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Reviews

Mini Trangia

8.3

Reviewed by Brenhden
"OK so I've used a full sized Millets rip off of a Trangia for the last ten years including 5 mont..."

Alpkit Airo 180

8.3

Reviewed by Brenhden
"OK so I got this as not only am I adventuring and camping but I am also parking my bike on the ou..."

Adventure with a capital "L".

7.5

Reviewed by philsil
"I swapped my R1100RS for this little big bike. A pretty thing with a revvy engine I was eager to ..."

Edelrid Hexon Multi Fuel

10.0

Reviewed by northlondoncookie
"Had this stove for over a year and has worked well. Easy to take apart and service and well thoug..."

Coleman 533

1.0

Reviewed by northlondoncookie
"Despite many claiming what a wonderful stove this was mine arrived with wonky welded legs, rust a..."

Coleman Cobra 3

9.0

Reviewed by Kenjikojo
"I have just come back from a few days camping in Normandy. The tent was brilliant. Lightweight an..."

W2 Adventure boots

4.8

Reviewed by Harty
"Bought a pair of these 3 weeks ago and wore them for the first time this weekend. Did the Sarn He..."

RST Aplha II

8.2

Reviewed by Moorso
"So I was looking for the best of both worlds....I wanted a comfy glove, waterproof, that offered ..."

Buell Ulysses XB12X

8.1

Reviewed by Misfit
"Ok, I know that the Harley image has a lot to do with the downfall of this bike/brand but this do..."

The Rugged Road 2nd Edition

8.0

Reviewed by James691
"Theresa Wallach and Florence Blenkiron. This is a story of adventure that happens to have a moto..."

Bagster CROSS'R Luggage

8.0

Reviewed by Moorso
"I bought the tank bag as my bike came with a pre-existing Baglux tank cover (Triumph Tiger 885i),..."

Shark Evoline 2

9.4

Reviewed by Moorso
"I have gone through a number of makes and helmet types - mostly full face to date - including RST..."

SUZUKA GORE-TEX SUIT

9.0

Reviewed by Happyhenry
"I've had this jacket and trouser pair for three years and I must say that they are an excellent t..."

My First Bike Ride

8.0

Reviewed by heavy
"thanks for a really great look into the real world of motorcycling, dun by a real biker, "

aberdaron

2.0

Reviewed by roscoe
"Not difficult but a better ride"

Into Mexico - cus it's no the end of the world

9.0

Reviewed by jilp
"Excelent writing and an adventure by itself!, The only improvement would be to name the places yo..."

Halvarssons Neck Tube

9.8

Reviewed by RH_SCOTLAND
"I ride all year round, rain, hail, snow, sunshine and wind. A run to work might be in the dark a..."

Adventure with a capital "L".

8.5

Reviewed by Andy17
"The one thing I love about the Derbi Terra its very robust for a little 125. It doesn't even look..."

peruvian adventure

4.0

Reviewed by drhypno
"felt an awsome sense of accomplishment on my return to uk "

Honda ST1300 ABS

8.1

Reviewed by Geddy Boy
"Absolutely Superb at what it does and it does what it says it will on the can , the build quality..."

MRA VARIO TOURING SCREEN

9.3

Reviewed by Geddy Boy
"i put one on my Varedero and then on my Pan European i also intend to get one for my Triumph Tige..."

Triumph Tiger 800 XC

8.5

Reviewed by Geddy Boy
" So far its been great , I've been all over the alps on it and did 9k in my first year of owner..."

Morocco Tizi n'Test

5.0

Reviewed by nigel tailyour
"Narrow rock-strens dangerous road. Do NOT confuse with easy rides like Dades or Tizi n,Chikka"

Klim Balaclava

10.0

Reviewed by Harty
"When it first arrived I was a bit disappointed as to how thin the material was, but I've just use..."

Vango Banshee 200 Tent

8.3

Reviewed by ANDYdk
"VANGO BANSHEE 300 , used in IOM , VERY WET BUT NO LEAKS quick assembly the 300 quite light 2.75k..."

Scotland on a short shoe string.

7.0

Reviewed by woodshack
"Thanks for this write up, I hope to do something similar this summer (mind you I recall saying th..."

Vango Banshee 200 Tent

8.0

Reviewed by ANDYDK
"Got this for IOM 2012. First of all it never leaked, easy to put up and if you leave the inner at..."

