2026 Kawasaki KLE500 Review | Road, Gravel & Adventure Riding Tested in New Zealand

The new Kawasaki KLE500 has attracted plenty of attention since arriving in New Zealand, but much of the conversation has centred around one number: ground clearance. On paper, it sits lower than many adventure bikes, leading some riders to question its off-road ability. But does that actually matter for the sort of riding most adventure riders do? In this first instalment of BRM’s six-month long-term test, Paul Lance takes the Kawasaki KLE500 onto the roads, gravel backroads and bush tracks of New Zealand’s North Island West Coast to find out. The verdict? The KLE500 might not be the hardcore off-road machine some riders expect, but for the kind of gravel roads, back-country exploring and adventure touring that most riders actually do, it could be right on the money. In this video: ✔ First ride impressions ✔ Road riding performance ✔ Gravel road testing ✔ Bush track riding ✔ Does the ground clearance really matter? ✔ Engine, handling and comfort ✔ The modifications planned for our six-month test Over the next six months we’ll be putting the KLE500 through a range of adventures and upgrades to see how it performs as a real-world adventure motorcycle. What modifications would you like to see us make? Let us know in the comments. For more motorcycle news and reviews: www.brm.co.nz #KawasakiKLE500 #KLE500 #AdventureBike #MotorcycleReview #AdventureRiding #KawasakiNZ #BikeRiderMagazine #BRM