Greetings

Almost everyone here is talking about KLRs.Biggest problem about that bike is that the European version of KLR has only 43 HP, quite narrow seat and small fuel tank (compared to US version), and that makes it less popular for traveling(than in USA . Another alternative is KLE 500 (not sold in US) which has engine derived form GPZ 500 but of course it is detuned from 60 hp to 50 hp.
Its more of a street bike with enduro looks(that means that it isnt as good off road as KLR). Still if someone has KLE could he/she please share his or her opinion about the bike.
But there is something that I dont understand.GPZ has 60 hp and its average fuel consumption is 55 mpg. There are also three other kawa models which have same but detuned engines. KLE 500, ER-5 and EN 500.Fuel consumption on both ER 5 and EN 500 is around 55 mpg (similar to GPZs) but KLE has only 45 mpg. Anyone knows why is that so?

The KLE is a fine bike BUT can be very uncomfortable due to its firm, thin seat. Take one for a long ride, if possible - not everyone finds off-roaders uncomfortable. It is indeed a GPZ500 beefed up a bit to handle bad roads, although even Kawasaki would admit they are thinking more of slight potholes in tarmac than badly damaged roads.
If most of your riding is going to be on crumbly tarmac and gravel roads, the KLE will be fine. The engine is proven, but needs careful servicing and frequent oil changes.
I would take the fuel consumption figures you read in magazines ( or even from your mates ) with a pinch of salt. If you ride swiftly but carefully you can easily get up to 70m.pg. out of these bikes, especially if you can cruise at 55-70 m.p.h for long periods. However, if you go off road and spend a lot of time in the low gears, clutch slipping, stopping and starting, you can run on empty within minutes! ( Slight exaggeration, perhaps....)
A good bike, but is it still available new?

I've recently purchased a brand new '06 KLE500 and I'm extremely impressed with it. Alright, I'm not a very experienced biker and it is only the second bike I've ever owned, but don't take my word for it - my father who has 30 odd years of biking experience liked it too and he competes in trials competitions and lives and breathes classic Triumphs.

So far I've clocked up 1400 miles in 6 or 7 weeks which included my daily 2 mile commute and a trip from London around Dartmoor and I can confidently say it handles traffic, motorways and rough trails with relative ease. It can cruise at 90mph although the windblast gets quite tiring over 70mph. The screen doesn't do much over 60mph and seems to direct the wind directly into your face so goggles or a full face helmet are advisable. The front brake is woeful and I've managed to knacker the front pads in only 800 miles around London, although I can't help really hammering them anyway. The more sensible amongst you might be able to resist that particular temptation and I can still get another 1000 or so miles out of the current pads.

The major problem with this bike from a design point of view is its lack of identity. It can't decide whether it's a commuter bike or a trailie which in some ways is in its favour as it seems to handle both with relative ease although surpasses in neither category. The new model is down on power on previous versions due to tighter emissions regulations, however it still has plenty of usable grunt, especially around the 5,000 rpm mark. Two-up is a bit of a hassle (especially with the high exhaust), but 30-40kg of luggage shouldn't be too much of a problem. A big issue for me is the lack of a centre stand. This means I'll probably get a scott-oiler and an old rug to make servicing easier as there seems to be no obvious place to fit a centre stand as it has a large bash-plate and the exhaust ports run right under the bottom of the frame. I still haven't worked out how to service many aspects of the bike yet, but pads and oil seem easy enough. Stock tyres are Dunlop Trailmax which seem OK and have the benefit of being tubed type which made my first puncture easy enough to repair. This puncture occured due to me filtering too much and leaving the rear tyre over inflated. The reason the rear tyre was over inflated is that I couldn't work out how the hell I was going to get an air jack into the valve due to the tiny rims, chunky rear disc and sprocket. It does require some thought, but is possible.