Riding to the end of the world...and missing it.

10.0

Reviewed by dick underdown
"Without doubt the best adventure travel book I have read in many a long year.. Possibly the new D..."

Meandering South through Europe

1.0

Reviewed by jackass dave
"just noticed ,you have the same name as me ,how strange"

Was someone thinking of me when they built this?

8.5

Reviewed by pafirth@tiscali.co.uk
"Well after changing my bike 4 times in 2 years I have ( I hope, but not nearly as much s my wife)..."

Thermarest Luxury Map Large.

9.3

Reviewed by Suffolk_Snail
"I've been backpacking by bicycle, foot and later by car and motorcycle for over 35 years. I start..."

Touratech Windscreen spoiler

8.3

Reviewed by Suffolk_Snail
"I used to have an 1159GSA with a BIG touring screen. When I bought my current F800GS, it came wit..."

MRA VARIO TOURING SCREEN

9.0

Reviewed by picos mestizo
"I've given it 10 for Durability because it isn't a thin flimsy screen. I've also given it 10 for ..."

Riding to the end of the world...and missing it.

10.0

Reviewed by dick underdown
"The next Dan Walsh? I can't a higher compliment than than that. You are transported there and l..."

Metal Mule Suspension Lowering Kit XT660Z

9.3

Reviewed by Barcelona Pat
"Metal Mule Suspension Lowering Kit - 30 minutes to fit, a cheap and easy way of shaving a bit off..."

Hein Gerike Tuareg Bar Bag

9.7

Reviewed by Barcelona Pat
"Hein Gerike Tuareg Bar Bag - A cheap black plastic zipped bag that sits neatly across the handleb..."

Symtec Heated Grips

9.0

Reviewed by Barcelona Pat
"- This type are the heating elements which are stuck onto the handlebars under the original hand ..."

Loobman Chain Oiler

5.3

Reviewed by Barcelona Pat
"Loobman Chain Oiler - I took a bit of a punt with this chain oiler for a few reasons. The first ..."

Fenda Extenda

9.3

Reviewed by Barcelona Pat
"Fenda Extenda - A relatively cheap bit of black platsic which is stuck to the back of the front m..."

Pivot Pegs

9.0

Reviewed by Barcelona Pat
"Pivot Pegs - I didn´t find the comparitively small original pegs that comfortable, so I looked ar..."

Xenon Headlight Bulbs

9.0

Reviewed by Barcelona Pat
"Xenon Headlight Bulbs - I swapped out the main and dipped beam bulbs for these before heading off..."

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Kawasaki KLE 500

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Kawasaki KLE 500

		0.0
		8.1 (3)

April 01, 2009 Hits: 25844

Listing Information Motorcycles

Manufacturer	Kawasaki
Model	KLE 500
Price	3,995
Top Speed	105mph
Insurance Group	9
Engine Size	495cc
Engine Type	Liquid-cooled, four-stroke Parallel Twin
Compression Ratio	9.8 : 1
BH Power	44bhp
Torque	41Nm
Gears	6
Seat Hight	850mm
Ground Clearance	180mm
Fuel Capacity	15 Litres
Dry Weight	181kg
Front Suspension	41mm telescopic fork
Rear Suspension	Bottom-link Uni-Trak
Front Tyre Size	90/90 -21
Rear Tyre Size	130/80 - 17
Brakes Front	Single 300mm disc, twin-piston caliper
Brakes Rear	Single 230mm disc, single-piston

More to come on this Adventure Motorcycle

User reviews

Average user rating from: 3 user(s)

Overall rating:		8.1
As a Long Distance Tourer:		8.3 (3)
Off Road Capability:		8.0 (3)
Around Town:		9.0 (3)
Additional Equipment Availability:		3.3 (3)
Reliability:		9.7 (3)
Handling:		8.0 (3)
Engine:		8.3 (3)
Value for Money:		10.0 (3)

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kle 500

Overall rating:		8.3
As a Long Distance Tourer:		9.0
Off Road Capability:		7.0
Around Town:		9.0
Additional Equipment Availability:		3.0
Reliability:		10.0
Handling:		8.0
Engine:		10.0
Value for Money:		10.0

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Reviewed by desertraider
June 05, 2011
Top 50 Reviewer

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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

Owned one for around 2 years was a great bike , it did just about everything i asked of it ,went off road, toured , and went back and forward to work on it and it just never failed , with a few cheeky mods made 68hp , and that made the bike quick , the only thing i would grumble about would be the fuel tank being smallish but then again their is petrol stations every 5 mins down the road , would i buy one again ? i would say yes , would i be happy to load it up with gear a bugger off around europe for 2 weeks ? yep sure would , it will just go and go .

