Kawasaki KLE500 Test Ride and Specs

I jumped on a Kawasaki KLE 500 and took it for a spin, really nice adventure bike!
See me list the specs and hear my own opinions about it. What do you think of it?
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Motorcycle in this video: 1991 Kawasaki KLE 500 A

[@vicowen5300]

Hi I currently own one I live in a rural part of Northamptonshire in the uk 🇬🇧 I find it a perfect tool for riding the back lanes and trails. Done touring through Wales through the mountains never missed a beat . Cruises quite happy at 80. I do own three outher biks . I think to get the best out of the KLE you have to treat it like a 2 stroke and don't be frightened to rev it .

[@Darkvisor]

Well said and sure is a great bike. I'm happy to hear that you enjoys yours. Thanks for watching my video!

[@Viper6-MotoVlogger]

It does have that distinct parallel twin sound. Definitely a fun bike to rip around, but would lack power at higher speeds.

[@Darkvisor]

Thanks for watching mr viper

[@Fremulshmat]

Great review….I liked the fact that you stated clearly the specs of the bike as well as give feedback on how the bike rides. Thanks for posting

[@Darkvisor]

I'm happy to hear that you enjoy the way I make my videos. Thanks for watching, please subscribe to support me and my channel =)

[@RRRRefuelRideRace]

A proven Kawasaki 500cc twin. They sold a lot of them and in my country they are not cheap if you think to get one. I think that the last ones are from 2007. Great video bro.

[@Darkvisor]

oh really? the owner of this bike got it for like 1200 euro or something like that. thanks for watching RRR. hvala brat

[@RRRRefuelRideRace]

@@Darkvisor It depends from the year, but it is hard to get one that would be less than 1600. Usually they are at 2500. Some would like to have also 3000 or more for those the latest, this is 2005 to 2007. You are welcome "brat". :)

[@Darkvisor]

ah yes this one is the 1991 version =)@@RRRRefuelRideRace

[@RRRRefuelRideRace]

@@Darkvisor Oh yeah! :)

[@roodmnt]

Had one for 3 years. Outpaced the KLR on the open road. Friend with a GS 1150, so liked mine, he bought one himself. Did plenty gravel ( mixing with bigger adv bikes), a little single lane and occasional freeway. Loved this bike, sorry to have sold. Seems to be ahead of its time, considering the slew of small capacity adv bikes on the market ( pre versys x300).

[@Darkvisor]

Sure is a great bike and thanks for watching my video

[@lachy1709]

A KLE500 revival is just what kawasaki needs. A middleweight adventure bike to compete with the KTM adv390 and honda cbx500, with a parallel twin to get that good on-road performance. Unfortunately it would compete with the KLR too much

[@Darkvisor]

Thanks for watching my video, please subscribe to support me and my channel =)

[@peakrider4886]

Only in certain countries. We never got the KLR in the UK, so new KLE could be a great alternative to the bikes you mentioned.

[@lachy1709]

@@peakrider4886 I did some digging into it, the versys 300x, 650, and 1000 are actually codes as KLEs, you just need to do a tyre change and maybe bolt on some protective bars

[@aatee5840]

Really nice videos, I've watched dozens of hours of MC videos but yours have that real-world riding, a bit of admiring the bike and the most important info clearly presented. Also, nice to know the overall feeling of the bike that you get. Lastly, I like that someone reviews bikes that are not always necessarily the most modern 35000€ spaceships , but are actually available for someone here in scandinavia.

[@aatee5840]

By the way, here in Finland , those go for 2500-3000€ as of today, three used examples available, mileage from 43k-73k km.

[@Darkvisor]

@@aatee5840 I'm happy to hear that you enjoyed my video and the format I use when making my test ride videos. Comments like yours are the best to receive so thanks buddy! Kiitos katsomisesta!

[@TheSpiro1981]

I just bought a Kawasaki like this I've ridden an Aprilia Leonardo 250 before I bought a 2001 KLE 500 with only 20,000 km on it, and it runs beautifully in pearl metallic color Now I just need to register it and get it checked, as it's from Germany

[@Darkvisor]

Thanks for watching, please subscribe to support me and my channel =)

[@KolbyYT]

yo mate thanks for the vid i am 175 too and the part at 0:42 just confirmed my first a2 bike

[@CristianMotoRider]

I own the 2005 model, is almost the same bike, I transformed the bike in and adventure beast. 100km/h on offroad feels like cruising on asphalt.

