Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
A lot of people have pre-judged the all new Kawasaki KLE500 based solely on its stats and specs without ever actually swinging a leg over the bike. Tons of people online are saying that the KLE 500 off road performance will be lackluster or that it shouldn't ever leave the pavement because of its limited ground clearance. I took my borrowed 2026 KLE500 to local OHV trails to find out.
HUGE Thanks to @Quad_Lock for sponsoring this video and the channel. Get the best motorcycle phone mounting setup here: bit.ly/4hQ7npt
Thanks to Power Motorsports in Sublimity, OR for loaning me this KLE500. Check out their huge selection of motorcycles at powermotorsports.com
Can you take the KLE500 on singletrack? You absolutely can. Can you climb hills up to cool forest viewpoints? 100% yes. Will the short KLE500 ground clearance keep you from bashing the skidplate on the ground when you take a very small jump? Um....no.
This new mid size adventure bike has a lot going for it, but I don't think it's reasonable to hold it to the standards of other bigger, more expensive ADV motorcycles. It has it's limitations, but my overall KLE500 off road review is positive. I think this Adventure motorcycle is going to be great for the rider whom it was intended for and that the people smashing out angry internet comments about it are not the people who are going to be riding it, anyway.
Make sure you subscribe so you don't miss the full Kawasaki KLE500 review, coming very soon.
New Kawasaki KLE 500 Off Road Test Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:55 Viewpoint and Hill Climb
03:50 Quad Lock Ad
05:14 Gravel Road and ATV Trail Riding
10:17 KLE500 Ground Clearance Test (Jumping)
12:56 KLE500 Single Track Riding
15:54 Final Conclusions
18:00 Outro
18:45 Near Miss Footage
SUBSCRIBE for more adventures, how-tos, gear reviews, and moto shenanigans!
bit.ly/dorkintheroad
Want early access to videos and other perks? Become a channel member: youtube.com/channel/UCrKYAp8fkN8yCbxcNK375rA/join
Dork in the Road stickers and other merch available at: motocampnerd.com/collections/dork-in-the-road-merch?ref=dork
Dork in the Road Shirts available at: dorkintheroad.dashery.com
Instagram: instagram.com/adorkintheroad
TikTok: tiktok.com/@dorkintheroad
Support me on Patreon: patreon.com/user?u=26709234
Channel Sponsors:
Brake Free: brakefreetech.superfiliate.com/DORKINTHEROAD
(save $10 with promo code "dorkintheroad")
Cyclops Adventure Lighting: cyclopsadventuresports.com/?AffId=15
(save 10% with promo code "dorkintheroad)
MotoCamp Nerd: motocampnerd.com/?ref=dork
Quad Lock: Save 10% at quadlockcase.net/discount/dorkintheroad with promo code "dorkintheroad"
Want to support the channel when you buy your dual sport or ADV gear and mods? Please consider using these affiliate links:
Rocky Mountain ATV/MC: tinyurl.com/23sjhhwr
Brake Free: brakefreetech.superfiliate.com/DORKINTHEROAD
(save $10 with promo code "dorkintheroad")
Mosko Moto: moskomoto.com/dorkintheroad
Amazon: amzn.to/3aDkk4z
Revzilla: imp.i104546.net/4eMdJZ
MotoCamp Nerd: motocampnerd.com/?ref=dork
Vanasche Motorsports: https://vanaschemotorsports.com?sca_ref=10893499.ZWnws7rz5wVLn
Cyclops Adventure Lighting: cyclopsadventuresports.com/?AffId=15
(save 10% with promo code "dorkintheroad)
Amain Hobbies: alnk.to/7Bil0C0
Save 10% on butlermaps.com with promo code "dorkintheroad."
Save 10% at quadlockcase.net/discount/dorkintheroad with promo code "dorkintheroad"
Save 10% on Motion Footpegs (motionfactoryracing.com/) with promo code "dorkintheroad"
Cardo Systems: cardosystems.rfrl.co/e2vdy
(use promo code "dorkintheroad" to save 10%)
Save 10% at Seat Concepts with promo code "DORKNRD26"
Thank you for supporting the channel by clicking on the affiliate links in this description.
FULL DISCLOSURE: MotoCamp Nerd pays me to create content for his YouTube channel. This isn't a "sponsorship" per se, but it does mean I use their products exclusively and may impact my opinions about camping gear. Fortunately their stuff is good so I'm happy to recommend it, but just FYI.
Disclaimer for reasons: I am not a professional journalist, expert motorcycle rider, or a mechanic. These videos are for entertainment purposes and represent my personal opinions and experiences. I'm just a dude who isn't even good at riding or making videos, so be smart and don't risk life or limb trying to follow my example or advice.
