Kawasaki has expanded its 2027 KLE500 range with a new SE SmartRide variant, which adds a mechanical centrifugal clutch to the parallel-twin adventure motorcycle. The system allows riders to pull away and come to a stop without operating the clutch lever, while gear changes on the move still use the lever and pedal as normal.
- KLE500 now has three variants
- 451cc parallel-twin engine produces 45hp and 42.6Nm
Kawasaki KLE500 SE SmartRide details
No other mechanical changes over the KLE500 SE, which debuted last year
The KLE500 lineup now comprises three variants – the base KLE500, the KLE500 SE and the new KLE500 SE SmartRide. At first, the SmartRide system may sound similar to Honda’s E-Clutch technology, but the two work quite differently. While both aim to simplify clutch operation, Honda uses an electromechanical actuator to automate clutch movement, whereas SmartRide relies on a purely mechanical centrifugal clutch.
Aside from the addition of the clutch technology, the SmartRide variant also gets tubeless tyres, replacing the tube-type setup on the standard SE. Otherwise, the two variants share the same hardware, including the 451cc parallel-twin engine producing 45hp at 9,000rpm and 42.6Nm at 6,000rpm.
The SE SmartRide is available in a single colour, Pearl Blizzard White. Following its international debut last year, we’d reported that Kawasaki India has the KLE500 in the pipeline for a launch here, which we expect to happen over the next few months.
When it goes on sale, the KLE500 will join a growing list of sub-500cc adventure bikes in our market. Given its potential CBU (Completely Built-Up) import route and the premium pricing that would entail, it will also see competition from upcoming India-made motorcycles such as the Royal Enfield Himalayan 750 and the Norton Atlas.