[@Darkvisor]

Sure is a great bike and sounds like awesome mods you have done! Thanks for watching

[@Banditmanuk]

It's a nice-looking machine, but I don’t think I've seen any on the road here in England

[@Darkvisor]

Thanks for watching mr bandit

[@prOozax]

HI nice vid i have a 1994 35kw and i like it. This is my first big bike and dont regret getting it. I am 180cm 130Kg and feels comfy to ride and having enough power to enjoy the riding on all kind of road. I have a dominator exhaust and without Db killer sounds awesome but for me its too loud and risky with police... so just installed the stock one what came with it and looks different than yours and have wierd sound... i gonna have to find a exhaust specialist and get cheked out coz i think mine maybe falling apart inside. Overall its a great learner bike for sure!

[@Darkvisor]

I'm happy to hear that you enjoy your bike but sad to hear about the falling apart problem. Better let an experience mechanic take a look, might be some minor thing hopefully =) But you said that you changed from the dominator to the original exhaust, do you know if the previous owner have mapped it after the dominator? If you don't map it back to original it might be the reason why it's sounding different because the fuel/air ratio isn't correct... Thanks for watching

[@tree-service]

its good bike, have simple and enrurance engine. i have this one. it was buy before t7 & others chinese motos like cb500, voge 500 etc 7 years ago i satisfied ^)

[@Darkvisor]

thanks for watching my video!

[@Marcello-h2m]

I have the same bike 1995 model, I absolutelly agree with your review, KLE 500 is excellent bike, a bit undervaluated.

[@Darkvisor]

Thanks for watching my video, please consider supporting me and my work by subscribing to my channel. =)

[@servantofgod5642]

I've had a 2007 Kle for a few years, dont know how long. rarely gone off road, only gravel roads when I cant avoid them. Mine has been outdoors living on a boat for 3 years and it shows. Restoration time now it has a garage. Started with a locksmith fixing the fuel cap lock which seized up rom weather.

[@Darkvisor]

Nice! I don't get why you dont go off-road though, its a fine bike for that purpose! =) Thanks for watching mate

[@bve7397]

Thinking about switching my deauville 650 out for one of these, this bike seems abit more all terain ish.. hoping to do some simple trails with it.

[@Darkvisor]

Yeah simple trails is no problem at all with this bike. I don't think you would regret getting one! =) Thanks for watching my video and thanks for being a subscriber for over 3 years now! I appreciate it

[@johnnieschoelzer8771]

Great video and review. which tires would you recommend for TET use in Sweden on this bike ??

[@Darkvisor]

I'm happy to hear that you enjoyed my video. If you want to see my own TET videos from sweden, I have a playlist on my channel with some. About tires: TKC80 is a fine choice for those gravel roads of off-road parts. I have trailmax misson on my T7 on right now and they haven't let me down. but the scorpion STR rally isn't bad either. Not the best but the TET you can see on my channel was done with the STR tires. it worked fine! Thanks for watching my video, please consider supporting me and my work by subscribing to my channel. =)

[@CapelAdventurer]

I find it hilarious watching people's right hand when they violently roll off, and on the throttle for gear changes.. you need the tiniest of roll offs to change without clutch.. not these hilariously dramatic hand movements.

[@Darkvisor]

I’m a KZbin content creator. Hilarious dramatic things is what we do…

[@potocnikhoce]

Nice sound!

[@Darkvisor]

Thanks for watching my video. Sure sounds great 👍

[@VeryImportantPepe]

this will be my first bike

[@Darkvisor]

Go get one, sell your T7 first ;) Hvala brat for watching

[@johnbob3359]

Awsome video, cool bike🇪🇪

[@Darkvisor]

I'm happy to hear that you enjoyed my video! thanks for watching buddy!

[@MrVistuser]

Отличный мотоцикл. У меня на канале есть много видео с ним. Мой 1992 и чувствует себя хорошо!

[@Darkvisor]

Thanks for watching my video, please consider supporting me and my work by subscribing to my channel. =)

[@LivetMedMC]

It looks like great fun 🤩 💥

[@Darkvisor]

Thanks for watching buddy

[@HUBAsztikus]

hogy alakul a fogyasztás?

[@Darkvisor]

A fogyasztás fél liter körül van 10 km-en, szóval egyáltalán nem rossz. bár, mint minden kerékpárnál, ez is azon múlik, hogyan biciklizel, annál szórakoztatóbb = nagyobb fogyasztás =P köszönöm, hogy megnézted a videómat, kérlek iratkozz fel

[@richardberon]

Amigo, cual es la velocidad crusero y en que rpm?

[@Darkvisor]

Que?

