Kawa KLE 500
 

Right so,
I reckon I am going to buy one of the new Kawa KLE 500s. I have failed to find anything really bad about these bikes by trawling the internet. It seems like a good, fairly simple bike that will plug along for ages built on a good engine (the 500cc twin from the GPZ 500). And its very cheap. The thing is, although there seems to be lots of people out there who use them for commuting etc. there seems to be very little use of them for adv. touring.
I'm aware of its limitations as an off road bike but realistically most of my riding will be on road with the occasional unsealed foray.
Does anybody have any experience of these bikes and have any advice as to what to look out for interms of reliability? Any suggested mods? I'd be grateful for any thoughts.
matt

Hi there, all I can add to this is buy one. They are so cheap and very capable. I bought mine mid july and have just returned from a trip around east europe, poor roads, hairpins, gravel etc. OK, its not down to dakar but the bike handle it fine. Ive just done 6500 miles on it already with no problems. I went with an old friend who rode my/his aprilia pegaso and the biggest surprise was just how economical it was, eash fill up saved me 3-4 euros!!
I bought a center stand which is tricky to use, theres no low down grab handle to haul it up, but worth the aggro for the chain/ wheel maintenance. Got a regular 160 170 tank range with some spare, as an allrounder its fantastic, I have never seen another on the road except once in france. Dare to be different!! Mine was 3200, I reckon they must be 3000-3100 sterling by now. Unbelieveable!!

hi there,my name hippo(yusof) from Malaysia,to add/gives some infomation about this bike and this engine also.

this model>KLE 500 engine base share same spec,athough difference spec especially on gear ratio dan bore/stroke dimension but all other part espect are the same.Kawasaki model used same engine with KLE model i.e Kawasaki GPZ500S,Kawasaki Vulcan 500,Kawasaki EN500.Part Should not be any problem especially in Malaysia if your visit my countries.There are many bikers using this model and the engine are great in term of performance and reability

There are Big Agent in Malaysia that supply all part of kawasakis model.This Agent are located at Kuala Lumpur and called Sunrock Malaysia.

Other part shop sell any big-part kawasakis like SEA(Sourt East Asia Autopart,Jln Ipoh Kuala Lumpur)

Mega Fortune,Penang,Malaysia.

Any info on part ability just email me,i'm glad to help especially any information regarding part for any bikes in Malaysia.

One day,i'm also want to look and see other contries.I hope!

p/s :: sorry for my english.

I have a KLE 14 years old, 93000 km, I traveled much on it, and ride off road and never any problem.

I,ve seen then available for 4995 euros in france.....bargain!!
A transalp is not worth so much more....but also dont forget the larger engine size of the TA so its not an equal comparison..
I have just done 8500 miles on it, no problems yet. In march we are planning a few weeks in morocco so that will be fun, just going to fit progressive springs and T63s.
I feel like i,ve nearly got my monies worth already..

Matt dont know if this is any use But I was in Kawasaki Newcastle a few months back with my son who is looking to buy a kle 500 and they were selling them off (new) for £3500 with all warranties etc and no doubt a little bit of negotiating into the bargain might get a few extras thrown in. Its a lot of bike for that type of money. I am not sure if these were last years models mind !.

Oops meant to say the price was £3000 down from £3500. that sounds better eh!

Actually, since posting this I've bought a Yamaha XT I got a great deal on. Would definatley consider one otherwise everyone seems to have only good things to say...
Matt