Honda NT 1100 versus Kawasaki Versys 1000 S

Conclusion - what sticks

Honda's NT1100 invites you to travel and certainly appeals to many drivers of high age (as well as us) with its unagitated, elegant design. Well imaginable, for example, as a successful upgrade for drivers of an NC750 or similar and of course all Deauville and Pan European fans. All those who want to ride comfortably longer tours and want to rely on a comfortable, solid bike are certainly well served here. Whether it will be possible to appeal to younger drivers, we think is rather questionable. In addition to the joy of color, the NT1100 may also lack one or the other corner or edge or let's put it this way: It is not exactly peepy.

If you take it exactly, the selection of competitors of the Honda NT1100 is limited. After all, it really is a thoroughbred tourer and not a hybrid like an adventure motorcycle trimmed for roadworthiness or a crossover bike with the genes of a super sports car. Nevertheless, you could perhaps compare it with a Yamaha Tracer 9, Kawasaki's Versys or even a BMW 1250 GS if you want to go on a long journey.

The Honda NT1100 is available from 13,899 €, with DCT from 14,899 €. The additional equipment packages available cost 675 € (URBAN package), 965 € (touring package) or 1636 € (travel package).

The test bike was kindly provided by Motofun in Kaltenkirchen . So if you want to take a relaxed test drive, you can do that there.

Conclusion - what sticks

Driving pleasure, tour suitability, reasonable price-performance ratio and anything else? To be honest, there are hardly any points of criticism for us. The bike rides really extremely pleasant and smooth. The upright Adventure sitting posture in combination with the supple row quad is a great combination, which brings a lot of advantages on longer tours.

The optics can be discussed as always, but that's also a matter of taste here. By the way, the machine is available in the two color combinations Pearl Storm Gray / Metallic Diablo Black / Metallic Flat Spark Black & Emerald Blazed Green / Metallic Diablo Black / Metallic Flat Spark or in short Gray / Black & Green / Black. We find both successful and appealing.

Only a 19" front wheel instead of the 17 incher would be Dietmar and me perhaps still a concern. But even there, the spirits are divided, because the 17 inches in front of course ensure a good steering behavior. Either way, the Kawasaki Versys 1000 S is an excellently successful travel machine and Kawa does not promise too much! "Every street - At any time" we can sign with a clear conscience.

The test machine was provided to us by Heller & Soltau.