The Blackbird#
The stablemate of my trusty old 4Runner, the Relic, is a 2018 Kawasaki Versys 650 LT -- the Blackbird. The Versys 650 (the name is a mashup of "versatile system") is Kawasaki's vision of an adventure-touring crossover bike. The Blackbird has 2 main jobs for me: occasional across-the-nation touring, and transporting me to hiking trailheads of the Rocky Mountain states.
Features and add-ons for functionality, touring optimization, and safety:
- Engine guard crash cage
- T-Rex-Racing center stand
- Repurposed, locking ammo case rear/tail storage box
- ST2 Systems smart modules
- brake-light strober module
- self-cancelling turn signal module
- 48 LED brake, tail, and turn-signal rear light bar
- Kawasaki 28 liter hard pannier set
- Kawasaki hand guards
- Rostra cruise control
- Continental TKC 70 tires (70/30 on/off road design)
- Seat Concepts comfort-seat upgrade
With the above combination of features -- the cruise control being the most recent addition -- this bike has it all for me; it's an awesome adventuring partner for any road or trail.
So many destinations beckon, as do the engaging rides to get there.
