Kawa KLE500 or Transalp XL650 for everyday commuting?

Kawa KLE500 or Transalp XL650 for everyday commuting?

Author
Discussion

pavka007

Original Poster:

522 posts

130 months

Tuesday 29th July 2014
quotequote all
As per the above: Kawa KLE500 or Transalp XL650 for everyday commuting?
The Kawa is 2008 with just over 11K on the clock and the Honda is 2003 with 30K on the clock. Both bikes are with new full year MOT and offered for the same money, a fiver under 2 grand from a local dealer.

Any pointers/opinion/price help will be gratefully received.
Thank you

creampuff

6,511 posts

144 months

Tuesday 29th July 2014
quotequote all
I'd go for the Kwaka as less miles and newer for the same price. Or whichever you are most comfortable on.

Transalp is a nice bike though. Haven't tried the Kwaka.

MotorsportTom

3,318 posts

162 months

Tuesday 29th July 2014
quotequote all
Surely the fact the honda is older and more used yet still commanding a decent wedge should tell you everything you need to know.

Ride both then decide but for me I know which way I'd be leaning before that.

pavka007

Original Poster:

522 posts

130 months

Tuesday 29th July 2014
quotequote all
MotorsportTom said:
Surely the fact the honda is older and more used yet still commanding a decent wedge should tell you everything you need to know.

Ride both then decide but for me I know which way I'd be leaning before that.
Valid point, thank you

jackh707

2,126 posts

157 months

Tuesday 29th July 2014
quotequote all
Transalpine for me.

pozi

1,723 posts

188 months

Tuesday 29th July 2014
quotequote all
The 1991 - 98 Kawasaki KLE500 was an okay bike, slightly detuned 50BHP GPZ500S engine gave it enough zip although the brakes were scarily bad to put you off going too fast anyway, emissions regs then killed it off.

Clearly Kawasaki buried it in Steven Kings Pet Cemetery because in 2005 it came back to life as something scarily worse than the original which nobody wanted. To get it through emission Kawasaki restricted the engine to a pathetic 35BHP and made it heavier thanks to the catalytic converters, brakes were still crap, seat is a plank and it has the looks only a mother could love.

In short, buy the Transalp, it has the same engine as a Deauville and will go on forever.

Edited by pozi on Tuesday 29th July 17:40

pavka007

Original Poster:

522 posts

130 months

Tuesday 29th July 2014
quotequote all
pozi said:
The 1991 - 98 Kawasaki KLE500 was an okay bike, slightly detuned 50BHP GPZ500S engine gave it enough zip although the brakes were scarily bad to put you off going too fast anyway, emissions regs then killed it off.

Clearly Kawasaki buried it in Steven Kings Pet Cemetery because in 2005 it came back to life as something scarily worse than the original which nobody wanted. To get it through emission Kawasaki restricted the engine to a pathetic 35BHP and made it heavier thanks to the catalytic converters, brakes were still crap, seat is a plank and it has the looks only a mother could love.

In short, buy the Transalp, it has the same engine as a Deauville and will go on forever.

Edited by pozi on Tuesday 29th July 17:40
That was it.....Transalp on the way biggrin
Going for a test ride tomorrow afternoon.
Thank you all for your contributions.
Ride safe, be safe smile