Kawasaki KLE500 SE 2026 vs. BMW R 1200 GS 2009

Kawasaki KLE500 SE 2026

BMW R 1200 GS 2009

Overview - Kawasaki KLE500 SE 2026 vs BMW R 1200 GS 2009

Kawasaki KLE500 SE 2026

BMW R 1200 GS 2009

Technical Specifications Kawasaki KLE500 SE 2026 compared to BMW R 1200 GS 2009

Kawasaki KLE500 SE 2026

BMW R 1200 GS 2009

Kawasaki KLE500 SE 2026

BMW R 1200 GS 2009

Engine and Drive Train

Engine type	Engine type	In line	Engine type	Boxer
Bore	Bore	70 mm	Bore	101 mm
Stroke	Stroke	58.6 mm	Stroke	73 mm
Engine power	Engine power	45 HP	Engine power	105 HP
Rpm at Max. Power	Rpm at Max. Power	9,000 rpm	Rpm at Max. Power	7,500 rpm
Torque	Torque	42.6 Nm	Torque	115 Nm
Rpm at Torque	Rpm at Torque	6,000 rpm	Rpm at Torque	5,750 rpm
Compression Ratio	Compression Ratio	11.3	Compression Ratio	12
Starter	Starter	Electric	Starter	Electric
Transmission	Transmission	Chain	Transmission	Prop shaft
Cylinders	Cylinders	2	Cylinders	2
Strokes	Strokes	4-Stroke	Strokes	4-Stroke
Cooling	Cooling	liquid	Cooling	Oil-air
Displacement	Displacement	451 ccm	Displacement	1,170 ccm

Suspension Front

Front suspension	Front suspension	Upside-Down telescopic fork	Front suspension	Strut

Suspension Rear

Suspension	Suspension	Swing arm	Suspension	Single swing arm

Brakes Front

Type	Type	Single disk	Type	Double disk
Piston	Piston	Double piston	Piston	Four pistons

Brakes Rear

Type	Type	Disc	Type	Disc
Piston	Piston	Double piston	Piston	Double piston

Dimensions and Weights

Front tyre diameter	Front tyre diameter	21 inch	Front tyre diameter	19 inch
Rear tyre diameter	Rear tyre diameter	17 inch	Rear tyre diameter	17 inch
Length	Length	2,300 mm	Length	2,210 mm
Width	Width	980 mm	Width	915 mm
Height	Height	1,460 mm	Height	1,450 mm
Wheelbase	Wheelbase	1,555 mm	Wheelbase	1,507 mm
Seat Height	Seat Height	870 mm	Seat Height	850 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity	Fuel Tank Capacity	16 l	Fuel Tank Capacity	20 l
License compliancy	License compliancy	A2	License compliancy	A

Pros and Cons in comparison

Kawasaki KLE500 SE 2026

The Kawasaki KLE500 2026 is not an off-road monster, but a well-balanced A2 adventure bike with a clear all-round orientation. It impresses with its stable suspension, good-natured engine and successful ergonomics and marks a solid new start for Kawasaki in the adventure segment. It does have some minor faults, but only one of them is really annoying.

Good-natured and predictable engine

stable and comfortable suspension

successful ergonomics for many body sizes

good price-performance ratio

clean transmission

Low ground clearance

hardly any off-road tyres compatible with strange rear wheel dimensions

wind protection manageable despite higher windshield

no options for quickshifter or cruise control

ABS only completely disengageable

BMW R 1200 GS 2009

Either it was a stroke of luck or the best developers were at work - handlebars, geometry, seat, knee angle, footrests - it just fits really well for the majority of Central Europeans. All in all, there is still no motorbike that can kill the GS.

Optimal wind protection

comfortable seat

good posture

positive ergonomics

weather robust

quiet chassis.

Seat a little too low.

Price Comparison Avarage Market Price Kawasaki KLE500 SE vs BMW R 1200 GS

Price Kawasaki KLE500 SE

Model year

Average market price

Current average market prices

Price BMW R 1200 GS

Model year

Average market price

Current average market prices