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 Kawasaki - 500 KLE (KLE A6)
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Photo ou archives : F-M. Dumas
404

Capacity : 500
Model : KLE (KLE A6)
Production : 1991 - 1998
Category : (On-Off) Dual Purpose

Kawasaki

KLE 500 - 1991

Bike of all trades

 Trail bikes really took off in the Seventies, but so did the cost of their increasingly expensive styling. Gradually, their designs became more traditional, and costs to the amateur enthusiast went down, which created an opportunity for manufacturers.

Setting New Standards

Faced with rival designs like four-stroke singles, which were agile but incapable of cruising at high speeds, or big twins that could go to the ends of the earth but tended to be overweight, Kawasaki has just set new standards with its KLE model, a light 500cc twin. The nimble KLE has a sensible saddle height and a fairly low center of gravity, which combine to make it easy to handle.

 Beyond Criticism

This elegant bike has particularly attractive lines coupled with great versatility. The lively KLE is great on the street as well as in the mud, where its flexibility and acceleration take over. When it comes to road- holding and stability, its highly effective cycle parts, like its duplex cradle frame, are beyond criticism. Well-served by a good suspension and twin disc brakes, it rides responsively on both dirt and asphalt. Its power unit has plenty of personality, performing perfectly under all circumstances.


SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: 498cc (74x58mm) four-stroke water cooled vertical twin

Power output: 50 hp © 8500 rpm

Valves: twin overhead camshafts, 4 valves per cylinder

Fuel system: carburetor

Transmission: six-speed gearbox, chain final drive

Suspension: (front) telescopic forks; (rear) swinging arm

Brakes: (front) disc; (rear) disc

Wheels: wire; (front) 21 in; (rear) 17 in

Weight: 342 lb (approx)

Maximum speed: 120 mph

 A new kind of trail bike— light, twin-cylinder, and more 'urban in style - the KLE 500 is just as efficient as some celebrated European endurance bikes.”

 

 




Le fichier Moto Passion réalisé par François-Marie Dumas réunit près de deux mille photos accompagnées d'un historique très complet des machines présentées.
Il sera progressivement mis à jour ici et toute information complémentaire est la bienvenue sur info@moto-collection.org.

Cette documentation unique, qui constitue sans doute l'encyclopédie la plus exhaustive jamais écrite sur l'histoire de la moto, a été réalisée avec l'assistance de nombreux spécialistes dont principalement Didier Ganneau, Christophe Gaime, Mick Woollett, Jean Goyard, Bernard Salvat, Christian Rey, Yves Campion, Helmut Krackowizer, Michael Dregni, Michel Montange, etc. que je remercie ici.

Disponible sur demande :
- Les fiches originales sur papier
- Les photos et archives signées de mon nom en haute définition ou les documents originaux.
Me contacter sur info@moto-collection.org pour les conditions et droits d'utilisation.