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With the 300-500cc adventure touring segment heating up in India, Kawasaki has reintroduced the Versys-X 300 to the market. The 2025 iteration features updated graphics, a new colour palette, and compliance with the latest emission standards. Mechanically, the bike remains unchanged. Let’s see how the updated Versys compares on paper to its main competitors: the KTM 390 Adventure and the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450.

Contents hide

1 Engine and Performance

2 Weight and Dimensions

3 Braking and Suspension

4 Features and Equipment

5 Price Comparison

6 Verdict

Engine and Performance

Specification	Kawasaki Versys-X 300	KTM 390 Adventure	Royal Enfield Himalayan 450
Engine	297cc, parallel-twin, liquid-cooled	399cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled	452cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled
Power Output	40hp @ 11,500rpm	46hp @ 8,500rpm	40hp @ 8,000rpm
Torque	26Nm @ 10,000rpm	39Nm @ 6,500rpm	40Nm @ 5,500rpm
Gearbox	6-speed	6-speed	6-speed
Power-to-Weight Ratio	223.46hp/tonne	252.74hp/tonne	204.08hp/tonne

While the Versys-X 300 is the only bike here with a twin-cylinder setup, it also has the smallest engine. Its power output is on par with the Himalayan, but it significantly lags behind both rivals in torque, which arrives much later in the rev range—typical of high-revving twin-cylinder motors.

Weight and Dimensions

Specification	Kawasaki Versys-X 300	KTM 390 Adventure	Royal Enfield Himalayan 450
Seat Height	815mm	830mm	825mm–845mm (805mm optional)
Ground Clearance	180mm	237mm	230mm
Wheelbase	1450mm	1470mm	1510mm
Fuel Tank Capacity	17 litres	14.5 litres	17 litres
Kerb Weight	179kg	183kg	196kg

Among the three, the Himalayan is the heaviest, while the Versys is the most approachable for shorter riders thanks to its lower seat height. However, it also offers the least ground clearance, indicating its more road-focused nature. Both the Versys and the Himalayan carry a larger fuel tank than the KTM.

Braking and Suspension

Specification	Kawasaki Versys-X 300	KTM 390 Adventure	Royal Enfield Himalayan 450
Front/Rear Brakes	290mm disc / 220mm disc	320mm disc / 240mm disc	330mm disc / 270mm disc
Front/Rear Suspension	Telescopic fork / Monoshock	USD fork / Monoshock	USD fork / Monoshock
Suspension Travel	130mm / 148mm	200mm / 205mm	200mm / 200mm
Tyres (Front/Rear)	100/90-19 / 130/80-17	90/90-21 / 130/80-17	90/90-21 / 140/80 R-17

The Versys is the only model with conventional telescopic forks and has the least suspension travel, highlighting its road-touring focus. Both the Himalayan and KTM offer USD forks with significantly more travel. Notably, only the KTM comes equipped with tubeless spoke wheels as standard; the Himalayan offers them as an add-on, while the Kawasaki lacks the option altogether.

Features and Equipment

The Versys-X 300 keeps things simple, featuring a semi-digital instrument console, dual-channel ABS, and a slipper clutch. In contrast, the KTM is loaded with premium tech like a 5-inch TFT screen, cruise control, IMU-based traction control, cornering ABS, and riding modes.

The Himalayan 450 strikes a middle ground, offering a 4-inch TFT with Google Maps integration, switchable ABS, and multiple riding modes—making it more feature-rich than the Versys, though not quite as advanced as the KTM.

Price Comparison

Model	Price (Ex-showroom)
Kawasaki Versys-X 300	₹3.80 lakh
KTM 390 Adventure	₹3.68 lakh
Himalayan 450	₹2.85 lakh – ₹2.98 lakh

The Versys-X 300 carries the highest price tag, primarily due to its parallel-twin engine. That said, it’s starting to show its age, especially when you compare it with the KTM, which offers a more modern package at a slightly lower price. The Himalayan remains the most affordable of the trio, undercutting the Kawasaki by almost ₹1 lakh while offering solid performance and a growing fanbase.

Verdict

While the Kawasaki Versys-X 300 brings twin-cylinder smoothness and road-friendly ergonomics, it lags behind in features and off-road hardware. The KTM 390 Adventure offers the best tech and adjustability, making it the most versatile option. Meanwhile, the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 stands out for its ruggedness and value-for-money proposition. Buyers will need to weigh whether Kawasaki’s premium and refinement justify the price, especially with such compelling rivals on offer.

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