Kawasaki KLE 500 (2005 - present) review

The 500cc parallel-twin motor from the discontinued GPZ500 finds its way into a new Kwak trailie for '05. Should make a cracking first bike.
Let down by it's small tank size and flaky paint
Engines don't come much more tried and tested than that of the venerable GPZ
Offroad styling is the only concession to anything other than asphalt

The 500cc parallel-twin motor from the discontinued GPZ500 finds its way into a new Kwak trailie for '05. Should make a cracking first bike.

The 500cc parallel-twin motor from the discontinued GPZ500 finds its way into a new Kwak trailie for '05. Should make a cracking first bike.

Seats0
Seat Height (mm)850
Suspension Front41 mm telescopic fork
Suspension RearBottom-Link Uni-Trak
Tyres Front90/90-21M/C
Tyres Rear130/80-17M/C
Brakes FrontSingle 300 mm disc, Twin-piston caliper
Brakes RearSingle 230 mm disc, Single-piston caliper
Tank Capacity (litres)15
Wheelbase (mm)1510
ChassisDouble-cradle, high-tensile steel
Cubic Capacity (cc)498
Bore (mm)74
Stroke (mm)58
Compression Ratio9.8
IgnitionElectronic
CoolingLiquid Cooling
Fuel DeliveryEFI
Stroke TypeFour Stroke
DriveChain
Max Power46
Max Power Revs9400
Max Torque27.4
Max Torque Revs7300
Standing Quarter Mile - Terminal Speed MPH86.72
Standing Quarter Mile - Time15.1
Top Speed104.3