Kawasaki Versys 650 vs Benelli TNT 600 GT; Middleweight Adventure Touring Comparo

India has a very small market of middleweight adventure motorcycles but recently the things are heating up in this segment with some new launches. Besides Kawasaki Versys 650 which is a much-awaited middleweight adventure tourer in India and comes with standard ABS, there is Benelli TNT 600 GT. So, here we comparing the two so let the battle begin...

Design and Styling:

Kawasaki has used a diamond type frame, made with high tensile steel to give sufficient strength to the Versys 650. When we talk about the adventure motorcycles, styling is one of the topics we should rarely consider. However, Kawasaki managed to make it look stylish as well as added some interesting feature in the new Versys 650. The bike looks really good compared to its previous generation model and even many other adventure bikes available in the market.



On the other hand, built on a strong semi-trellis type frame, made with tubular steel, Benelli TNT 600 GT looks like a typical adventure section in the front tourer. With a front packed with semi fairing and a very masculine fuel tank the bike gets a robust feel. The bike has been designed practically and that can be felt in the styling as well.

Engine and Power:

Powering the Kawasaki Versys 650 is the same 649cc, liquid-cooled, a parallel-twin motor that is also doing duty on the Ninja 650, ER6n and the upcoming Vulcan S in India. The successful engine platform comes coupled with a 6-speed transmission and uses an Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) system to make 68.36bhp of maximum power at 8,500rpm and a peak torque of 64Nm at just 7,000rpm.

On the other hand, Benelli TNT 600 GT sports the same 600cc, liquid cooled, inline 4-cylinder motor that powers its naked sport-version- TNT 600i. The high revving motor produces power up to 83.9bhp at 11,500rpm which is much higher than its rival. However, the motor has been tuned better for a sports performance instead of touring and it delivers a peak torque of 54.6Nm at a much higher engine speed of 10,500rpm.

Chassis and Equipment:

Kawasaki Versys 650 runs on 17” alloy wheels that come covered with a tyre of 120/70 in the front and of 160/60 section at the rear. The front wheel has been equipped with dual 300mm discs that are grabbed by 2-piston calipers while the rear wheel gets single 250mm disc with 1-piston caliper. The bike has ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) as a standard feature. The suspension set-up of Kawasaki Versys 650 comprises of 41mm inverted telescopic fork with adjustable rebound damping (right-side) and adjustable preload at the front, and an offset laydown single-shock with remote spring preload adjustability at the rear.



Coming to Benelli TNT 600, it’s 17” aluminium alloys wheels get tyres of 120/70 section in the front and a wider 180/55 section one at the rear. The braking system comprises of dual 320mm discs at the front with a 4-piston caliper on each and a 260mm disc at the rear with 2-piston caliper. Despite having the larger discs than its rival, the TNT 600 GT misses on the ABS even as an option. The bike gets wide 50mm inverted forks at the front and offset laydown single-shock with adjustable-preload-rebound at the rear.

Price and Verdict:



Kawasaki Versys 650 has been priced in India at Rs. 6.60 lac (ex-showroom, Delhi) while Benelli TNT 600 GT comes with a price tag of Rs. 5.73 lac (ex-showroom, Delhi). So, Kawasaki’s offering prior one costs Rs. 87,000 more than Benelli even though gets features like the wider rear tyre, more power output and larger diameter of the front forks. However, the new Kawasaki comes with adjustable front suspension, better styling, adjustable windscreen, ABS standard and most important it provides more torque at much lesser engine speed compared to the TNT 600 GT. So, we have enough reasons to go with the Kawasaki over the Benelli.