Last week, Kawasaki dropped a teaser showing off an unnamed adventure bike, adding to an already busy fall lineup refresh.
Between the similarities in crash bar design, fairing shape and frame treatment to the existing KLE500, it seemed primed to be a larger, more powerful sibling.
Now, Team Green has revealed the bike in full, and it’s just as expected. While this means it shares a lot with its KLE500 sibling, I’d still argue it stands to be a big upgrade.
Team Green goes bigger
After all, displacement and power are two metrics that are top of mind for most riders.
The KLE650 improves in both respects, upping capacity for its parallel twin to 649cc and adding ride-by-wire throttle, along with revised intake and exhaust systems compared to the KLE500.
In practice, this means that Kawasaki claims peak output of 70 horsepower at 8,600 rpm and 47.2 lb-ft of torque at 7,500 rpm, both numbers representing sizable gains. By contrast, the KLE500 makes 51 horsepower and 31.7 lb-ft of torque.
On the road, then, the extra grunt should make for a noticeable difference. During long stretches of highway cruising, overtakes and loaded and two-up touring, it’s bound to come in handy.
To those points, I’d also expect that the bike would feel more confident because of the slightly heavier overall package. Kawasaki claims a curb weight of 467.5 pounds for the KLE650 SE, about 40 pounds more than the KLE500 SE, so the extra mass should contribute to greater high-speed stability.
Extra tech on a solid foundation
While the 649cc parallel-twin is the headline change for the KLE650, the bike does bring some other notable differences compared to its smaller sibling.
Thanks to the electronic throttle, Kawasaki is also able to include various rider aids such as two-mode Kawasaki TRaction Control (KTRC) and electronic cruise control. The KLE500 merely gets ABS.
What’s more, Kawasaki has added a dual disc brake setup at the front for added stopping power. It’s a change that layers on top of a package that was already compelling because of a 21/17-inch spoked wheel setup and suspension travel coming to 8.3/7.7 inches.
Still, assuming those differences still don’t have the bike up to your standards for a touring-ready steed, Kawasaki will be offering the KLE650 in SE spec, as it has with the KLE500.
In addition to a TFT display and a Kawasaki Quick Shifter, it brings a larger aluminum skid plate, tubeless wheels and an extended windscreen. Together with the reinforced hand guards, beefier fat-type handlebars and integrated USB connectivity, they’re all changes intended to further optimize the bike for long-distance comfort and utility.
Availability and pricing
Kawasaki says the KLE650 ABS and KLE650 SE ABS will be available beginning in February 2027. Priced starting at $8,799 and $9,999, you can learn more on the brand’s website in the meantime.
Kawasaki
2027 Kawasaki KLE650 ABS
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