Which one would you choose?

I bought an Ibex. Zero regrets, and glad I didn't wait for a KLE500 after riding one.

Saying this and that one really killed it as I was listening to it without visuals.

LOVE the video and seeing your relationship!
i tested both and had wayyy more fun on the KLE on and off road.
One issue i felt with the IBEX was very hard shifting, like hurting the top of my feet hard, anyone felt that ?
PS for the son, what an incredible opportunity you have there! bring in your own colors !!

The KLE’s biggest problem in the USA, where you don’t have to deal with special licensing rules forcing certain buyers into a lower displacement bike, is that by the time you’ve graduated into wanting a touring/adv bike for serious road trips you’ll almost certainly want something with more mass and more displacement to hold its own against US highway traffic, ie in the 600-range and up, like a Transalp, Vstrom, or bigger.

The Ibex still makes some sense for an intermediate or even experienced off-road rider who wants something smaller and more manageable that can still do a road ride to/from the trail and is a bit cushier than a full-on dual sport or dedicated off-road bike.  I can see a KLE being a good alternative to a Ninja 500 for the type of beginner that wants it, maybe they want the extra height and suspension travel for rough roads, but I don’t see it earning a spot in somebody’s garage long-term.

Anybody thinking “oh I can just use it as a commuter” should skip right over it and look at a Transalp. These bikes are all under such fierce competition right now that I imagine the second generation KLE will be much more focused on what kind of bike it wants to be.

I think it’s a Draw!! 😂
Personally I have more trust and experience in Kawasaki. I have checked them both out at the dealership and I liked the KLE better, but I am coming from 20+ years of dirt bike off-roading.  The KLE wasn’t so wide and felt more comfortable to me. 😎 Great video as always!

Just bought a ibex 3 days ago and just finished the break in and im loving the bike other then the stock seat

awesome video guys thanks!

Ibex suspension listed as 8.7 inches, KLE is 7.3.  1.4 inch difference which is still significant. Saw a video about Ibex cracking the oil pan because it protrudes below the frame though. I think an aftermarket skid plate might keep it protected though. I think both these bikes will make one choose their line carefully when the trail gets chunky.

Great video. Been debating both of these as a first ADV bike. Only have experience on a Harley’s but want something to ride to and from to work and do some trails and camping once a month or so. Leaning ibex vein in on the shorter side (5’7”)

I haven't ridden either but I feel like Dad wanted the KLE to win so bad "would you agree with that?".

Good job with the turtle. Nice. 👍🏻

Please do roll races - starting from a dig is all rider skill. Me and my buddies do roll races starting in different gears / different RPM's - really shows the power / torque differences between bikes.

I'd take a Japanese bike 9/10.. that one time would be me taking the Ibex over the KLE. The KLE is basically a street bike cosplaying as an adventure bike.

I got the KLE. I'm a taller guy, so the seat height is actually a positive to me. I've had Japanese bikes and ATVs over the years, and I've never been let down by them. The few downsides can be addressed fairly easily and don't concern me in the long run.

The Ibex in person was just not an attractive bike to me, and I don't like the crazy wide tank. Also have doubts about long-term support from Cfmoto, maybe I'll be proven wrong, but for now I don't have much trust in them.

For anything that's really challenging and rough, I prefer to ride my dualsport, it's far better for that than any adventure bike. I'm not Pol Torres and I don't have any delusional ideas of riding hard Enduro with an adventure bike.

Both nice bikes, whatever works for you.

To me, the KLE is more of a touring motorcycle. I probably go with the ibex because of the sound.

Nice comparison. Ibex definitely sounds better

I own a ibex, 6500 km. Intermittend noise from what i think vamchain tensioner, can not get it into neutral when in first gear, went into limp mode once, uses a bit off oil.  But it rides great and muffler note is just top..

other reviews say other wise lol everyone is different but thanks for your review.