Being so tall, the bike is a bugger to get on and initally feels very heavy. To coin the cliche, all that weight disappears once it's moving. No, really, it does, this bike handles like a 125 once in first gear and the high riding position is easy to get used to. It does feel a little twitchy off road, but this stabilises at speed or with a generous amount of rear brake. I tried it following 4x4 tracks, but it should handle smoother surfaces better and isn't too heavy to pick up again, unlike a R1150GS for example. Unfortunately, all that lack of weight is deceptive, and I had a couple of hairy moments when I forgot that I was riding a 190kg motorcycle and not a 10 kg bicycle and needed a fair amount of upper body strength not to drop it.

To conclude, if you want a bike that really will do everything, then this is the one. Although it doesn't excel in any one area, it really does have all bases covered and has a good reputation for reliability. If any indication were needed, try finding a secondhand model.

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"On that? You're nuts!" - My cousin's boyfriend

Current Bikes - Kawasaki KLE500 '05 (May 06)
Previous Bikes - Hyosung GF125 (Oct 05 to May 06)

Hi, I was thinking about a scottoiler but I have found a source for a centre stand. It appears that there are brackets that attach to the frame/footpeg brackets, and the stand then attaches to the brackets.
Got to WEMOTO.COM and then go through what make/model you have, scroll down the list to find the centre stand. I think it was about £100.

Cheers, Richard.

Let me know how you get on. I can't find the same part for the B1 ('05) model and I'm not sure the A spec ones will fit.

__________________
"On that? You're nuts!" - My cousin's boyfriend

Current Bikes - Kawasaki KLE500 '05 (May 06)
Previous Bikes - Hyosung GF125 (Oct 05 to May 06)

Hi again. I think it'll fit on b1 models. There is an A3 model for sale on Ebay with some decent size photos. In the first photo you can see the right hand side panel is off of a B1 model. I'm just waiting for payday and then I'll be ordering one for myself.
Cheers, Richard.


p.s. anybody use a pdf manual like the ones available on ebay. Any good?

G'day from the Land of Oz.

Just bought a KLE 500, 2006 with 985 km on the clock.

Am interested to hear your thoughts about the windshield. I reckon it could be more efficient? Has anyone fitteed an aftermarket or Kawasaki shield??

Bloody great bike so far. Am going to do heaps of travelling on it.

Also, as a new toureer, any hints on luggage of the soft variety that works?

As we say in Australia, See ya mate.

Cuttsy

hi
i have all these on my 08 kle.
the side stand i shortend well a mate did and it worked well.
the main stand was a must for chain and other work on bike.
i got a taller screen and a head light cover.
the screen is a couple of inchs bigger stop weather more than first screen but still wind in face.
the crash bars make bike look bigger as well as stop any damage.
have a look at my bike
robroymc - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

hope this helps

Cuttsy,
I'm in Aus as well mate, i have the Eaglescreen on mine, works a bloody treat mate. I'm also looking at the DriRider soft panniers.

G'day Mate I own a 2007 KLE and have now got a eagle screen "wide touring screen" send them an email on eaglescreens@eftel.com.au As for luggage I bought the Ventura rack and bag. The rack is good but i modified it to suit my bigger Motodry bag. The Ventura bag is a pain in the backside (had to buy it with the rack) as it has a small entry and is difficult to get stuff in and out of. With the ventura bag it slides over the rack and another bag can also be zipped to the back giving more carrying room. personally the ventura bag isnt worth it but the rack is pretty good. Here are some shots of them
Here's the screen and ventura bag/rack



Here the shot of the ventura with the old screen still fitted and here is the mod of the rack (the 2 internal uprights and the bottom bar they sit on is added on to suit the velcro width of the Motodry bag) The last shot is of the setup for my 1st overnighter with taller screen and Motodry bag etc



Hope this kinda helps!!! Might see ya on the tracks. I'll be doin a trip to the cape in August (27th july to 20 August) next year your welcome to come if you can!!! More mods to do till then

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Fun begins when the bitumin ends!