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New Delhi: Kawasaki have unveiled the new KLE500, with the nameplate now making a return in the portfolio for the first time since 2007. First teased at EICMA 2024, the adventure bike has now debuted in the USA and is available in two trims, the Standard and SE.
Powering the KLE500 is a 451 cc parallel-twin liquid-cooled engine that is already in the Ninja 500 and Eliminator 500. While the brand hasn’t given any details of the performance of the engine, it will be quite like the Ninja, which makes 45.4 bhp and 42.6 Nm. Kawasaki have given KLE with larger front and rear sprockets, similar to the ones on the Versys 650.
In terms of design, KLE500 comes with rally-inspired styling, with a compact headlight along a slim fuel tank. It is built around a steel trellis frame that weighs under 19 kgs. Suspension duties are handled by a non-adjustable 43 mm KYB USD fork with 210 mm travel, and the rear comes with a preload-adjustable monoshock that offers 200 mm of travel.
Kawasaki have mentioned that the seat height stands at 860 mm, with the ground clearance at 172 mm. A bike that shares a 21-inch front and 17-inch back wheel setup, the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 comes with 230 mm of ground clearance.
The KLE500 as standard will have an LCD instrument console, with the SE version coming 4.3-inch TFT display. The SE comes with a taller windscreen, along with knuckle guards, a larger skid plate, as well full LED lighting. If Kawasaki decides to bring the KLE500 to India, it could be coming at Rs 6.50 lakh and will most likely come here in 2026.
