The Kawasaki 650 LT received its last major update in 2015 and with ample storage capacity, a friendly parallel-twin engine, as well as an agile chassis ? this middleweight sport-touring machine still entices. Photos by Kevin Wing.

When the current generation of Kawasaki?s Versys 650 LT appeared on the scene in 2015, the motorcycle landscape was a different place. Things like full-color TFT instrument panels, ride-by-wire throttles, and electronic aid packages with IMUs were reserved for an elite class. Today, those features are all but ubiquitous among liter bikes in nearly every category. They have even begun trickling down to select middleweights. Heck, the latest Kawasaki Ninja 650 has a TFT display with Bluetooth connectivity.

In a rapidly advancing world, the Versys 650 LT has studiously marched on, gaining a devout following for its affordability and utility. Its basic analog and LCD dash works well enough ? the first LT came out long before ride modes were a twinkle in an engineer?s eye for this segment. Modern LED headlights would be an improvement over its halogen bulbs. The 649cc parallel-twin engine is eager and astoundingly dependable while missing some of the excitement seen in competitors. All of that is mated to a compliant chassis that?s proven itself in commuting and touring roles.
A basic analog and LCD instrument panel is easy to read, including helpful features like a gear indicator. Simple and effective.

What I?m describing isn?t the flash...