Kawasaki Versys 650

The Kawasaki Versys 650 is the adventure-friendly sibling of the popular Kawasaki Ninja 650. Consequently, it comes with longer travel suspension, a different design, and other elements to make it a sporty tourer. Kawasaki launched the 2026 Versys 650 in India, priced at Rs 8,63,000 (ex-showroom). It is Rs 15,000 more expensive than the 2025 model. You can also check out the image gallery of the new bike.

The 2026 Versys 650 gets a sporty design language - same as the bigger Versys 1100. The frame-mounted headlight assembly, the tall adjustable windscreen, and the sharp nose give it the proper ADV look. This along with the semi-faired bodywork should provide protection from winds at triple-digit cruising speeds. .

The engine casing is blacked out and has a stubby underbelly exhaust with a metal finish that not only looks neat but also gives you the convenience of mounting luggage on either side of the bike without worrying about the hot exhaust touching the panniers.

The 6-spoke alloy wheels are finished in a black shade, in-line with the bike’s stealthy look from its ‘Metallic Graphite Gray/Metallic Spark Black’ colour scheme. The 2026 model gets more minimalistic light-green graphics when compared to the 2025 version. That said, both bikes get the same grey and black base colour.

Safety Features

The 2026 Kawasaki Versys 650 only gets the essential features that are crucial for safe riding. It has the switchable traction control system (Kawasaki calls it the ‘KTRC’ -Kawasaki TRaction Control System), which will help you control the bike better in slippery conditions as the power is limited when it detects a wheel slip. The bike also gets dual-channel ABS as standard. We’d have liked it if it had cornering ABS.

Convenience Features

The updated Versys 650 comes with a 4.3-inch TFT instrument console, with smartphone connectivity through the ‘Rideology’ app. In this app, you can see the bike’s stats, riding log, and even the maintenance schedule. 

The Versys 650, when connected to your smartphone, also shows call and SMS alerts. You can even change the screen layout with the phone itself. That said, there’s no navigation, which is a big miss for a premium big bike.

Rider Comfort

The Versys 650’s riding posture should be quite comfortable with its mid-set footpegs, raised handlebars, and spacious seat. That said, some riders may find the 845mm seat to be on the taller side. 

Pillion Comfort

The pillion seat looks comfortable with its premium padding. That said, we’ll reserve our final verdict once we get to ride the bike properly.

The 2026 Kawasaki Versys 650 is powered by the 650cc liquid-cooled, parallel-twin motor. It makes 67PS and 61Nm, and is paired with a 6-speed gearbox. These figures are plenty for our roads, but the bike does not get any riding modes, so you’ll have to be careful with the throttle.

City And Highway Performance

With its 220kg kerb weight, we don’t think this will be the machine you’d like to ride in the city. Out on the highway though, this should be a great companion to munch miles.

Gearbox

It comes with a 6-speed gearbox and has a slip-and-assist clutch. The slip function prevents the rear wheel from locking up while downshifting aggressively. On the other hand, the assist function makes the lever operation easier. There’s no quickshifter even as an option. 

The Kawasaki Versys 650 comes with 300mm dual front and 250mm rear disc brakes, with dual-channel ABS as standard. The petal rotors should ensure better heat dissipation when compared to regular circular discs. 

Handling

It gets a 41mm inverted fork with rebound and preload adjustability. Its offset monoshock is only adjustable for preload. With such a setup, the rider can tweak the front and rear suspension as per their weight and the road surface. It rolls on 17-inch wheels, wrapped in a 120-section front and a 160-section rear tubeless tyre setup. The wheels are alloys, and are meant primarily for highway riding and not hardcore off-roading.

Ride Quality

With its long-travel suspension (150mm of wheel travel at the front and 145mm of wheel travel at the rear), the bike should be able to tackle bad roads well. 

The Kawasaki Versys 650 rivals the Triumph Tiger Sport 660, and the Moto Morini X-Cape 650. It will also rival the upcoming Royal Enfield Himalayan 750.