Kawasaki Er-5

[StevenF]

Hello,

Just playing around with ideas at the moment and thought I would ask your opinions on the Kawasaki Er-5 500cc? It would have to be restricted to 33bhp - haven't even sat my CBT yet - but it's seems a fairly nice looking bike, and now too expensive either.

[Mr Nice Guy]

I liked these, only ever rode them during my DAS but I preferred them over the GS500...

Much better ergonomics than the GS, if slightly smaller... can't remember the engine much though, as at that point I thought they were both mentally fast lol

Sorry, I realise this post is worthless and is more about me talking mince about memory lane
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Suzuki GSX-R750K4 ~ Mivv GP

[gmanxiii]

Good reliable bike, not intimidating so fairly easy to ride and build confidence on. Keep it well maintained and should last you for ages. Popular with tons of riding schools and couriers so cant go wrong really for your first bike, although i did find i got bored of it after a few weeks (not enough poke) but thats just me as it'll beat most 4 wheels off the line and get to 100 (eventually).
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I kills hondas

VFR400NC30 > ZZR600 > CBR600FX > CBR1000rr

[neatbik]

As above really mate - reliable, easy to ride, cheap to run. I found the engine quite torquey as opposed to revvy, but that was back on my das when i was used to an rs125

[jonchivers]

[gmanxiii]

See i prefered the GS500 as im short and can touch the floor with both feet flat, whereas the ER-5 i have my heels up. Not a major problem though guess go sit on one and see how you feel. The ER-5 sent my arse to sleep on long rides i found it not very comfy.
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I kills hondas

VFR400NC30 > ZZR600 > CBR600FX > CBR1000rr

[jonchivers]

[gmanxiii]

[StevenF]

[neatbik]

Try a gpz500, its basically a faired er5, but with a bit more power (i think)
Or a Honda cb500s, they are highly rated, although i've never ridden one myself

[stooster]

i had one after a cg125...and thought it was like a rocket.....did the same when i got an sv650.....then again with a cbr600.....rode a couple of thous and did the same again....just keep getting better...

.....but i really liked my er5....right time...right bike.....

youll do no harm getting an er5 as a first bike....
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past - er5 - sv650s - drz400s - cbr 600 - gsxr 750 - lambretta gp mugello
present - vespa adidas px - fz6n

[yankeedoodle]

just thought I'd check. I dont want to come across patronising, but you say "i havent even done my cbt yet". You do know that you have to complete the A2 test before you're restricted to 33bhp?

Don't want to patronise but just in case you didnt know.
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Bandit 600

[Phil_G]

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v26/Phil_G/ER500/DSCF1570a.jpg

If they do turn up faired, then they are an afermarket unit and can look like this
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1997 Kawasaki ER 500 A1:- Once again, Its merely crap

[lozzypop1]

[StevenF]

[gmanxiii]

[Stelmer]

I have an ER5. At the moment I tolerate it.

Been using it in all weathers, you get used to the wind and now I don't get blown about at 80-90mph.


Single, twin pot front caliper and rear drum do stop adequately. I recently refurbed the vitals in the rear drum and now it out performs the front

They can take bashing after bashing and go on for ages. (Mine's an ex riding school one.)

Water cooled so doesn't overheat when idling.

Cheap as chips to insure and run. Mine's £15/Month TPFT with MCE. I'm 28..

Itself not desirable to nick but parts like the clocks are. (£150+ on Ebay for a set.) Mine's not been tampered with whatsoever.

Excellent tank range, fuel gauge must have been modelled on the parliament - it lies badly....

Excellent 2 up. Really surprised me how good it was.

Should get 110-180 miles before reserve.

Might've missed somethings out.....here's some bad points:


Booring and bland. They are the Ford Escort 1.3 Pop (kids of the 70's and 80's will remember them lol) of the bike world.

Some really tatty and neglected examples out there. (Mine was stood for at least 12 months before Swanny bought it last Sept) I've spent loads replacing worn out bits and bringing it back from certain death. Swanny did the Clutch, rear tyre and oil. I had the rest done like suspension, brakes and front tyre.

