what kind of petrol do you put in your kle?

@berty - mine vibrates too arround 5000... but not disturbing and not the whole bike just the plastics on it, anyway I usually change gears at 4000 - 4500 except 6th gear when I go at 9000 rpm maximum

regarding gas - I use unleaded 95 or 99 and I really don't see any difference between these two types of gas.

But I have an older model '94

Yep I am happy the way the bike is being run in. The first 160km or so you keep it back to get the tyres to wear in and get some grip. there after you RIDE the bike. Just keep it out the red zone and don't let the motor labour. Pamper it and you will end up with a lazy bike. At 160Km/h she only runs at 8000 rpm with 3000 to go before the danger zone. She does not rev much higher and will only see 175km/h on a downhill with plenty revs to spare. In my opinion fitting an aftermarket exhaust and air filter will make her breath easier and allow her to rev higher in 5th and 6th. Any idea where i can find a bigger screen as i find the standard one useless at high speeds.

Thanks for that - I am more used to a 600cc single (Yam TT600R) and it does not rev that high; I don't know how many revs it pulls because it does not have a rev counter but it certainly is not as high as your twin.
I agree that if the bike is used over it's full capability, within the running in advice, then it will be a better engine over it's full life; my wife's 650GS revs well and the engine thrives on "strong" use of the throttle.

I have seen another thread in this tech forum about bigger screens for the KLE; I believe they say that other Kawa screens will fit (or maybe it was about after-market screens but have a look through here).

Cheers,

Dave

new kle
 

a good friend of mine bought a brand new kle last year.after running it for a year there where 3 issues,hard seat,crap sidestand,slight corrosion.apart from that he and i loved it.sadly it recently got stolen:(.he had the matt black and bronze one.awsome colour scheme.the motor is unbusrtable,best used buy on the market.imho.:thumbup1:

i agree about the seat but what is the problem with the sidestand?

too long
 

my freinds bike blow over a couple of times due to the sidestand angle,the bike was too vertical.needed 1 cm off the stand.:rolleyes2:

From the Salesman
 

I was in a Kawasaki dealership in Sydney this week to look at the new KLR (mmm), but spotted the KLE right next to it.

I sold my Dominator in London before coming over *sniff*, and am now tempted by something new (for me).

I'm surprised to read comments on the height of the KLE, because I am only 5'7/5'8ish and was very comfortably flat-footed when sitting on it. (perhaps it was a lowered version?).

The salesman's comments were really helpful though, and confirm some of what you guys have already found out for yourselves (so lovely to speak to a salesman who rides and loves bikes, gives you plenty of helpful info and doesn't give you any BS). Basically he said:

• The engine is unbreakable. It's also simple enough for you to learn to do your own servicing.
• Get rid of the standard exhaust and fit a stainless steel one that is lighter.
• The strong steel subframe won't need strengthening for long trips - it's pretty robust.
• If you're planning to do a fair amount of off-roading or dirt riding, the front mudguard may need to be raised a bit (there's not much clearance between the tyre and the guard, which could clogg up in the mud).
• If you can, get hold of some second hand fairings if you think you are going to show the bike some tough love. Replacements can start getting a little pricey.

I think that the dry weight of the KLE was around 180kgs. I am used to the 160kgs dry of the Dommie and actually felt the KLE to be lighter - it's center of gravity is a bit lower.

Hmmm, this bike shopping stuff is fun!

Sounds like the Dommie is already gone and forgotten! How are prices over there? The KLE is great value in the UK; a brand new one can be sourced for around £2800 or so (Autotrader has them at that price), with second hand asking prices, say 18 months old, at not much less than that - how do you depreciate a bike that is already "value" at the brand new price? - the answer is that the trade can't do it!!
It has a two cyl engine rather than the single that you are used to, so it should be a lot smoother as well.

For the suspension, it depends also on the "sag" - how much the suspension settles with the weight of the rider in place basically. What looks like a tall bike on the stand can be anything but when loaded up + your height is not really "short" and it is said that the leg length of females is more than that of males, overall height for overall height (never checked out that latter "fact").

I think the stock exhaust contains a whole load of catalytic converters to meet the law (3 total?), so it would be weight saving to ditch that.


Agree with everything you imply about sales staff here; can't find one worth having a conversation with!! (Those who own their own bike shops are the exception of course).
I am interested in this bike as a potential future purchase; maybe there is a replacement model on the way?

Have fun shopping!!

ps I love the enthusiasm on these threads for the KLE; have a look at the KLE pics thread as well.

And for the slight corrosion Ade: was that the "quite usual" (for yamaha anyway!) bolt heads or something else?

KLE 500 manaul
 

Hi there!:scooter:
I have been searching for 6months for any info on my KLE, the agents are ripping me off!! I'm looking for a service manual PLEASE!!

I bought the bike in February and only traveled about 250Km with it, now it would'nt start, thinks the timing is out. The agent told me that I need to buy the timing chain, tensioner, chain guide and maybe the valves are bent too!! Spoke to a motoracer and told me the agents want to make money! Have to check the timing first!

gawievdlith@gmail.com:clap:

Try this other thread:

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...-manual-9079-9

and:welcome: ---- you will find lots more information in here for your bike!

I had a quick look at a group test in one of the British magazine, last year sometime (or a couple of years ago, i forget). Anyway, the KLE got panned. But that was likely to be expected considering that Brit mags generally only rate the latest whiz-bang rockets - a re-hashed design exercise by Kawa of a "stone age" bike was never really going to be treated any other way. And the "new" KLE was heavier/underpowered than the original... But for a new rider or a non-fashion victim, ideal! Go for it!!:mchappy:

Quite!
I've given up reading the BS that UK journos manage to produce.
In Italy and France, there are more Yam Fazer 600s sold then all of the sports bikes in the UK; this country is a minority market for new bikes. I've nothing against sports bikes and I follow bike racing in a "vague" sort of way, but our journalists cannot see beyond that. So, take no notice of what is said in the mags and take a test ride is my policy.

KLE 500 manaul
 

Thanks to everybody that replied with info on the manaul!!!!

It helped me alot, seems that my hunch was right, timing is out by miles, luckily looks like there's no dammage to the valves. Main fault was that the timing chain tensioner at the front of the engine got loose and droped to the bottom of the crankshaft casing.

Will put it together and let you all know whats hapening!!

THX!!:thumbup1: