Kawasaki Versys 650 vs Yamaha Tracer 700 Review Road Test | Visordown Motorcycle Reviews
Visordown Motorcycle Reviews: Which motorcycle is the best in the middleweight parallel-twin powered sports tourer category – the Yamaha Tracer 700 or the Kawasaki Versys 650?
YAMAHA can’t do anything wrong with its MT bikes. Everyone seems to get excited about a new addition to the range, or a derivative of it.
The Tracer 700 brought the prospect of a fun and affordable sports-tourer, like the Tracer 900 but based on the MT-07 instead of the MT-09.
In the excitement of the launch in June, we almost forgot Kawasaki had come up with virtually the same idea 10 years earlier.
We put both to the test in this review.
Read our full review here: http://www.visordown.com/road-tests/back-back-test-yamaha-tracer-700-vs-kawasaki-versys-650-review
*********************************************
For more exclusive bike reviews, awesome onboard footage and sneak peeks of the latest bike launches, subscribe to the Visordown YouTube Channel here – http://www.youtube.com/user/VisordownUK?sub_confirmation=1
Visit us on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/visordown
Follow us on Twitter – http://twitter.com/visordown
Check out our Instagram – https://twitter.com/visordown
I never thought the Tracer was a looker but compared to the Versys it looks like an Italian SuperModel.
The suspension of the Tracer is probably fine for most riders, but if you want to tinker with your bike, it would be fun to invest in aftermarket suspension and stronger brake pads. I’m still not sold on the windshield though, I think it looks horrible AF, same with the Tracer 900. On bikes like the Versys 650 or the 2017 V-Strom 650, the windshield somehow looks more integrated to the front of the bikes.
you forget the Yamaha TDM was here for years and a great bike
This guy’s review makes me want to nuke Britain! Fuck dude get a personality…
Another solid comparo. Great work Visor Down team (and Steve). Always appreciate the concise, informative and humorous video reviews! 🙂
I’m a Versys 650 LT owner in the U.S. We don’t have the Tracer 700 here, but if we did, I’d still prefer the Versys for it’s suspension and load capacity. I imagine it might haul a bit more than the Yamaha? I’m talking pillion, top box and panniers.
The FJ-09 (MT-09 Tracer) is limited in that area; compared to the Versys 650, so I suspect the Tracer 700 may be as well.
Most likely irrelevant if you’re not riding two up, with loaded luggage.
Both are no doubt, very useful and extremely capable bikes. Buyers today are spoiled with awesome choices! 😉
Excellent review, as always but could you record more of the engine sound ? MT-07 sounds really good with a throaty midrange due to more induction air than exhaust.
That’s interesting because there’s another review from the U.K. that had these two plus three other bikes and the Versys was the unanimous winner.
I like that Tracer.
I might trade my MT – FZ – 07 for the Tracer.
To much wind on the Naked MT, FZ, 07
Obviously your review leans towards the Yamaha… you don’t even mention that the Versys suspension is adjustable, front and rear. If I had to choose between slightly more power with a soft non-adjustable suspension or one with a fully adjustable suspension I would pick the fully adjustable suspension. The extra power will do nothing for you if you don’t feel confident in the corners! Versys by far is the better bike and it’s not just me saying so almost every comparison it’s in it wins. I have tried both and bought the 2016 Versys 650 LT. I like the Yamaha for lighter weight, front brakes (4 piston), and how the engine makes use of it’s power but clearly the Kawasaki was the overall winner in my book, it wasn’t even close.
i try this too bikes , the versys is better..
I don’t understand the logic of being critical of something because it’s dated unless the modern version of it actually an improvement. How is a digital LCD tachometer better than an analog dial, especially if the LCD display is so small as on the Tracer. For me the small cramped LCD display was one of the worst items on the Tracer and though not a deal breaker it is a major put off. I want a tachometer that I can take in at a quick glance and a clock face is perfect for doing just that.
I have had both bikes and the tracer is a much more fun bike to ride and is more agile . the screen also offers better wind protection for a tall Rider.
I’ve got the 2016 versys in orange awesome bike!
The versys also has much better luggage options with quick release panniers requiring no ugly brackets,it also has a 21ltr fuel tank,the Tracers is only 17ltrs.
…better comfort, better brakes, better suspension, overall build quality… I am glad i bought a versys
Would have liked to hear about the differences in the luggage systems between these two bikes. They are considered “sport-tourers” after all…
my second versys,what an improvement, had over 30 bikes 40 yrs riding,best bike ever ? oooh yesss,absolutely love em
Hey Bikee4, don’t nuke us yet, I’ve just traded my TDM 900 for the 2017 Versys 650.
I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it at the London Bike Show. So far, I think it’s brilliant.
Hi Stamatis, my Versys has just 1000miles on the clock and I’ve been gentle with it so far, but a few times I have taken it to 7000rpm I have been surprised at how much torque it has for a 650. The acceleration seems almost identical to my TDM which was a heavier bike, but overall this is an ideal bike for touring the green lanes of England and the highways of Europe which I will be doing soon. Remember this, no bike is perfect, but this Versys ticks most of the boxes.
Que vivan los diseñadores que se les ocurrieron poner esas luces tuertas. Malditos!
I am jealous of you European guys. I would really have the the option to check out the tracer 700 and the xsr700. In the US we don’t get them, which really doesn’t make sense for me, especially when it comes to the xsr700 cuz to me it makes more sense for that type of bike than the xsr900.
where are these prices coming from because 2017 tracer 700 is £6999 direct from yamaha