door, including a center stand and handguards. That's a difference of 7500 bucks, and the V-Strom will go anywhere the KTM will. That said, buy what you want.
I had a Suzuki sport bike. The predecessor of the Katana. I love the twisty canyon roads as well as long trips. I even took it extreme ofroading in the mountains of Northern , AZ to the mountains of OR/WA. Great bikei auremiss riding . Been thinking of getting a KLR or Honda Africa Twin.
I have the Euro version NC700, the S. I was going to get a 650 V-Strom but then saw one of these. After putting 18,000 miles on it I'm very happy with it. I've averaged nearly 80MPG (imperial) and the service intervals are 8,000 miles. I have done a 12 hour, 650 mile day (that's a long way on the twisty roads in my country) and also a 100 mile, 3 hour shingle road with stream crossings on road tyres. It reminds me of owning a Norton Commando back in the '70's - the power delivery is similar and as when I owned the Norton the only bikes I would consider replacing it with are a Harley Sportster or Ducati cafe bike. Two mutualy exclusive kinds of bikes that the NC overlaps. On twisty roads the fastest rider is still the fastest rider and the NC, even though it has a longish wheelbase will crank over with stability up to 80MPH with a peg on the deck (the peg, brake pedal and header scrape to the right, but you're over a long way considering the vagueries of a road surface). I find it a great all-rounder and once you get used to keeping the revs between 2-3000 and just opening the throttle you get used to the power spread & don't even notice its peculiarities and you save fuel. If you're hurrying rev out to 4500. Negatives:~ Seat starts to kill me after 90 minutes and I fitted after-market. Vibrations: slight shakes around 4000 RPM. Lower bars would be good for my tastes. Um, really cannot think of any other negatives.
I have a NC700x, I bought it new, less than 2 years ago and now have 19,000 + miles on it. I did my Iron Butt 1000 mile ride on the bike and it was perfect. I have did the Dragon on the bike, it will tear up the curves; plus, I am averaging 69mpg on the bike since owning the bike, with the best of 84mpg riding in the Smoke mountains. On the Iron butt ride, all interstate, averaging 74+mph, I averaged 64+mpg. The other 2 bikes cant touch it mpg wise. If you want a sport bike which can do over 120mph, go buy a sport bike. If you want a nice bike, which can keep up with all interstate traffic, great gas mileage, and can do the twisties, buy the Honda. With a few mods, I. E. knobby tires, skid plate, engine guard, it can even do some off road; however, if you want a true off road bike, go buy an off-road bike.
I have purchased Yamahas for the last 25 years. When I bought a new bike I seriously considered the Honda 700. The storage area & mpg are great selling features.
A good review of 3 great bikes. I chose the V-Strom since I was planning to ride it from Texas to Alaska round trip. The larger front wheel uses the same tires as larger adventure bikes(same as BMW GS1200) and therefore, more dual-sport tire styles are available and in stock in the motorcycle shops up in Canada and Alaska where many of the roads are unpaved. With some add-ons such as skid plates, crash bars, etc, it goes everywhere the high end adventure bikes go. In Fairbanks, I ran into a Versys rider who was having a hard time finding adventure tires locally to fit his bike.
I don't know whaaaaat that guy is talking about, having to shift on the V Strom to access power. I have the 2012, and it pulls from just about anywhere in the rev range. I gave the versus serious consideration, the ergos were the tipping point for me. That was in 2012. The new versys is supposed to have a longer foot peg placement. They still have to rubber mount the engine and the handlebars to soak up vibration. For me, the fact that the Suzuki hasn't had a substantial change in design or engine is a testament to them getting it right the first time. That engine and transmission is a winner.
Enjoyed the review. Rode the V-strom literally 90 minutes ago. I was very impressed with it. If these guys thought Versy's handled better then I'd be interested in that bike as well, as I found the v-strom really easy to handle and surprisingly nimble given it's looks and height. I disagree about the short shifting for the v-strom, for me it pulled all the way to red line well and the seat and seating position was the most comfortable bike I've ever ridden. I want to ride the Versy's but neither Kawasaki dealers here don't have a demo or even one in stock. I do prefer the look of the Versys. They don't sell the Honda NC adventure style here so it's not a consideration.
Wish you would have included the G650GS as well! Also, wish the Honda had a remote preload adjuster for the rear suspension, ABS available on the manual and a gas tank filler that was accessible with a tailbag (like the GS).
I love the way the all-round way the guys on the team review the bikes :)Out of these three, with no disrespect to the other two, I'd go with Kawa Versys factoring in a fun quotient.Price is a factor, but past that there is Ducati Scrambler.
So sitting in my garage right now is a 2002 Yamaha Vstar 1100, a 2005 Honda VTX 1300, a 2012 Honda NC700X, and a 2015 Honda CTX 1300(Dads). Of the bikes yes, the NC700 is the slowest, and not the flashiest of the bikes. So why is it my go to bike when I want to go riding? If I just want to go ride, its the NC I take. I have to want to ride one of the others or just feel that they need to get out of the stable because they have been sitting too long. While not the fastest the NC is the best all around ride of the bunch. Go figure.
The NC750X is like an iPhone in a world of flip phones. It makes everything else obsolete. Btw, it is quite untrue that it is only at home in the city. Once you learn to ride on the torque, you never miss the higher rpm of the other bikes.
+CaptHollister It's so wonderful, except for being boring and lacking passion. You know what else makes an awesome commuter? A Prius. I don't ride bikes for practicality, they're god damn dangerous and basically a terrible idea. So if I'm going to do it, it better be fun. Ride the torque...I have a company car for that, a Fusion. It's boring. Buses ride the torque.
+aluisious Obviously, you are an expert who has ridden one and reached his own conclusion based on his own, personal experience. You can't please everyone. Me, I'm a lifer. I've been a rider since the 1970s, since when I've always had at least one bike in my stable. You know what ? I have never owned or ridden a bike that was boring. I've had fun on a humble 100cc tiddler (in fact I still own a 1976 KH100) and I've had fun on an 1800cc tourer. If you honestly believe that any bike can be compared to a Prius, than you and I will never agree.
NC750X is like an iPhone in a world of flip phones?? Maybe compared to these 2 but there are loads of better bikes out there that are more high tech and refined.
All 3 are very good bikes in their own niche of this segment. I like the Vstrom for its proven long distance capability. I like the Honda for its great mileage and convenience factor. And I like the Versys for its more well-rounded sporty fun factor. This would be a very tough call....
