PREVIEW – 2026 KAWASAKI KLE500 - JUST BIKES

PREVIEW – 2026 Kawasaki KLE500

Words: Mike Ryan

Photos: Kawasaki Australia

Kawasaki are set to expand their adventure bike range with the ‘KLE500’. The revival of a model name last seen almost two decades ago, the all-new KLE500 is due for local release in mid-2026, combining a proven engine and frame design with fresh, rally-inspired styling and rider-friendly features.

PREVIEW – 2026 Kawasaki KLE500 — *NOTE: overseas models shown*

Built off the same platform and using the same engine as the Z500 naked, Ninja 500 sports and Eliminator 500 cruiser, this base means the upcoming KLE500 will be LAMS legal. Both standard and SE variants will be offered; the latter adding more equipment and different paint.

Plugging a gap in Kawasaki’s range between the KLX300 and KLR650, the KLE500 will also offer an alternative to the Versys-X 300 and Versys 650 for those who prefer a bit more dirt than tarmac in their adventure touring.

Engine, Trans, Frame

Like its predecessor, that was offered from 1991 to 2007, the KLE500 is powered by a parallel twin engine. In this instance, it’s 451cc instead of 498cc and benefits from Kawasaki’s engine improvements over the past 20 years.

Power and torque outputs, along with most of the other specs, are still to come, but using the Z500 and Eliminator 500 as a guide, power should in the region of 33kW at 9,000rpm, with torque of around 43Nm at 6,000rpm. The DOHC 8-valve twin has an 11.3:1 compression ratio in its other applications, so expect this to be the same or similar for the KLE500, too.

With dual 32mm throttle bodies, digital ignition and electric starting, the liquid-cooled twin is fed by a 16-litre fuel tank – that’s the largest capacity amongst the entire Kawasaki 500 family. The Eliminator 500 tank is 13 litres, with the Z500 and Ninja 500 both 14 litres.

Like the engine, the KLE500’s six-speed transmission is shared with the other 500s. Gear ratios are unrevealed, but the final drive ratio is different - 46/15 vs 43/14. Kawasaki says this was chosen to balance highway performance with smooth torque delivery off road. An assist & slipper clutch is standard, with chain final drive.

The frame is of the same steel trellis type as the other 500s, but differs considerably in terms of its configuration. In particular, much more strength and durability has been worked into the rear section. Provision to add panniers and a rear luggage rack are built in to the frame’s design, while a subframe to mount an engine skidplate is bolted on. Kawasaki says the frame has been optimised to offer the best balance between rigidity and weight.

Selected use of aluminium in areas like the lower fork clamps, swingarm mount and skidplate is designed to offset the frame's isolated weight of 19kg. Ground clearance is listed at 175mm, but some overseas data has this at 185mm. Either way, it's fine for road and gravel, but sub-optimal for more serious off-road riding.

Suspension, Brakes, Wheels, Tyres

The suspension is another area where the KLE500 shows its lean towards off-road use, with a 43mm KYB inverted fork that’s usually seen in larger capacity bikes. Said to be specially designed for this model, the USD front end offers 210mm of travel, but appears to have no adjustability.

A Uni-Trak monoshock at the rear is said to be new, with 200mm of travel and preload adjustability, although the range of adjustment is unknown.

Braking combines a single 300mm disc with dual-piston caliper up front and a 230mm disc with single-piston caliper at the rear. Standard dual-channel ABS can be disengaged for off-road use, and while this feature is expected to be offered on Australian-delivered units, it’s yet to be confirmed.

Befitting its intended application, the KLE500 swaps the alloy wheels seen on Kawasaki’s other 500s for spoked rims. The 21-inch front and 17-inch rear combination is said to be directly inspired by the original KLE500. IRC (a Japanese brand) GP-410 tyres are standard, with their tread pattern offering an acceptable compromise between on-road practicality and off-road traction

Ergonomics, Electronics

As it’s aimed at the learner market, the KLE500 offers a neutral riding position. Wide, flat handlebars allow good control and steering movement when off-road, while the pegs are set slightly further forward. In a first for Kawasaki, the footpegs feature rubber inserts for road riding that can be removed without tools. Mirrors are unique to this model, too.

