Just wondering what type of mileage I can expect before my KLE500 is worn out? I know it probably depends on how a machine is being ridden & maintained but it might prove interesting to see what type of mileages are being run up on these bikes before before major maintenance is required or when people reckon the bike is pretty well shagged out and requires replacement?
JQ

John,

My '06 has 47,000km on and no signs of anything major in the winds yet. Serviced every 6000km new oil and filter each time. Will get another set of plugs at 48,000 (first set changed at 20,000).

Nothing else touched on the bike except adding pannier racks, heated grips, HID and hi/low beam conversion. Probably going to add an auxilliary power outlet before too much longer as well...

Regards
Ian

Thanks for the feedback Ian. My 07 model now has 32k on the clock. It might be a bit of an ugly duckling but is probably one of the most reliable bikes I have owned so far and since out of warranty I have been servicing it by the book with no issues at all. I've also gone for Oxford heated grips that makes life far more bearable as a daily rider. Not quite sure those plastic hand-guards do much protection from the cold though? Have been running Michelin Sirac's since the OEM tyres wore out with great mileage and good grip both on and off road. Just hoping the old girl can get to 100,000 kms before I need to go looking for another mount?
Cheers
JQ

Hey!

There are some extreme cases where people have gotten over 160 000 kms with their bikes, but those are rare. These engines are usually good for around 80 000 kms, but again; there are a lot of factors to count with!

There are some GPZ 500s (same engine, except for camshafts and some other minor parts) that haven't even reached 10 000kms before engine failure (if you search around the Internet, you will in fact see that our precious engines have a lot of flaws, like valves, pistons, transmission (this only applies to the older KLEs (1994 and older)), the cases, the head, the crankshaft).

Usually, treat your engine well, and it will most likely reward you with a long life!


/Mollrik

Thanks Mollrik
Looks like I'm now riding a rolling test bed? ;-)
One of the reasons that swung me around to a KLE was the claimed big mileages the UK GPZ500 courier bikes were getting.
So far the engine feels tight & solid. I tend to treat it kindly so it will be interesting to see what type of longevity the thing returns?
JQ

I was only thinking the other day that my aim is to "clock" the KLE (100,000km) in the next three years or so, and then look around for an "almost new" beemer f800gs as a replacement... Just have to wait and see if it is a worthy replacement - if not another "almost new" KLE second hand will be pretty cheap by then I reckon....

Regards
Ian

P.S. forgot to mention that I have cheapo bark busters as well...

I had a look at one of those in a bike show. Nice looking bike, but the indicator set up looks a bit weird. Left indicator is on the left, right is on the right, and I think you cancel both on the right. It could get messy trying to throttle and cancel at the same time.

My '92 KLE has done about 100,000kms before needing a top overhaul recently and replaced inlet valve sets.

I did not ride it crazily but sometimes quite "spirited". Did oil changes myself when I remember !!! replaced plugs only 3 times. Cut stock exhaust off right at the outlet of 2-to-1 manifold and fixed a car exhaust one year ago. Fuel reserve kicks in at about 240km. It is still running on the factory fitted chain and rear sprocket !!! Yeah, the original set after 100,000kms!!! I am about 70kg and always ride alone.

Conclusion : it is a super robust traveller.

Hi

I owned a 1981 Suzuki GS 450 S for many years and it clocked 124 000 km before I had to do a complete enjine rebuild. When I sold the bike I had clocked up another 42 000 km from rebuild.

I am sure the KLE 500 will give good mileage as long as you keep those oil changes coming regularily.

It's not that complicated if you can chew gum and walk at the same time.