Tempted by an ER6F...

[superstacker]

Well guys..

Ive been thinking for a while that my ZX6R isnt the ideal everyday bike for me, with a few longer tours planned around Europe for the summer and the bike getting everyday use, i was thinking maybe i need a nice little workhorse.

My journeys consist of:

Riding to my base and back at weekend 200 mile round trip

Riding from base into town which im told is about a 25 mile round trip through A roads

Leisure riding at weekends, plus trips to Europe or other places in UK when the weather is nice.

I do have a car but too be honest i dont really enjoy driving it, and its getting old now.

Ive been tempted by the 0% finance on the 2008 ER6F. I can easily afford the repayments, and im sure the running costs when run alongside my ninja (2000 J1) wouldnt be too extortionate.

Just wondered what you guys think of the ER6F in particular the 2008 model? Worth a buy as a more relaxed riding bike?

[Flip]

Seems, well, bland tbh. Although you have the ZX for the sh1ts and giggles. I've not ridden one but there is no excitment when you look at it or even hear the engine. Maybe test ride one first?

Altohugh I'm probably being too picky.

They fall over for no reason.

https://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=qRZBP3zg0u0&feature=related

[Polarbear]

I suppose a lot of it is do you want a twin or a 4.

I'd prefer a bandit or Fazer personally, or even wait for the new Divvy but the 0% is tempting.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[Catalyst]

I've an 07 ER-6n (naked), which is the same as the 08 model. I love it to bits if im honest. I've crashed with it and it stood up fairly well so it's strong for such a budget bike.

I commute about 20 miles everyday and it's VERY comfy, never get cramp or a numb arse and you sit quite high so can filter well and observe the road ahead. Can go fast on a spirited ride although the suspension is a bit pants, wouldn't cause any major hiccups but if your really pushing it then it can wallow a bit.

The only minor moan is the build quality, obviously as it's fairly cheap some bits do rust slightly or go a bit dis-coloured. Having said that i've gone through winter and it's not too bad, just make sure you spray nuts + bolts with WD40 regularly.

MPG is quite good, havn't worked it out but i get 150 miles to a tank (without using reserve) on about 13-14 quid. Thats riding fairly aggresively around town though, on motorway stints i can get about 180 miles to a tank. Talking about motorways mine sits comfortably at 80, anymore and it starts getting uncomfortable but that's because i'm on the naked version. On the faired one i'd expect it to sit comfortably at 90mph and get better MPG than mine.
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|--Previous--|:2007 Aprilia SX50...--Current--|: 2007 Kawasaki ER-6N
SlimRick - I can cook really well - but it's a useless skill, as I'm not a woman and it's their fucking job!

[Flip]

[superstacker]

Thanks for the comments so far guys, I do have the ninja for general mindless hoonage, its just i feel its not that great for longer rides and not really ideal for basic everyday tasks..

[Catalyst]

[Chrispy]

As my first big bike (I've got an '07 model) can't offer any opinions based on comparisons with other bikes.

Still, it's been a great bike up to now - I'm getting 160 miles from a tank - nothing's rusted or fell off it yet and I've done over 6000 miles since I bought it last summer (used it on all but the worst days this winter - sprayed with ACF50 anti-corrosion).

I've also been using for pillion since the Missus got her leathers - brakes have always performed imo - even with 2 up.

Used on the motorway and on the twisties - for the odd 200 mile trip back and to my bro's during last summer - no complaints - again, it's been a top bike for what I've paid.

I prefer the look of the 08 model to the 09 too and I bet there's some deals to be had with the old stock from dlrs if you're buying new.

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Then - Hyosung GV125C Aquila; Kawasaki ER-6F; GSXR 600 K8; Street Triple Mk2; Now - ZX6R
"Viene la tormenta!"

[Catalyst]

[G]

Why not get another ZX6R? .. you could get some higher bars and down gear this one, or something.
I'd prefer to do the 200 mile journeys on the ZX6R myself.

While it's 0% etc, it seems a bit 'backwards' to get a shiny new bike for your 'workhorse' bike.
Haven't ridden an ER, but have spent a fair bit of time on the SV and personally I'd choose the ZX6 (which I also owned for a while) every time.

[superstacker]

[Catalyst]

Your more than welcome to ride mine if you want, not sure where you are in the country though but the offers there .
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|--Previous--|:2007 Aprilia SX50...--Current--|: 2007 Kawasaki ER-6N
SlimRick - I can cook really well - but it's a useless skill, as I'm not a woman and it's their fucking job!

