My NC30 - always things to do

[Speedy]

Erm, don't want to steal the NC's moment; but what's the ER6 like?
This pesky little thing is tempting me, so much so I'm even thinking of booking a test ride on one!

[craigs23]

Welcome to the forum Castrol. He did mention your bike and also a UK spec NC30 (I think), maybe see you up at Bury again some time - I much prefer the surrounding roads in comparison to Boxhill.

Still doing a couple of finishing touches here and there on the bike; nothing to rave about, but just some things that have been niggling me for a while.

The ER's great Speedy, but in a different way. I test rode a white N model like the one pictured, after trying out a Hornet, Gladus and new XJ6 - I knew straight away that the Kawasaki was the sort of bike I was after, after I'd decided the CBR was no longer for me. It's fun, in a budget kind of way - especially bullying it around a lot more, feeling like you're making the bike do things it's not really designed to. Bit of a giant killer, but you can also sit back, relax, and comfortably enjoy the scenery. Touring and taking a pillion are possible as well. The thing's good on fuel, fast, but not intimidating, cheap to run and insure. A nice pokey engine, which feels like a single with added smoothness and a bit of a top end, rather than half an inline four (if that makes any sense).

Suspension is less than adequate though, with the front end getting pretty choppy on poorly surfaced roads - I've already swapped the front springs for some proper Maxton items and might go down a similar route with the rear shock. Brakes are okay, but take a couple more fingers in comparison to the incredible items fitted to my CBR. Build is fair - with my usual routines shouldn't have any problems. Overall, a pretty good bike; a bit like a pokey unfaired 400, but with added big bike practical benefits. - try one, you might like it.

[Speedy]

It's fun, in a budget kind of way...
Touring and taking a pillion are possible as well. The thing's good on fuel, fast, but not intimidating, cheap to run and insure.

Suspension is less than adequate though, with the front end getting pretty choppy on poorly surfaced roads - I've already swapped the front springs for some proper Maxton items and might go down a similar route with the rear shock. Brakes are okay, but take a couple more fingers in comparison to the incredible items fitted to my CBR. Build is fair - with my usual routines shouldn't have any problems. Overall, a pretty good bike; a bit like a pokey unfaired 400, but with added big bike practical benefits. - try one, you might like it.

'Fun, in a budget kind of way'; that's pretty much what I was thinking it'll be!

For a while now I've been getting itchy feet again, so touring would certainly be on the cards, so that's good to hear!
I reckon you can't go wrong on a brand new bike that costs little over 4k, comes with 2 years warranty and looks this good! I think this engine's been around since 2005 and has proved to be reliable so the warranty might not actually be needed, but it is good to know it's available!

I read something along those lines about the suspension and I guess it's kinda expected from a "budget" bike; I suppose you'd notice it more as you're used to superior suspension such as that of the CBR and the NC you got? To a certain extent that would be my case too; but would you say it's still reasonable enough for a couple of years or so, or do you feel it needs changing from the off?

I'm seriously considering a test ride! What do dealers ask for before they let you loose on their machines? I'd guess, a healthy deposit!?

Cheers for the write up Craig.

[craigs23]

Test ride wise - where I bought the Kawasaki from (and CBR), it was £20 for an hour, but this is ignored if you decide to buy a bike off them. I recall test riding a Triumph Speed Triple a couple of years ago - that dealer just asked me to put any petrol that I use back in the tank, and I was allowed the bike for pretty much an afternoon. You'll need your license (both parts), plus your insurance certificate.

In regards to the Kawasaki suspension - it is pretty poor. Of course, I'm very fussy over pretty much anything these days, but I ride an awful lot of b-roads and found the front forks especially lacking in composure. Of course, this is entirely based on the type of roads, and the speed, that you decide to ride.

In comparison, I didn't feel the Hornet's or XJ6's suspension needed any tweaking from new....the Kawasaki's springs were changed before the first service (600 miles).

Best of luck, remember to test ride as many bikes as possible to doubly make sure that the bike you're after isn't blind lust, and a decision you definitely want to make.

[craigs23]

Incidently, I opted for the F model over the N. Felt it was a little more relaxing for the commute, plus, arguably, a better tourer (clocks are better too - the N model's are the 'wrong way round'). Strange, as the riding position, gearing, brakes, everything really is exactly the same, but the N model had a bit more of a supermoto feel. The F isn't as good looking though - bit like a green BMW in a way.

Here's the bike I tested:



And mine after its first service....I've also added a can (which nicely unleashes a bit of a bark, and out bellows Harleys with the baffle removed) and got a longer hugger to fit this weekend:

[Speedy]

I noticed the hugger was a tad too short! Also noticed the clocks arrangement and thought it look ok but not great... I'm trying to find faults that really don't bother me, but it's hard! Blind lust is definitely winning at the mo!

Enquired about the price at my local Kawasaki dealer and they came up with this reply:

"Thank you for your enquiry about the best pricing on a 2009 Kawasaki ER-6N.
The current list price on this bike is £4,699.00

We are currently able to offer this bike at an astonishing:
£4,149.00 OTR

An amazing saving of:
£550.00

This price is only available whilst current stock last.

0% FINANCE OVER 30 MONTHS - £99 DEPOSIT
DEMO AVAILABLE - CALL NOW TO BOOK"

Think I'll pay them a visit tomorrow morning...

[mrdidlydingo]

Guess who

If you need any info on the ER let me know I have a friend who has just spent thousands sorting one and I must say the results are very impressive hes a bit like you in that hes gone through three shocks two exhausts rearsets etc etc unitl he was happy, it is a totally different bike now to the factory one he bought !

[craigs23]

Cheers Dingo. I'll let you know if there's anything I'm thinking of changing; although to be honest, I kinda bought the ER6 as for what it is - a budget middleweight...

Best of luck Speedy. You can always take mine for a spin if you're around Boxhill sometime soon.

[Speedy]

Ta very much Craig! Apparently Metropolis motorcycles in Vauxhall have the ER6's for test rides and 'all' they ask for is a licence and £1000 excess, in case you damage it! Will try to get one for this Saturday and will report back...
Think I was at Boxhill about 3 weeks ago for a brief while; was hoping to see you there, but anyway maybe sometime soon.



...So I test rode the "little" ER6 today (Sat 20th) and have to say, that it won me over within 5 minutes!
Such a nice lil paralel twin, quite grunty in any gear even down low on the revs; it even impressed me when I opened her up in 6th gear at barely 3k rpm and the surge in power was pretty much instant! Lots of engine braking too, which I like! The EFI was faultless too; having never ridden a fuel injected bike before, I was kind of expecting it to be a bit 'snatchy' and not crisp at all, but was nicely surprised by it's responsiveness!
Handling wise I found it to be a tad reluctant to lean over the first 5 degrees or so; tyre profile maybe? Nothing major though and probably something that will go away with time or even with a simple change of tyres!? A wider handlebar would help with that too!
Slightly longer mirrors would be great also; the way they are at the mo I can see about half of my elbows on them.

I agree with what you said about the front suspension Craig, it is a bit pogo-stick like on the bumpiest parts, so some new springs would definitely be the way to go! As for the rear, it felt a bit on the hard side (as per the Kawasaki usual), though with some use plus a pillion on board, it may be just about right!?

Braking wise, all I can say is that the bike I tested was sharp as a tack! Too much in fact, especially for novices; one finger braking would get the thing scraping that nice headlamp on the tarmac no problem!

I guess it's fair to say that I was completely won over by the ER6-n and that it'll soon be my second brand new bike! Can't wait!