EletroBoy TV The NC is the least motorcycle like motorcycle ever made. it's soulless, bland, slow, and boring. I've never felt I've needed a trunk, I wont mis not having one.
Edward T Crump all those 3 biker are boring. vstrom ugly as hell, the versys its ok but don´t have the trunk neither the Mpg so the NC is the best. In some countries outside USA Gasoline is very expensive
I chose the nc700x - it is a kick in the pants on the twisties and does fine sport touring. Get an inexpensive aftermarket can like a DanMoto and it sounds amazing.
3 bikes are wonderful, however, opted for NC750x for the economy, since it has the torque and speed that satisfies me, as I rode the V-Strom, who comes from sports bike it is for many the best of the 3 .. has strength, robustness and responds well to throttle .. the Versys, do not know enough
FZ1, Bonneville EFI, FZ 09, NC700X. The full spectrum of my riding needs and abilities but the NC is NOT NOT and in no way just a city bike. It will take you around town up the mountain and across the country. The fuel mileage is way more than mid 60s on 87, I'm getting upwards of 70-75 mpg (US). Once you learn the torque curve it is one fun machine full of grunt and handles as well as the FZs. As an all around bike the NC is perfect.
A friend of mine wanted to buy her first motorcycle, she's 1,82m tall, and made a choice between a Versys and a Vstrom. Looking for the aftermarket and durability, she choose the Vstrom, same model as here. Versys doesn"t age so well and the one model we saw at a local 2d hand dealer was somewhat rusty, a default I also encountered on my 1992 KLE.
I have the 2013 nc700x dct model. at the end of the day, I am hard pressed to find a bike which suits my needs more than the NC. living in Singapore, cars are ridiculously expensive and a bike to me is a primary mode of transport. I need to have enough space for two helmets and a workbag, without having to install panniers to be able to lane split. i have a hepco and becker 55 litre topbox to satisfy these two needs. another thing that made this a perfect commuter was the automatic dct system, which is definitely more comfortable to use in heavy city traffic day in day out. The other option was maxiscooters, but having ridden one before, the handling was poor compared to the ergonomics of a motorcycle due to small wheels and a long wheelbase. This is starting to change however with the tmax and BMW scooters. bottomline, if commuting is your main priority and you cannot afford a car, no other motorcycle will beat the NC. you still can have fun on it, but other bikes will outshine the NC on "fun" factor.
forgot the mention the insane gas mileage! another key essential to the perfect commuter. I am itching to get the 2016 c650 sport, but everytime I think of getting something new, the NC just makes too much sense and fits my needs too well that I can't bring myself to give it up. lol.
You forget to mention the vstrom adventure package comes with pretty much all the accessories. The Verseys all you get is 2 bags and hand guards. Yes I`m a vstrom owner. I spent a lot of time deciding between these 3 bikes and I`m glad I went for the strom. This review wasn`t good at all.
There is a reason suzuki sells way more vstroms than these other two bikes combined. Its a better bike. And btw it doesnt have a sv650 motor in it , it has the gladius motor. You would think they would know that before they did the comparison. Anyone know if the honda and kawi have abs?
+jeff ferguson the gladius motor is the same as the sv650 with maybe some minor tweaks to the tuning. The gladius was a styling refresh of the sv650 nothing more.
"not gonna see the offroad"....ITS THE RIDER my friends. Thanks for the review! I know plenty of riders that can rip all three of these off road with a couple minor mods.
for instance. I myself have put 50 plus hours on a royal enfield bullet through the mountain trails of the Himalayas!!! Lifes an adventure so ride it till the end!!!
coming from a 1200 sporty point of view i do not understand the term"low rpm ceiling" of the honda 700. what is redline 6500? I see nothing wrong with that .
Not sure why you did not include the BMW, except that it is probably a 1,000 or two more expensive. MPG on BMW 650 is 70 though. Honda same. Still, the BMW is a single and very fuel efficient.
Great job making a review of 2 new bikes with 1 old bike (honda), do you even know there is NC 750 X? They improved all of the things you noted as disadvantages of the honda.
Why haven't these guys not caught on that the NC engine design start point was a Honda Jazz car engine. Yes it's half a car motor hence the bland power delivery but great economy.
Interesting how Honda has a middle headlight Kawasaki has a one sided headlight and the Suzuki has the both headlights illuminated in the top part of the reflector.
9 ปีที่แล้ว +4
From those 3... I wouldn't choose the Honda. I would probably go with the Kawasaki.
Honda- daily commuter Kawi- sporty weekend commuter Suzuki- cross county commuter And these guys made the $500 more seem like a deciding factor. That should not be, a couple $1000 maybe. But $500 is less then 7% more... thats something to note but shouldn't be a deciding factor.
Eric Fling I guess I just find that part of the experience.. An nc with get well over 300 km to a tank, so unless you're adventure riding, why would you need more?
mattheginger Personally I have V-strom 650, I got it because it can go about 280 miles on a tank. My plan is to go to Alaska, and from my research I know there is a stretch of the Denali highway that is 280 miles without any gas stations. But when I was in the market that trunk on the NC was extremely appealing and almost sold the bike for me. Used V-strom with ridiculously low milage are very common, so I picked mine up for $5K with only 5500 miles. And it is a wonderful bike.
Eric Fling Yeah the Strom is a great bike, I really wish they still made the 1000. I would just be inclined to take a couple of small plastic gas cans or a bladder.. The transalp is also a great bike for what you are suggesting.
I dont know. I have a 2013 vstrom and I wouldn't even consider trading it for a versys and especially an NC. The NC and the versys seems to be a street bikes and nothing more. The vstrom Ito me, is more so in the adv category. Its no BMW gs but it is closer to one that the other two. The 19" wheel is an asset in handling holes and stumps on a trail something a 17 could have difficulty with. Comfort is not an issue and I dont care how old the motor is, find me a smoother v twin out there. Shifting? That motor pulls hard in any gear.
Not that much weight difference between the 3 bikes, the Kawasaki is the lightest by 20Lbs max, and the Honda only has one brake disk up front and the smallest fuel tank, if it was the same as the others it would be the heaviest, it's only 2 pounds less than the Suzuki, and the Horsepower goes as Honda 47.7 @ 6400 > Kawasaki 54.9 @ 8200 rpm > Suzuki 63.2 @ 9000 rpm, so each has a different rider & purpose in mind. Info for those who did not read the writeup, you may want to read it ? It's good for a laugh in areas like the score card. Have fun..