The seat introduces hollow sections in the cushioning that are said to improve comfort, while the seat shape allows easy fore and aft movement. Standard seat height is 860mm, although a 30mm Low Seat is available as an option, along with an ERGO-FIT Pillion Seat that can turn the stepped, two-piece seat into a flat, MX-style platform. It should be noted that, like the ground clearance, some overseas listings for the KLE500 put the standard seat height at 870mm.

Despite its greater capacity, the fuel tank is narrow ahead of the rider to suit movement off-road and improve comfort on-road, while still allowing good knee grip and making easier transition from sitting to standing.

The windshield is three-position adjustable, increasing height by 27mm or 55mm from standard. A taller (106mm) screen is fitted to the KLE500 SE, but whether this is also adjustable is unconfirmed.

Beyond the aforementioned ABS, tech on the KLE500 is limited to LED lighting front and rear, and mono LCD instrumentation, which is upgraded to a colour TFT screen on the KLE500 SE.

In each instance, the instrumentation includes a bar-style revcounter, large digital speedometer, gear position indicator, fuel level, clock and dual tripmeters, along with displays for remaining fuel, fuel consumption, coolant temperature, service indicator, Economical Riding Indicator and notifications for email and phone messages when Kawasaki’s Rideology The App is connected. Additional information is presented on the TFT screen, which also has a switchable – black or white - background option.

Along with displaying notifications for incoming calls and emails, Rideology allows riding log data and navigation instructions to be viewed on your phone. Voice command functionality is available via this app, too.

Style, Colours

Said to be rally-inspired, the front end of the KLE500 has echoes of the recent Yamaha MT-03, with the upper low beam headlights reminiscent of eyes and the high beam below like a mouth in this ‘face’. Clear panels feature on the upper fairing and flow to the windshield area, while the rest of the plastics are quite angular and slab-sided.

Kawasaki says the new model’s tall screen, stepped seat and smooth flanks combine elements of rally bikes, street bikes and their own motocross models. KX elements can be seen in the seat cowl, side covers and muffler, but the rest of the design is certainly a new look compared to the current KLX and Versys models. The closest sibling stylistically is perhaps the KLR650.

Despite its off-road pretensions, the KLE500 has a tyre-hugging front guard, but Kawasaki says the gap is sufficient for use on rough terrain. A clever design element is a bar above the instrument pod that can be used to mount phones or navigation devices.

Like its street, sports and cruiser siblings, the KLE500 will be available in SE form, which adds more features as standard for a slight increase in price. These additional features include handguards, a more expansive skidplate, taller windshield, LED indicators, TFT instrumentation and a unique colour scheme.

The standard KLE500 will be offered in Metallic Carbon Gray/Ebony, while the KLE500 SE comes in Metallic Bluish Green. Both feature military-style stencil graphics on the radiator shrouds, with the SE adding blocks of red and white to the plastics, along with a grey frame. A blackout treatment of the engine, rims, mirrors and other details is common to both models, as is a two-tone grey and black seat.

Price, Release, Rivals

Due for Australian release by the middle of 2026, pricing for the LAMS-legal KLE500 has yet to be announced, but using the other 500s as a guide, something in the region of $9,000-9,500 (+ ORCs) is expected, with a premium of perhaps $300-500 for the SE.

Listed accessories include crash bars, auxiliary lighting, panniers, a rear rack and top box, USB-C port, centre stand, radiator guard and more, all of which are likely to be available from launch. It should be noted that some of these accessories are standard on the KLE500 SE.

The most direct LAMS-legal rivals to the KLE500 include the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, Honda NX500 and CFMoto 450MT. BMW’s upcoming F 450 GS, the Benelli Leoncino 500 Trail, Honda CRF300 Rally and KTM’s new-for-2026 390 Adventure X would also be competitors.

Full specs and pricing will be revealed closer to local release.