[@VeryImportantPepe]

it seems like it looks like it feels like a tenere

[@Darkvisor]

not it's not as big nor fast =P But still a great bike! Thanks for watching

[@tree-service]

190 can't be. 170 can ^)

[@Darkvisor]

Thanks for watching

[@dejanivanovic4079]

Nice video bro. In a few days I'll be buying one,2005 year of production,20k km on the odometer,the price is 3.500euro...

[@Darkvisor]

nice! seems like a good price too! I'm happy to hear that you enjoyed my video! Thanks for watching, please subscribe to support me and my channel =)

[@CDLNEPA]

Nice sound to that bike.

[@Darkvisor]

Thanks for watching Chris

[@hewhogotrizz]

Nice bike!! But my question is , where are these lovely roads in NL ?? It looks great, would love to know ;)

[@Darkvisor]

Thanks for watching, these roads are in Sweden =)

[@Franjo.Horvat]

Hello, love your videos even tho i wish you did some voice overs then subs, but still informations you provide here are really valuable, thanks! I was thinking of getting my first bike, this model caught my eye. Do you think this bike is good for a first bike and for someone tall 197cm? Thanks in advance, love you man!

[@Darkvisor]

I don't like to talk and then adding subs to my speech is a pain in ze bûtt. I did it when I made my motovlogs but for these test rides I prefer just the text =) As a first bike, sure! Your height, I don't know. I'm 175cm so hard for me to imagine being in your shoes but these bikes in general should be no problem and you can always get a thicker seat to get some extra cm taller. I'm sure it would be no problem. if money isn't an issue I would recommend getting a Yamaha T7, it's not too strong nor weak and it's almost too tall for me so should be good for you. If you want a single cylinder, you could go for a 701 husqvarna enduro/supermoto which also is a very all bike. add a thicker seat to any of those and your height wouldn't be a problem =) I'm happy to hear that you like my content and I appreciate the love man! Thanks for watching

[@jimmiebreman8944]

Hej och tack för en bra video! Är numera prenumerant av kanalen tack vare denna video 😀. Funderar på just en sådan hoj pga några faktorer men främst att det verkar prisvärd. Har du skjutsat med den, räcker effekten till för det?

[@Darkvisor]

Wohoo tack så mycket Jimmie! Kul å höra! Om du skaffar en sån här, se då till att INTE sälja den sen! Du anar inte hur många kommentarer jag får om folk som säljer sina gamla (och bra) hojar och sen ångrar det. Just denna hoj är en sån hoj. Så skulle du skaffa en så hellre ställa av den å låta den stå än att sälja.... =) Skjutsa ska inte vara några problem, den är ju inte slö direkt. Är nog inte optimal för långturer 2 st dock. Jag har dock inte skjutsat något på den, den enda gången jag kört den hojen är de du ser i videon. Vid lite snabbt googlande så kan jag läsa i forum att folk kört 160 mil två personer på en å samma resa och flera andra som kört långresor med den! tack för titten och att du blev prenis! Snoka runt på min kanal, du kommer hitta många fina och roliga hojar och lära dig en hel del om du kikar på mina motovlogs =) Simma lugnt //DV

[@martin61812]

Have the same bike. Biggest cons are the uncomfortable seat, high fuel consumption for that engine size and it isn´t a really good cruising bike. However it´s a highly reliable bike, easy to handle with a really cheap maintenance

[@Darkvisor]

yeah its better as a commuter or playing around with. Reliable for sure! Thanks for watching

[@j.h.9410]

How would this compare to the Honda Transalp 600? I am considering both for a travel/camping bike.

[@Darkvisor]

I haven't tried the Transalp so I can't say anything really. Thanks for watching

[@marcochiovini9494]

Ciao, bel video e bella moto, io ne ho trovata una da un concessionario del 2002 con 47000 kilometri, bauletto posteriore, a 2000 euro. Ci sto facendo il pensiero.

[@Darkvisor]

sembra un buon prezzo grazie per la visione e goditi la tua bici

[@larrywade9041]

Truthfully I think it is a nice looking bike & beginner package. Thanks for the video my friend. Have a beautiful day!! Illinois, USA

[@Darkvisor]

I'm happy to hear that you enjoyed my video, it sure is a great bike. Thanks for watching my video buddy! And for your comment.

[@ΚλεοπάτραΝικολάου-ε7χ]

I’m thinking about buying this as my first bike! I’m a bit worried about the fact that it doesn’t have an abs system. Do you think it would be a problem for a new rider?