A have a 2008 Versys 650. And it's super comfortable. And with that Ninja 650r engine it's super sporty too. So a 2015 Versys must be a perfection for a bike to have. And they right about the Strom, and the big front wheel. The bike is boring. I don't know much about the Honda, but I like how it looks!
They're all tempting bikes, and the if all you do is city riding then the NC700 is king. I don't do only city riding, though, and while that gas mileage + the handy trunk is SUPER convenient, I'd probably go with the wee-strom. That motor is pretty cool from what I hear (I haven't ridden one) and I love the pull that a v-twin offers over a parallel twin which typically lacks torque down low. That being said this shoot-out is stupid close and I don't think anybody could really "go wrong" with any of these bikes.
Snickterp Yea, I haven't ridden one but I heard it signs off pretty early so it makes sense that it's very torquey. The dyno comparison on their site backs that statement up, quite torquey. Quite surprising, as usually they're lacking compared to v-twins. Maybe they gotta stop using an ancient v-twin, lol. Update the damn thing, already.
I have to take exception with a couple things. One, I ride a V-Strom adventure model, so I have a prejudice. I bought it otd for $8500 and zero interest thru Suzuki(better than I could buy either the Honda or Kawasaki) and I tried the others. Two, the motor is not the 12 year old motor. It's a 2012 reworked Gladias motor, so 3 year old design. Three, how hard do you guys run these bikes? Is it Kalifornia fuel? I'm 200lb and I ride hard in the mountains, do some super slab and heavily loaded long trips. I get an "average" 62MPG. You guys are nowhere close. On real non ethanol gas I get 70+mpg. I don't ride whimpy either. I went to a ride N camp which had a large turnout. There were 167 bikers that camped. Of that 167 over 50 and I personally counted that many when I quit counting were riding V-Strom 650's. There were a few Suzuki 1,000's and a dozen+- high dollar Beemers but ONE Versis, One African Twin, One Buell, One Burgman 650(a real sport) and a bunch of assorted converted barely legal dirt bikes. No matter how you cut it the V-Strom will remain the choice of the vast majority of rides that choose a midsize engine ride. All ages, sizes of riders can make the V-Strom 650 fit. Big guys do not and will not ever fit the Versis or Honda. Just my $.02....Mike
Yeah I have to say I've just been sucked in by that deal, 0% on a brand new 2015 dl650 xt with all the accessories (it was used in an R&G photoshoot) and none of the competitors were offering that. Pass my next test on the 6th of July so should be picking it up am that afternoon :)
Love them all, but V-Strom for my money, long term enjoyment. Big discounts are easy to come by. Kawasaki and Honda are better urban bikes, Suzuki better for distance. I dunno it's just the one for me, but I'd be very happy with any of them. The Honda with the automatic would be interesting. Oh and the Suzuki engine was updated in 2009 for the Gladius and then tuned for the 2012 redesign of the V-Strom.
steady2wheels Not really, it had a big make over in 2012, > BTW the same time the other bikes came out, except for the Verses that is brand new; ) < but the dl650 also had a power increase, and the mpg is even better. It does have a little higher price by MSRP but can be bought for much lower, even the dl650 adventure with hard bags & crash bars ect runs @ $8,900 some higher & some lower. I have a K6 DL650 and it gets 61+ mpg, the new bike does even better. Some European bikes are still air cooled with motor tech much older, and costing much more think Monster 696, and its rated higher HP then MY SV650 that dynos more true power, and cost way less to maintain. The thing is all these bikes are aimed at a different rider, witch is great for us all. But read the full story if you haven't, it helps clear somethings up, like tank size & HP & TQ, but there is better bunch of bikes in the US then in many years so enjoy. Go to > fuelly.com < for real world MPG figures, you maybe surprised, or not..lol
Hmm, only 3 bikes reviewed from a large category... Where's Yamaha, where's BMW, Triumph, even Ducati? There's a LOT to choose from in this general application of motorcycles, and even in this specific style.
+Samual Iam what bikes would yamaha bmw triumph and ducati put in here only bmw had a suitable twin in this 70 bhp approx group f700gs and this would be much better but a good deal more expensive
How is this a '2015...shootout'?! The NC700 has been replaced with the NC750 and that V-strom is from 2014 (a few changes were made in the 2015 model). Let's call this video, "2014 Urbane Adventurers Shootout".
Did i actually hear one of these reviewers acknowledge the aftermarket!? I never understand why these guys make easily remedied issues into deal breakers.
"Then after you’ve lived with them for a few years, the maintenance, the narcissism, the psychic wear and tear of constantly stoking the beast’s ego and keeping up with the Joneses can get to be a drag".. I'm right there now.. Versys it might be, trying one nxt week.
+ossa60 I was just going to say it, then saw your comment. The engine is completely different. Very poor review. Usual nonsense talked about these bikes. The V-Strom is the best bike I have ridden in 40 years. Ride 365. :)
Love the exposure and opinions. For the love of leaning, get a new sound tech, or gear or Whatever you need to not sound like a home made video on a cassette!
I never really considered these bikes, and I guess that is because I don't want an urban adv bike. That's why I own the best of both the sporting world, and the best of the adv world... The joys of owning multiple motorcycles. I wouldn't want to cross the streams too much, because then you are loosing more positives than gaining, in my opinion.
"All three of these bikes will RARELY, if ever, see any off-road."...?!?! Have you guys ever even TALKED to anyone with a V Strom??? You know what? How about you guys stick to reviewing sportbikes (given that, no matter WHAT type of bike you review, the one with the most horsepower always ends up on top, regardless of what the bikes are designed for!) You can leave the adventure bike shootouts to the big boys. (Incidentally, I would LOVE to see you try to take the Versys "...pretty much anywhere" the V Strom can go!) For a channel with decent production values, your reviews are predictably one-sided and ultimately useless unless someone is wondering what bike feels more like a sport bike!!
Although the "new and improved" wee has been out since 2012, the 650 in its original form has been out since 2004, and yes there are differences between the two, the overall still remains the same. Just saying, its not a newcomer to the trio.
Vee-Storms are reliable, hasn't changed much over the years, and has a ton of aftermarket support. Obvious choice is to buy a used DL650 with all the aftermarkets parts you want already installed by some guy who wanted to travel the world on 2 wheels, but knocked up his GF instead.
