Kawasaki KLE 500 SE 2026 — Specifications

The new 500 KLE is more than just a return; it launches a whole new family for Kawasaki. Simply and lyrically called Adventure. It's aptly named, because while Kawasaki has a renowned trail offering with the Versys 650 and 1100, they lacked something for off-road/road use. Off-road tires have seized upon the 500 platform to offer the public an engine with rally-raid styling and a desire for undergrowth exploration.

Those who remember the old 500 KLE (from 2006) and even the original model from 1991 will be amazed. Having previously been a trail bike with a mix of urban and road characteristics, the Kawa now resembles a true adventurer, with a very vertical design and the look of a large-scale raid. A poster of the Dakar certainly must have been displayed on the main wall of the design office. Its triple headlight will undoubtedly remind you of the look of the Z 900 and the new Z 650 S; and as our colleagues at Trail Adventure Magazine astutely noted, it has a touch of Bimota H2 Tera – a striking reference.

Following the roadster and the sportbike, the 451 cm3 twin-cylinder engine finds a new avenue of expression with the KLE. Its power is established at 45.4 horsepower at 9,000 rpm, as with the other 500s from the manufacturer. The torque follows the family, with 4.3 mkg at 6,000 rpm. The chassis, on the other hand, is of a completely different caliber. Its frame is much more complex and reinforced, in order to absorb major shocks and bumps. As if the KLE wanted to hunt rocks rather than avoid them. At the front, a 43 mm inverted fork travels 210 mm – as for the rear, the shock absorber mounted on a progressive Uni-Trak linkage system travels 200 mm. With a diameter of 300 mm, the front brake is slightly smaller than on the other 500s from the manufacturer; on the other hand, the rear one is larger with 230 mm. 10 mm lost on one side, 10 mm gained on the other.

These specifications are truly oriented towards off-road use, its knobby tires and spoked wheels with enduro-style tires (90/90-21 and 140/70-17) do not betray the plumage of this KLE. Its range of action does not end with the paved road; it would rather begin there. More than pressing the button on the handlebar control to deactivate ABS and the excursion can begin. With 16 liters in the tank, it can last a good while. A capacity 2 liters greater than that of the Z Ninja 500. But the bike is heavy: 195 kilos full. That said, it's less than the model from 20 years ago. But for this type of machine, it is substantial.

Its significant suspension travel logically results in a high seat – 870 mm. It’s not as inaccessible as a true enduro but it is substantial. If necessary, the ERGO-FIT options allow for a lower, higher, more comfortable, or flatter seat. In short, more adapted.

What is standard, however, is the 3-position adjustable screen, from the base at +27 mm then + 55 mm. Just like the connectivity to enjoy the Rideology app. This SE version being more valued than the standard KLE, the rider can enjoy a larger screen, handguards, slender LED turn signals, a more robust engine guard and a 4.3-inch TFT screen. An element well known, present on all 500 SEs and having cut its teeth on other Kawa previously. The base 500 KLE is content with an LCD screen, which is quite successful.

The new Kawasaki 500 KLE arrives in a segment in full effervescence. The competition is quickly positioning itself with the convincing CFMOTO 450 MT, the surprising 390 Adventure R from KTM, without forgetting the recognized Royal-Enfield 450 Himalayan. It’s the CRF 300 Rally that will be pulling faces.

M.B. - Photos constructeur