The Kawasaki KLE500 SE Adventure Tourer brings together the upgraded SE specification and a proper luggage system, creating the most travel ready version of Kawasaki’s lightweight adventure bike. It is aimed at the rider who wants a bike that is genuinely finished when they collect it, with nothing further to buy before the first long trip.
Motive power comes from the 451cc liquid cooled parallel twin found throughout Kawasaki’s lightweight family. It is an engine built around usable drive, comfortable holding a cruise for hours and responsive enough through its six speed gearbox to keep a twisting A road entertaining. That easy nature is precisely what makes a small capacity adventure bike work over distance.
The chassis is set up for comfort and composure. A 43mm KYB inverted cartridge fork gives 210mm of travel and the preload adjustable Uni Trak monoshock another 200mm, which becomes far more valuable once panniers are loaded and the bike is sitting lower on its springs. A 21 inch front wheel on IRC GP-410 tyres provides the steady, planted steering that long days reward, and the 300mm front disc with two piston caliper and switchable ABS covers braking in every condition. Kerb weight is 194kg unladen, the wheelbase is 1,555mm and the seat sits at 860mm, with a 16 litre tank giving a useful stretch between fuel stops.
An assist and slipper clutch lightens the lever and steadies the rear on downshifts, and braking comes from a 300mm front disc with a 230mm rear, both running ABS. What defines this edition is the luggage. A pair of 21 litre panniers mounts close to the bike so the weight sits low and central, meaning the handling changes far less than a top heavy load would allow, and an engine guard protects the motor from stones thrown up on rougher roads. Together they turn the SE from a capable everyday bike into one you can point at the far side of the country without a second thought. Come and see it at GT Motorcycles in Plymouth, supporting Kawasaki riders across Devon and Cornwall, where our team will happily discuss finance and arrange a test ride.
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