Kawasaki KLE500 revived as modern rally-inspired adventure bike
Kawasaki is ready to take on the barnstorming Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 and the CFMOTO 450MT adventure bikes with its new 2026 KLE500Kawasaki has revived the KLE500 as a rally-inspired adventure bike powered by the Japanese brand’s proven 451cc parallel-twin engine.
The new-generation Kawasaki KLE500 will launch in 2026, although Australian pricing and availability have not yet been confirmed.
Tipped to compete with the likes of the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, CFMOTO 450MT, and KTM 390 Adventure R, the new KLE500 picks up where the original KLE500 (1991–2007) left off — as a lightweight dual-sport adventure bike.
While it serves as a spiritual successor to the original model, the new KLE500 comes loaded with modern features including switchable ABS, smartphone connectivity, a colour LCD display (TFT on the higher-spec SE variant), and compatibility with Kawasaki accessories such as USB ports, heated grips, and LED fog lights.
Built around a purpose-designed steel trellis frame, the KLE500 houses the familiar 451cc parallel-twin engine shared with the Eliminator 500 and Ninja 500. Power and torque figures are yet to be confirmed, though the Eliminator 500 produces a LAMS-friendly 44hp and 43Nm in Australia.
A 21/17-inch wheel setup wrapped in dual-sport tyres delivers an off-road-ready package, while KYB suspension offers 210mm of travel up front and 200mm at the rear via a Uni-Trak linkage. Those figures put the KLE500 ahead of both the Himalayan 450 and CFMOTO 450MT, though still short of the KTM’s class-leading 230mm.
Elsewhere, the new KLE500 features an adjustable windscreen, adjustable seat height, a 16-litre fuel tank, and “KX-inspired” ergonomics. The SE variant adds a larger windscreen, handguards, and a bash plate to further boost its adventure credentials.
Given the growing success of the lightweight adventure segment in recent years, it seems likely that the KLE500 will make its way Down Under, although there was no official word from Kawasaki Motors Australia at the time of writing.
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