Kawasaki Announces 2026 KLE500 ABS
Kawasaki is most well-regarded for its street-oriented motorcycles, from the famous Ninja to the underrated Versys. Yet, the company also makes good adventure and dual-sport machines, like the KLR and KLX bikes. Now, the 2026 KLE500 ABS joins this latter cohort.
The Japanese firm promises that this motorcycle allows riders to shift smoothly between pavement and dirt, according to the dictates of the ride. With its rally-inspired design, Kawasaki aims to provide a confidence-inspiring and controllable riding accomplice.
This new adventure bike (at least according to Kawasaki’s categorization) sports a 451cc parallel-twin engine. Kawasaki hasn’t provided performance claims, so we’ll have to wait until we get in the saddle to find out what kind of power output it has.
However, the manufacturer states the engine provides plenty of low-end torque and quick acceleration at high rpm. With a sharp throttle response, the powerplant promises to be equally at home cruising the highway and bouncing over trails. A balancer shaft aims to keep the ride free of vibration.
Mated to the engine is a transmission system with an assist and slipper clutch. It will hopefully perform better than the clutch on the 2025 Kawasaki Versys 1100 SE LT, which could be somewhat spongy at times.
The engine is a stressed member on the lightweight (41.8 pounds) high-tensile steel trellis frame, which Kawasaki has designed from the ground up for versatile riding. The square-tube swingarm’s pivot shaft is attached directly to the engine for improved handling and stability. On top of the frame rests a 4.2-gallon fuel tank with a slim design to allow for forward body movement in dirt.
Soaking up bumps is a 43mm cartridge-type inverted fork with 8.2 inches of travel. These types of forks are usually used on higher-displacement bikes, but Kawasaki has seen it fit to give the KLE500 one as well. Rear suspension consists of a Kawasaki Uni-Trak unit with adjustable preload providing 7.8 travel inches.
For brakes, the KLE500 ABS has a 300mm front disc and a 230mm rear disc, both with a dual-piston caliper. As the name implies, the bike has ABS, which can be disabled through the left-side handlebar cluster. The 21-inch front and 17-inch rear spoked wheels are shod with IRC GP-410 tires.
Instrumentation consists of a high-contrast LCD screen with a variety of indicators, such as speedometer, odometer, gear position, fuel gauge, dual trip meters, etc. The KLE500 ABS supports smartphone connectivity through the Kawasaki Rideology app, which enables monitoring vehicle information on the phone and logging and reviewing GPS route and performance data on the bike.
The rider triangle is relaxed and upright to accommodate comfortable sitting and standing positions, with a 33.8-inch seat height. The wide and fat handlebar has rubber-mounted holders to reduce vibration reaching your hands. An adjustable windshield can move between three positions.
Kawasaki also offers a Special Edition version of the bike. This model comes with a taller 4.1-inch windshield, larger skid plate, metal-reinforced handguards, and a 4.3-inch color TFT instrument panel with additional display options. In addition to the basic Metallic Carbon Gray/Ebony paint scheme, the SE comes in Pearl Blizzard White or Metallic Bluish Green.
The 2025 Kawasaki KLE500 ABS and KL500 SE ABS are available now, the former for $6,599 and the latter for $7,499.