KLE500SE

[A_morti]

Following on from this topic,
viewtopic.php?t=11662

I've gone ahead and ordered a bike I hadn't even heard was coming before that thread.

I'll be adding the OEM optional rack but a different top box, so imagine this with a Givi box.


It's due in at the dealership 08/04/2026.

Many thanks to @matt for the tip - I really wasn't aware of the bike til that comment

One slight problem is that I can nearly flat foot it.


At 5'9" I've never had this problem before, so I'm open to any tips. I'm not really looking to just brave it though, because of how rough the roads are in Malta and how likely I am to be riding in solid traffic and put my foot down into a pothole. I'd also prefer not to do lowering links since it's well documented that this model scrapes its belly like a pregnant dachshund.

A local lady has already had her seat lowered by approx. 40mm and a gel pad added. She's paid €220 to a local upholsterer for that.

Has anyone here had a gel seat before? Considering I live in Malta, is heat retention a real problem? I don't often park outside but it's not a "never".

The -30mm optional seat from Kawasaki costs about €420 with tax, but then you do keep both.


Ryan f9 likes it too, which is nice.

[Rockburner]

Having put my foot down in a pothole.... (well actually a puddle that was a lot deeper than I expected it to be)... I now just make sure that I don't do it again.




Which I know is an annoying thing to say..


I would imagine that the main options are (depending on the set, I'm not familiar): dfferent dog-bones for the suspension linkage (if it has one), a shorter shock, lowered seat, or potentially: pushing the forks up through the yokes. Or very thick boot soles.

[Skub]

Happy new bike day and good health to enjoy.

Even though I hate adv bikes,that one isn't too fugly.

edit...I put a Bagster seat on my Zed. It's much more comfy than the stock,but I didn't do it for seat height reasons.

[A_morti]

I would imagine that the main options are (depending on the set, I'm not familiar): dfferent dog-bones for the suspension linkage (if it has one), a shorter shock, lowered seat, or potentially: pushing the forks up through the yokes. Or very thick boot soles.

Dog bones reduce the ground clearance and as mentioned, the bike sits low enough already.
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1G1pmzpdVC/

Thick boots is a good idea, but she's for commuting, so I'll be wearing whatever shoes I'm wearing. In Malta where it might be 40° or more in summer, I'm definitely not trying to wear big thick bike boots every day!

Forks are already flush to the top yoke, there's nothing to gain there.

I guess that just leaves the seat.

Question then is whether to get the Kawasaki -30mm seat for €420 (it might prove to be a stepping stone and then I put the original seat on again after a few weeks or months), or have the original seat shaved down and a gel pad added for €220 (but then there's no quickly swapping it back and I have possible concerns about roasting nuts)

[crust]

I've just been though this with my 500 KTM, had it professionally lowered both ends, not cheap but very successful. I already had the KTM lower seat, if you're getting yours cut and recovered make sure the foam is removed in the correct area and doesn't force you to sit too far forward or back, will it allow you to move, I think you carry a passenger - will it cause them to slide into you.

Firstly I'd check the suspension set up - is it set up for someone your weight? it may be that by adjusting the correct sag or a bit more the bike sits lower.

Rock's suggestion about adjusting the forks is worth looking at, though it will affect the handling - if the legs are flush then pulling them up through the yokes will drop the front.

How much ground clearance do you need, are you taking it off road? Blokey in the facebook link is jumping it, will you be doing that? Was his suspension set for his weight.

[Gregor]

I’m 5’9” and ride a Yam Tenere which has pretty much the same seat height, I reckon you’ll soon adapt to the extra height after a few miles.

A slight twist of the hips and I can flat foot on one side with the other foot still on the peg.

[A_morti]

I’m 5’9” and ride a Yam Tenere

I sat on one of those and can only say, you're braver than me.

[A_morti]

Rock's suggestion about adjusting the forks is worth looking at

Of course, I'm thinking backwards about the fork height. That would give you potentially a little bit or lowering, but Idk if the wheel hits the radiator then.

Matey is heavier than me and I've no intention of riding off-road like that, but there's a fair chance I'll bump down off a kerb now and then. The point is there's really zero ride height available to give up, since it can already ground out stock.

I'll start with a thinner seat. Just not sure whether to modify the stock one or buy a lower one.

[KungFooBob]

Put them new wheels on it, should lower it a few inches

[A_morti]

Put them new wheels on it, should lower it a few inches

The timing is kinda dumb in that, but I reckon I'll keep both bikes at least for a while. Even if it's wee and nesh and it rattles my bones, that CBR250 is a lovely bike.

[A_morti]

I was there today to move the paperwork along.


License plate KLE 451 is booked , and going on mine!

One slight problem is that I can nearly flat foot it

The local lady who had her seat cut down says it wasn't the greatest job, and the seat now rubs her thighs at the contact point. So we won't do that.

I'm not really looking to just brave it

So I'm going to just brave it

Worst case I have to ask them to order the low seat for €420 and use the CBR (which is staying on) while I wait.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

I'm 5ft 8 at most, I bought a DRZ400 and just learned to get on with the high seat, so long as you can get a toe down you'll be okay

[Trinity765]

I'm 5'3" Welcome to my world. I've never lowered anything or invested in a different seat. Slow control skills help

[Bustaspoke]

Have you enquired about servicing costs? This popped up on my YT feed ,I hope it's less expensive in Malta!

[A_morti]

@Bustaspoke my immediate reaction is the same as Nathan's: fuck that shit.

Also, 8000 mile oil change intervals: fuck that shit.

Nah... I guess it'll get the first service done at the dealership for the sake of warranty, but it's not going to become a philatelist. I imagine I'll do oil and whatever else it's due at the start of each summer which is typically around 4k per year, and I'll probably have moved it along before the big service is due not because of that but because I imagine electric bikes will be where I want them to be, by then.

[Bustaspoke]

I have a similar dilema with my SV650X,I bought it brand new Pre reg, zero miles for £5000,it's got a 10 year/70000 mile warranty,but if I get it serviced every year at an average £250 it means I'll have spent 50% of the cost of the bike on servicing.I've had the first 2 services done & I'll book it in for this years service.After that I think I'll do the servicing myself.

[A_morti]

Things take a minute when you live on an island. I had to wait for approval from my insurance company for fully comprehensive insurance, maybe I'm their first customer to get a KLE500.

That approval came back today, so I could pay the policy (600€ is a lot for a year but I don't feel like taking the risk on a brand new bike) and forward the documents to the dealership, so they can get the logbook and plate (KLE 451) made up at Transport Malta.

Trivia on Maltese registration plates : they are in the format ABC123, and the first letter denotes when the vehicle's annual road license, insurance, and VRT (vehicle roadworthiness test) are due. Albeit we don't have a VRT for bikes. A means end of January, B February, repeat from M, and again from Y. But since you can choose the number you want for a negligible fee, that month isn't necessarily the same month the vehicle was registered. So me wanting KLE 451 means it'll all fall due end of November, and my first premium is for 8/12 months pro-rated.

I also heard from the dealer today that the luggage rack is in stock, which is handy given I use a top box every day.

So it's slowly slowly catchy monkey... But with luck and a following wind maybe I can collect the bike this Saturday

[A_morti]

The winds blew ill.
She'll be ready early next week.

[A_morti]

Happy new bike day to me




Of course it started raining right as I was taking the key in hand

She goes well. It's my first time on team Green, and I'll have to get used to the thing where they don't go into neutral while moving

I can reach the ground just fine. On one side

[Ditchfinder]

Happy NBD