In brief
The 2027 Kawasaki KLE500 SE Smartride is a KLE500 with a mechanical centrifugal clutch inside the conventional clutch assembly: you don't touch the lever to set off or stop, but you do to change gears. No control units, no actuators, no electronics. Kawasaki lists 45 PS, 42.6 Nm, a 21-inch front wheel, an 870 mm seat height, and tubeless tires on spoke wheels.
The price and arrival date in Italy for the Smartride version have not yet been announced. This guide covers the official specs, compares it with Honda E-Clutch and BMW Easy Ride Clutch, and explains what to pack if you choose it for touring.
Smartride takes the clutch out of the equation only when you need it to
It's not an automatic transmission or a dual-clutch system: it's a centrifugal clutch that works alongside the regular one.
How it works, in workshop terms
According to Kawasaki, Smartride combines a compact mechanical centrifugal clutch with the conventional clutch assembly. At idle, the transmission is disengaged. When you open the throttle, the revs rise, the centrifugal part engages, and the bike moves off smoothly, as happens with many scooters. When you slow down and the revs drop, it disengages again.
You engage first gear with the foot lever, as usual. While riding, gear changes remain manual, using the clutch lever and gear lever. The handlebar lever is still there, and you can use it whenever you want, for example to control a takeoff on a technical section.
- do a lot of stop-and-go riding and your left hand is the first to get tired
- often set off from a standstill on hills or while maneuvering
- want a bike that forgives clutch mistakes
- it doesn't change gears for you
- it doesn't remove the lever from the handlebar
- it's not electronic control: it has no modes or adjustments
The idea is the same as Kawasaki summarized in its description of the system: it significantly reduces clutch use in urban stop-and-go riding. The concept applies beyond the city too, but that needs real-world testing: we don't have data yet on how it behaves at walking pace off-road, and we won't pretend otherwise.
The official figures: an A2 middleweight enduro with a 21-inch front wheel
Figures from Kawasaki Europe's spec sheet for the 2027 KLE500 SE Smartride, unless otherwise indicated.
| Item | Data | Data type |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 451 cm³ parallel-twin, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 8 valves | As stated by Kawasaki |
| Frame and suspension | 43 mm KYB inverted fork, 210 mm travel; Uni-Trak rear shock with adjustable preload, 200 mm in the technical table (196 mm in the text on the same page) | As stated by Kawasaki |
| Wheels and tires | Front 90/90-21, rear 150/70-17 (other KLE500 models have 140/70-17) | As stated by Kawasaki; comparison with the range from inSella |
| Brakes and ABS | 300 mm front disc, 230 mm rear; ABS can be switched off with a button on the left side and is re-enabled at every restart | As stated by Kawasaki |
| Ground clearance and wheelbase | 185 mm and 1,570 mm | As stated by Kawasaki |
| SE equipment | TFT instrumentation with smartphone connectivity, windscreen adjustable to three positions, hand guards, large skid plate | As stated by Kawasaki |
| Color | Pearl Blizzard White | As stated by Kawasaki |
Three ways to do away with the clutch: mechanical, electronic, centrifugal
Three manufacturers, three different solutions to the same problem.
| System | Motorcycles | How it works | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smartride | Kawasaki KLE500 SE Smartride 2027 | Mechanical centrifugal clutch in the clutch assembly, with no electronics | Only on the SE Smartride |
| E-Clutch | Honda XL750 Transalp 2026 | Electric actuators operate the clutch, while the lever remains available | Standard from 2026 |
| Easy Ride Clutch (ERC) | BMW F 450 GS | Centrifugal clutch paired with a quickshifter | Standard on the Trophy, optional on the others |
The practical difference is simple. Honda’s E-Clutch is an electronic system: more sophisticated, with actuators to operate. Smartride is mechanical: fewer things to break and fewer things to adjust, but also less intelligence. We covered Honda in our guide to the Transalp with E-Clutch and BMW in the F 450 GS specs; if you’re choosing a mid-size enduro for an A2 license, the broader comparison is in our article on A2-licensed 450 adventure bikes compared.
