The Kawasaki KLE 500

[Jock_in_NZ]

I'm wanting to chop the GPZ 500 in for something more suited to adventure riding/gravel roads and I'm leaning towards the KLE (being similar to the GPZ) but can't find any of these bikes for sale. Even a search of the expired listings on TradeMe only brings up a couple, so starting to think it might be tricky to find one.

Does anyone know how popular these bikes were in NZ? Be also keen to hear the opinions of owner of these bikes too.

Cheers.

[Eddieb]

Triboy and Kanny have one and I think rate it. They are few and far between and I don't think I've ever seen one out on one of the rides organised through here.

[Skinny_Birdman]

A french guy rode one on the DB 2 dayer back in '08. He seemed pretty chuffed with it - until the sump plug fell out :shit:. It certainly seemed to whizz up the more challenging bits without any hassles.

[Willdat?]

My next door neighbour lives in the Marlborough Sounds in the weekends and he went from a string of GSXRs/CBRs to a KLE and he reckons that it is the best handling bike that he has owned.

There is also some kinda 'special' that is based upon the KLe motor IIRC...but I can't remember what it is!

[dino3310]

Bloody good bike:yes:

[tri boy]

Bloody good bike:yes:

Yup.:yes:
A paratwin, in a soft adv setup is a winner in my books.
Bit soft in the forks, and the front brake is a bit weak, but to have a dynoed twin 500 pull out to a ton indicated, (probably more like 150) is pretty good.
Falls in creeks spectactually also.:innocent:
(ask kanny bout that)

She likes her 93 model, (witk 135000km on it) so much, she would like a more modern one later. (after a bonneville, Indian Chief, ....................):facepalm:
http://www.rallytwin.com/history.htm

[NordieBoy]

A french guy rode one on the DB 2 dayer back in '08. He seemed pretty chuffed with it - until the sump plug fell out :shit:. It certainly seemed to whizz up the more challenging bits without any hassles.

Christian rode a KLE400...

[Jock_in_NZ]

Thanks for the replies guys. I'll need to keep searching the usual places. It definitively gets the thumbs up on Horizons Unlimited and ADV Rider, so must be pretty good.

[JATZ]

What about a Trans Alp ?, an older 600 one perhaps

[Jock_in_NZ]

What about a Trans Alp ?, an older 600 one perhaps

Didn't think of that one! Will go do some research. Also looking at the Kawasaki KLR 650 or Yamaha 660 Tenere.

[cooneyr]

...http://www.rallytwin.com/history.htm

Noticed these a few years ago. Anybody want to give me $70k US (WTF!!!). I really want to try a Webber Rally Twin :drool: Definitely on my lotto list.

Cheers R

[pete376403]

Didn't think of that one! Will go do some research. Also looking at the Kawasaki KLR 650 or Yamaha 660 Tenere.

I'd like to see a side by side comparison of these two (completely stock, unmodified)

The KLR gets criticised because it is ugly, slow, heavy, pretty average suspension, fragile plastics (+08's), etc, yet over on ADVrider they rave about the Tenere (even though it's not available in the US) almost as hard as they dump on the KLR
Yet as far as I can see the Tenere is slow, heavy, pretty average suspension, fragile plastics and even uglier than a KLR. For only $5000 more. Dunno if I'd find the extra disk and fuel injection worth that

[Skinny_Birdman]

Christian rode a KLE400...
My bad. I knew it was a Kwaka para twin.


What about a Trans Alp ?, an older 600 one perhaps
Alas good 600 Trannys are also getting to be as rare as rocking horse poo. I don't think there has been a single one on TM in the last 3 months. I would have another 600 over the 650 any day, but I waited a loooong time and no low km's one ever came around. The 650 is a better road bike, but this comes at a price.

[Ender EnZed]

Does the KLE500 have any advantage over the KLR650 other than being a little smoother?

[pete376403]

Less disrespect.:facepalm:

500 is pretty old now, the 650 engine (Versys, etc) that replaced the 500 is better, faster, lighter, etc yet physically smaller. Versys motor in a KLE could be interesting, but then you'd find the limits of the brakes and suspension a lot sooner.

Try the KLR - they're not too bad at all vibration wise. They make a pretty nice all rounder road bike which will do far better off road than they should.

[dino3310]

heres a beaut middle of the road bike, chuck an 18ltr tank on and tour the would http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-394358862.htm

[BMWST?]

i always liked the look of these,but they dont come up very often.I also thought they were quite heavy for what they were(and a small gas tank)

[Jock_in_NZ]

heres a beaut middle of the road bike, chuck an 18ltr tank on and tour the would http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-394358862.htm

Yeah I had a look at the DR650. Would prefer something with a bit of a fairing and a bit bigger to be honest. Looks like the most off road of this class of adventure bike though.

[NordieBoy]

Yeah I had a look at the DR650. Would prefer something with a bit of a fairing and a bit bigger to be honest. Looks like the most off road of this class of adventure bike though.

A couple of hundred gets you more fairing and more room.