More of a commuter than play thing.


Probably missed loads off again. Checkout their owner's club:

https://www.bikersoracle.com/er5/forum/

[Blau Zedong]

More disgusting middle of the road 4T dirge.

I'd rather walk than admit to owning one of these flatulent and quick rot riding school heaps.

Two wheeled car par excellence.
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18:54:48 Rob Fzs: jews don't give away stuff for free

18:54:59 Rob Fzs: unless its their clothes/ hair/ golden teeth

[StevenF]

[kawakid]

Hi,

I own an ER5 and I also had it at 33bhp and it handled the restriction fine. Not much difference with the restrictors in or out. Apart from the top speed on the flat of 92mph as opposed to 110-120.

I ride it daily in all weathers, I actually find the seat low and I am only short my self at 5'8 .

I think they look okay from the side, but a bit ugly front on.

I also have a Z, but that's my toy, the ER I ride every day and believe me it is fun to push it hard. I can red line every gear on some local roads, something that would be impossible on the Z. I like having to work hard, I find it fun.

That saying its no sports bike and the tank range is only 100miles or so.
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I've a twin and a 4.

[kawashima]

Only if you like old look, check out W650 too.
There's 33bht restrictor kit at FI International.

[pyx_e]

Another happy ER5 owner here. Noticing not found anyone who owns one who dislikes it.

Great first bike, may change it when I get past two years. I hear all the "boring, crap etc" remarks and I understand it. But for what I want, need and can afford it ticks all the boxes. I am very fond of mine and get a bit pissy with asshats who dis them in some sort of bike-snobery. But hey there are asshats in every walk of life.

Honest, steady, fast enough (it is a 500) comfy enough and if not scary-stupid then a greta thing to learn the ropes on.

P
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Shiney!
Kawasaki: ER5, Versys, VN900.

[Whosthedaddy]

Used the ER on my DAS.

A thousand and one riders pass their test on them every year and if it can survive a learner dropping it and generally abusing it in every gear, then it must have some sense of longevity to the appeal for an every day bike.

From the 03 bike that I had was taped and cable tied together as the plastics were cracked and the clocks wobbled and jiggled about, but from what I remember the mirrors where quite good.

The riding position, girth of the tank and seat height all within the cozy comfort zone.

The engine seemed revvy and easy to ride in slow traffic but certainly lacked the grunt and pick up on the open road. It will loose your license but getting to those dizzy speeds will take a while. This ability to rev makes it a doddle to do the tightest of U turns.

On a complete tangent, I like the fact that it had a centre stand. Its something that would have made so many jobs easier if any of my bikes had had one, of course getting the hang of getting the bike on the stand may take a while.

Would I have one?

No.

I think the learner rep just spoils it in my mind and the fact that a bike with a few cc more could be more rewarding.
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Current : MSX 125 Past : CBR 900RR Monkeybike : c50 LAC : ZXR750 H2 : FZR600 : ZX7R P3 : YW100 : TRX850: Trophy 900 T309 : GSXR 600 L0: Monkeybike : XJ6S Whosthedaddy

[WildGoose]

I had an ER-5 and didn't rate it, mostly found the riding position wrong, and very uncomfortable, and build quality fairly poor.

My brother now owns it, and for no apparent reason it has completely munched its own electrical system and is totally dead now. Not impressive.

It wasn't a nail either, 1 owner previous to me at 17k,

Sorry to go against the grain.
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So in other words, he stopped you for being flagrantly in posession of a motorcycle in direct contravention of the Hippies, Darkies and People Whose Face I Don't Like The Look of (Police Powers) Act. 1976

[LeeR]

Like many people I used one on my DAS, I was impressed with the acceleration, but never got to use it to it's full potential. I did find the position awkward and after only 3 days my wrists were aching, but if you're happy with it then by all means give it a go.
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My claim to fame: Austin Vince nicked my pen...