The Kawasaki KLE500 Adventure Tourer is the fully equipped touring specification of Kawasaki’s newest lightweight adventure bike, built for riders who want to load up on a Friday evening and still be comfortable several hundred miles later. It answers the question that stops many riders buying a mid capacity adventure machine, which is whether it can genuinely carry luggage, and does so straight off the showroom floor.
The 451cc liquid cooled parallel twin gives this bike its easy going character. It is a compact engine with a broad spread of usable drive, happy to sit at a steady cruise all day and flexible enough that the six speed gearbox rarely needs stirring on a twisting road. That relaxed nature is what makes long distances pass so painlessly.
Underneath, the 43mm KYB inverted cartridge fork provides 210mm of travel and the preload adjustable Uni Trak monoshock a further 200mm, a generous amount that matters far more when the bike is carrying weight. The 21 inch front wheel and IRC GP-410 tyres deliver the stable, planted steering that defines a proper adventure bike, while a 300mm front disc with a two piston caliper and switchable ABS handles braking. Kerb weight is 194kg before luggage, the wheelbase measures 1,555mm and the seat sits at 860mm, giving the long range view over traffic that riders buy these bikes for. The 16 litre tank stretches the distance between stops.
The touring hardware is what sets this edition apart. A pair of 21 litre panniers carries a weekend for two low and close to the bike where it barely affects handling, and the large clear windscreen pushes wind and weather off your chest and helmet at speed. Handguards keep the cold and spray off your fingers, while an engine guard and skid plate protect the vulnerable parts from stones and the occasional low speed slip. It is the most complete KLE500 you can buy and the one to choose if you intend to actually tour on it. Visit GT Motorcycles in Plymouth, your Kawasaki specialist for Devon and Cornwall, where we can arrange finance and a test ride at a time that works for you.
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