Fairing about $20
Seat about $50
Footpeg lowering kit about $20
Higher bars about $100

[GSers]

This Guy has got one for sale may be worth a question KLE500
GSers

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-394613528.htm

[Skinny_Birdman]

A couple of hundred gets you more fairing and more room.

Fairing about $20
Seat about $50
Footpeg lowering kit about $20
Higher bars about $100

Still only a DR though.:devil2:

[Shewolf]

one only needs a DR :innocent:

[NordieBoy]

A DR is like a SWB Landrover with a suspension kit.

It'll wallow everywhere, not be spectacularly fast, but it'll do everything. Cheaply and with a smile...

:yes::scooter:

[clint640]

A DR is like a SWB Landrover with a suspension kit.
:

Geez.. I wouldn't be quite so harsh on the poor old old DR :shit: I mean the Suzuki electrics are pretty space-age compared with a Landy, the DR don't leak as much oil & they only grenade driveline parts occasionally, not on a regular basis...:innocent:

Clint

[cooneyr]

I'd take it that you've never owned a landy Nordie? What Clint said - oil leaks and blown drive train are enduring memories with Landies. Oh and high fuel consumption/short range, roof leaks, non existant heater, wandering steering at speed (when/ if you finally got there) rusty chassis, . . . .

I'd say a DR is more akin to a 40 series Landcruiser - though without the body rust.

[GSers]

.

I'd say a DR is more akin to a 40 series Landcruiser - though without the body rust.

Definitely not an FJ40 they are more like your orange and black machines especially if the have a SB Chev inplant. Maybe your DR is more like your average Suzuki
GSers

[NordieBoy]

What's that landy with the hop-up kit called again?


Oh yeah, the Bowler Wildcat :devil2:

[CRM]

I rode a KLE400 when I was getting back into bikes about 6 or so years ago. It had knobbies and it was quite a fun machine in the paddocks. It seemed a bit viby and harsh on the road though - possibly the tyres and possibly it was geared down a bit. The guy I was trying to buy it from used to take it up firebreaks etc. In the end I was outbid but it seemed like quite a cool machine - bought an XL250 instead.

[cooneyr]

Definitely not an FJ40 they are more like your orange and black machines especially if the have a SB Chev inplant. Maybe your DR is more like your average Suzuki
GSers

A 3B powered 4 speed 40 series (BJ40) is what I was thinking of. Slow, uninspiring power delivery and average suspension but will get almost anywhere if you take enough time.


What's that landy with the hop-up kit called again?


Oh yeah, the Bowler Wildcat :devil2:

Seriously cool machines but never seen one win a dakar :bleh: Oh and they are about as close to a series landy as a 950 SE or 690 Rallie is to a DR 650.

Sorry fella's :Offtopic: but I'll leave now. Nordie started it!

[NordieBoy]

Oh and they are about as close to a series landy as a 950 SE or 690 Rallie is to a DR 650.
So is my DR :D


Sorry fella's :Offtopic: but I'll leave now. Nordie started it!
Started it, took it for a ride and bought it back without a scratch :innocent:

[mazz1972]

I had a KLE500 for about a year or so, was too top heavy for me and my wheelbase was too short for it. Shame because it was soooo smooth to ride.

[GPS MAN]

Cool bike..But, I'll stick with my slow but show KLR:scooter:

[JATZ]

Not a KLE but...... how 'bout this ?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-397602772.htm

[thepom]

I had one and they are great bikes...swapped it with a mate for a bmw 650......great bike too.........

[Padmei]

What got you interested in the KLE Jock? why does it appeal?
Are you after a softer adv bike?
Would the freewind be more comparable.
Are you tallish, strong enough to keep picking a more aggressive adv bike?
There basically isn't a bad adv bike- just ones with different features than others

[Skinny_Birdman]

:crybaby: Why was this not for sale when I needed it....

Not a KLE but...... how 'bout this ?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-397602772.htm

[thepom]

You ended up buying my old bike and then almost making a profit and removing all the good bits..:gob:

[cooneyr]

:crybaby: Why was this not for sale when I needed it....

Given what you have said, buy it and sell the 650 ;)

Cheers R

[Skinny_Birdman]

You ended up buying my old bike and then almost making a profit and removing all the good bits..:gob:

Not exactly.... The only things I removed were the bark busters and the Givi panniers, and it had $1500 spent on the suspension while I had it. And the paint wasn't sticky when I sold it. Now why did it end up getting repainted in the first place, hmmm?:facepalm:



Given what you have said, buy it and sell the 650 ;)

Cheers R
Tempting, very tempting. If it was a post '97 with two discs on the front I'd be on the phone. But the 650 now owes me north of $3000 in bling which I am unlikely to see again if I sell it.

[thepom]

Touche.....

[Willdat?]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-411080201.htm :shutup:

[Jock_in_NZ]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-411080201.htm :shutup:

Thanks for the link. Got this one on email the other day. Bit too far to be tempted to go have a look. I'll wait until either one of these or a KLR comes available up near Jaffaville.