Why can't I have one of these... [Archive]

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VFRJohn

03-19-2006, 11:06 PM

:trust: Kawasaki KLE500 - parallel twin 500cc dual sport, 45 hp, 34 inch seat height (weight to be announced...).

http://www.kawasaki.co.uk/product.asp?Id=3400E2BAEE0&Sub=1

http://www.twtex.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=314&stc=1&d=1142831280

The Brits have them... why can't we?? :argh: :miffed:

Hmmm... :ponder: Does anyone know a gray-market importer?? :trust:

DANNYROTH

03-20-2006, 07:09 PM

Try to hook up with someone in the U.S. military stationed in the UK and convince them they need to have one of these.:trust: When they come home they bring their bike, and sell it to you because they never really wanted it, their SO hates it:hack:, and the cage drivers stateside are all crazy, etc.

VFRJohn

03-20-2006, 07:42 PM

Interesting thought. It so happens I have a daughter/soninlaw who live in the UK.

Can someone who visits here actually bring a motorcycle with them, and leave it behind - i.e., sell it?

Sleepy Weasel

03-22-2006, 07:27 AM

What are the odds that's just a Ninja 500 motor stuffed into a KLR frame?

Photojojo

03-22-2006, 07:42 AM

Contemporary features also include three exhaust catalysers ensuring that the 8 valve DOHC motor runs clean as well as smooth.

Well it's ready for California

VFRJohn

03-22-2006, 08:59 AM

That's unbelievable, isn't it!
On an engine that size, it seems one should be more than enough.

VFRJohn

03-22-2006, 09:01 AM

What are the odds that's just a Ninja 500 motor stuffed into a KLR frame?

Very high, I'll bet. It makes a lot of sense. Probably detuned some, to improve the middle/lower torque.

Chirpy

03-22-2006, 09:37 AM

I dunno about the KLR frame, but it is the EX500 motor. That motor is in a standard and an dual purpose over in Europe.

http://www.kawasaki.co.uk/Objects/000003400E8FD662.jpg

http://www.kawasaki.co.uk/Objects/000003400E2B322D.jpg

Of course, they don't get the mighty Vulcan! It's detuned for torque, I'd guess that's the same tune they use for the KLE.

Hood Ornament

03-22-2006, 11:48 AM

Bandit33

03-22-2006, 02:21 PM

I'm waiting (hoping) for Kaw to come out with a dual sport version of their new very successful EX650 Ninja. That two cylinder engine in a dual sport frame would be great. Of course if the rumors do come true, our luck it also may be available only in Europe......

Don

Tourmeister

03-22-2006, 03:25 PM

It has several nice features:

:tab First is a six speed tranny. If it has the power to spin the motor in 6th at 75-80mph, that would be awesome. I would imagine it would be quite a bit less buzzy than a KLR at that speed with stock gearing. I just pulled the 16 tooth front off my KLR to go back to the stock 15. The 16 is just to tall for the KLR motor at those speeds and it really lugs the engine. It runs better with the 15 but it is definitely buzzier. Doesn't the EX500 rev a little higher? The KLR tops out around 7500 rpm I think. Also, don't the Ninja 500's get pretty good mpg?

:tab Per the Kawa site's they have different frames. The KLR is a semi-double cradle and the KLE is a full double cradle. Suspension travel looks to be the same at about 9" front/back. Looks like the front brake is a twin piston on the KLE as opposed to the weak single on the KLR, that's nice! Seat height on the KLE is just over 33" whereas the KLR is 35", for me that is not a good thing. It means the seat is closer to the pegs unless the pegs are lower too. With a 34" inseam, that would make for some cramped riding for me. I find the KLR to be just right in that regard. The UK site does not give the ground clearance or weight of the KLE. Looking at the pics above, I would guess there might be a bit less ground clearance, perhaps to keep the seat to peg distances decent :shrug:

:tab A potential downside is the 4.0 gallon gas tank. However, if it gets 50+ mpg, that should not be much of an issue.

:tab It is interesting that the UK site did not show the KLR...!

Bandit33

03-22-2006, 03:36 PM

I see some grey market bikes from time to time on advrider.com such as a Honda Africa Twin being sold here in the states. Wonder how much trouble is involved in getting something like this legally registered over here. Either the KLE 500 or a potential KLE 650 would be great to have,......

Don

Hairsmith

03-22-2006, 09:03 PM

When I was roadracing there were many bikes not available hear in the states that were just plane better in some classes than any thing else. I know of many coming in from Canada. In fact some dealers close to the border had it figured out and made it easy.
Back then you simply took the bill of origin in and registered it. The selling dealer also supplied a off road use title ap. that you payed duty on at the border.
Not sure how it would go now, this was 20 years ago and I lived much closer to Canada.

VFRJohn

03-22-2006, 10:04 PM

Tourmeister commented:
"If it has the power to spin the motor in 6th at 75-80mph,..."

The specs say "45PS", which is about the same as 45 hp (isn't it interesting that the UK web site specs list the horsepower, whereas the US ones don't) which is most likely at the crankshaft, so rear wheel power should be approx. 38hp. That should allow a top speed of at least 100-105 mph.

Very similar to the '88 Hawk GT I once had (... sigh. I liked that bike...).

Max power is at 8,300 or 8,500 rpm - depending on whether you are looking a the "Specs" or the "Features" page. Red line is 11,000, based on the photo of the instrument panel.

It should be Considerably Smoother than a big single!

Chirpy

03-22-2006, 10:08 PM

I really like the EX500 motor. Pretty bulletproof as long as you stuck with playing with intake and exhaust. You could get 50+ HP and stone stock reliability. Surprised to see redline at 11,000, useful redline is more like 9,500.

The KLE would be a pretty cool bike, maybe a little heavy though.

VFRJohn

03-22-2006, 10:33 PM

Well, looking around the UK web site some more, I found this:

KLV1000 (http://www.kawasaki.co.uk/product.asp?Id=B63FD3222D&Sub=3)

http://www.twtex.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=318&stc=1&d=1143088360

More of an Adventure Tour ("Adventour" ??) machine.

996cc 90 degree V-twin, 98 crank hp, 460 lbs dry. Yum.

Another nice bike that seems it would do well in the US... but, nooooo!

Chirpy

03-22-2006, 11:13 PM

They do sell it here...at a Suzuki dealer, called a V-strom. Part of their deal, I'd expect it to fade out now that both companies are doing better.

Gilk51

03-23-2006, 06:50 AM

They do sell it here...at a Suzuki dealer, called a V-strom. Part of their deal, I'd expect it to fade out now that both companies are doing better.
Yep - same bike - KLV = Kawasaki, DL1000 = Suzuki.

Cool, huh? :mrgreen:

VFRJohn

03-23-2006, 08:37 AM

They do sell it here...at a Suzuki dealer, called a V-strom. Part of their deal, I'd expect it to fade out now that both companies are doing better.

:doh: