The Kawasaki KLE500 revives one of Kawasaki’s most fondly remembered adventure nameplates, built for riders who want to explore beyond the tarmac without giving up everyday comfort or affordability. It sits as an accessible entry point into genuine adventure riding, equally at home on a green lane at the weekend or a daily commute during the week, and it wears its dual-purpose intentions with an honest, unfussy simplicity rather than layers of complicated electronics.
Power comes from a liquid-cooled 451cc parallel twin with a 70.0 x 58.6mm bore and stroke, a DOHC eight-valve top end and downdraft throttle body fuel injection, tuned for a responsive, torquey delivery that suits both motorway miles and technical trails without ever feeling highly strung. Drive runs through a six-speed gearbox with a wet multi-disc clutch featuring assist and slipper function, smoothing aggressive downshifts on loose surfaces and lightening the lever in stop-start traffic at the same time, with a sealed chain completing the transmission and keeping maintenance straightforward.
A trellis frame in high-tensile steel carries a 43mm KYB inverted cartridge fork offering a generous 210mm of travel, paired with a preload-adjustable Uni-Trak monoshock giving 200mm at the rear, enough suspension range to keep the 194kg machine composed over rough ground without wallowing on the road. A 300mm front disc with a two-piston caliper and switchable ABS, plus a 230mm rear disc, provide the stopping power, while 21 inch front and 17 inch rear wheels, shod in IRC GP-410 tyres, favour proper off-road ability over a 1,555mm wheelbase.
The upright, comfortable ergonomics and an accessible 860mm seat height suit long days in the saddle, and a 16 litre tank stretches the distance between fuel stops on bigger rides. Whether commuting through the week or heading off-road at weekends, and whether it’s a first adventure bike or a lighter, simpler second machine, the KLE500 is a genuinely versatile passport to new horizons. It works just as well as a first proper adventure bike as it does a lightweight, easy to manage second machine for exploring further afield on a free weekend. Available now at GT Motorcycles, your Kawasaki dealer in Plymouth, serving adventure riders across Devon and Cornwall, with finance and test rides available.
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