Honda CB500X vs Kawasaki Versys 650 in Bali: which adventure bike to rent

At a glance

Both are upright adventure bikes with a parallel-twin engine, a six-speed manual gearbox and ABS. The CB500X weighs about 199 kg, has a seat at about 830 mm, a 19-inch front wheel and a tank of about 17.5 litres. The Versys 650 weighs about 218 kg, has a seat at about 840 mm, 17-inch wheels and a tank of about 21 litres. In short: the Honda is lighter, the Kawasaki has about 19 HP more and carries more fuel.

Riding in Bali traffic

Neither is a town bike. In the queues of Canggu, Seminyak and Kuta you sit high and see over the cars, which helps, but you are working a clutch in stop-and-go traffic and steering 200 kg or more between scooters. The narrow shortcuts around Berawa and Batu Bolong are where both feel big, and a U-turn in a tight street needs planning.

The CB500X is the easier of the two here. Around 20 kg less is noticeable every time you park, push the bike backwards or turn around, and the slightly lower seat helps at a standstill. The Versys feels bulkier at walking pace and its weight wears you out in long jams; once the traffic moves, it is calm and stable. If most of your riding is short hops in the south, a scooter is cheaper and much easier to park.

Two-up and luggage

This is what both bikes are made for. Both have an upright position, wide bars and a seat that takes two adults for hours, and both come with two helmets and a phone holder. The Versys has the edge when fully loaded: its stronger engine pulls a passenger and bags without needing as many downshifts, and the extra weight keeps it settled on open roads. The CB500X carries two people comfortably too; you will simply change down a gear earlier on the climbs.

With a passenger, remember that both bikes are tall and heavy at a stop. Put both feet down, hold the front brake, and let the passenger climb on only when you are ready. Soft bags and backpacks work well; tell us what you plan to carry when you book.

Hills, Kintamani and long rides

Here both bikes make sense. The climbs to Bedugul, Munduk or the Kintamani rim, the east coast towards Amed and the west coast towards Medewi are easy on either, solo or two-up. The Versys has more in reserve on steep hairpins with a passenger and covers long distances with less effort; its larger tank also means fewer fuel stops in the mountains, where stations are further apart. The CB500X is the nicer bike on narrow, broken village roads: lighter to turn on a steep bend, and the 19-inch front wheel rolls over potholes and gravel more calmly.

A gravel access road to a villa or a viewpoint is fine on both. The CB500X and the Versys 650 are tarmac bikes, adventure styling or not; for dirt tracks and trails rent one of our enduro bikes, the KLX 230 or the CRF150L. On long descents use both brakes and the engine; ABS helps on wet hairpins but does not replace a slow entry into the bend.

Who should rent which

• Rent the Honda CB500X if you want one bike for everything, from the south to the mountains, and prefer less weight to handle at low speed. It is also the more natural step up for riders coming from a 250cc.
• Rent the Kawasaki Versys 650 if you plan long days around the island, two-up with luggage, and are used to handling a heavy motorcycle.
• Rent neither if you have never ridden a manual motorcycle: start with an automatic such as the Honda ADV 160. Both seats are tall, so if you are not tall yourself, ask to sit on the bike before booking.

To rent you only need a passport. Both are manual motorcycles, and to ride them legally in Indonesia you need a national licence that includes the motorcycle category plus an International Driving Permit; we can help arrange the IDP through our partner International Drivers Association. Delivery and pickup are free within 20 km of our Kerobokan office on rentals of 3 days or more. If you change your mind mid-rental, a swap costs 100,000 IDR for washing and preparing the bike.

Fuel and running

Both engines are bigger than 250cc, so both need Pertamax Turbo 98. Pertalite is not allowed on any of our bikes. Not every small station sells Turbo, so fill up at larger Pertamina stations in the south before heading to the mountains or the east coast, and do not wait for the warning light. Avoid roadside bottles.

The Versys goes further on a tank, but on both you will rarely need to refuel more than once on a long day trip. Servicing during the rental is done in our own workshop in Kerobokan; message us on WhatsApp if a warning light comes on or something feels wrong.

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