Kawasaki has given us some clues about its future plans at the recently held EICMA 2024. Proof of this is the decoration it exhibited, where you can see some parts of what appears to be its new KLE 500. Tucked inside a structure large black and under the motto “Life is a rally. Enjoy it”the Akashi brand informs us of what we can expect about the return of such mythical acronyms loved by followers of the Japanese brand.
To do this, he showed us the front end of his new KLE 500equipped with a 21” radial tire, a single brake disc actuated by a Nissin caliper, inverted fork and behind it a generous cooling radiator. The pilot in charge of piloting it emerged from the top, positioned standing on the footpegs of the legendary medium-displacement trail bike.
What can we expect from a new generation Kawasaki KLE 500?
Well, to tell the truth, and knowing Kawasaki’s idiosyncrasy, it is most likely that it will maintain that versatile philosophy that the KLE 500 once treasured. A model that the brand maintained within its range from 1991 to 2007, equipped with what is necessary to carry out whoever wanted it until the end of the world if necessary.
To do this, it made use of the twin-cylinder engine mounted on another legendary model of the brand, the GPZ500. For the occasion it delivered a maximum power of 45 HP at 8,300 rpm (in its latest version), announcing a maximum speed of 168km/h. Equipped with a double cradle tubular steel chassis, the rest of the chassis stood out for its simplicity and efficiency. All this in favor of good operation, proven reliability and simple and economical maintenance.
Probably, the new KLE 500 follows in the footsteps that its predecessor left along the way 18 years ago. In fact, everything suggests that this new generation of the well-known Japanese trail bike is powered by the same 451 cc parallel twin engine as its 500 sisters within the current range, the Ninja 500 or the Z500, both suitable for driving with the A2 card.
On the other hand, and no less important, the new KLE 500 would occupy the commercial place left by the Kawasaki Versys-X 300 in some markets. In ours specifically, the model was discontinued in 2020. Likewise, its main function would be to stand up to rivals at the level of the CFMoto 450 MT, the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 0 or the new KTM 390 Adventure R, among others.
