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It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



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  #1  
Old 2 Aug 2008
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kle 500 with pillion
hello everyone im new to this forum and i am thinking about getin a new ish kle just want to ask do anyone have any experience with the kle with pillion and luggage im only 17 and my pillion eg the missis is the same age so we are only small build i am currenty using a fzs 600 fazer but its not my cup of tea i love enduro's but only being a student cant really affort a bmw or transalp if you no wa i mean plus think the kle is a really nice looking bike so if you have any experience with pillions let me no wa its like thanks a millions
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  #2  
Old 3 Aug 2008
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G'day

If I remeber correctly, the manual states a maximum load of 185kg including rider and pillion. My missus and I come in at 183 kg. We have ridden the bike on a 300km round (day) trip, with a givi 35 litre topbox for luggage (not much weight though!

The preload was set to full and the suspension still struggled and I would be hesitant to do much (any!) off road work with a pillion - bottoming a couple of times, but we were able to hold a top road speed of around 120kmh. Acceleration is definitely affected.

Cheers
Ian
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  #3  
Old 3 Aug 2008
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Similar experience to Ian really. Bike ok 2 up for relatively short distances as it has to work hard with passenger on back, acceleration is lacking. I also have suspension on max setting and tail risers. I find shape and size of seat a problem with passenger, they take all the space up which leads to me being forced up against tank. Always a painful experience.

I have not noticed any significant issues with suspension.

Really depends on your combined weight/size and how much travelling you are planning to do 2 up.
If you go back through the threads you will come across some folk who travel distance with passenger and load on KLE's.

Neil
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  #4  
Old 3 Aug 2008
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thanks
thank you both, well i am about 6 ft ish and very small build my pillion is a bit biger but no by much i only only 2 up i do is just the local commute and the only really milage we really do is a 120 mile one way trip to cardigan bay campin for the week so i think the kle will be a graet bike for it thanks for you help

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  #5  
Old 3 Aug 2008
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Just back from a 140 mile ride with the missus and spent sometiime thinking about your question. Acceleration from stand still is affected with passenger but once moving no major problems. It was pulling 6,000rpm at 75mph and will continue to gain momentum until it reaches 8,000rpm (pulling suggests power, think momentum is more appropriate)!

Useful that you both do not weigh a lot, more scope for carrying gear.
I am sure that you will enjoy the bike.

Neil
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  #6  
Old 3 Aug 2008
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thanks again
thanks your replay was very help full when my fazer was restricted to 33 bhp it was not that bad with pillion or luggage so i guess that the kle at apparently 47 ish hp will be more than enough thanks again for your reply m8
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  #7  
Old 4 Aug 2008
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The later KLE500's have quite strangled motors,the later ones are considerably less than 47bhp, more like 38. and with the soft suspension, and slopey seat are not really upto much when riding 2 up. Ok for short hops, but any distance, and the pillion is constantly pushing the riders nuts (or female equivalent) against the tank.
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Old 4 Aug 2008
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2 up
hi
i have had a few spins with a mate who is 6foot4 on the back.
had to turn shock up as said by everyone else but not all the way
had to take top box of as it was sticking in his back but no worrys
the bike is not fast any way so it not a worry just make sure u have a long road to overtake.
just watch when brakeing as they are crap brakes anyway and it will dive a bit.
i think u will like the bike .i was going to get the bmw as well but price of kle
new was the winner
great bike round town
u can get lots of bits if u lookaround ie screens ,crashbars,etc
hope this helps
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  #9  
Old 4 Aug 2008
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thanks again
thanks again every one just woundering have any one thort about puting a cb 500 engine in the kle its has a bit more power and torqe a friend of mine has one and he always got a pillion and she is a big old bird and it still pulls well do you think the cb 500 engin will fit whats your thorts peps
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  #10  
Old 4 Aug 2008
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That seems like a huge amount of effort for little gain.
Are you sure he didn't put the full power GPZ500 motor in?
They are almost identical to the kle, but with plenty more top end poke.
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Old 4 Aug 2008
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cb 500
hi i dont no any one who as dont it i meant i no a bloke who has a cb500 has the gpz 500 got more power didnt no that thort they was the same as the kle wb
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  #12  
Old 5 Aug 2008
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Touring on KLE
I'm just back from a 2800 mile tour around France with pillion, two panniers and a hold-all strapped to the rack on a 2007 KLE500. You need to keep any luggage on the rack well back to allow plenty of room on the seat. Longest run was 350 miles back home from northern France (in the rain )-you do need to take frequent breaks after the first 150 miles or so as the seat does become uncomfortable after a couple of hours. Crossed alpine passes with no problems with power/torque. Cruise up to 80 mph fully loaded .
60 m.p.g. if you keep it down to 70 mph. As robroymc says leave plenty of room for overtaking and breaking. Not the greatest touring bike in world history - but at the price - .
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  #13  
Old 5 Aug 2008
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wow
thanks i think the kle will be more than enouth after your replay thanks alot mate that was well more than helpfull keep up the touring keep me posted
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  #14  
Old 7 Aug 2008
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Hi guy's, I agree with all said about the kle, had mine from new just over the year and it's been great, it may be up for grabs in week or two's time, (feel a change comin on)
regards TDMalcolm
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  #15  
Old 7 Aug 2008
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If carrying a pillion and using a topbox, you need to set the locator plate that comes with the box a little bit further back and there will be no probs for the passenger.

My wife comesout on the back of mine and likes the secure feel of leaning back on the topbox.

The rear shock must be put to max (even solo riding).


cheers
Roy
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