Four touring-capable motorcycles can be documented with current U.S. manufacturer prices and listed equipment as of 8 October 2026: the 2025 Suzuki V-Strom 650, the 2026 Honda NC750X DCT, the 2026 Honda NX500 and the 2026 Kawasaki Versys 650 LT ABS. Their base MSRPs run from $6,899 to $10,399. This guide sticks to those four rather than padding a list to ten, because we could not confirm comparable current pricing and equipment for the other candidates on the same basis.
How this guide defines “affordable” and “touring”
Here, “affordable” means a U.S. base MSRP of $10,500 or less. That line is an editorial threshold for this guide, not a manufacturer category or an industry standard.
“Touring-capable” means the manufacturer’s own listing supports at least two things: some form of luggage or storage (factory saddlebags, a luggage mounting system or integrated storage), and factory wind protection suited to highway miles. Every model below meets at least one of those conditions, and the strength of the touring case varies. None of these bikes has been ridden for this guide, so the assessments below rest on manufacturer descriptions and published figures.
Why four models and not ten
- Model years differ. The Suzuki V-Strom 650 listing is for the 2025 model. The Honda and Kawasaki listings are for 2026 models. Confirm the price for the year you intend to buy.
- Market is U.S. only. All prices here are U.S. manufacturer listings. Honda’s German site lists NC750X variants in euros and metric specifications; those figures are not comparable with the dollar prices below and are not used here.
- Not established for these models. The listings do not establish long-term reliability, ownership costs, real-world comfort, fuel economy across the group, or independent road-test performance. No reader satisfaction or market-value statistics are cited.
What the MSRP does and does not include
A manufacturer’s MSRP is a starting figure, not the price you will pay. The listings consulted show that it excludes the following:
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- Destination or freight charges, where the manufacturer does not include them in a total figure
- Sales tax, title and registration fees
- Dealer fees
- Optional equipment, including any luggage
Honda publishes a total MSRP that adds a $600 destination charge to each listed base price. Kawasaki lists a $685 destination charge for the Versys 650 LT ABS. Only a written dealer quote shows the out-the-door cost.
The four models
2025 Suzuki V-Strom 650
Suzuki lists a base MSRP of $9,299, before destination, tax, title, registration, dealer fees and optional equipment. The manufacturer describes the bike as suited to touring and commuting, and says the frame and sub-frame have integrated mounting points for optional V-Strom luggage. Luggage is not included in the base price. The listing gives a 20-liter fuel tank and a 213 kg (470 lb.) curb weight. These are Suzuki’s published specifications, not independently measured results.
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The V-Strom 650 is the lowest-priced of the three larger-displacement choices with a luggage path, but it is a 2025 listing, and buyers should confirm that the same price and luggage fitment apply to the model year they are considering.
2026 Honda NC750X DCT
Honda lists a base MSRP of $9,499 and a total MSRP of $10,099 including the $600 destination charge. The U.S. listing describes a 745cc liquid-cooled parallel twin with an automatic Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT), combined ABS, and 23 liters of integrated storage. The integrated storage is the main reason this bike belongs on a touring shortlist, because it means you do not have to buy a luggage system to carry a day’s worth of gear. Its listed wind protection is not described in the figures consulted, so check the windscreen on a bike before committing to long highway days.
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2026 Honda NX500
Honda’s U.S. adventure lineup lists a base MSRP of $6,899 and a total MSRP of $7,499 including $600 destination. The listing describes a 471cc parallel twin and an adjustable windscreen. This is the lowest entry price in the group, and it is the clearest accessible-price candidate. It is also a different machine: the smaller displacement and the absence of any stated luggage or storage mean it is not a like-for-like substitute for the 650s and 750s. The listing does not establish that it is the best choice for sustained two-up riding or high-speed touring.
2026 Kawasaki Versys 650 LT ABS
Kawasaki lists a base MSRP of $10,399 plus $685 destination, for $11,084 before other applicable costs. The LT ABS listing includes hard saddlebags with KQR mounts, hand guards and a 24-month limited warranty. The model page lists a 649cc parallel twin, traction control, TFT color instrumentation and long-travel suspension. Kawasaki describes the windscreen and upper cowl as providing wind protection for longer rides. Of the four, this is the most fully equipped for touring out of the box, and it is the only one whose stated warranty is listed here. Its base price is the highest in the group, and its total with destination is the only figure above $11,000.
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Side-by-side comparison
Figures are U.S. manufacturer listings as of 8 October 2026. “Not stated” means the listing consulted does not give that figure.
| Model (model year) | Base MSRP | Total MSRP incl. destination | Engine | Transmission | Luggage and storage | Wind protection | Other listed items | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suzuki V-Strom 650 (2025) | $9,299 | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Integrated mounting points for optional V-Strom luggage; no luggage included | Not stated | 20-liter fuel tank; 213 kg (470 lb.) curb weight | Not stated |
| Honda NC750X DCT (2026) | $9,499 | $10,099 (includes $600 destination) | 745cc liquid-cooled parallel twin | Automatic Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT) | 23-liter integrated storage | Not stated | Combined ABS | Not stated |
| Honda NX500 (2026) | $6,899 | $7,499 (includes $600 destination) | 471cc parallel twin | Not stated | Not stated | Adjustable windscreen | None further stated | Not stated |
| Kawasaki Versys 650 LT ABS (2026) | $10,399 | $11,084 (plus $685 destination) | 649cc parallel twin | Not stated | Hard saddlebags with KQR mounts | Windscreen and upper cowl | Traction control; TFT color instrumentation; long-travel suspension; hand guards | 24-month limited warranty |
Choosing by use
- Two-up touring with bags included: The Versys 650 LT ABS comes closest to a complete touring package. It has factory hard saddlebags, a listed windscreen and cowl for longer rides, and the highest base price of the four.
- Commuting and weekend touring with automatic shifting: The NC750X DCT offers automatic transmission and 23 liters of built-in storage at a base price $200 above the V-Strom 650’s, with the caveat that its wind protection is not documented in these listings.
- Luggage-first, with budget in mind: The V-Strom 650 has the lowest base price among the bikes with a luggage path, but the luggage is an extra cost, so price a complete setup before comparing it to the Versys.
- Lowest entry cost and lighter loads: The NX500 is the most affordable option at $6,899 base. Choose it for solo or light touring, and check passenger and highway comfort in person before assuming it suits longer trips.
Check fit and comfort before you buy
None of the listings consulted gives seat height or payload figures for these four models, so these checks have to happen at a dealer or with the manufacturer’s full specification sheet.
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- Seat reach: Sit on the bike with your feet flat or on the balls of your feet, and check reach to the bars and levers.
- Wind buffeting: Ask for a test ride at highway speed, and note helmet buffeting and shoulder fatigue, especially on the NX500 and NC750X DCT, where wind protection is not documented in the listings consulted.
- Passenger comfort: If you ride two-up, check the passenger seat, grab handles and footpeg position, and confirm that payload and passenger limits in the owner’s manual suit your load.
- Luggage fitment: Confirm that the luggage system matches your exact model year and trim before buying.
- Service access: Ask the dealer about routine service intervals and the nearest service center.
No test rides were performed for this guide. A test ride is the only reliable way to judge how a bike suits your height, reach and riding distance.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
