2027 Kawasaki KLE500 First Look: Kawasaki’s Smartride Clutch Joins The Party

Kawasaki has announced the 2027 Kawasaki KLE500 range of adventure bikes, with the standard ABS and SE ABS models returning unchanged for the coming year. In fact, we’ve sampled the SE ABS and found it quite capable as an affordable, entry-level ADV in our review. What’s new is the SE Smartride ABS, which takes the up-spec SE ABS then expands on it with Kawasaki’s Smartride self-engaging clutch system and tubeless spoked wheels. Let’s take a look at what these upgrades add to the bike’s riding experience.

Top-End Kawasaki KLE500 Gets Smartride And Tubeless Spoked Wheels

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Introduced in 2026, the Kawasaki KLE500 is positioned as a beginner-friendly ADV bike powered by the brand’s proven 451cc parallel-twin engine, packed into a trellis frame featuring long-travel suspension. It’s a versatile package that can handle city, highway, and trail riding. For 2027, Kawasaki wants to make the KLE500 even easier to ride and more confidence-inspiring with some new rider-friendly technology.

Smartride Self-Engaging Clutch But No Quickshifter

Kawasaki

The name says it all: the KLE500 SE Smartride ABS brings the Smartride self-engaging clutch. It’s a mechanical centrifugal clutch that eliminates the need to use the clutch lever when the bike is stationary, coming to a stop, or pulling away. Since there is no quickshifter here, nor does the system behave like one, riders still generally need to use the clutch when changing gears.

The Smartride system uses a compact centrifugal starting clutch between the clutch housing and the conventional multi-disc clutch. At stops, the starting clutch is disengaged, allowing the bike to idle without the rider pulling in the clutch lever. When the rider opens the throttle, rising engine speed automatically engages the clutch and sends power to the transmission. This self-engaging feature removes the need to feather the clutch when pulling away and reduces clutch use in stop-and-go traffic. Those familiar with Rekcluse clutches will note that the Smartclutch offers the same benefits and functions.

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If the rider comes to a stop in a higher gear, an alert on the instrument panel recommends a lower gear before starting. There’s also an engine-brake cam that keeps the starting clutch engaged during deceleration to preserve engine braking feel. The Smartride clutch is also fully mechanical, so no electronic controls are required. That should fare well in the long run. Kawasaki says the clutch assembly is only 0.4 inches wider, 0.2 inches larger in diameter, and 2.2 pounds heavier than the standard clutch on the lower variants.

The new addition makes the KLE500 the second bike to feature an automated clutch in the sub-500cc adventure segment, after the BMW F 450 GS. The rival GS features a similar centrifugal clutch setup but also has a quickshifter, virtually eliminating the need to use the clutch lever in most riding conditions. Of course, readers might also consider the Smartclutch to be a response to Honda’s E-Clutch technology that is being applied to a variety of Honda models. Notably, the Honda E-Clutch integrates quickshifting-adjascent functionality in the sense that it operates the clutch on behalf of the user during gear changes.

Wire Spoked Wheels With Tubeless Dunlop Dual-Purpose Tires

Kawasaki

The next upgrade is the front and rear spoked wheels fitted with tubeless tires, combining off-road durability with the convenience of a tubeless setup. The IRC GP-410 tires are replaced with Dunlop Trailmax Mixtour dual-purpose tires with a silica-and-carbon compound, which is said to improve dry and wet grip, abrasion resistance, and resistance to block chipping.

Apart from the clutch and wheel setup, the KLE500 SE Smartride ABS is identical to the lower variants, carrying the same overall package forward.

The Lower Variations Return Unchanged For 2027

Kawasaki

The Kawasaki KLE500 ABS and SE ABS models are mechanically unchanged for the next year. As a result, the bikes still feature the same 51-horsepower 451cc parallel-twin engine, a trellis frame with long-travel KYB suspension, and 21/17-inch spoked wheels. The rally-inspired styling provides comfortable ergonomics and wind protection for the long haul, and ABS adds safety.

The KLE500 SE ABS builds on the base platform with a taller adjustable windscreen, metal-reinforced hand guards, a larger skid plate, all-LED lighting, and a 4.3-inch TFT display.

2027 Kawasaki KLE500 SE Smartride ABS Price And Availability

Kawasaki

The Kawasaki KLE500 SE Smartride ABS has an MSRP of $7,999 and is available in Pearl Blizzard White and Metallic Bluish Green. The KLE500 ABS and SE ABS retain MSRPs of $6,599 and $7,499. The 2027 models will reach Kawasaki dealerships in the United States next month.

2027 Kawasaki KLE500 SE Smartride ABS First Look Image Gallery:

2027 Kawasaki KLE500 SE Smartride ABS First Look Specifications:

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