Kawasaki KLE500

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Type of motorcycle

Kawasaki KLE500

Manufacturer| Kawasaki Motorcycle & Engine Company
Parent company| Kawasaki Heavy Industries
Production| 1991-2007
Successor| Kawasaki Versys 650 (KLE650)
Class| Dual-sport
Engine| 498 cc (30.4 cu in) liquid-cooled 4-stroke 8-valve DOHC parallel-twin
Bore / stroke| 74.0 mm × 58.0 mm (2.91 in × 2.28 in)
Compression ratio| 9.8:1
Power| 45 hp (33.6 kW) @ 8,300 rpm
Torque| 41 N⋅m (30.2 lb⋅ft) @ 7,500 rpm
Ignition type| CDI
Transmission| 6-speed manual, chain final drive
Frame type| Steel double cradle
Suspension| Front: 41 mm (1.6 in) telescopic fork
Rear: Swingarm with monoshock and adjustable spring preload
Brakes| Front: Dual-piston caliper with single floating 300 mm (11.8 in) disc
Rear: Dual-piston caliper with single 230 mm (9.1 in) disc
Tires| Front: 90/90-21
Rear: 130/80-17
Wheelbase| 1,510 mm (59.4 in)
Dimensions| L: 2,215 mm (87.2 in)
W: 880 mm (34.6 in)
H: 1,270 mm (50.0 in)

Seat height| 850 mm (33.5 in)
Fuel capacity| 15 L (4.0 US gal)
Related| Kawasaki KLR650
Kawasaki Ninja 500R

The Kawasaki KLE500 is a motorcycle produced by Kawasaki that is powered by a 498 cc (30.4 cu in) parallel-twin engine. As a dual-sport motorcycle, it can be used both on roads and in light off-road conditions. The KLE500 was introduced in 1991.

## Description[edit]

The KLE500 has a sump guard which protects the oil pan during off-road use. Aerodynamic protection relies on a small windshield and depending on the height of the rider, the head and upper torso are exposed to the wind. The situation can be improved considerably with the use of windshield accessories, available as an accessory for the original Kawasaki model but also for other brands for the latest series, thanks to the interchangeability of parts with the widespread Z1000. The seat is wide enough to accommodate the driver and passenger. The bike is equipped with a large rear rack.

The instrumentation includes speedometer, odometer, tachometer, indicators for the turn signals and high beam. Does not have the a light indicating the use of the fuel reserve. For this, one can use the fuel valve manually operated to allow passage to the "reserve" position.

From the model year 2003 onwards, for all motorcycles, the low beam cannot be turned off by a switch on the handlebar and thus remain always on.

## 2005[edit]

2005 KLE500

The changes in the 2005 model year stem from the need to update the KLE's anti-pollution system to the Euro 2 standard. Previous model characteristics were within the Euro 1 guidelines.

Given the need to renew the model, Kawasaki included a facelift that rejuvenated the line. In particular, it redesigned the windshield making it similar to that of Z1000 and Z750, using the same glass unit. They also changed the turn signals and the instrument panel. The earlier fairing of the disc brake was removed.

## External links[edit]

* Kawasaki Owners Club Forum

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« previous \- Kawasaki motorcycle timeline, 1990–present

Year

Type

| 1990s  | 2000s  | 2010s

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0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9  | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9  | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9
Naked/Adventure touring |  | W175
| Estrella | W250
| W650 |  | W800 |  | W800
| Versys-X 250
| Versys-X 300
| KLE500 | Versys 650
| Versys 1000
| Z125 PRO
| Z125
| Z250SL
| Z250
| Z300 | Z400
| ER-5 | Ninja 650/ER-6f/ER-6n | Ninja 650/Z650
ZR750 Zephyr  | ZR-7 | Z750 | Z800 | Z900
| Z900RS
| Zephyr 400/550/1100 |  | Z1000
| ZRX1100 | ZRX1200R |
Dual-sport |  | KL250 Super Sherpa
KLR250 | KLX250S
| KLX450R
KLR650 |
Sport |  | Ninja 125
| Ninja 250SL
Ninja 250R
Ninja 400  |  | Ninja 300 | Ninja 400
Ninja ZX-2R/Ninja ZXR250  |
ZXR400 |
EX500/GPZ500/Ninja 500 |
ZX600C-E/Ninja ZX-6 | ZX600F-J/Ninja ZX-6R
Ninja ZX750F  |
ZXR750/Ninja ZX-7R |
GPZ900R |  | Ninja 1000
| ZX900/Ninja ZX-9R | Ninja ZX-10R
| Ninja H2/H2R
ZX-10 Tomcat |  | Ninja ZX-12R |
Sport touring |  | ZZR600 |
| GPZ1100/ZX1100E |
ZZR1100C/Ninja ZX-11C | ZZR1100D/Ninja ZX-11D | ZZR1200/ZX-12C | ZZR1400/Ninja ZX-14
| Ninja H2 SX
Touring | GTR1000/Concours | 1400GTR/Concours 14
Cruiser | EL250 |  | EL125/Eliminator |
454 LTD |  | Vulcan VN500C  |
Vulcan EN500A |
| Vulcan S
Vulcan VN750 |
| Vulcan VN800A/Vulcan Classic VN800B |
| Vulcan VN900 Classic/VN900B
| Vulcan 800/1500 Drifter  |
| Vulcan VN1500 |
| Vulcan VN1600 | Vulcan VN1700
| Vulcan VN2000 |
MotoGP |  | Ninja ZX-RR |
*[L]: Length
*[W]: Width
*[H]: Height
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