[@Darkvisor]

not to sound "too old" but there was a time when ABS on bikes didn't exist at all. Todays modern bikes almost always has ABS however. But to conclude, ride carefully and learn how to use brakes properly when you dont have ABS installed. I've ridden many bikes without ABS with zero problems. Practice on how to brake hard without loosing control and you will be fine. On my Yamaha Tenere 700 i usually disengage my ABS when riding off-road for better / more fun riding. I don't think having ABS or not should be a deciding factor when buying a bike =) Ride safe and don't ride faster/harder than your level of skill and slowly build up experience and you will be fine. Where I live I'm more worried about deers or other wild animals crossing the road =P Thanks for watching

[@inviaggiocolrabbino]

Great Review!!! Only ASMR of the bike! Good choice WorkMate!!!! You've got the point!

[@Darkvisor]

I'm happy to hear that you enjoyed my video and how it was made. Thanks for watching mate!

[@akadjuwem888]

Sjajan video! Kakav je mjenjač na ovom kawasakiju i kakav je taj motor za početnike i neki duži put?

[@Darkvisor]

hvala što ste pogledali moj video, drago mi je čuti da ste uživali. Nisam siguran što misliš pod mjenjačem, molim te objasni. Ovaj motocikl je jako lijep za vožnju šumom i zabavu. Dobio sam komentare od drugih koji su rekli da su ga uzeli za dulje vožnje/putovanja bez ikakvih problema. Ako imate još pitanja, slobodno pitajte i pokušat ću odgovoriti na njih.

[@akadjuwem888]

@@Darkvisor Pa iskreno da kažem,ja sam čovjek od 43 godine koji je eto nekad sporadično sjedao na skutere i motocikle a sad razmišljam da kupim svoj prvi motocikl. I jednom prilikom sam sa drugom koji je godinama u svijetu motora komentarisao KLE. Kaže mi drugar da su kod njih(kao polovnjaka)mjenjači uglavnom u lošem stanju jer se početnici uče na njima....Pa sam samo iz tog razloga spomenuo....🙂

[@craighillberg1568]

I have a 2006 model my first big bike so i cant compare with anything else but i love mine i paid 1300 pounds but had to spend 1000 pound to get it up and running decent but im going to keep it for as long as possible awesome vid

[@Darkvisor]

I'm happy to hear that you enjoyed my video. Sure is a fun and great bike. 1300 + 1000 pounds doesn't sound that bad at all... I hope you will enjoy it for a long time. A little tip for you: DON'T SELL IT.... You will regret it in a few years and then it might be hard / too late to find one again. =) Thanks for watching

[@needlesandseats]

Love the bike and also happy that they kept it carbbed so a person has fewer electronics that can fail.

[@Darkvisor]

Yeah one of the upsides of having an old bike. easy to fix and less things that can go wrong! =) Thanks for watching, please subscribe to support me and my channel =)

[@Theoriginalbubbafett]

ATTENTION KAWASAKI!! Please update and bring back as the Versys 500.

[@Darkvisor]

Well said 👍 Thanks for watching, please subscribe to support me and my channel =)

[@Theoriginalbubbafett]

@@Darkvisor done! 👍🏼

[@Darkvisor]

@@Theoriginalbubbafett Thanks buddy! =)

[@pistonaru]

Very good beginner bike. I have one myself

[@Darkvisor]

Sure is a great bike. thanks for watching!

[@mustafaalbdire528]

What is the chain size of a Kawasaki kle 250cc bike?

[@Darkvisor]

Sorry I do not know... Thanks for watching

[@servantofgod5642]

Price $3,000-$4,000 In Australia.

[@Darkvisor]

Still seems like a good price =) Thanks for watching

[@oloflindh9220]

Ser ut att vara I Sverige. Har du cykeln kvar?

[@Darkvisor]

Det är i Sverige 🇸🇪 De var inte min hoj utan jag lånade den bara en stund. Tack för titten Olof

[@ProfileP246]

Thanks for this I have a chance to buy one but I had my heart set on a Honda trans alp what do you reckon?

[@Darkvisor]

I haven't tried the trans alp so I cannot say really. Test both and go with the one that feels the best, for you! Thanks for watching

[@ProfileP246]

@@Darkvisor Cheers👍

[@biviozlebi3551]

All true...i have a 1993🎉

[@Darkvisor]

Thank for watching

[@МаркДемань-р7и]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@Darkvisor]

Дякую за перегляд

[@abdulazizsaleh8650]

I just love it🤍 Old bicks always has been my favorite Thanks alot 👌🏻🛵

[@Darkvisor]

Thanks for watching