Every now and then a motorcycle arrives that immediately sparks ideas. That's exactly what happened when the new Kawasaki KLE500 rolled into the BikeReview garage...
This isn’t just another long-termer for us. In many ways, the KLE500 SE is one of the most important motorcycles Kawasaki has launched in Australia for years. The adventure market continues to grow, but not everybody wants a big, expensive, intimidating adventure bike.
Plenty of riders simply want a machine that can commute during the week, tour on weekends and occasionally venture down that dirt road they’ve always wondered about. We’ve already completed around 500km of testing and, to be honest, the bike is delivering exactly what we expected when we first saw the specifications on paper.
The 451cc parallel twin is smooth, friendly and surprisingly entertaining – not the low down thump of the mighty KLR650, more a peaky engine, but still great, while the chassis strikes a great balance between confidence-inspiring road manners and genuine light adventure capability.
First things first, we’ll be publishing our full road test in standard trim. We always think it’s important to evaluate a bike exactly as the manufacturer intended before reaching for the accessories catalogue. So far, the KLE has impressed us with its versatility, ease of use and approachable nature.
Welcome to the BikeReview shed, Project KLE500 SE.
The engine deserves special mention. Borrowed from Kawasaki’s Ninja and Z500 family, the twin-cylinder powerplant isn’t about outright performance figures. Instead, it offers broad, usable power that suits the bike perfectly. It’s happy cruising on the motorway, comfortable filtering through traffic and still has enough enthusiasm to put a smile on your face when the road starts to twist.
The chassis has also surprised us. The combination of a 21-inch front wheel, long-travel suspension and relatively low centre of gravity creates a bike that feels much lighter than the numbers suggest. It handles bumpy roads well, inspires confidence on gravel and never feels intimidating.
While Kawasaki has built an excellent all-round package, every motorcycle can be personalised to better suit its intended role and rider. Our goal over the next six months is to explore exactly what the KLE500 can become. We’re not building a hardcore adventure bike. Instead, we’re creating a practical adventure-touring motorcycle capable of commuting, weekend exploring and longer mixed-surface trips into places that are difficult to access on a road bike or road-focused sports tourer.
Soft luggage is first on the agenda, allowing us to carry camping gear, camera equipment and travel essentials without adding excessive weight. We also plan to fit a full exhaust system, an upgraded bash plate for improved sump protection and a more dirt-oriented tyre package once the original rubber wears out. Suspension will receive particular attention. Nick tips the scales at 110kg before adding riding gear and luggage, so a suspension upgrade will not only improve comfort and handling but also increase usable ground clearance when riding off-road, as the ground clearance is our main concern.
We’re also considering an upgraded airfilter, possible ECU tuning, stronger handguards, bar risers and potentially a handlebar change to improve standing ergonomics. Auxiliary lighting is also on the radar, although we’ll reassess that requirement after spending more time touring with the bike. For now, though, we’re keeping things simple. The immediate priority is completing the run-in period and carrying out the first service.
Kawasaki has kindly supplied a genuine Kawasaki oil change kit, so we’ll be documenting the process and giving the bike a thorough inspection as we begin its long-term journey. So far, the KLE500 has exceeded expectations. It’s approachable, practical and genuinely enjoyable to ride. More importantly, it feels like a motorcycle perfectly suited to Australian conditions and Australian riders. Stay tuned for Part 2 as we complete the first service, rack up more kilometres and begin transforming the BikeReview KLE500 into the ultimate lightweight adventure tourer.
Read the detailed tech information on the KLE500 here...
2026 Kawasaki KLE500 / KLE500 SE Specifications
Price: $11,544 ride away (ex Sydney) and SE $12,780 ride away (ex Sydney)
Colours: KLE500 – Metallic Carbon Gray / Ebony, SE – Metallic Bluish Green
Claimed Power: 33.4kW@9000rpm
Claimed Torque: 42.6Nm@6000rpm
Wet Weight: TBA
Fuel Capacity: 16L
Fuel Consumption (Claimed): N/A
Fuel Range (Claimed): N/A
Engine: Liquid cooled, parallel twin-cylinder, four-stroke, 8-valve, DOHC, 451cc, 11.3:1 compression ratio, 70.0 x 58.6mm bore and stroke, single injector per cylinder, 32mm throttle-bodies, six speed constant mesh gearbox, wet, multi-plate clutch with dual action slipper clutch, cable actuation, chain drive.
Chassis: Frame: High-tensile steel trellis frame.
Rake: N/A Trail: N/A
Suspension: 43mm telescopic inverted cartridge fork, 210mm travel, monoshock with preload adjustability, 200mm travel.
Brakes: 300mm disc with dual-piston Nissin caliper, selectable Nissin ABS; Rear – 230mm disc with single-piston Nissin caliper, selectable ABS.
Wheels & Tyres: Wire-spoked 21in front / 17in rear aluminium rims; IRC GP-410 tyres.
Dimensions:
Wheelbase: N/A
Seat Height: N/A (Low Seat accessory available)
Ground Clearance: 175mm
Overall Width/Height/Length: N/A
Instruments & Electronics: LCD digital dash (4.3 in full-colour TFT on SE) with smartphone connectivity via RIDEOLOGY THE APP MOTORCYCLE. Display includes: speedometer, tachometer, gear position, shift lamp, fuel gauge, odometer, dual trips, average/current fuel consumption, range, average speed, total time, coolant temperature, clock, battery voltage, service/oil reminders, and Economical Riding Indicator.
Kawasaki Genuine Accessories: Top case and bracket, panniers, rear carrier, large windshield, hand guards, grip heaters, USB Type-C, LED fog lamps, skid plate, engine guard, low seat, ERGO-FIT pillion seat, centre stand, radiator screen, GPS bracket, accessory relay.
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