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KLE500, Good first bike ? KLE500, Good first bike ?
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Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #46  
Old 13 Aug 2007
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Did it come apart and dropped inside or did it loosen and fell outside the engine? Glad you came right with the manual.
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  #47  
Old 22 Aug 2007
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the pin is missing, looks like the engine was open and they did not replace the pin! Now I am looking for help to put the pin back, nowhere in the manaul the show how to install the pin!!
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  #48  
Old 12 Sep 2007
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first good bike!
Hi Guys, I got a new kle500 june this year, to use as a work horse, didn't want to trash my TDM900 for work!
I've found it to be a cracking bike and tend to ride it more than the tdm
fuel consumpsion is about 60-65 mpg depending on how i wring the right hand, it deals with city,town, dual carrageway,and A road traffic...a breeze the only off road i've done is going up/down my drive which is 4" deep gravel-no probs, I do find it a stretch to get on though some times (27" inside leg) but i manage, i've fitted top box, scott oiler, a pair of VERY loud horns,clock and a set of fog/driving lights, i'll post pic's asap

Buy one you won't regret it, new or used
tdmalcolm
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  #49  
Old 12 Sep 2007
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Thumbs up
That's a nice recommendation TDMalc.

I would be interested in your views on the TDM, for long-distance/two up riding in particular + the reliability etc, if you fancy posting on the appropriate thread.

Cheers,
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  #50  
Old 13 Sep 2007
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TDMal,

Cant wait to see those pics. What wattage are the lights you use and did it require any special mods to get them to work.
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  #51  
Old 13 Sep 2007
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Hi Walkabout, The TDM is a cracking bike for med to long distance work one or two up with luggage, I love it, like the kle It's a very underestimated machine...nolong back from touring somerset and cornwall on mine with the otherhalf, b*%$y majic! loads of torque (88.8nm @6000), had a prob with the engine paint as have others ...sorted u/g and a choke sender sorted u/g other wise no probs, loads of help and tips on carp tdm website, like here good bunch of guys and know their stuff, give em a post
regards TDMalcolm

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Originally Posted by Walkabout View Post
That's a nice recommendation TDMalc.

I would be interested in your views on the TDM, for long-distance/two up riding in particular + the reliability etc, if you fancy posting on the appropriate thread.

Cheers,
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  #52  
Old 13 Sep 2007
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Hi Doc, They are 55watts each, purchased from busters (Busters Motorcycle Accessories) I fabricated a mounting bar from 25 x25mm angle inc cutouts for exhaust and mounted it where the horn mounts (new horns under fairing now) i'll get some picys done..one pic worth a thousand words:confused1: i'm feeding them from the lighting circuit via a fused relay (halfords) and a handelbar mounted switch, I wanted to wire them in serise for day time running and switch to paralel working for night/fog etc, i'll work it need another relay
I would also like to wire the head lamps so that both are on for main beam...umm have to look at a diagram..... hope that helps pending pics
TDMalcolm


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TDMal,

Cant wait to see those pics. What wattage are the lights you use and did it require any special mods to get them to work.
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  #53  
Old 14 Sep 2007
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Thanks Mal,

Thats exactly where I was going to mount them but was a little concerned about avalible wattage on the bike. If yours are working then thats good enough for me.

Thanks again mate

Doc (Adam)
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  #54  
Old 23 Sep 2007
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Wink Get one while you can!
It seems that there won't be a KLE available brand new in the UK for 2008; I've just posted the Kawa webpage for 08 bikes here:-

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...7-4#post151594

Nor is there any sign of a replacement type of bike, such as the Versys.
Shame overall, when other manufacturers are going to bring new models to market in 08 which are certain to be much more expensive.
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  #55  
Old 23 Sep 2007
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[quote=Walkabout;151596]It seems that there won't be a KLE available brand new in the UK for 2008; I've just posted the Kawa webpage for 08 bikes here:-

I have been told that 2007 will be the last year the KLE will be avalible in Australia. At least I got mine......
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I have only one eye. Do you want me to look at the road or at the speedometer. Moshe Dayan

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  #56  
Old 23 Sep 2007
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I had thought that K would have replaced the KLE with an off-roader type of Versys - maybe another year for that then!
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  #57  
Old 25 Sep 2007
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Talking I made the right choice - thanks to this thread
Guys

I took delivery of my shiny new 2007 KLE500 a week ago, and I am over the moon. It's everything I thought it would be, and yes, the brakes are a bit squodgy and the seat hurts my ass after 30mins, but the rest of it is heaven.

The power band is nice and smooth ......not much to get exceited about but it pulls like a horse!



You wont be sorry with this machine, and chicks dig it
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  #58  
Old 4 Oct 2007
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KLE First good bike??
Hi Guys, i know the link below is regarding the kle brother but same engine etc...so it may help your dission to purchase a kle, some things mentioned will apply to our beloved machines

TDMalcolm


Kawasaki GPZ500s - Review - GPZ500s - real world review
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