Autocar India
13w

I am trying to choose between the Kawasaki Versys 1100 and Ninja 1100. My usage will include daily office commutes, weekend solo rides, and occasional 500-600 km touring trips with my wife and some luggage. I had brief test rides of both, and these were my impressions: Versys 1100: Extremely comfortable for both my wife and me. However, at 175 cm tall, I could not flat-foot it completely and found it intimidating in city traffic because of its size and weight. Ninja 1100SX: Not quite as comfortable as the Versys, but still comfortable. My wife found the pillion seat comfortable and did not slide into me under braking. I liked the handling very much and found it far easier to manage in city traffic. However, I suffer from occasional lower back pain, so I am concerned whether the slightly leaned-forward riding position might become an issue on longer rides. I want something powerful, smooth, easy to handle in city traffic and also good for a long tour on the highway. I do not plan to do off-road stuff. Also, the lower the weight to handle, the better it would be for me. I would often like to use this bike daily in the city, also being usable in Indian bumper-to-bumper traffic. Also, do note that in the past, I have tried one of my friend's 2025 Z900 and rode it for a full day and had back pain by the end of the day. So I don't want that thing to happen to me with the bike that I shall buy. Please suggest one which shall suit me best?

Verified
12w
Since you value a lower kerb weight and manageability, between the Kawasaki Ninja 1100SX and Versys 1100, we'd advise you to choose the Ninja. Yes, the Ninja has a slightly more committed riding position than the armchair-like ergonomics of the Versys, but it's a small difference and is unlikely to be the cause of back pain in the long run. Comparing the Ninja 1100SX to the new Z900, the latter has a more canted-forward riding position, which is perhaps the reason you experienced back pain after riding it. Also, bear in mind that if you anchor yourself to the bike using your legs to grip the tank, alleviating the pressure on the handlebars, it can make a world of difference over a longer duration.
The Ninja 1100SX is a sweet, capable, comfortable and feature-rich machine which can balance city duties with touring capabilities and seems like it would be a good fit for your needs.
Kawasaki Ninja 1100SX

Kawasaki Ninja 1100SX

6w

@autocar.india Really? You think when he sits with his wife on a 130mm ground clearance motorcycle, will he be even able to ride the motorcycle on India roads scraping all bad roads and speed breakers!

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Posted on: 2 Jun 2026