Made my morning
brilliant.gettin' one
I just bought a 2011 DL650 with many aftermarket parts. I can't get my gf pregnant because i got a vasectomy! No worries! lol
HAHAHAAA Spot on!!!
I'm happily single. A motorcycle, an open road, good books and music is all I need ! ;)
I just bought an untitled 2015 NX700x from the Honda shop, $2500 of msrp at $4999. Don't regret for a minute that I was originally shopping for the Versys. Love this bike. Smooth, torguey, and loads of fun. And it'll go everywhere you can safely point it, even rutted fire roads and gravel. Wonderful bike.
I have a 2015 Versys 650, along with a couple of other bikes. The Versys is my Swiss army knife bike, does everything well. Really comfortable on long rides, great commuter, can even drive it on dirt roads. The adjustable suspension and high ground clearance are great fro bad roads, the engine is smooth, if not the most powerful thing out there. It has a large tank, good touring range and can handle the twisties well. Love taking it on weekend rides and overnighters with the top case and panniers. I test drove the V-Strom and loved the sound of the engine, but the bike just seemed too old school, and lacked refinement. Wasn't well laid out. Forget the Honda, it's really a scooter designed to look like a regular bike. The Versys is a fantastic bike and great value for money.
You should try the new V Strom... it's been updated in so many ways. I own a 2017, phenomenal machine. I tested a Versys and a Honda NC750, and there is no comparison. Neither of them come close to the V Strom's v-twin engine, it's so much better than the parallel twin.
@@Sloppify hey that’s interesting .I’m torn between vstrom and Nc750x. I like the look of vstrom better but at the same price you can get Dct and storage in the place of fuel tank, can’t decide
@@chrisw4215 Keep in mind these are old comments - the bikes have changed since. For 2021 the NC750X has received so many changes it is now new generation. The decision isn't really 'bout which is the best bike, it's 'bout which is the best bike for you.
I bought the NC700S which is the street version that isn't sold in the US but has the same motor, frame etc. in 2013 and are heading now for 60000 km ! Mind you I live in Costa Rica where roads are merely mediocre! This bike has performed exceptionally well under entirety home maintenance, zero mechanical failure except normal wear and tear! The bike is extremely fuel efficient and in my opinion one of the best motorcycles ever built by Honda!
CooL Thanks 4 Describing, Ur Likes Of Bike, i`m Seeing 3000mi. VaLve Adjust@ Search ? iS That True ? , & WouLd You Still Buy 2022 ModeL Today the Suspension Has Been Cheapend i` Hear 👍.
@@bryanmathew2079
I still have the bike with now almost 130.000 km. It does run like day one, actually even better.
Would I buy it again ? Absolutely.
In fact there isn't really a bike on the market that I would trade it in for.
I have not test ridden the new model, therefore I can't really say anything smart about it. What I can say is that I also have a NC750S, a 2014 model that my Honda dealer had as a used bike and I just couldn't resist. I had bikes with way more horsepower in the past, however I really think that the NC bikes are worth every penny. I am actually a little sad that Honda decided to stop making the NC- S bikes and only continue the NC- X models.
Anyway, safe rides. 👍🏍🙏
I bought a 2012 dl650 vstrom new in 2012 and in less than 4 years I have 65,000 miles worry free on it. You guys should do a bit more than look at the bikes when you review them. The vstrom motor was mew in 2012 with 4 valves per cylinder and 2 plugs per cylinder. on secondary roads I consistently average 54 mpg. I road coast to coast in 46 hours on this bike then took 12 days to get back home from CA to NY while riding sideways on dirt in Nevada at 40 mph fully loaded. The bike performs well, the 5+ gallon tank gets good range and there are a ton of add ok n's if you chose. I've ridden this bike in the Crotona midnight run in January in upstate ny, ridden in 112 F and 5 F temps, in snow , rain, and with air under the tires. If you are looking for a test rider give me a shout, I'd be happy to test ride some bikes and give a thorough review.
Peter Church all the policemen in my city have V Stroms and they're super good bikes, not the most exciting if im honest but great bikes
They have here too in my neck o'woods (France). Cheers mate !
You couldn't go wrong with any of these bikes. I bought my Versys 650lt last summer and has been nothing but a joy.
I had a fully loaded 2013 NC700X... Great bike !!! But like I said....Had. My new ride is the 2015 Versys 650 LT...... It is one awesome machine !!! I've also owned 2 KLR's, CBR250R, CBR500R, 2012 Concours 14 and a 2012 Versys 650 and a KLX250S.
The new Versys takes the cake !!
That was a great review. All three are nice. I bought an NC. I love looks and the design of the engine. Power is more than adequate to me- especially exiting out of corners. Handling is awesome. I'm very happy.
I've taken my NC from OH to VA on the very twisty Rt. 250. I had no problem keeping up with the other guys who were on sport tourers. Bike is comfortable, has great storage, plenty of power and handled everything that I encountered with no issues. Very pleased with this bike. Don't believe that around town only crap, it's just not true.
I've got a NC 750x and I totally agree with you. Great bike and for some reason people think it's boring. Err..no. it's quick enough, reliable, economical and relaxing to ride.
I am 6 feet 1 inch tall. Weigh about 230. Just road a Kawi Versys 650....I am shocked at how much I love this bike. A purchase is in the near future. Had it going 80 on the interstate and it was surprisingly comfortable. So comfortable I may save money by purchasing the 650 instead of the versys 1000 I had been looking at. Do yourself a favor and go ride one of these.
David Holbrook I too am a larger gentleman (6'1"). I haven't tried the 650, but I have ridden the original (2012) 1000. It is physically large, but in effort to make it accessible to most riders, Kawasaki has lowered the rider portion of the seat to the point that it's too close to the footpegs. This is a large bike that lacks legroom. On it, my legs were bent at an uncomfortable angle. Also if, like me, you suffer from creeping middle-age spread it traps you between the seat step and the fuel tank. Nice engine, but poor ergonomics (surprising since most road test touted its comfort)
I just bought the Kawasaki versys 650 two weeks ago. No regrets. A great bike.
