I've got a 2005 model, bought it as a cheap commuter 2 years ago with 2k on the clock. I service it regulary and clean/polish it religously every weekend. It's now done 17k miles.

I'm interested to find out if any other owners out there have experienced some of the woes i've had with this bike.

Bearing in mind what market this bike is designed for (enduro/trail/commuter, Ive suffered the following issues:-

After 4k - Speedo cable snapped.
After 6k - Both the exhaust heat shield straps corroded away.
After 7k - Speedo cable went again.
After 9k - Horn connections corroded away.
After 11k - Front caliper seals needed replacing.
After 12k - Genuine replacement horn connections went again, & also new F & R brake light switches corroded and needed replacing.
After 13k - Neutral Switch needed replacing.
After 14.5K - Fuse box blew taking almost every circuit with it. (luckily found a 2nd replacment)
After 15k - Front fender Rivets have both snapped off
Now - Exhaust heat shield straps snapped again, this time snapping the mount on the shield...(entire new shield now needed)
After 17k miles, the frame paintwork is now wearing very thin and flaking in areas, the footrest hangers look like there about to fall off with corrosion, almost every bolt in sight looks to have all but siezed on, The front caliper now decides when it wants to work properly and binds whenever it wants to, despite frequent removal, cleaning etc. The Headlamp cowl shakes/rattles horrendously despite numerous attempts to tighten bolts etc...

In short - this bikes cost me literally £100's keeping on the road over the 2 years i've owned it...correct me if i'm wrong but isnt this bike meant to withstand at least a little abuse..... I couldnt dare take take it over a trail, it would fall apart instantly...

Am i alone on this, Did Mr Kwak turn his back on the assembly line when they decided to build these bikes, or am i just plain unlucky???

(one thing's for sure - i'll never reccomend anyone to buy a KLE500!!!)

For some reason the finish never seems that good on any 500 or cheap 600's. the NTV, CB500, GS500e. GPZ500s and Diversion all seemed to suffer from early signs of rust moth, most of em need exhaust systems within 3 years, and suffer from rusty frames and rotten swing arms
But on the other hand cast your mind back to the 80's when Hondas suffered big engine issues as well as Kawasaki's dodgey cams

What might be worth a try on the KLE on the exhaust heat sheilds bolts.. try using the grease we use on on the EXUP valve, if the mount is hidden you can use the grease on there to.. theres a guy on ebay sells it and you'll never have problems with siezing bolts or rust

Do you rate the KLE dispite its short comings? i quite fancy one myself.. I need something a bit more sensible than the FZR :rolleyes:

If its any consilation the exup cost me £300 last year, disc, pads, fork seals 3000 miles between mot's

Lol - Do i reccomend a KLE500???

Ok - I have to say - despite the fact that it's made from cardboard, it's "ok". It's reasonably good on petrol, and can be a hoot round the country lanes, but it is badly underpowered, and you have to really flog it to get it going, but i notice it more because i regularly jump off a Hayabusa onto the KLE.. (a big difference)

If you want a cheap (normally) to run, high seated fun bike and you're not too worried about it being refined you could do a lot worse, but i also still cant help thinking that something like a Honda Dominator 650 would be a much better bike and not that much more expensive either...

my missus has a 95 GPZ500s, when i first rode it after riding 600's mainly, the 500 wasn't so bad, but after riding the EXUP it does feels painfully slow.. to the point of being scary at times! My bike was been in moth balls for nearly a year now and still the GPZ doesn't seem any quicker.. fantastic on petrol tho!
But the finish is terrible on that, aweful brakes, i'm sure the back one is just there for show :unsure: good job the engine braking helps a lot lol
its great fun on twisty roads.. a lot better than the EXUP is and in 3 years its only cost her, a back tyre and a chain/sprocket set.. oh and a couple of clutch levers lol, the side stand sucks :blink:

Wath do you want?
The KLE500 is for me the best by I ever did.
Regarding the price ...You have it all!!
Don't you read information before you go for it?
Belive me, you must have bad luck!
I recomend everybody to by a KLE500! :441

This bike is much underrated!

Marcel