Kawasaki KLE500 Review

The 2026 Kawawsaki KLE500 is the newest kid on the block in the rapidly-expanding world of adventure motorcycles. Has Kawasaki delivered the second coming of the beloved KLR650 or is this new light adventure bike just going to be lost in the noise amongst a sea of other similar 450-ish cc ADV motorcycle offerings from the likes of CFmoto, KTM, Honda, and more? I've spent a couple weeks riding the new KLE500 and my full KLE500 review is ready for your viewing enjoyment. Much has been made about the supposed limitations of the KLE 500 but almost none of the people decrying it's stats and specs have actually thrown a leg over the bike. This beginner adv motorcycle is not designed to compete with the likes of the KTMs and Aprilias of the world and it's not fair to judge it against those standards. This is a bike intended to make new adventure motorcycle riders comfortable and to ease them into the world of combined on and off road motorcycle riding. It's exceptionally stable and easy to ride and the price is insanely good. For a first ADV bike, you'd be hard pressed to find a better option. 2026 Kawasaki KLE500 Review Chapters 00:00 Intro 01:05 KLE500 Specs 02:02 KLE500 vs KLE500 SE 02:17 KLE 500 Ground Clearance Concerns 02:31 KLE500 Pros 05:35 KLE 500 Cons 11:28 Which KLE500 Should I Get? (SE vs Standard) 12:47 KLE500 vs KLR650 13:40 KLE500 Review Final Conclusion 17:06 Thank You and Outro SUBSCRIBE for more adventures, how-tos, gear reviews, and moto shenanigans! http://bit.ly/dorkintheroad Want early access to videos and other perks? Become a channel member: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrKYAp8fkN8yCbxcNK375rA/join Dork in the Road stickers and other merch available at: https://motocampnerd.com/collections/dork-in-the-road-merch?ref=dork Dork in the Road Shirts available at: https://dorkintheroad.dashery.com/ Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/adorkintheroad TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dorkintheroad Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=26709234 Channel Sponsors: Brake Free: https://brakefreetech.superfiliate.com/DORKINTHEROAD (save $10 with promo code "dorkintheroad") Cyclops Adventure Lighting: https://www.cyclopsadventuresports.com/?AffId=15 (save 10% with promo code "dorkintheroad) MotoCamp Nerd: https://motocampnerd.com/?ref=dork Quad Lock: Save 10% at https://www.quadlockcase.net/discount/dorkintheroad with promo code "dorkintheroad" Want to support the channel when you buy your dual sport or ADV gear and mods? Please consider using these affiliate links: Rocky Mountain ATV/MC: https://tinyurl.com/23sjhhwr Brake Free: https://brakefreetech.superfiliate.com/DORKINTHEROAD (save $10 with promo code "dorkintheroad") Mosko Moto: https://moskomoto.com/dorkintheroad Amazon: https://amzn.to/3aDkk4z Revzilla: https://imp.i104546.net/4eMdJZ MotoCamp Nerd: https://motocampnerd.com/?ref=dork Vanasche Motorsports: https://vanaschemotorsports.com?sca_ref=10893499.ZWnws7rz5wVLn Cyclops Adventure Lighting: https://www.cyclopsadventuresports.com/?AffId=15 (save 10% with promo code "dorkintheroad) Amain Hobbies: https://alnk.to/7Bil0C0 Save 10% on https://butlermaps.com/ with promo code "dorkintheroad." Save 10% at https://www.quadlockcase.net/discount/dorkintheroad with promo code "dorkintheroad" Save 10% on Motion Footpegs (https://motionfactoryracing.com/) with promo code "dorkintheroad" Cardo Systems: https://cardosystems.rfrl.co/e2vdy (use promo code "dorkintheroad" to save 10%) Save 10% at Seat Concepts with promo code "DORKNRD26" Thank you for supporting the channel by clicking on the affiliate links in this description. FULL DISCLOSURE: MotoCamp Nerd pays me to create content for his YouTube channel. This isn't a "sponsorship" per se, but it does mean I use their products exclusively and may impact my opinions about camping gear. Fortunately their stuff is good so I'm happy to recommend it, but just FYI. Disclaimer for reasons: I am not a professional journalist, expert motorcycle rider, or a mechanic. These videos are for entertainment purposes and represent my personal opinions and experiences. I'm just a dude who isn't even good at riding or making videos, so be smart and don't risk life or limb trying to follow my example or advice.