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Kawasaki KLE
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Read a few reviews about the KLE and they aren't particularly favourable,
yet the GPZ500's reviews tend to be ok...ish.
Being that they share the same engine (I think), why is the KLE derived?
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Derided, I presume you mean?
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Can anyone with knowledge help as I am looking at, with a view to purchase,
a KLE or F650 at the moment.
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I have a KLE. It's a November 2005 bought in September 2006 with 1000 miles
on the clock - they can be excellent value. It has the same engine as the
ER500, I understand the GPZ 500 has a tuned up version of the engine.
I bought an ER500 new in 1999 to see if Janet wanted to go back to a bit of
pillion riding - she did and thet resulted in some touring on a Divvy 990 -
OT though.
I liked the ER but found the low seat height a bit cramping after an hour or
two. I bought an XT600E, lovely bike but tiring to ride for longer
distances. Excellent on the back roads here in Mid-Wales.
I bought the KLE to replace both the ER and the XT - it almost does. I love
the sit up riding position, the engine characteristics are almost as nice as
the ER (I suspect the exhaust changes brought in since I bought the ER have
stifled the engine a bit). It's a bit heavier than either the ER or the XT
but is still good fun on back lanes. It has more ability at A road cruising
than the XT and is more comfortable for longer than the ER - once you get
used to the scooped seat.
My only criticism is that the front brake is a bit wooden, more so than the
ER, this puzzles me as they look the same. I just pull the lever a bit
harder. I see on Bike Trader that low milage ones can be had for quite
small money - I know that this probably reflects the popularity of the bike
but for £2300 or so for a 1 year old 500cc bike that isn't actually awful
the KLE makes a lot of sense - particlularly if you are happy to use 85mph
as the maximum you will ever want on the motorway. I bought a new rear tyre
for £50, try doing that for a BMW GS1200 (a bike I looked at seriously until
I decided that I could have nearly as much fun for 30% of the cost on a
KLE).
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I thought GPZ500 was double the trouble of a KLE. Or a KLE is half as
bad as a GPZ500.
But I am being cylinderist.
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You're thinking of a KLR.
The KLE is, as the OP suggests, based on the same twin-cylinder engine as
the GPZ, but with trailie looks (and looks only). I'd guess the engine has
been 're-tuned', as the manufacturers do, and ripped of any guts it has in
the GPZ....
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I always thought it was because the motor is a buzzy peaky little
thing, as opposed to a bottom-torquey motor more suited to an on/off
road bike.
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That explains it. Jumping to nasturtiums again. In my mind KL- , always
meant off road and off-road means single to me (in Kawasaki terms et
least).
So an easy choice then. Emasculated twin or rorty single ... oh wait a
minute. Lozzo will be along in while.
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Rather than buy an F650 I'd be looking at the new Kawasaki ER6 based=20
replacement for the KLE. It's going to be called the Versio or something=20
like that IIRC.
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TIA, David
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Thanks for all your comments, very informative.
All the best, David
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