KLE500 v 03 XT600

[Jedkel]

I am seriously considering buying a Kawasaki KLE500 as they are being sold off at £3000 by several dealers. I rang one dealer to check he had a KLE in stock - he did but he also has some old stock of new 2003 Yamaha XT600s for £3000. Now I'm in confusion about which to buy. The bike will be used 95% /5% road /off road for daily commuting, weekend trips and yearly longer tours with a pillion passenger and luggage. Obviously a R1200GS would be better for my requirements but ain't available for three grand. Wanting a new bike for long term ownership. Any advice please.

[Martynbiker]

Buy the XT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!

[ozhanu]

for two up, XT sounds more reasonable. More power and maybe a bit more room for pillow. However, I'll go for KLE in the spring. Good bike with respect to its price.

[Walkabout]

The case for the KLE has been very well argued already:-

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...rst-bike-22933

As you say yourself, the XT is no longer manuf and is about 20 year old tech. "So is the KLE500" - it will probably disappear very soon as Euro 3 emission regs take over in Jan 08.
You pay your money and take your new bike, after tossing a coin!!

ps The dealers want your business at this time of year:-

pegaso strada = £3500

[sciii]

Same, kle have 20 years old tech, so! I think is better for you to buy new motorcucles. KLE is street enduro end is good for yours needs! It must be your decision!

[Jedkel]

Yes - 20 year old technology - thats good for me, less to go wrong , easier and cheaper to fix when it does.

[Walkabout]

I reckon that is not an easy decision in fact.

The KLE is reputed to have an uncomfortable stock seat while the single cyl XT has to be more vibey. But, you want to carry a pillion but you don't say how often or how far.
I guess you have read the posts about both bikes - there is a load of info in them.

It has been said a few times that if your passenger is not happy then you will not be either - they have ways of getting the message across!!

[Jedkel]

I've placed adeposit on a new KLE , the guy with th XT's had sold out by the time I got there. But I had pretty much decided to go for the KLE anyway. Main criticisms of the KLE on here seem to be:

1. uncomfortable seat . If I find this is a problem I may try this sheep skin thing or gel pads if the climate does not suit that.
2. poor front brake . Goodridge hose is a cheep upgrade and the first thing to try here.
3. Unavailability of accessories . I think Richard shot that one down with his excellent thread http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...LE+accessories
Tried the bike for size and there certainly seems to be plenty of room on the seat for two, have toured two up with a less powerfull engine in the past . Gentle touring on the agenda ,main need for speed nowadays is keeping out of the way of homicidal drivers on the main roads of this overcrowded island. Truck drivers would rather kill you than lose 2mph's worth of momentum. WALKABOUT you ask how far we are planning to travel - Northern Italy next summer is the longest trip we have on the current agenda. BTW just found this forum last week - isn't it a fantastic resource.

[Walkabout]

Originally Posted by Jedkel

I've placed adeposit on a new KLE , the guy with th XT's had sold out by the time I got there. But I had pretty much decided to go for the KLE anyway. Main criticisms of the KLE on here seem to be:

1. uncomfortable seat . If I find this is a problem I may try this sheep skin thing or gel pads if the climate does not suit that.
2. poor front brake . Goodridge hose is a cheep upgrade and the first thing to try here.
3. Unavailability of accessories . I think Richard shot that one down with his excellent thread http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...LE+accessories
Tried the bike for size and there certainly seems to be plenty of room on the seat for two, have toured two up with a less powerfull engine in the past . Gentle touring on the agenda ,main need for speed nowadays is keeping out of the way of homicidal drivers on the main roads of this overcrowded island. Truck drivers would rather kill you than lose 2mph's worth of momentum. WALKABOUT you ask how far we are planning to travel - Northern Italy next summer is the longest trip we have on the current agenda. BTW just found this forum last week - isn't it a fantastic resource.

Good solution with the KLE and an excellent summary of problem solving in your list here.
You know already about the KLE threads, and they certainly get lots of viewings which, to me, indicates the popularity of this bike.

Quite right, this is a great resource - it even got a mention in the MCN last week with a shortish article written by Grant J. I would expect to see a few more people signing up as a consequence.

Cheers,

[TDMalcolm]

Originally Posted by Jedkel

I've placed adeposit on a new KLE , the guy with th XT's had sold out by the time I got there. But I had pretty much decided to go for the KLE anyway. Main criticisms of the KLE on here seem to be:

1. uncomfortable seat . If I find this is a problem I may try this sheep skin thing or gel pads if the climate does not suit that.
2. poor front brake . Goodridge hose is a cheep upgrade and the first thing to try here.
3. Unavailability of accessories . I think Richard shot that one down with his excellent thread http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...LE+accessories
Tried the bike for size and there certainly seems to be plenty of room on the seat for two, have toured two up with a less powerfull engine in the past . Gentle touring on the agenda ,main need for speed nowadays is keeping out of the way of homicidal drivers on the main roads of this overcrowded island. Truck drivers would rather kill you than lose 2mph's worth of momentum. WALKABOUT you ask how far we are planning to travel - Northern Italy next summer is the longest trip we have on the current agenda. BTW just found this forum last week - isn't it a fantastic resource.

Hi Jedkel, I have a kle much for the same purpose you indicate (apart from the long tours) commuting general etc, the seat does get more comfy the more you ride! (getin use to it!!) and put some sinntered pads on you'll notice the differance almost straight away, and there are plenty of "extra's" you can get so...... enjoy
TDMalcolm