The Kawasaki KLE500 SE Rally combines the upgraded SE specification with the off road focused equipment that turns Kawasaki’s lightweight adventure bike into a genuine trail machine. For riders who want the SE’s higher grade fittings and intend to use the bike away from tarmac, this is the natural specification.
The 451cc liquid cooled parallel twin remains the foundation. Its strength is tractability, pulling smoothly from low in the rev range where a trail rider spends most of their time, and the six speed gearbox is geared to suit. The Akrapovic titanium exhaust fitted to this edition reduces weight where it matters most, high and to one side, and gives the twin a harder, more purposeful note under acceleration.
Suspension travel is where this bike earns its keep. The 43mm KYB inverted cartridge fork offers 210mm and the preload adjustable Uni Trak monoshock 200mm, a genuinely long stroke that lets the wheels track over ruts and rocks instead of skipping off them. The 21 inch front wheel with IRC GP-410 tyres is the traditional adventure choice for exactly this reason, and the switchable ABS on the 300mm front disc means you can disable rear intervention when sliding the back wheel is the quickest way round a corner. At 194kg with a 1,555mm wheelbase and an 860mm seat, it is manageable at walking pace and confident when the going opens up.
The Rally kit is the difference. A radiator cover guards the component most easily holed by a flying stone, while the low passenger seat gives more freedom to shift your weight when standing on the pegs. The USB-C socket and relay kit keep a GPS alive through a full day of Braking is by a 300mm front disc and a 230mm rear, both with ABS, and the assist and slipper clutch keeps the back wheel settled on aggressive downshifts, which matters on a loose descent. The 16 litre tank means a full day of exploring rarely needs planning around fuel, and the USB-C socket keeps a GPS alive through all of it. This is the KLE500 SE built for riders whose favourite roads stopped being roads some miles back. See it at GT Motorcycles in Plymouth, your Kawasaki dealer for Devon and Cornwall, where finance is available and a test ride can be booked whenever you like.
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