Bike Test: KAWASAKI KLE500 SE

After almost 1000km in every condition from Sydney traffic to the Yarramalong Valley and Ourimbah State Forest, it’s clear Kawasaki has built a capable all-rounder here, provided you understand its strengths and respect its limitations. The adventure motorcycle market has exploded in recent years, with manufacturers scrambling to offer learner-friendly machines that promise genuine versatility without intimidating new riders. Kawasaki’s answer is the KLE500 SE, a motorcycle that borrows its lively 451cc parallel twin from the Ninja and Z500 but wraps it in an adventure-ready package complete with long-travel suspension, a 21-inch front wheel and rally-inspired styling.

First impressions were excellent. Sitting on the bike at Kawasaki’s head office, I immediately liked the tall stance and purposeful rally styling. It looks every bit the modern adventure machine without appearing bulky, while the upright riding position instantly felt natural. Considering its price point, the overall finish is impressive. The plastics fit well, the TFT display looks premium and the handlebars and switchgear have a quality feel. The bashplate and handguards are obviously built to a budget, but they still suit the bike’s intended purpose. My only early concern centred around the exposed exhaust header, which appears vulnerable should you venture onto rocky trails.

The ergonomics are another highlight. The seat proved genuinely comfortable for stretches of around two hours before needing a break, while the relationship between the seat, handlebars and footpegs creates a relaxed riding position whether seated or standing. I did roll the handlebars back around 10mm to better suit my reach, but otherwise everything felt well sorted. Seat height will divide opinion. At 187cm I could comfortably manage it, but only just. Swinging a leg over requires a little effort and shorter riders will certainly notice the height. Once underway, however, the bike quickly shrinks beneath you and feels balanced rather than intimidating.

Wind protection is another pleasant surprise. With the adjustable screen set in the middle of its three positions, airflow around my torso was excellent, while my hands and legs also received plenty of protection from the elements. Whether riding through rain or dry conditions, the cockpit remained comfortable.

On Road

Power comes from Kawasaki’s familiar 451cc parallel twin, and while it’s an enjoyable engine, don’t expect the low-down torque that many riders associate with adventure motorcycles. Instead, it has a rev-happy personality that encourages you to use the gearbox and keep the engine spinning. It’s a different approach, but one that suits the bike’s learner-approved nature.

Throttle response is smooth and fuelling is excellent, making low-speed riding around town effortless. The mid-range is respectable without ever feeling particularly muscular, while the engine rewards riders who aren’t afraid to chase the upper half of the rev range. If you’re expecting effortless overtaking or strong hill-climbing performance, you’ll need to plan ahead, because outright power isn’t the KLE500’s strongest suit.

The six-speed gearbox deserves praise. Shifts are consistently smooth, neutral is easy to find and the clutch action is exceptionally light. Around town and on country roads the chassis is confidence inspiring. Steering is relatively slow thanks to the 21-inch front wheel, but stability is excellent once leaned over. It isn’t a motorcycle that flicks rapidly from one corner to the next, instead favouring predictable behaviour that builds confidence in less experienced riders.

The standard suspension is clearly tuned with comfort in mind. Up front it’s soft and absorbs bumps beautifully, although there is considerable dive under hard braking. The rear shock also felt slightly soft, prompting me to add around 2mm of preload, which noticeably improved the bike’s balance without compromising comfort. Highway riding reveals one of the bike’s few compromises. At 110km/h the engine feels busy and develops a slight buzz through the ‘bars and ‘pegs. Taller overall gearing would transform its freeway manners and make an already comfortable motorcycle even more capable as a light tourer.

Initial brake bite is modest, requiring a firm squeeze to generate meaningful stopping power, while lever feel lacks some feedback. Used together, however, the front and rear brakes provide respectable stopping performance. ABS worked well in wet conditions, and I particularly appreciated being able to disable the rear ABS on the move before heading onto dirt. The standard IRC tyres reflect the bike’s intended role. They’re perfectly acceptable for commuting and everyday road riding but offer limited grip once the pace increases through tighter bends. Riders planning more spirited riding would benefit from fitting a more adventure-focused tyre.

Off Road

Adventure bikes are often judged by what happens once the bitumen ends, and the KLE500 SE performs surprisingly well – provided you keep your expectations realistic. Most of my dirt riding took place on smooth forestry roads and easy trails. Here the Kawasaki felt planted and confidence inspiring. The 21-inch front wheel tracked well over loose surfaces, while the compliant suspension soaked up corrugations and rough gravel more effectively than I expected.

Standing on the ‘pegs feels natural thanks to the roomy ergonomics, although I’d add handlebar risers if I intended spending extended periods riding off-road. The ‘pegs themselves remain comfortable with or without the removable rubber inserts. Traction is rarely an issue because the engine simply doesn’t produce enough torque to overwhelm the rear tyre. That’s actually an advantage for newer riders, making the bike predictable and easy to manage on loose surfaces.

Where the Kawasaki begins to struggle is on more technical trails. The combination of relatively soft suspension and limited ground clearance means it bottoms out more often than I’d like, even over relatively small logs and embedded rocks. Rather than attacking obstacles, you’re encouraged to slow down, choose better lines and ride within the bike’s limits. Fortunately, the KLE500 never feels heavy or cumbersome. Weight distribution is excellent, making it easy to manoeuvre at low speeds, while the light clutch and friendly engine characteristics remove much of the intimidation often associated with larger adventure bikes. The stock tyres also perform noticeably better on gravel than they do on sealed roads, although they quickly run out of off-road grip once conditions become muddy. Riders intending to spend significant time off-road would almost certainly upgrade to a more aggressive adventure tyre.

Conclusion

After almost 1000km in my company, the KLE500 SE has proven itself to be a remarkably likeable motorcycle. It isn’t trying to be a hard-core long-distance trail bike or a high-performance adventure weapon. Instead, the KLE500 focuses on being an approachable, comfortable and versatile bike and in each of those areas it succeeds.

Visit kawasaki.com.au

Test: Jeff Ware | Photography: HMC Photography