David Holbrook I'm 6'6", and in 2008 when the Versys hit Canada I was sold on it, right until I sat on one. I literally didn't fit; the tank contours didn't fit my legs (34" inseam). I was seriously bummed out, and ended up on a KLR650 for a couple of years. In 2011 I purchased a V-Strom (DL650) with ABS, which was the last year of the old styling. I had to add the tall seat, bar risers, and drop the pegs an inch, but it sure fits me well now. I'm currently getting that new bike itch again, and looking hard at the 2015 Versys 1000 LT and the 2015 V-Strom 1000; I did sit on a 2014 Strom 1000 late last year, and it fit nicely, but that new Versys 1000 LT sure looks great too. I'm going to check out the new 650 Versys to see if they added any leg room to it. Honestly, once you get over a certain height, especially if you have long legs, you are going to be into some mods to make the bike fit you. There really isn't any way around that.
***** Thanks for the link, that's an interesting site.
Yes it is, take care. yl
Such chilled and relaxed discussion. I liked it.
I ride a 2017 V-Strom 650, and it's a near perfect machine. Great commuter, phenomenal fuel economy and enough grunt to take you anywhere. There is no shortage of parts available, and it's easy to work on. The amount of bike you're getting at that price point is borderline ridiculous, and the engine is rock solid. The bike is completely stable, with no buzz or vibration whatsoever. I find myself chuckling at these guys who constantly crave a larger bike. They spend more (to get not much more), their insurance premiums go up and they have to burn premium fuel. And parts cost more. Spoke to a guy recently who purchased a KTM 1090 for $15,000 all in, then spent another $2000 on accessories. My bike was $9500 out the door, including a center stand and handguards. That's a difference of 7500 bucks, and the V-Strom will go anywhere the KTM will. That said, buy what you want.
I had a Suzuki sport bike. The predecessor of the Katana. I love the twisty canyon roads as well as long trips. I even took it extreme ofroading in the mountains of Northern , AZ to the mountains of OR/WA. Great bikei auremiss riding . Been thinking of getting a KLR or Honda Africa Twin.
I have the Euro version NC700, the S. I was going to get a 650 V-Strom but then saw one of these. After putting 18,000 miles on it I'm very happy with it. I've averaged nearly 80MPG (imperial) and the service intervals are 8,000 miles. I have done a 12 hour, 650 mile day (that's a long way on the twisty roads in my country) and also a 100 mile, 3 hour shingle road with stream crossings on road tyres.
It reminds me of owning a Norton Commando back in the '70's - the power delivery is similar and as when I owned the Norton the only bikes I would consider replacing it with are a Harley Sportster or Ducati cafe bike. Two mutualy exclusive kinds of bikes that the NC overlaps. On twisty roads the fastest rider is still the fastest rider and the NC, even though it has a longish wheelbase will crank over with stability up to 80MPH with a peg on the deck (the peg, brake pedal and header scrape to the right, but you're over a long way considering the vagueries of a road surface).
I find it a great all-rounder and once you get used to keeping the revs between 2-3000 and just opening the throttle you get used to the power spread & don't even notice its peculiarities and you save fuel. If you're hurrying rev out to 4500.
Negatives:~ Seat starts to kill me after 90 minutes and I fitted after-market. Vibrations: slight shakes around 4000 RPM. Lower bars would be good for my tastes. Um, really cannot think of any other negatives.
I have a NC700x, I bought it new, less than 2 years ago and now have 19,000 + miles on it. I did my Iron Butt 1000 mile ride on the bike and it was perfect. I have did the Dragon on the bike, it will tear up the curves; plus, I am averaging 69mpg on the bike since owning the bike, with the best of 84mpg riding in the Smoke mountains. On the Iron butt ride, all interstate, averaging 74+mph, I averaged 64+mpg. The other 2 bikes cant touch it mpg wise. If you want a sport bike which can do over 120mph, go buy a sport bike. If you want a nice bike, which can keep up with all interstate traffic, great gas mileage, and can do the twisties, buy the Honda. With a few mods, I. E. knobby tires, skid plate, engine guard, it can even do some off road; however, if you want a true off road bike, go buy an off-road bike.
davidleoncampbell I've got the same setup on my NC. Wouldn't let anyone tell me it can't do mild offroad!
I have purchased Yamahas for the last 25 years. When I bought a new bike I seriously considered the Honda 700. The storage area & mpg are great selling features.
A good review of 3 great bikes. I chose the V-Strom since I was planning to ride it from Texas to Alaska round trip. The larger front wheel uses the same tires as larger adventure bikes(same as BMW GS1200) and therefore, more dual-sport tire styles are available and in stock in the motorcycle shops up in Canada and Alaska where many of the roads are unpaved. With some add-ons such as skid plates, crash bars, etc, it goes everywhere the high end adventure bikes go. In Fairbanks, I ran into a Versys rider who was having a hard time finding adventure tires locally to fit his bike.
Larger front wheel keeps the bike stable in windy gusts and semi wind wash.
Vstrom is the number one !
Been riding between BMW 1200 gs, no problem, v strom handels and runs amazing !
I don't know whaaaaat that guy is talking about, having to shift on the V Strom to access power. I have the 2012, and it pulls from just about anywhere in the rev range. I gave the versus serious consideration, the ergos were the tipping point for me. That was in 2012. The new versys is supposed to have a longer foot peg placement. They still have to rubber mount the engine and the handlebars to soak up vibration. For me, the fact that the Suzuki hasn't had a substantial change in design or engine is a testament to them getting it right the first time. That engine and transmission is a winner.
Enjoyed the review.
Rode the V-strom literally 90 minutes ago. I was very impressed with it. If these guys thought Versy's handled better then I'd be interested in that bike as well, as I found the v-strom really easy to handle and surprisingly nimble given it's looks and height. I disagree about the short shifting for the v-strom, for me it pulled all the way to red line well and the seat and seating position was the most comfortable bike I've ever ridden. I want to ride the Versy's but neither Kawasaki dealers here don't have a demo or even one in stock. I do prefer the look of the Versys. They don't sell the Honda NC adventure style here so it's not a consideration.
Wish you would have included the G650GS as well!
Also, wish the Honda had a remote preload adjuster for the rear suspension, ABS available on the manual and a gas tank filler that was accessible with a tailbag (like the GS).
hopefully next time you can compare it to the latest NC, the NC750X, did it not make it's way to America yet ?
I love the way the all-round way the guys on the team review the bikes :)Out of these three, with no disrespect to the other two, I'd go with Kawa Versys factoring in a fun quotient.Price is a factor, but past that there is Ducati Scrambler.
Kawasaki Versys, my choice, I just bought it, looking forvard for delivery.
The V-Strom is the winner for me, so is the older bike but you can't really improve perfection.
