Wait For The CB500X Or Buy The Versys 650?

The Versys 650 BS6 is priced at Rs 6.79 lakh, and we expect the CB500X to arrive around the Rs 6 lakh mark, so the Honda will be more affordable. But then that’s hardly a surprise, because it’s 178cc down on displacement, as a result of which it has a pretty big deficit of 19PS and 18Nm to the Kwakker. But then again, at 197kg, the Honda is also 21kg lighter than the Versys. Nevertheless, a quick look at the calculator reveals that the Kawasaki still has the higher power-to-weight ratio of the pair.

What it lacks in outright performance, the Honda makes up for in features, coming with LED lighting and fully-digital instrumentation, compared to the Kawasaki’s halogen illumination and semi-analogue gauges.

Neither of these bikes are hardcore off-roaders -- they’re more like soft-roaders. But the CB500X gets a 19-inch front wheel compared to the Versys’ 17-incher, so if you are going to venture off the beaten path, it should be the better option. The Kawi’s response is in the form of an upside-down front fork that’s adjustable for preload and rebound, compared to the Honda’s non-adjustable right-side-up unit. It also trumps the Honda in the braking department, with twin 300mm discs up front compared to the CB’s single 310mm stopper.