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 . 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

[tri boy]

Bloody good bike

Yup.
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.
(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, ....................)
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 . 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 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.

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.