So sitting in my garage right now is a 2002 Yamaha Vstar 1100, a 2005 Honda VTX 1300, a 2012 Honda NC700X, and a 2015 Honda CTX 1300(Dads). Of the bikes yes, the NC700 is the slowest, and not the flashiest of the bikes. So why is it my go to bike when I want to go riding? If I just want to go ride, its the NC I take. I have to want to ride one of the others or just feel that they need to get out of the stable because they have been sitting too long. While not the fastest the NC is the best all around ride of the bunch. Go figure.
The NC750X is like an iPhone in a world of flip phones. It makes everything else obsolete. Btw, it is quite untrue that it is only at home in the city. Once you learn to ride on the torque, you never miss the higher rpm of the other bikes.
+CaptHollister It's so wonderful, except for being boring and lacking passion. You know what else makes an awesome commuter? A Prius. I don't ride bikes for practicality, they're god damn dangerous and basically a terrible idea. So if I'm going to do it, it better be fun.
Ride the torque...I have a company car for that, a Fusion. It's boring. Buses ride the torque.
+aluisious Obviously, you are an expert who has ridden one and reached his own conclusion based on his own, personal experience. You can't please everyone.
Me, I'm a lifer. I've been a rider since the 1970s, since when I've always had at least one bike in my stable. You know what ? I have never owned or ridden a bike that was boring. I've had fun on a humble 100cc tiddler (in fact I still own a 1976 KH100) and I've had fun on an 1800cc tourer. If you honestly believe that any bike can be compared to a Prius, than you and I will never agree.
It's the NC700X not the 750
NC750X is like an iPhone in a world of flip phones?? Maybe compared to these 2 but there are loads of better bikes out there that are more high tech and refined.
what's so different about NC that you don't want to ride it on a long jouney? looks perfectly capable to me.
"what's so different about NC that you don't want to ride it on a long jouney?" Boring, maybe...
All 3 are very good bikes in their own niche of this segment. I like the Vstrom for its proven long distance capability. I like the Honda for its great mileage and convenience factor. And I like the Versys for its more well-rounded sporty fun factor. This would be a very tough call....
NC always, that trunk is the best
EletroBoy TV if you want a truck buy a car.
EletroBoy TV Or you could buy a real motorcycle
EletroBoy TV That trunk is super handy, but I couldn't justify buying a bike solely because of that. Maybe if I only rode in the city, but I don't.
EletroBoy TV The NC is the least motorcycle like motorcycle ever made. it's soulless, bland, slow, and boring. I've never felt I've needed a trunk, I wont mis not having one.
Edward T Crump all those 3 biker are boring. vstrom ugly as hell, the versys its ok but don´t have the trunk neither the Mpg so the NC is the best. In some countries outside USA Gasoline is very expensive
I chose the nc700x - it is a kick in the pants on the twisties and does fine sport touring. Get an inexpensive aftermarket can like a DanMoto and it sounds amazing.
3 bikes are wonderful, however, opted for NC750x for the economy, since it has the torque and speed that satisfies me, as I rode the V-Strom, who comes from sports bike it is for many the best of the 3 .. has strength, robustness and responds well to throttle .. the Versys, do not know enough
Really wonky audio on this video...
FZ1, Bonneville EFI, FZ 09, NC700X. The full spectrum of my riding needs and abilities but the NC is NOT NOT and in no way just a city bike. It will take you around town up the mountain and across the country. The fuel mileage is way more than mid 60s on 87, I'm getting upwards of 70-75 mpg (US). Once you learn the torque curve it is one fun machine full of grunt and handles as well as the FZs. As an all around bike the NC is perfect.
does anyone understand why the exhaust pipes that come out of the engine have so many curves and why not a straight out , down and under the bike?
A friend of mine wanted to buy her first motorcycle, she's 1,82m tall, and made a choice between a Versys and a Vstrom. Looking for the aftermarket and durability, she choose the Vstrom, same model as here. Versys doesn"t age so well and the one model we saw at a local 2d hand dealer was somewhat rusty, a default I also encountered on my 1992 KLE.
The NC has a center of gravity as low as it can get, however they didn't even mention such an important point.
+Pedro Moreira They did actually
+Kispangit My bad then, maybe I didn't pay enough attention.
NC700X has A longer wheelbase also. It's much better in the wind and feels stable on the freeway.
which one you consider as better bike for two riders?
NC700 is VERY comfortable on 3 or 4 hundred mile days. And consistently getting over 80 miles per gallon makes it a no brainer.
I have the 2013 nc700x dct model. at the end of the day, I am hard pressed to find a bike which suits my needs more than the NC. living in Singapore, cars are ridiculously expensive and a bike to me is a primary mode of transport. I need to have enough space for two helmets and a workbag, without having to install panniers to be able to lane split. i have a hepco and becker 55 litre topbox to satisfy these two needs. another thing that made this a perfect commuter was the automatic dct system, which is definitely more comfortable to use in heavy city traffic day in day out. The other option was maxiscooters, but having ridden one before, the handling was poor compared to the ergonomics of a motorcycle due to small wheels and a long wheelbase. This is starting to change however with the tmax and BMW scooters. bottomline, if commuting is your main priority and you cannot afford a car, no other motorcycle will beat the NC. you still can have fun on it, but other bikes will outshine the NC on "fun" factor.
forgot the mention the insane gas mileage! another key essential to the perfect commuter.
I am itching to get the 2016 c650 sport, but everytime I think of getting something new, the NC just makes too much sense and fits my needs too well that I can't bring myself to give it up. lol.
Earned a like and a sub with that great description.
You forget to mention the vstrom adventure package comes with pretty much all the accessories. The Verseys all you get is 2 bags and hand guards. Yes I`m a vstrom owner. I spent a lot of time deciding between these 3 bikes and I`m glad I went for the strom. This review wasn`t good at all.
Anyone know if the Versys has the oil filter down low in front(worst bash-in place) like the Vestrom?
There is a reason suzuki sells way more vstroms than these other two bikes combined. Its a better bike. And btw it doesnt have a sv650 motor in it , it has the gladius motor. You would think they would know that before they did the comparison. Anyone know if the honda and kawi have abs?
Honda's standard but you have to get one of the extra accessory packs to get abs on the Versys I think.
+jeff ferguson the gladius motor is the same as the sv650 with maybe some minor tweaks to the tuning. The gladius was a styling refresh of the sv650 nothing more.
