K
awasaki's all-new KLE500 is
the brand's first official entry
into the adventure market, at
least here in the U.S. Visit Kawasaki's
USA website, and you'll see a new
motorcycle category: Adventure.
It's slotted within their subcategory
of Trail / Dual Sport / Supermoto.
However, Kawasaki's presence in
the adventure market has actually
been around for a long time, with its
single-cylinder KLX650, a motorcycle
you can easily classify as an honest-
to-goodness adventure motorcycle.
As it is now and always has been,
the company has recognized the
KLX650 as a dual sport bike. Search
a little more on Kawasaki's website,
and you'll also see an Adventure/
Touring category, but it's made up of
Kawasaki's three-bike line of Versys
models, which I have always judged
pure streetbikes (okay, streetbikes
that don't mind getting a little dirty
from time to time).
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RIDE REVIEW I 2026 KAWASAKI KLE500
BY KIT PALMER
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JUSTIN W. COFFEY
C A T E
D
V
>
WE GET OUR FIRST
TASTE OF KAWASAKI'S
FIRST ADVENTURE
MOTORCYCLE.
