Introduced in 1991, the Kawasaki KLE500 is a dual-sport motorcycle powered by a 498 cc parallel twin. It can be used both on roads and in light off-road conditions, and it was produced in Japan until 2007.
Kawasaki KLE500 at a glance
| Maker | Kawasaki |
|---|---|
| Introduced | 1991 |
| Produced until | 2007 (Japan) |
| Class | dual-sport travel enduro |
| Engine | 498 cc liquid-cooled parallel twin, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder |
| Power | 33 kW (45 hp) |
| Torque | 41 N·m at 7,500 rpm |
| Bore × stroke | 74 × 58 mm |
| Compression | 9.8:1 |
| Gearbox | six-speed |
| Front brake | 300 mm floating disc, two-piston caliper |
| Rear brake | 230 mm disc, single-piston caliper |
| Fuel tank | 15 litres, 3.4 litres reserve |
| Acceleration | 0–100 km/h in 5.8 seconds |
| Top speed | 168 km/h |
| Successor | KLE650 Versys; new KLE500 in 2026 |
The English article covers equipment and the 2005 update; the German one supplies the model history and technical data.
History of the Kawasaki KLE500
Kawasaki presented the KLE500 to the press at the IFMA motorcycle show in Cologne in 1990 as a “moderated funbike”, and the model went on sale in 1991. It was built in Japan until 2007 and then replaced by the KLE650 Versys; at the end of 2025 Kawasaki announced a new KLE500, which went on sale in March 2026.
Version history
The 1991 KLE 500, type LE500A, made its debut with a nominal output of either 27 or 50 hp at a price of 8,810 Deutschmarks. Two years later Kawasaki revised the gearbox to stop gears jumping out, and in 1994 came a discreet update with a redesigned upper fairing, a more comfortable stepped seat and a stronger cam chain tensioner. In 1996 the carburettor, air filter and silencers were revised to meet lower noise and emission limits, dropping nominal power to 48 hp, and the gearbox was given longer ratios. A secondary air system followed in 1997, the rear mudguard extension and passenger straps were dropped in 1999, and a permanent low beam arrived in 2003. The LE 500 A left the range in 2004.
The 2005 model
The successor LE 500 B1H/B1P of 2005 had new bodywork with twin headlights, a Euro 2-compliant uncontrolled catalytic converter that lowered nominal power to 45 hp, a modified cockpit and seat and revised forks. Visually it followed the Z750 and Z1000 naked bikes and took over their twin-headlight lamp mask; the fairing over the front brake disc was removed for better cooling.
Engineering
The liquid-cooled 498 cc twin came from the GPZ 500 S sport tourer, with camshaft timing changes that cost it 10 hp compared with the GPZ. Its two cylinders have a 74 mm bore and 58 mm stroke, and the engine uses two chain-driven overhead camshafts with four valves per cylinder operated through rocker arms. A double-cradle steel tube frame carries a steel swingarm with a central shock and linkage at the rear and a conventional telescopic fork at the front, with a 63-degree steering head angle and 105 mm of trail. The front brake is a 300 mm floating disc with a two-piston caliper, the rear a 230 mm disc with a single-piston floating caliper. Maximum payload is 175 kg and the permitted gross weight 380 kg.
Design and features
- GPZ 500 S engine: a proven liquid-cooled parallel twin, detuned by 10 hp for smoother off-road use.
- Sump guard and small screen: protection for the oil pan on rough ground and a little wind protection on the road.
- Practical equipment: a wide seat for rider and passenger, a large rear rack, a 15 litre tank with 3.4 litres reserve.
- Simple instrumentation: speedometer, odometer, tachometer and indicator lights, but no reserve warning light — the fuel tap has to be turned by hand.
Kawasaki KLE500 versions
- LE 500 A (1991–2004): the original, updated in 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999 and 2003.
- LE 500 B1H/B1P (2005–2007): twin headlights, Euro 2 catalyst, 45 hp.
- KLE500 (2026): the revived model announced at the end of 2025.
The KLE500 was replaced by the Kawasaki Versys, and its engine came from the GPZ series. More models are in the Kawasaki collection.
Video: Kawasaki KLE500 on the Passo dello Stelvio in Italy
Video by Mr. Z1000SX on YouTube.
Sources
- Kawasaki KLE500, English Wikipedia: equipment, 2005 changes
- Kawasaki KLE 500, German Wikipedia: version history, engine data, chassis, brakes