Josh Brown if you say so
whatever you say
jeff ferguson youve been owned in the comment section
Vstroms are bulletproof. Plus you can find a new one for 7k. They're selling them below MSRP in most places.
at 7:40 that face of the guy on the left :D whahahhahaha
"not gonna see the offroad"....ITS THE RIDER my friends. Thanks for the review! I know plenty of riders that can rip all three of these off road with a couple minor mods.
for instance. I myself have put 50 plus hours on a royal enfield bullet through the mountain trails of the Himalayas!!! Lifes an adventure so ride it till the end!!!
Which one fuel economy, which one auto transmission?
If I was to get either the Versys or the V-Strom, it would be one of the larger 1000 versions.
coming from a 1200 sporty point of view i do not understand the term"low rpm ceiling" of the honda 700.
what is redline 6500? I see nothing wrong with that .
thats almost brigg and stratton like
Not sure why you did not include the BMW, except that it is probably a 1,000 or two more expensive. MPG on BMW 650 is 70 though. Honda same. Still, the BMW is a single and very fuel efficient.
I think with the vertical twins, one they call a 650, BMW may be phasing out the single. Great bike though.
why no tiger
Good review.. It was a nice video!
Great job making a review of 2 new bikes with 1 old bike (honda), do you even know there is NC 750 X? They improved all of the things you noted as disadvantages of the honda.
TheN3nad The US isn't getting the 750. At least, not yet
No BMW ?
Why haven't these guys not caught on that the NC engine design start point was a Honda Jazz car engine. Yes it's half a car motor hence the bland power delivery but great economy.
Interesting how Honda has a middle headlight Kawasaki has a one sided headlight and the Suzuki has the both headlights illuminated in the top part of the reflector.
From those 3... I wouldn't choose the Honda. I would probably go with the Kawasaki.
From those 3... I wouldn't choose the Kawasaki. I'd probably go with the Honda.
HueTubeR I had a very bad experience with Honda, that's why I would go for something different.
Honda- daily commuter
Kawi- sporty weekend commuter
Suzuki- cross county commuter
And these guys made the $500 more seem like a deciding factor. That should not be, a couple $1000 maybe. But $500 is less then 7% more... thats something to note but shouldn't be a deciding factor.
The Honda is epic for long distance missions also.. Low reving and torquey! Plus you can load it up with a ridiculous amount of gear.
mattheginger True, if there are lots of gas stations on the way. Even with great MPG numbers the tank is only 3.5 gallons...
Eric Fling I guess I just find that part of the experience.. An nc with get well over 300 km to a tank, so unless you're adventure riding, why would you need more?
mattheginger Personally I have V-strom 650, I got it because it can go about 280 miles on a tank. My plan is to go to Alaska, and from my research I know there is a stretch of the Denali highway that is 280 miles without any gas stations.
But when I was in the market that trunk on the NC was extremely appealing and almost sold the bike for me. Used V-strom with ridiculously low milage are very common, so I picked mine up for $5K with only 5500 miles. And it is a wonderful bike.
Eric Fling Yeah the Strom is a great bike, I really wish they still made the 1000. I would just be inclined to take a couple of small plastic gas cans or a bladder.. The transalp is also a great bike for what you are suggesting.
I dont know. I have a 2013 vstrom and I wouldn't even consider trading it for a versys and especially an NC. The NC and the versys seems to be a street bikes and nothing more. The vstrom Ito me, is more so in the adv category. Its no BMW gs but it is closer to one that the other two. The 19" wheel is an asset in handling holes and stumps on a trail something a 17 could have difficulty with. Comfort is not an issue and I dont care how old the motor is, find me a smoother v twin out there. Shifting? That motor pulls hard in any gear.
Strange.....I just bought a 2016 Versys.....and it has gotten 63 or 64 mpg on every tank of gas I've put in it!
Not that much weight difference between the 3 bikes, the Kawasaki is the lightest by 20Lbs max, and the Honda only has one brake disk up front and the smallest fuel tank, if it was the same as the others it would be the heaviest, it's only 2 pounds less than the Suzuki, and the Horsepower goes as Honda 47.7 @ 6400 > Kawasaki 54.9 @ 8200 rpm > Suzuki 63.2 @ 9000 rpm, so each has a different rider & purpose in mind. Info for those who did not read the writeup, you may want to read it ? It's good for a laugh in areas like the score card. Have fun..
A have a 2008 Versys 650. And it's super comfortable. And with that Ninja 650r engine it's super sporty too. So a 2015 Versys must be a perfection for a bike to have. And they right about the Strom, and the big front wheel. The bike is boring. I don't know much about the Honda, but I like how it looks!
can any of these be first bikes
YES! If you are tall enough
versys, no doubt, best looks, best engine and suspension with upside down forks
Neighbor has the Honda for his commuting duties, 15 miles one way. He's been checking his gas mileage lately and has been averaging 80. to 80.5 mpg.
They're all tempting bikes, and the if all you do is city riding then the NC700 is king.
I don't do only city riding, though, and while that gas mileage + the handy trunk is SUPER convenient, I'd probably go with the wee-strom. That motor is pretty cool from what I hear (I haven't ridden one) and I love the pull that a v-twin offers over a parallel twin which typically lacks torque down low. That being said this shoot-out is stupid close and I don't think anybody could really "go wrong" with any of these bikes.
MrSlowestD16 Belive it or not, the NC is ALL torque. Pulls like a diesel.
Snickterp Yea, I haven't ridden one but I heard it signs off pretty early so it makes sense that it's very torquey.
The dyno comparison on their site backs that statement up, quite torquey. Quite surprising, as usually they're lacking compared to v-twins. Maybe they gotta stop using an ancient v-twin, lol. Update the damn thing, already.
My nc is closer to my pick-up truck in acceleration characteristics than my suspersport. More convenient than both those vehicles.
"Grown up motorcycles..." *camera pans*- shows skid marks :D love it
Good review, but 750X plz.
I feel you left out yamaha, why?
