The Kawasaki KLE500 Urban takes the newest member of Kawasaki’s adventure family and equips it for the job most riders actually ask of a mid capacity adventure bike, which is getting across town every day and still being ready for a long weekend. It keeps everything that makes the KLE500 so approachable and adds the practical fittings that make daily use effortless, without the weight or bulk of a full touring set up.
At its centre is the 451cc liquid cooled parallel twin that Kawasaki has spread across its lightweight range, a compact and torquey unit that pulls cleanly from low revs and never feels strained at motorway pace. Drive goes through a six speed gearbox, and the engine’s easy delivery is a large part of why this bike suits riders stepping up as much as it suits experienced hands wanting something simple and honest.
The chassis is built for real roads. A 43mm KYB inverted cartridge fork offers 210mm of travel and the Uni Trak monoshock adds 200mm with preload adjustment, so broken tarmac and speed humps disappear beneath you. A 21 inch front wheel wearing IRC GP-410 rubber gives the steering its long legged, unflappable feel, and a single 300mm front disc with a two piston caliper and switchable ABS provides the stopping power. At 194kg with a 1,555mm wheelbase and an 860mm seat, it is tall and commanding without being intimidating once moving.
What makes this the Urban is the fitted kit. A rear carrier with top case takes a helmet, a laptop or the week’s shopping without a rucksack, while the USB-C socket and relay kit keep a phone or satnav charged on every ride. Add the 16 litre tank and the range between fills is more than most commutes will ever need. Braking is by a 300mm front disc and a 230mm rear, both with ABS, and the assist and slipper clutch keeps the lever light through stop start traffic. It is the KLE500 configured for the rider whose motorcycle earns its keep. Come and see it at GT Motorcycles in Plymouth, your local Kawasaki dealer serving riders throughout Devon and Cornwall, where our team can talk you through finance options and arrange a test ride whenever suits you.
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