Review Information Motorcycles

Time owned	about 2 years before been stolen
I liked	most things and it started first time every time
I Disliked	do with a bigger tank for touring , then again theirs petrol stations every 5 mins
Would you buy again	Yes
In one line	cheap and be turned in to a great adventure bike with little money
Grin Factor (0=crap 10=I loved it)	mine was a 9

Kle - travel on a budget

Overall rating:		7.8
As a Long Distance Tourer:		7.0
Off Road Capability:		8.0
Around Town:		9.0
Additional Equipment Availability:		5.0
Reliability:		9.0
Handling:		7.0
Engine:		7.0
Value for Money:		10.0

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Reviewed by john_aero
December 17, 2010
Top 10 Reviewer

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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

I like ot keep it short and sweet.

all the experts and men with cash knock it. it is cheap reliable and good all rounder. i have taken it on single tracks and up mountains.

only downside is the tank is on the small side and it is heavy enough for the output.

parts and extras are there if you know where to look, advrider and horizons unlimited have good threads for dedicated kle owners and there is a world of info.

Review Information Motorcycles

Time owned	1 Year
I liked	Cheap and Reliable
I Disliked	Small Tank
Would you buy again	Maybe
In one line	Cheap Touring Machine
Grin Factor (0=crap 10=I loved it)	5

KLE 500, what a bike

Overall rating:		8.3
As a Long Distance Tourer:		9.0
Off Road Capability:		9.0
Around Town:		9.0
Additional Equipment Availability:		2.0
Reliability:		10.0
Handling:		9.0
Engine:		8.0
Value for Money:		10.0

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Reviewed by Gray
July 28, 2010

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19 of 19 people found the following review helpful

You may well laugh, all you GS and KTM owners, but this is a great little bike, very cheap to buy and run.

Why is so underated?, overall build quality isn't great, and the standard performance isn't great, but hey I only paided £1,700 for my 2006 bike. I've spent about £200 to get it sorted for off road and touring.

This bike shows you don't have to spend a fortune to go touring. Last year I went to Andorra and back in a week, and trailed it when I got there. It averages about 75mpg/180 miles to the tank. This year I did the RBLR1000, thats a 1000 miles in 24hrs. I do have sports bikes as well but this was my first choice for any long trips.

I use mine for green laning and solo long trips and all year riding. The 500cc twin engine has been around for over 20 years so is well proven and almost unbreakable.

So go on give it a look.
Gray

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Comments (3)

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KLE 500

Couldn't agree more! Ignore what the so called 'experts' or 'GS snobs' say about this bike. It's still a tool that'll do the job well. They call it not a strictly 'off road bike' how many shiney GS's do you see actually going off road? or are most of them still immaculate?
Love the KLE, does the job and if dropped, pick it up and carry on.
Mine cost £800 from ebay with 17k on it.
If you want pose factor then Get your GS's. If you want to just strap a tent on and get out there cheaply and reliably then KLE can't go wrong.

Jimbo.

Jim Rippon , August 30, 2010

KLE 500

I own a 2007 KLE500 have done for a few years. THE ONLY BIKE. Don't know about the rest but here in Aus they don't sell them any more.Cannot understand why.

littlewilly , August 31, 2010

KLE500 nearly won the HUMM 2010

I've seen and read all the negative press about the KLE and then on the 2010 HUMM was seriously impressed by the machine. A chap (teacher on summer hols) turned up one. Bog standard machine and he came within a gnats todger of winning the sub 600cc category. Up against KTM's, WRF 250's and 400's, DRZ's etc. Talking to those that know i.e. own them, if you sort out the saddle all the comfort issues disappear. This just means cutting the foam on the riders seat to be flatter and stiffening the front springs. GPZ500 engine a peach and all say a little thirsty when pushed. Definitely one to consider for the adventure rider on a budget.
Occasionally new ones still turn up for £3k in the autotrader.

Snasher , June 27, 2011