Adventure bikes continue to capture the imagination, offering would-be explorers a tool for escape. As a direct result, we have seen pretty much every manufacturer get a decent entry-level ADV into the market in an effort to cater to the needs of these budding explorers all over the world. Most of these entry-level bikes only amount to training wheels, and riders tend to outgrow them.
There are a handful of bikes that you can legitimately buy once and keep forever. Many riders have realized that even middleweight adventure bikes are still pretty heavy for off-road use, and a lighter bike just makes more sense. We feel the one small ADV that will also be able to stand the test of time is the latest bike from Kawasaki.
UPDATE: 2026/02/23
We have updated this article with more details about the engine performance, chassis, and features, along with some more images.
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The KLE500 may not seem like a significant model to the outside observer, but it really does represent something of a watershed moment for Kawasaki. For years, the brand has been content to plod along without a genuine adventure bike model. Simply plugging the hole with a combination of outdated dual-sports, a small adventure tourer, and a middleweight touring bike. That’s changed now with the new KLE500, which promises to be a terrific option for a one-bike garage.
The Kawasaki KLE500 features almost all the good things you’d expect from an adventure bike you can keep for the long term. It features a reliable, adequately powerful parallel-twin engine, paired with a lightweight trellis frame and long-ish travel suspension. Even the ergonomics are designed to be comfortable. The only downside, however, is the low ground clearance, which takes away some off-road ability from the bike. So, the KLE500 is the real deal, but it joins a long list of equally good small-bore adventure bikes in this highly competitive space.
Kawasaki KLE 500 vs. The Competition
The Honda NX500 has been around for ages now – previously known as the CB500X – and is a like-for-like competitor in terms of size and weight. It differs in the sense that it is a more street-biased adventure tourer. But it is one of the few bikes in this space that you might consider keeping long term. As long as you are willing to accept its limitations, it is a fantastic light-duty tourer that is more comfortable than any of the other small ADVs.
Out of all the new Chinese bikes competing in this space, it is the CFMoto Ibex 450 that is genuinely worth a look. It is reasonably comfortable for a relatively small bike, and extremely competent off-road. KTM had a year to forget in 2025, but the one shining light that appeared from the darkness was the updated 390 Adventure R. It is also relatively comfortable and has the best suspension and electronics package out of all these bikes.
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The KLE500 Has A Reliable Twin
|
Engine Type |
Power |
Torque |
Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|
|
451cc parallel-twin |
51 HP @ 10,000 RPM |
31.7 LB-FT @ 7,500 RPM |
6-speed, return shift |
The main reason why we feel that the KLE500 is a bike that you could theoretically hold on to for a long time is its powertrain. With 51 horsepower on tap, it is both approachable for new riders and punchy enough to get up to highway speeds without fuss. More experienced riders will also enjoy its limits, particularly off-road. It offers a versatile performance, which should feel at home in most riding conditions.
It’s A Proven Parallel-Twin
More importantly, the parallel-twin was introduced some years ago, on bikes like the Ninja 500 and the Eliminator. It has only now made its way to the adventure bike. It’s a proven powerplant and should last for years to come with minimal maintenance. This only adds a feather in the KLE500’s hat, giving owners the confidence that this is a bike that won’t disappoint them over the years.
Issues With The Engine Layout
Kawasaki clearly ran into some sort of problem with where the engine sits in the chassis. Getting an engine designed for a street bike application to work in an off-road chassis is one of the biggest challenges any adventure bike designer will face. It is a delicate balance between ground clearance and weight distribution, and it is fairly clear that ground clearance lost this fight. The KLE500 is desperately limited in this department.
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The KLE500 Proves That You Don’t Necessarily Need A Middleweight
The KLE500 only gets a meager 7.3 inches of ground clearance, which is a shocker for something that’s supposed to go off-roading. But that only makes one part of the ADV equation. For instance, the KLE500 is underpinned by a steel trellis chassis, which is actually relatively sporty and a genuine point of difference on the road. That should make the KLE500 handle pretty well and be fun to ride through a mountain pass.
Lightweight Build Matters More Than Ground Clearance
The frame setup also keeps the bike’s weight down, which arguably makes more of a difference than ground clearance once you get off-road. You won’t make it over the log, though, but the lightweight should make the bike easier to handle when the going gets tough, especially for beginners. Should you drop it, it’s much easier to lift a light bike off the ground, too.
Plenty Of Suspension Travel For Light Off-Roading
The suspension offers a decent amount of travel, too: 8.3 inches at the front and 7.7 inches at the rear. On the front, the bike gets a 21-inch wire-spoke wheel, paired with a 17-inch wheel at the back, which is an odd choice. Usually, 21-inch wheels are paired with an 18-inch wheel. For some reason, Kawasaki chose this unusual combination, but we suspect this might have something to do with the seat height, reducing it ever so slightly, but that is only a speculation.
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Neutral Ergonomics And All The Right Things In Place
You will only ride the bike for years to come if it’s comfortable. Fortunately, the KLE500 doesn’t disappoint here, either, especially thanks to its customizable seating combinations. It offers neutral ergonomics, with an elevated handlebar and slightly foot-forward pegs. Kawasaki says this makes riding both on the road and off easier; even the seat has been designed to “minimize impediments” when moving around on the bike.
In terms of features, the KLE500 offers an LED headlight and taillight, adjustable rally-style windscreen, an aluminum skidplate, and switchable ABS. Although it’s better to spring for the KLE500 SE ABS model, which adds some much-needed niceties, including a 4.3-inch TFT display with smartphone connectivity, LED turn signals, and a taller windscreen, which should offer better wind protection. The SE model also gets metal-reinforced handguards and a larger skid plate.
Compared to other models in the segment, the KLE500 does come off as a little barebones, especially when it comes to its electronics package, or lack thereof. This is not really a bad thing. Keeping it simple will certainly improve long-term reliability. Unfortunately, the reality of the matter is that there are certain features modern riders are not really willing to do without.
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Worth The Wait, But Far From Perfect
Combine everything, and you can see why the KLE500 was worth the wait. However, this is a bike that will only appeal to riders who are after a more simplified package that is built to last. There will also be those who dismiss this bike out of hand as just another beginner, but that would be a mistake. This really is a motorcycle that somebody can buy as a first bike and simply keep forever. It offers an excellent balance between street performance and off-road potential.
It certainly took Kawasaki a while to get this bike into production, but just like anything from the brand, it is pretty clear that a lot of thought has been put into this model. The only caveat, for some riders, is the low ground clearance, but that’s still not a dealbreaker. The KLE500 might be designed for new and returning riders, but it will also appeal to adventure enthusiasts looking for a simple, light ADV that isn’t impossible to pick up after a minor spill on the trail.
Source: Kawasaki, CFMoto, KTM, Honda