New for 2026 is the Kawasaki KLE500 ABS, available in a standard trim and an SE version. This accessible and affordable adventure bike features rally-inspired styling and off-road-ready specs, and it slots between the Versys-X 300 and KLR650 in Kawasaki’s adventure lineup.
It’s powered by the liquid-cooled 451cc parallel-Twin also found in Kawasaki’s Eliminator, Ninja 500, and Z500 models. Full specs for the KLE 500 have not been released yet, but the Z500 makes 51.0 hp at 10,000 rpm and 31.7 lb-ft at 7,500 rpm. Its 6-speed transmission includes a slip/assist clutch, and it has a steel trellis frame that uses the engine as a stressed member. Suspension includes a KYB nonadjustable 43mm inverted fork and a new Uni-Trak rear shock with stepless spring preload adjustability. Wheel travel is 8.3 inches in front and 7.9 inches in the rear, and ground clearance is 6.8 inches.
Brakes include a 2-piston front caliper with a 300mm disc and a 2-piston rear caliper with a 230mm disc. Nissin-supplied ABS can be disabled via a switch on the left side of the handlebar, and ABS resets to active when the bike is switched off and restarted.
The KLE500 ABS has 21-inch front and 17-inch rear wheels with aluminum rims and steel spokes, and they’re wrapped in IRC GP-410 tires. It features a wide aluminum handlebar and a slightly forward footpeg position with removable rubber footpeg inserts. Seat height is 33.8 inches, and the slim fuel tank holds 4.2 gallons. Curb weight has not yet been announced.
Instrumentation includes an LCD instrument panel that connects to a smartphone via Rideology the App. Through the app, riders can access vehicle information and log their routes and performance data in the Riding Log function. The LCD screen also displays phone notifications, and the Economical Riding Indicator flashes to let riders know when fuel consumption is favorable.
Standard equipment includes an aluminum skidplate and an adjustable windscreen with three height levels: standard, 1.1 inches higher, and 2.2 inches higher.
The SE (special edition) version comes with a taller windscreen, a larger skidplate, metal-reinforced handguards, LED turnsignals (LED headlight and taillight are standard), and a 4.3-inch color TFT display.
Kawasaki accessories for the KLE500 include a top case, panniers, a larger windscreen, handguards, heated grips, a USB-C port, an engine guard, a centerstand, and more.
The 2026 Kawasaki KLE500 ABS will be available in Metallic Carbon Gray/Ebony for $6,599. The KLE500 SE ABS will be available in Pearl Blizzard White or Metallic Bluish Green for $7,499.
Visit the Kawasaki website for more information.
Check out more new bikes in Rider’s 2026 Motorcycle Buyers Guide
This bike is a bad joke.
Kawasaki obviously has no idea what riders want.
I disagree. The 650cc class ADVs are too big and heavy for me, and the 300cc class bikes don’t have enough power. I’ve been longing for a 400 – 500cc bike for years, and if this one comes in under 400lbs it may be the bike I’ve been waiting for.
Uh-oh. I think this portends the demise of the KLR650.
And who will honestly say “too soon”?
Can’t wait to see this. This segment needed activity, badly. I’m putting off my off-season bike purchase until I see one in the plastic.
Maybe a bad joke to some but possibly a wish come true for others. Will know which camp I fall into as more is revealed and a test ride is taken. One downer already is no tubeless spoked wheels.
No info on HP. Accessories are crazy expensive. Optional passenger seat? Even luggage racks have expensive optional (?) add-ons required. Next thing is having to pay for optional screws & bolts!
Full specs for the KLE500 haven’t been released yet, but the same engine in the Z500 makes 51.0 hp @ 10,000 rpm and 31.7 lb-ft @ 7,500 rpm.
I really like the idea, a twin cylinder has potential. I truly believe any of the “adventure “ bikes need cruise control in order to better fulfill their role as a go anywhere do anything motorcycle. Hopefully the weight is lower than the others in this displacement group. (Honda, CF Moto, and singles Royal Enfield, KTM and others)
I’m curios all of you that have left comments. What make and model bikes do you ride? I myself ride a 2017 Honda Africa Twin that I have had over a number of the jeep passes in the San Juan mountain of southwest Colorado, the Chiricahua mountains in Arizona and the Gila National forest of New Mexico in the snow as well as off road down the Baja peninsula of Mexico. I would like to know what a bike would look like and how much it would cost if you were to build one?
I like it. We bought both a Moto Guzzi Stelvio and then a BMW GS1250; both too heavy for anything resembling off-road more than a gravel road. This just may be the ticket for a true 75/25 dual-sport.
Curious to see how this fits me compared to the NX500, which seems dang near prefect.