- Kawasaki quotes 51.6kW (70PS) for the European-specification 649cc parallel twin.
- The KLE650 has been tuned more for paved-road comfort and long-distance touring than the KLE500.
- The SE adds a TFT display, up/down quickshifter, tubeless spoked wheels and extra touring equipment.
Kawasaki has lifted the lid on the engineering behind its new adventure twin, revealing a 70PS engine, touring-focused chassis and the equipment that separates the standard model from the SE.
Words: Bike Rider Magazine | Images: Kawasaki
More than a bigger KLE500
When Kawasaki revealed the new KLE650, the obvious question was whether it was simply the KLE500 with a larger engine. Now that the factory has released its detailed technical information, the answer is rather more interesting. The 650 keeps the smaller bike’s rally-inspired silhouette, 21-inch front wheel and compact trellis-frame concept, but Kawasaki has deliberately shifted its priorities towards comfortable road miles and long-distance adventure touring. That could make it an appealing proposition for riders who want the look and occasional rough-road ability of an adventure bike without sacrificing everyday comfort.
The KLE650 isn’t simply a KLE500 with more cubic centimetres.
Kawasaki KLE650: Quick Facts
| Engine | 649cc liquid-cooled parallel twin |
|---|---|
| Output | 51.6kW (70PS), European specification |
| Fuel capacity | 16 litres |
| Seat height | 870mm; optional 840mm low seat |
| Wheels | 21-inch front / 17-inch rear |
| Tyres | Dunlop Trailmax Mixtour |
| Suspension travel | 210mm front / 196mm rear |
| Front brakes | Twin 300mm discs |
| Rear brake | 230mm disc |
| Electronics | KTRC, electronic cruise control, selectable ABS |
| SE highlights | TFT, quickshifter, tubeless wheels, taller screen, USB-C, handguards, aluminium skid plate |
| Kerb weight / NZ price | TBC / TBC |
A familiar twin, extensively developed
The liquid-cooled 649cc parallel twin is descended from Kawasaki’s familiar middleweight engine, but this is more than a straightforward transplant. Electronic throttle valves, revised intake and exhaust systems and new calibration are intended to deliver useful torque below 4,000rpm and a smooth, sustained pull beyond 6,000rpm. This is promising as they have kept with the 180 degree crankshaft meaning, like the KLE500’s twin, it won’t have the grunty bottom-end adventure riders prefer. So, hopefully, the revised map will help fill in the torque curve.
Kawasaki quotes 51.6kW (70PS) for the KLE650, with the delivery designed to be linear and designed for comfortable long-distance riding.
MORE ARTICLES
An assist-and-slipper clutch is fitted, while electronic cruise control and Kawasaki Traction Control (KTRC) are standard on both versions. The latter offers two intervention levels, one aimed at sportier riding and the other providing more assistance on slippery surfaces.
A different balance on the road
The KLE650 uses a high-tensile steel trellis frame and a revised swingarm, with Kawasaki specifically targeting greater composure on tarmac than the KLE500, which is another giveaway with where it seems Kawasaki is aiming the bigger KLE. With the KLE500 already a decent bike to ride on the road thanks to its willing powerplant and composed chassis and suspension making it a surprise in the corners, the trade-off is a bike that is set relatively firm when heading onto the dirt. Both share a 1,555mm wheelbase and 28-degree steering-head angle, but trail increases slightly from 104mm to 106mm. Kawasaki say the suspension tune on the KLE650 is also more road-oriented.
Up front are 43mm KYB cartridge-type inverted forks with 210mm of travel, while the new Uni-Trak rear suspension offers 196mm. Those are generous figures for a machine that Kawasaki says is designed to be comfortable covering distance. A 21-inch front and 17-inch rear spoke-wheel combination remains, with Dunlop Trailmax Mixtour tyres chosen with paved-road grip and touring comfort in mind.
Kawasaki has deliberately shifted the balance towards comfortable road miles.
Touring details that matter
A 16-litre fuel tank should offer useful touring range, although Kawasaki has not published an official consumption or range figure. Seat height is 870mm, with an optional rider’s seat lowering that by 30mm to 840mm. There is also an accessory pillion seat that can create a flatter, more off-road-friendly seating arrangement which is a good option for those who like to move around while standing up. Also, it’s good to see the footpeg rubbers can be removed without tools to reveal serrated pegs, showing that the KLE650 still has some off-road intentions.
As the KLE650 is more designed for adventure touring, Kawasaki offers a top case and hard panniers as accessories, while the windscreen has three positions, with the highest 55mm above the lowest. Twin 300mm front discs and a 230mm rear disc handle braking duties which should be good enough to get the speed down even when fully loaded. And if you are going to get the KLE650 dirty, it’s good to see the ABS can be switched off, but returns to its default active setting when the ignition is cycled.
The SE makes a compelling case for riders planning longer trips.
Standard or SE?
The standard KLE650 is not short of useful technology. It gets traction control, electronic cruise control, smartphone connectivity and a new five-inch LCD instrument display. But, and this is probably a good reason to get the SE, its spoked wheels use tubes, while there’s only a plastic skid plate offering basic underside protection.
The SE makes a compelling case for riders planning longer trips. It swaps the LCD for a five-inch colour TFT with selectable layouts and supported turn-by-turn navigation through Kawasaki’s RIDEOLOGY app. It also adds an up/down quickshifter, tubeless spoked wheels, a taller screen, aluminium handlebar, metal-reinforced handguards, USB-C socket and larger aluminium skid plate. The quickshifter is available as an accessory for the standard model, but as we’ve found with our standard KLE500, it would be nice to have the connectivity at least of the SE’s TFT dash.
What we still need to know
There are still some important blanks. Kawasaki has not confirmed an official kerb weight or dry weight yet, and we don’t know the New Zealand pricing. We can, however, get a reasonable idea of the direction Kawasaki are aiming the new model: the KLE650 is being positioned as the more road-focused, long-legged member of Kawasaki’s new adventure family.
Read more: Our original Kawasaki KLE650 reveal — is bigger better?
KLE650 photo gallery
Images supplied by Kawasaki.