[G]

Were it me, if not going for the same ZX6, I'd be tempted to look for a newer model to spend my money on for the fun bike (cost of a new ER6 gets you a lot of bike these days). Then spend that bit left over for 'tarting' to make the current zx6 more suitable for what you use it for.

As you say, testrides!.. Just maybe have a look around and blag some test rides on other options too .

[superstacker]

Im from Essex, i see your from Hampshire, which isnt really a million miles away

[Catalyst]

Ah not too far, i'm coming up to london on 17th of feb for the biking charge protest so can always de-tour afterwards or before if you'd like?
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|--Previous--|:2007 Aprilia SX50...--Current--|: 2007 Kawasaki ER-6N
SlimRick - I can cook really well - but it's a useless skill, as I'm not a woman and it's their fucking job!

[superstacker]

[BBCTom]

I was looking at an ER6N when they first came out. I though "look nice in the pics and damn it's cheap!" Her indoors was after a new bike and I figured it could be a good commuter.

So we went to the Rocket Centre to check one out and have a test ride.

I went first.

Oh God.

I had already realised why it was so cheap when I saw it in the flesh, but decided 'the proof's in the riding'...

It was horrid

Granted, it's smooth, but in a 'wallowy, custardy' kind of way. You have no confidence in the corners due to a combination of the cotton wool suspension and brake pads made entirely of butter, and if you get it on a stright and 'open her up' you instantly encounter the question "how have they only managed to get 70hp out of a 650, and then make it feel like 40hp???".

It was a disaster.

The Missus didn't try it after me because I told her that she isn't allowed to even test ride a bike that feels so uncertain.

I love the look of it, honestly I do, buy seeing it in the flesh and test riding it ruined it for me.

As ^^those above me^^ have said, test ride everything slow and steady, medium paced and giving it the beans, to make sure you know what you're getting.

Tom
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GSXR600 Corona Alstare SRAD + Race Tuned Aprilia SR125 see public bio for specs.

[robbieguy2003]

I took one out on a test ride and found it ok but underpowered, it wasn't the most out and out mad bike..

But it done what it was designed for very well. The biggest thing I didnt like we're the mirrors on the bars, it just causes me issues with mirrors moving around - like them to stay where they are!
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Current Bikes: Honda CBR 600RR - '07, Suzuki GSX1250 FA ST '11
Old Bikes: Suzuki Intruder 125 LC - '2001, Honda CBR 600F - '92, Honda CBR 600RR - '03

[Catalyst]

I don't think it's particularly under-powered, being a parallel twin most of the power is in the first 3 gears but once you hit about 90 it's not as rapid. When i rode the hornet i didn't like it much, i hated the absense of power in the lower rev range. Although coming off of a ZX6R onto it you will notice a pretty substantial drop in power, i went from a 50cc straight onto the ER though so it felt and still feels powerful enough for me.

One plus note is that you won't lose your licence as easily on it, as said once you hit 90 it isn't as rapid therefore your licence is slightly safer. The suspension can be sorted if you don't like it but it's not incredibly bad, much better than a 500's but it's not anywhere near the same class as a supersport. On a final note it's a bike that you have to work hard on to get the most out of it, sort of like a 125 in the sense that you can use all the power on public roads unlike a sports 600 where your striving for smoother roads constantly.
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|--Previous--|:2007 Aprilia SX50...--Current--|: 2007 Kawasaki ER-6N
SlimRick - I can cook really well - but it's a useless skill, as I'm not a woman and it's their fucking job!

[LordShaftesbu...]

I ride an ER-6n and I love it. Mind you, I don't have anything other than a Cagiva Raptor 125 to compare it with.

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

Buy a hornet.

Far more fun, can boogie with the sportsbikes and do the commuting thing.
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[kawakid]

I've an er6n that I use for commuting and I love it. Ignore all the shocks are crap posts, rubbish. Compared to my Z750S they are fantastic.

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The engine is fine, its not as fast as my Z, but how often do you need to go over a tonne???
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I've a twin and a 4.

[G]

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

[G]

Yes, I suspect so, which is another element of course - people tend to try and use a high gear whether the bike has 85mph or 185mph gearing. What's odd, is that often people are much happier to stay in lower gears in cars.