Kawasaki KLE500 im Test: Comeback mit Reiseenduro-Charakter?

Product overview (Kawasaki KLE500 / KLE 500 “Touring Enduro”, A2 class)

• Reintroduced model described as a touring enduro with Reiseenduro character, aimed at A2-ready mixed-use riders (road + light off-road/adventure trails).
• 451 cc twin-cylinder, ~45 hp at 9000 rpm
  • Positioned as not excessively powerful, but very accessible/lively.
• Built on a modular system shared with other Kawasaki models (engine noted as also used across the Ninja/naked family).

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Key features mentioned

Agility / handling

• Described as very agile, despite 21-inch front and 17-inch rear wheels.

Tires

• Comes with Japanese IAC “Trail Winner” tires, praised for performing very well on- and off-road.
• Tire selection is said to be limited by rear wheel dimensions.
  • Alternatives exist (e.g., Metzeler Karoo fits), but overall options are described as “very limited”.

Suspension

• Not adjustable; tuned for comfort.
• Travel: 210 mm front / 196 mm rear.
• Works well on both “good and bad roads”, emphasizing touring comfort.

Brakes / electronics / ABS

• ABS can be completely deactivated, but the video highlights a limitation:
  • It cannot be deactivated only on the rear/front separately (criticized).
• Off-road ABS removal is viewed as a concern for steeper/technical situations.

Ergonomics

• Relaxed touring posture, somewhat reclined and positioned away from the front wheel.
• Standing riding:
  • Very high handlebars and wide risers
  • Described as excellent for tall riders
• Mixed ergonomic impressions:
  • One rider finds the bars too high for a more active stance.
  • Another rider finds them great for downhill/uphill comfort.

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Performance & ride experience (road + off-road)

On-road (road touring / alpine road mention)

• User-friendly and “beginner-friendly” touring character.
• Engine is described as accessible and present, but riders sometimes want a bit more power when revved (typical for the class).
• Limits are reached mainly when riding aggressively:
  • Riders mention reduced front-wheel confidence when asphalt quality varies or when they don’t know the track.
  • Comfort-oriented ergonomics can reduce “fine front feel” during hard pushing.

Off-road / unpaved terrain (New Gorge Summit / forest riding)

• Considered capable for most unpaved roads and moderate off-road, even if not hardcore enduro.
• Ground clearance is a recurring theme:
  • 185 mm ground clearance, described as low for a touring enduro.
  • One rider notes that suspension travel is usually higher than ground clearance here, so it requires care—yet they report no slips during long touring (e.g., Slovenia).
  • Another rider says scraping is acceptable if you use/fit an engine guard, comparing it to race-style engine protection / knee-slider logic.
• Standing position is praised for control in rough terrain; the bike reportedly pushes easily through tougher sections.

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Main pros (unique positives mentioned)

• Comfort-oriented suspension (front 210 / rear 196 mm) tuned for touring and rough-road absorption.
• Very good, confidence-inspiring tire package (“Trail Winner” highly praised).
• Agile handling for a heavier-ish adventure/touring setup, helped by wheel sizes.
• Ergonomics for mixed-use, especially excellent for tall riders due to very high handlebars.
• Stable, easygoing personality (“good soul” rather than overly demanding).
• Beginner/returner-friendly: presented as ideal for learning or relaxed adventure touring.

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Main cons (unique criticisms mentioned)

1. Limited ground clearance (185 mm)

   • Often seen as a drawback for aggressive riding or tougher ledges; requires caution.

2. ABS design choice criticized

   • Must be fully disabled (no option to keep ABS active in a controlled off-road way).
   • Opinion that Kawasaki could improve with an update:
     • Off-road riders may benefit from front ABS staying on.
   • One speaker argues ABS matters when the front wheel slips, and disabling completely can reduce safety for less experienced riders.

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Comparisons / context with similar products (explicitly mentioned)

• Comparisons are mostly category-based, not strict model-to-model:
  • KLE500 is described as more stable/less “exciting” than other bikes that feel more emotional when ridden hard.
• Historical context:
  • Similarities to the first-generation Yamaha Tenere in terms of ABS/off-road behavior and rider confidence.

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Price / variant info

• SE version ~€7900 in Austria.
• Not heavily equipped electronically:
  • Mentioned features: ABS with full-off capability and smartphone connectivity.
  • Handguards with metal handles highlighted as a nice standard inclusion.

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Overall verdict / recommendation (based on the video)

• The speakers conclude the KLE500 is a well-balanced package for relaxed mixed touring, especially for:
  • A2 riders
  • beginners/returners
  • everyday riders wanting occasional off-road capability
• If you plan to ride aggressively off-road or need higher clearance for frequent technical terrain, the low ground clearance and ABS deactivation approach are meaningful drawbacks.
• Best fit described as:
  • touring with legal unpaved routes
  • not “knife-between-teeth” limit-pushing

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Unique points mentioned (consolidated list)

• Reintroduced/rebranded model; long-term test bike.
• A2 touring enduro class: 451 cc twin, ~45 hp, accessible/lively engine; some wish for more power when revved.
• Agility despite 21/17 wheel setup.
• Stock tire: IAC Trail Winner praised on-road/off-road; limited rear tire options due to rear dimensions.
• Suspension: 210 mm front / 196 mm rear, comfort-biased, non-adjustable.
• Ground clearance: 185 mm, considered low; needs caution; not reported as causing slips in their testing.
• Ground clearance limitations tied to modular design; increasing clearance would raise costs—price competitiveness prioritized.
• ABS:
  • Only complete deactivation (cannot keep front ABS in an off-road mode).
  • Opinion: could improve with a model update; front ABS is important for safety when the front wheel slips.
• Ergonomics:
  • Reclined, relaxed posture for long journeys.
  • Standing comfort: very high handlebars and wide risers; great for tall riders.
  • Some find bars too high (shorter riders would prefer lower or a more active posture).
• Off-road technique observations:
  • Bike can handle much, including steep/unpaved events; engine protection helps with scraping.
• Price/value:
  • ~€7900 Austria (SE); limited electronics beyond smartphone connectivity + ABS off.
• Verdict language:
  • “beginner-friendly”, “user-friendly”, stable “good soul” rather than aggressive sport-emotion.

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Speaker-specific views (as mentioned)

Gregor (on-road focus)

• Touring-typical, relaxed feel; limits appear mainly when pushing hard (front-wheel confidence/ergonomics).
• Ground clearance discussed as low but not a major issue for their intended use.
• Criticizes the ABS deactivation choice and prefers better off-road ABS behavior.

Bern(t) (off-road / ergonomics focus)

• Standing comfort: extremely high handlebars help tall riders; personally comfortable downhill/uphill.
• Bars may be too high for shorter riders; would prefer lower for a more active stance.
• Off-road: ground clearance not constantly problematic; scraping acceptable with an engine guard.
• Mentions footrests could be farther back for better stance comfort.
• Notes that front slip situations make full ABS-off less safe for less experienced riders, supporting ABS usefulness.