For touring, tubeless tires matter more than a clutch
The least talked-about 2027 update is the one that saves your day 40 km from pavement.
A2 license: the numbers add up
An A2 license allows motorcycles up to 35 kW with a power-to-weight ratio no greater than 0.2 kW/kg. The KLE500 is rated at 33.4 kW. Based on the 199 kg fully laden weight listed in Kawasaki's specifications, the ratio is about 0.17 kW/kg (Endurrad calculation based on Kawasaki data). It meets the limits based on the stated figures, but A2 approval is shown in the registration document for each individual motorcycle.
Kawasaki's specifications describe spoked wheels with tubeless tires. The technical table doesn't specify the tire type, so this should be read as a stated specification, not a verified fact; an international publication reports it as standard equipment on the SE Smartride. If so, a puncture on the road is different: with a tubeless tire, you can often repair it on the spot with a plug kit without removing the wheel.
A single 147 mm tool that opens like pliers, removes the nail, and repairs the puncture. Works on any tubeless tire; it's not specific to any one motorcycle.
- Folded length
- 147 mm
- Weight with case
- about 312 g
- Material
- Martensitic steel
- Case
- 174 × 71 × 34 mm
- Included in the kit
- Repair strips and adhesive not included
The natural companion to a repair kit: after plugging the puncture, you need air. Universal, not specific to any one motorcycle.
- Maximum pressure
- 150 PSI
- Flow rate
- 35 L/min
- Weight
- 294 g
If you want to know how to choose a 12 V inflator, we've written a dedicated guide: how to choose a portable motorcycle compressor.
What Kawasaki hasn't said yet
Four unanswered questions. Better to know before you book.
- Price. Kawasaki said the Smartride price would be confirmed soon. In Italy, the KLE500 currently costs €6,340 and the SE €6,990, according to inSella. The 2027 price with Smartride is unknown.
- Availability. In the UK, it's expected to be available from January. No date has been announced for Italy.
- Actual weight. Sources don't agree, as noted above. We'll wait for the registration document figures.
- Accessory packages. Some publications mention packages (Adventure Tourer, Rally, Urban, or Top Case) that vary from market to market. For Italy, confirm the contents with your Kawasaki dealer.
Accessories: what's available and what's not
Let's be transparent: Endurrad doesn't currently offer accessories specifically for the KLE500.
The KLE500 SE comes with hand guards, a skid plate, and an adjustable windshield as standard, so basic protection is covered. If you want to replace the hand guards with an aluminum-bar system, you'll find the range in the Barkbusters hand guards collection, and how the system works is explained in this guide to Barkbusters hand guards.
For carrying luggage, Kawasaki's specifications say the bike is set up for two side cases and a top case with genuine accessories. If you're setting off with soft luggage instead, you'll find the options in the rear luggage collection and in the guide motorcycle luggage: how to choose. Before buying any rack or frame for the KLE500, email us at info@endurrad.com: we'll honestly tell you whether a verified solution exists.
Frequently asked questions
What is Kawasaki Smartride?
Is Smartride an automatic transmission?
Do you still need the clutch lever?
How does it differ from Honda's E-Clutch?
Is the KLE500 SE Smartride suitable for an A2 license?
How much does the KLE500 SE Smartride cost?
When will it arrive in Italy?
Are the tires tubeless?
How much does the KLE500 SE Smartride weigh?
Is it suitable for off-road riding?
Can I install Smartride on my existing KLE500?
Which handguards fit the KLE500?
What should I take on a trip with the KLE500 if it has tubeless tires?
Also worth reading
Thinking about a mid-size adventure bike for touring?
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Sources. Technical data: Kawasaki Europe, KLE500 SE Smartride 2027 specifications. UK prices, availability, and comparison with E-Clutch: Visordown. Italian prices and tubeless update: inSella. Smartride description: Moto.it. BMW Easy Ride Clutch: Moto.it. A2 license restrictions: Automobilista.it. Data, prices, and availability updated October 19, 2026.
