Kawasaki KLE 500 Review. Used bike bargains!

[@NormanGnome11]

MK1 KLE owner .... Good economy - Decent handling to the point of scratching footpegs on trail tyres - Excellent brakes, will lift the rear wheel on hard front brake use - OK for light offroad use - comfortable for all day riding. Suggested changes from standard as mine has .... Hagon - or similar rear shock, 30 mm preload on top of the front fork springs plus good fork oil, Braided brake lines.

[@GillyBikes]

Great advice for anyone buying. Thanks.

[@shiftyshamsk]

In 40 years of riding a lack of fuel gaugeor fuel light has never bothered me at all. I usually forget to look at them anyway untill they flash. I just set the trip when I fill up. My Gpz500 twin has the same engine by the way. Cracking fun engine.

[@GillyBikes]

I’m just so used to having one that not having one is weird now. However I’ve not long bought a bike that doesn’t have one so I’m learning to live with it. 🥹.

[@peterfarrell3339]

Rode mine 2200km round trip to Camerons Corner just over the Queensland border. Lots of dirt, lots of sand dunes. Awesome trip.

[@GillyBikes]

That does sound like fun. 👍

[@markhinde6187]

Another great review of a bike that has quite a lot of following around the world within the adventuring community, get to know how many miles your bike will do on a full tank, set the trip and thats your fuel gauge, even better when you have a reserve as well, keep the posts coming mate, I am enjoying the used bike bargains

[@GillyBikes]

Thanks Mark I appreciate that. 😁

[@servantofgod5642]

Regarding no fuel guage, y9u dont need one. you zero the odometer when you fuel up, when it reads 250 kms you get ready to go in reserve and flick it over when it stutters.

[@joehan818]

Just like old style kawasaki kipps

[@richardgaffney3850]

Love the video, love the commentary, keep it up Gilly.. 🤟

[@GillyBikes]

Cheers mate. 👍

[@jamesfletcher279]

I’ve had mine for 2 years and it’s a brilliant old slogger I got a aftermarket screen from Poland it’s much better now it handles great stops we’ll nice and quite and very comfortable suits my needs just fine and it was only £1000 ok it’s got 32 thousand miles on it but you wouldn’t know riding it

[@GillyBikes]

Proper work horses. Sounds like you got a bargain there. 👍

[@fatpigeonadventurerider2118]

Not hand guards wind deflectors

[@andyc750]

the older original version was better, more power and comfort but they are great value whichever version is chosen

[@GillyBikes]

They are certainly built to last. This was a great example.

[@servantofgod5642]

Dont get the taller fly screen, its just buffeting & noisr.

[@servantofgod5642]

mine got tired and laid down on its left side and broke a bit off of the clutch lever which I glued back on years ago. Tripped in a pot hole stationary last week and went over: this time clutch lever not effected but my ribs not happy when I cough.

[@GillyBikes]

Oh no. You need something lighter maybe

[@meinungsfreiheit2023]

More then 30 years ago this was my first bike and watching this video make me feel kind of melancholic..

[@GillyBikes]

Don’t be down. Go and buy another 😉

[@meinungsfreiheit2023]

@@GillyBikes I bought a Transalp 750 this year...

[@GillyBikes]

@meinungsfreiheit2023 very nice. I suppose they are a modern version of this. 👍

[@Kle_Zyy]

i own one of these got a away from 6 police cars chasing me

[@GillyBikes]

I’m sure they will catch you next time.

[@Kle_Zyy]

@@GillyBikesyea mate they did today thanks for jinxing it lmao

[@The_Sax_Man23]

Where do you get engine parts for these older bikes mate I'm from Australia and I'm having trouble finding engine parts or rebuild kits

[@GillyBikes]

I just did a quick google and there is loads of places in the uk and across Europe offering parts for these.

[@clangerbasher]

I like the yellowness of it.

[@GillyBikes]

😂 me to

[@trevortrevor1626]

Is it hard to buy a well-kept KLE 500 in GB? Your copy is exemplary! 😁👍

[@GillyBikes]

At the time I put this video out it was the only KLE for sale in the uk. The fact it was so clean was a bonus 👍

[@fatange]

That bike would have been good for the ABR last week. Definitely be good in the mud that.

[@GillyBikes]

I think so. But it’s a heavy beast.

[@jdabel1]

One of my pet peeves with this bike is the fuel tap. It's like they have designed it so there is no way you can switch to reserve on the move. You literally run out of petrol, pull over, take your glove off and fiddle around with the stupid design to find reserve. Other than that, a great bike on and off road.

[@GillyBikes]

Yes the fuel thing is a pain. That’s exactly what I had to do.

[@peterfarrell3339]

If you know you are getting close to needing reserve before setting out. Flip the lever out ready to use.

[@shiftyshamsk]

​@@GillyBikes or set your trip from full to empty to see how many miles you get to reserve, the use that instead of turn the rap? I do.

[@GillyBikes]

That’s a good idea 👍

[@servantofgod5642]

From a full tank I get 240- 255 km till its time to go onto reserve which gives me a total of 300-320 kms. Thats rural, not city riding.

[@servantofgod5642]

One time I had 20 kg extra of bags n camping gear climbing big hills and gale headwinds and went into reserve at 225 km! Man did I stress till I made it to the petrol station.

[@PetyPety-wm4pv]

Проблем не было с магнитами ротора генератора?

[@grahamgillespie6923]

This bike has already been sold. That was quick!😢

[@GillyBikes]

Very popular bikes. They seem to be in short supply. At the time this video was recorded there was only 1 advertised for sale in the country!

[@dbnzone4845]

how tall are you ??

[@GillyBikes]

5”8ins

[@abdullahialhassan7496]

I need to buy

[@GillyBikes]

You do

[@600raficrow]

looks like warrington to me :)

[@GillyBikes]

Well spotted 👍

[@paulguillemot2613]

Annoying when you looking for a bike that is not too high, and the presenter says "it's not too bad for a shorter person like me" then fails to say what his height is!

[@GillyBikes]

Oops. Sorry. I say it it every other video. I’m 5ft 8ins.

[@joshieboy3907]

im 16 at 176 cm. will i have seating issues?

[@GillyBikes]

No you should be fine. I’m around that height. It’s a tall bike but can’t see you having any issues.

[@shanemassey2039]

Considering one for my first bike being honest

[@GillyBikes]

They are nice bikes but they do feel quite heavy. Go and sit on one first before you buy. Hopefully it’s the one. Let me know 👍

[@shanemassey2039]

@@GillyBikes thanks for the advice any other recommendations for a first bike a2 complaint to would be appreciated.

[@GillyBikes]

@shanemassey2039 there are so many to chose from. The naked bikes like the Honda hornet and Suzuki GSXS are great first bikes. Im also a fan of the Triumph Trident. But it comes down to personal preference. If your looking at adventure bikes the Vstrom 650 could be an option. I could be here all day 😂 the best thing to do is go into a few bike shops. Jump on a few bikes and see how they feel for you.

[@shanemassey2039]

@@GillyBikes that's my plan off try a few over next few days

[@pistonaru]

this is poor man's tenere 700. I have one!

[@GillyBikes]

Different generations but I get what you mean. I would bet these start going up in value now though.

[@kendrick2679]

Promo`SM

[@andreathedy2422]

Looks unused!

[@GillyBikes]

I know right. Absolutely spotless!