I own the new NC 2016 and It's awesome!
that chain slack, wow
There's no "e" in "urban" just so you guys know :P
I have to take exception with a couple things. One, I ride a V-Strom adventure model, so I have a prejudice. I bought it otd for $8500 and zero interest thru Suzuki(better than I could buy either the Honda or Kawasaki) and I tried the others. Two, the motor is not the 12 year old motor. It's a 2012 reworked Gladias motor, so 3 year old design. Three, how hard do you guys run these bikes? Is it Kalifornia fuel? I'm 200lb and I ride hard in the mountains, do some super slab and heavily loaded long trips. I get an "average" 62MPG. You guys are nowhere close. On real non ethanol gas I get 70+mpg. I don't ride whimpy either. I went to a ride N camp which had a large turnout. There were 167 bikers that camped. Of that 167 over 50 and I personally counted that many when I quit counting were riding V-Strom 650's. There were a few Suzuki 1,000's and a dozen+- high dollar Beemers but ONE Versis, One African Twin, One Buell, One Burgman 650(a real sport) and a bunch of assorted converted barely legal dirt bikes. No matter how you cut it the V-Strom will remain the choice of the vast majority of rides that choose a midsize engine ride. All ages, sizes of riders can make the V-Strom 650 fit. Big guys do not and will not ever fit the Versis or Honda. Just my $.02....Mike
Yeah I have to say I've just been sucked in by that deal, 0% on a brand new 2015 dl650 xt with all the accessories (it was used in an R&G photoshoot) and none of the competitors were offering that. Pass my next test on the 6th of July so should be picking it up am that afternoon :)
Love them all, but V-Strom for my money, long term enjoyment. Big discounts are easy to come by. Kawasaki and Honda are better urban bikes, Suzuki better for distance. I dunno it's just the one for me, but I'd be very happy with any of them. The Honda with the automatic would be interesting.
Oh and the Suzuki engine was updated in 2009 for the Gladius and then tuned for the 2012 redesign of the V-Strom.
Id take the Versys. The Strom is outdated in the style department and the Honda looks to plasticy.
Samual Iam The strom is outdated in every department.
steady2wheels The new 1000's have been updated to a point and not just in the style department.
the 650 is still running a lot of old technology on it, I rode one recently and was dissapointed with the lack of refinement
steady2wheels Not really, it had a big make over in 2012, > BTW the same time the other bikes came out, except for the Verses that is brand new; ) < but the dl650 also had a power increase, and the mpg is even better.
It does have a little higher price by MSRP but can be bought for much lower, even the dl650 adventure with hard bags & crash bars ect runs @ $8,900 some higher & some lower.
I have a K6 DL650 and it gets 61+ mpg, the new bike does even better. Some European bikes are still air cooled with motor tech much older, and costing much more think Monster 696, and its rated higher HP then MY SV650 that dynos more true power, and cost way less to maintain.
The thing is all these bikes are aimed at a different rider, witch is great for us all.
But read the full story if you haven't, it helps clear somethings up, like tank size & HP & TQ, but there is better bunch of bikes in the US then in many years so enjoy. Go to > fuelly.com < for real world MPG figures, you maybe surprised, or not..lol
Where's the new 650 vstrom instead of last years model
Why doesn’t the Kawasaki have a center stand!!!
offer larger tire on front of Versys as optional upgrade
Hmm, only 3 bikes reviewed from a large category... Where's Yamaha, where's BMW, Triumph, even Ducati? There's a LOT to choose from in this general application of motorcycles, and even in this specific style.
Aleksi Joensuu I was wondering the same thing and all I can come up with is price and availability. Not to mention insurance.
+Samual Iam what bikes would yamaha bmw triumph and ducati put in here only bmw had a suitable twin in this 70 bhp approx group f700gs and this would be much better but a good deal more expensive
Chris Hart Your run-on sentence makes no sense whatsoever.
+Samual Iam, yamaha, bmw,ducati, triumph suggest you're bikes to be added to the test
Chris Hart Still not making any sense.
That V Strom engine is more advanced than it was 16 years ago..
review seemed more like personal opinions.
Fine with me! I can read scorecards and specs anywhere. Personal opinions of seasoned riders are what I want.
Wassup with the chain?
How is this a '2015...shootout'?! The NC700 has been replaced with the NC750 and that V-strom is from 2014 (a few changes were made in the 2015 model).
Let's call this video, "2014 Urbane Adventurers Shootout".
Did i actually hear one of these reviewers acknowledge the aftermarket!? I never understand why these guys make easily remedied issues into deal breakers.
+riddingwithtom is that you?
Need to put a bigger tire on front of Versys
"Then after you’ve lived with them for a few years, the maintenance, the narcissism, the psychic wear and tear of constantly stoking the beast’s ego and keeping up with the Joneses can get to be a drag".. I'm right there now.. Versys it might be, trying one nxt week.
V strom now has the Gladius engine in and no longer the Sv engine
Difference between SV engine and Gladius engine ? SV engine has a oil radiator, Gladius engine has a heat exchanger between water and oil.
the suzuki's engine definitely isn't the same one as the old one. Get your facts straight.
+ossa60 I was just going to say it, then saw your comment. The engine is completely different. Very poor review. Usual nonsense talked about these bikes. The V-Strom is the best bike I have ridden in 40 years. Ride 365. :)
@@sjmorrishome completely different ? Hardley.
on my country the versys(not the costs 9.700 euro so its not even worth it to look at it if u want a small adventure bike....
Love the exposure and opinions. For the love of leaning, get a new sound tech, or gear or Whatever you need to not sound like a home made video on a cassette!
missing the 660Z
I never really considered these bikes, and I guess that is because I don't want an urban adv bike. That's why I own the best of both the sporting world, and the best of the adv world... The joys of owning multiple motorcycles. I wouldn't want to cross the streams too much, because then you are loosing more positives than gaining, in my opinion.
HONDA FOR ME! As if you couldn't tell
"All three of these bikes will RARELY, if ever, see any off-road."...?!?! Have you guys ever even TALKED to anyone with a V Strom??? You know what? How about you guys stick to reviewing sportbikes (given that, no matter WHAT type of bike you review, the one with the most horsepower always ends up on top, regardless of what the bikes are designed for!) You can leave the adventure bike shootouts to the big boys. (Incidentally, I would LOVE to see you try to take the Versys "...pretty much anywhere" the V Strom can go!) For a channel with decent production values, your reviews are predictably one-sided and ultimately useless unless someone is wondering what bike feels more like a sport bike!!
where's yamaha?
Although the "new and improved" wee has been out since 2012, the 650 in its original form has been out since 2004, and yes there are differences between the two, the overall still remains the same. Just saying, its not a newcomer to the trio.
These are adventure bikes. Why this review is solely based on road and not on dirt? I came here looking for adventure capabilities and not touring :)
7:44 *rolls eyes*
suzuki has got its engine from Gladius, and is not 16 years old from SV
The basic design IS 16 years old. 2 or 3 more hp from the 01 carb model.