A lot of people have pre-judged the all new Kawasaki KLE500 based solely on its stats and specs without ever actually swinging a leg over the bike. Tons of people online are saying that the KLE 500 off road performance will be lackluster or that it shouldn't ever leave the pavement because of its limited ground clearance. I took my borrowed 2026 KLE500 to local OHV trails to find out.
HUGE Thanks to @Quad_Lock for sponsoring this video and the channel. Get the best motorcycle phone mounting setup here: bit.ly/4hQ7npt
Thanks to Power Motorsports in Sublimity, OR for loaning me this KLE500. Check out their huge selection of motorcycles at powermotorsports.com
Can you take the KLE500 on singletrack? You absolutely can. Can you climb hills up to cool forest viewpoints? 100% yes. Will the short KLE500 ground clearance keep you from bashing the skidplate on the ground when you take a very small jump? Um....no.
This new mid size adventure bike has a lot going for it, but I don't think it's reasonable to hold it to the standards of other bigger, more expensive ADV motorcycles. It has it's limitations, but my overall KLE500 off road review is positive. I think this Adventure motorcycle is going to be great for the rider whom it was intended for and that the people smashing out angry internet comments about it are not the people who are going to be riding it, anyway.
Make sure you subscribe so you don't miss the full Kawasaki KLE500 review, coming very soon.
New Kawasaki KLE 500 Off Road Test Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:55 Viewpoint and Hill Climb
03:50 Quad Lock Ad
05:14 Gravel Road and ATV Trail Riding
10:17 KLE500 Ground Clearance Test (Jumping)
12:56 KLE500 Single Track Riding
15:54 Final Conclusions
18:00 Outro
18:45 Near Miss Footage
SUBSCRIBE for more adventures, how-tos, gear reviews, and moto shenanigans!
bit.ly/dorkintheroad
Want early access to videos and other perks? Become a channel member: youtube.com/channel/UCrKYAp8fkN8yCbxcNK375rA/join
Dork in the Road stickers and other merch available at: motocampnerd.com/collections/dork-in-the-road-merch?ref=dork
Dork in the Road Shirts available at: dorkintheroad.dashery.com
Instagram: instagram.com/adorkintheroad
TikTok: tiktok.com/@dorkintheroad
Support me on Patreon: patreon.com/user?u=26709234
Channel Sponsors:
Brake Free: brakefreetech.superfiliate.com/DORKINTHEROAD
(save $10 with promo code "dorkintheroad")
Cyclops Adventure Lighting: cyclopsadventuresports.com/?AffId=15
(save 10% with promo code "dorkintheroad)
MotoCamp Nerd: motocampnerd.com/?ref=dork
Quad Lock: Save 10% at quadlockcase.net/discount/dorkintheroad with promo code "dorkintheroad"
Want to support the channel when you buy your dual sport or ADV gear and mods? Please consider using these affiliate links:
Rocky Mountain ATV/MC: tinyurl.com/23sjhhwr
Brake Free: brakefreetech.superfiliate.com/DORKINTHEROAD
(save $10 with promo code "dorkintheroad")
Mosko Moto: moskomoto.com/dorkintheroad
Amazon: amzn.to/3aDkk4z
Revzilla: imp.i104546.net/4eMdJZ
MotoCamp Nerd: motocampnerd.com/?ref=dork
Vanasche Motorsports: https://vanaschemotorsports.com?sca_ref=10893499.ZWnws7rz5wVLn
Cyclops Adventure Lighting: cyclopsadventuresports.com/?AffId=15
(save 10% with promo code "dorkintheroad)
Amain Hobbies: alnk.to/7Bil0C0
Save 10% on butlermaps.com with promo code "dorkintheroad."
Save 10% at quadlockcase.net/discount/dorkintheroad with promo code "dorkintheroad"
Save 10% on Motion Footpegs (motionfactoryracing.com/) with promo code "dorkintheroad"
Cardo Systems: cardosystems.rfrl.co/e2vdy
(use promo code "dorkintheroad" to save 10%)
Save 10% at Seat Concepts with promo code "DORKNRD26"
Thank you for supporting the channel by clicking on the affiliate links in this description.
FULL DISCLOSURE: MotoCamp Nerd pays me to create content for his YouTube channel. This isn't a "sponsorship" per se, but it does mean I use their products exclusively and may impact my opinions about camping gear. Fortunately their stuff is good so I'm happy to recommend it, but just FYI.
Disclaimer for reasons: I am not a professional journalist, expert motorcycle rider, or a mechanic. These videos are for entertainment purposes and represent my personal opinions and experiences. I'm just a dude who isn't even good at riding or making videos, so be smart and don't risk life or limb trying to follow my example or advice.
