buying an ER5

yankeedoodle · Nearly there... Joined: 11 Mar 2007 Karma :

looking out for one at the moment as I have my test in just over a week and , assuming I pass, I'll want a bigger (but still forgiving) bike. anything I should look for on the ER? Im going to be using it all year round to get me to college evry day as well as the odd long trip and bike meet.

thanks for any views

bostonshirede... · Nova Slayer Joined: 02 May 2006 Karma :

I've got one as my first bike on restricted license

Braught it for just over a grand in September with it having done just over 20,000 miles and have since put another 10k on it since then Shocked

It has only ever let me down once, the CDI unit blowing, apparently quite common so watch for that - Other than that its been a great bike to learn on, good fuel wise, nothing spectacular but it won't let you down

Only real problem with them is brakes, compared to other 500's they are a bit naff, but I would still go out and buy one 2morrow Thumbs Up

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Eat well, Stay fit, Die anyway - By the time u make ends meet, they move the ends

yankeedoodle · Nearly there... Joined: 11 Mar 2007 Karma :

baldy · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Feb 2004 Karma :

dont buy a er, it will rust to bits in the winter and be slow and really heavy and low and quiet and wont be worth much. (i had one, it was crap.)

Buy something like a xr400, great all year round, no electrics to fry, wont rust and always manages to put a smile on your face.
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One day i will rule the world, just not today.

yankeedoodle · Nearly there... Joined: 11 Mar 2007 Karma :

baldy · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Feb 2004 Karma :

As long as youre okay with the power and size then i would get one. They are perfect for begginers but i wouldnt say they were comfy. Just be prepared to clean it all the time because that road salt's a bugger.
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One day i will rule the world, just not today.

yankeedoodle · Nearly there... Joined: 11 Mar 2007 Karma :

baldy · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Feb 2004 Karma :

Try a suzuki sv650, not the s model, they need more looking after. Or a suzuki bandit, you can get them cheap enough and will be good for when your restriction is up.
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One day i will rule the world, just not today.

yankeedoodle · Nearly there... Joined: 11 Mar 2007 Karma :

I've been after a naked SV or a bandit but I've decided that I can get a cheap 500 for a while until I can save enough for one of the above. Decent SVs especially seem to go for closer to £1500. I think I'll just get whatever comes along with a decent price tag.

carlmalibu · Spanner Monkey Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Karma :

*prepares for the "Get a CB500" schpiel*

get a CB-500!

not as fast as GPZ-500s but not as small either

good quality honda

mines ten years old and very little visible rusts

engines go on forever

easy to take apart (i discovered today)

more of a price on 'em than ERs and GSs

but they're worth it and hold their value better.

Plus loadsa couriers use em, so they must be good!
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Shine on, you crazy diamond
CB500, woop.

CaPo · Scooby Slapper Joined: 27 Apr 2007 Karma :

baldy · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Feb 2004 Karma :

because they have a fairing type thing which is hard to get behind, and also needs to be kept clean and away from pointy things.

Plus the unfaired model is more learner friendly with its sit up straight type of position.
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One day i will rule the world, just not today.

Gazdaman · I did a trackday!!! Joined: 12 Aug 2004 Karma :

Mate of mine had 2 ER-5s, they're good solid bikes.

Only problems he ever had was a coolant hose under the tank splitting and therefore overheating.

The other was the exhaust holed.

They're excellent first bikes in my opinion. Perfect restricted, and a decent performance gain derestricted. Will still do over 110mph.

Gaz

phk6 · Nearly there... Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Karma :

kawakid · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Mar 2005 Karma :

I've got one and also had it as a restricted bike.

The bike is a good bike for when you pass your test and it handles the restriction perfectly.
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I've a twin and a 4.

Imonster · World Chat Champion Joined: 18 Oct 2006 Karma :

www.nortonmotorcycletraining.co.uk

Go here, then look in the For Sale section Wink

***We are selling some of our fleet to replace them with new ER6's anyone interested in a runaround or a winter hack give me a ring on 07841377990***
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Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.

Kal · World Chat Champion Joined: 02 Jan 2007 Karma :

Ya Link is broken...

Oh and while I am here - I'll go with look at a CB500 - awesome bikes, although to be honest I'd ride an ER-5 with a different seating position.
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Kal...
I Like To Hoon It Hoon It I Like To Hoon It Hoon It I Like To Hoon It Hoon It Ya Like To (HOON IT!).
1984 GB250 Clubman,1983 CB250N Superdream, 1999 GPZ500S