The owners of touring bikes rely on them for the long haul

Traveling by motorcycle is something that has never really gone out of fashion, but to be honest it has never really been as fashionable as it is now. This fact is supported by an impressive selection of motorcycles that can be used for travel. From small dual-sports to enormous complete sideboards, there is something for everyone.

The kind of bike you buy certainly depends largely on what kind of riding you want to do and your budget. Adventure bikes are great, but if you’re not interested in bombing a fire road every now and then, they’re not much use. Larger, dedicated touring bikes are considerably more comfortable, but also considerably more expensive. There are a few bikes that are making a difference, but only one has truly won the trust of its owners around the world.

In order to provide you with the most current and accurate information, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Kawasaki. While the opinions are ours.

The Kawasaki Versys 650 LT ABS is trusted by owners for the long term

MSRP: $10,399

The Versys 650 has long been the standard choice in the middleweight touring segment. It has proven to be one of the most reliable motorcycles in the industry, and although there are now several other motorcycles competing in this field, the Versys remains a top choice. Over the years the inclusion list has certainly improved, but the price has also risen, and while it offers good value, it’s no longer the bargain it once was.

The Tiger Sport 660 is the most like-for-like alternative on the market today. Its sporty triple certainly sets it apart from the crowd of parallel twins, but it lacks a number of features that come standard on other bikes. Technically it’s cheaper than the venerable Kawasaki, but even the luggage is optional. If you add that or something from the aftermarket, the price will increase quite a bit.

Honda has the NC750X as an automatic option. It’s not the only automatic motorcycle with plenty of storage space. Maxi scooters are often frowned upon by some enthusiasts, but if you’re willing to talk about the whole thing with more openness, the BMW C 400 GT is an excellent option. It offers even more storage space, more comfort and premium details at a lower cost than any other touring bike in this space.

The Versys 650 has a bulletproof dual motor

Power: 66 hp

With no known problems over its lifespan, Kawasaki’s 650cc parallel-twin is the reason why so many people trust this motorcycle for long-distance travel. It is not without reason that Chinese manufacturers chose to license and then update this powertrain. It’s just extremely reliable and, as long as you take care of basic maintenance, it won’t let you down.

A versatile operator

Like virtually every modern parallel twin, it delivers solid mid-range performance, with most of its torque available from around 3,500 rpm. Of all the major manufacturers, Kawasaki was the first to explore the use of such a multi-platform drivetrain. It is a real all-rounder and fits everything from the Vulcan S cruiser to the Ninja sports bike. As you might expect, it doesn’t offer exciting performance, but it certainly has “enough” power for all these applications. In many ways it is the perfect engine for the Versys.

The Versys 650 is the pragmatic choice

For those looking for a real all-rounder, the Versys is perhaps one of the most practical options on the market. It’s more than comfortable enough for cross-country riding, yet it’s still quite light and, without the attached saddlebags, nimble enough to tackle the tightest city streets. Obviously it’s not an ADV and you can’t follow your favorite trail, but you can still bomb down the old fire road without fear.

All the right touring toys

The latest LT version is feature rich all things considered. In terms of electronics, you get the usual ABS and traction control, as well as a TFT dashboard. It’s important to remember that this is a budget-friendly model, but still gets standard handguards, an adjustable windscreen, fully adjustable suspension and luggage.

While not necessarily seen as a feature, the level of comfort on offer here is also quite impressive for a bike of this size. You can actually get on and just ride, and you won’t notice that you’re actually on a bike that costs half the price of some of the other more extravagant touring bikes. Well, until you actually twist the accelerator and ask for more.

The big caveat to the whole Versys 650 experience is the fact that while it does pretty much everything you could ever ask of it, it does it all with the efficiency of a device. There is absolutely no theater involved and that is quite a shame, because motorcycling should always have that.

Motorcycles are inherently dangerous vehicles, which is one of the reasons we ride them, and that sense of ‘danger’ is missing. It just feels ‘safe’. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing at all, and it clearly appeals to many riders as these bikes continue to sell in large numbers, but for others it could well be a deal breaker. As with any motorcycle, a test ride is quite important because no matter how good it is on paper, motorcycles are not ridden on paper.

Chassis, suspension and weight specifications