ER-5

[MissR]

So having a look at some bikes for when I pass my test, hopefully soon... and like the look of the ER-5. Read some reviews and a couple mentioned that its not good for a lighter rider... but it is good for a first bike and for women.

I'm 20, but only 6 and a half stone at a push...

Did also like the GS500 and CB500, but not as much as the ER-5. Any thoughts? Obviously want a light bike so I can manouvre it (am also a shorty (5ft) as you could have probably guessed).

Any useful comments would be appreciated

x

[L-Jam]

Jesus, 6 and a half stone?

Do you struggle to pick up your pushbike?
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Click here if you're a young biker, wondering what to do after a moped/125!
Skp 50 --> GS 500 --> CBR600F with custom HRC paint jobby --> GSX-R 750 K7, beautiful!

[Ditto]

I would say the CB 500 would be a better choice.

More reliable, better build quality and less prone to rust. ER5 is cheaper but not built very well.
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CG 125 > Bandit 600 > CBR 600 FY > Street Triple R

[gmanxiii]

I've ridden all 3 and the CB500 felt like the bulkiest and heaviest one and i felt the seat height was the tallest (i had to tip toe and im 5'7" with short legs). Engine felt the smoothest out of the all though. The GS500 felt thinner, more manageable and more confident to ride as a newbie. i think this is due to it being air cooled and not having to have a massive radiator at the front. Er-5 isn't too bad a bike, yeah it doesn't have the build quality of the honda but still felt pretty solid. Seat is a little wide so couldn't have both feet flat on the floor for me, but felt better than the CB500. However I almost bought a CB500 couple years back for a hack which had been lowered and had the seat scooped out.

If you clean them regularly then i don't think rust is too much of a prob on any, the GS500 is renowned to be a rust bucket was my training bike. was a 15year old model, hardly had a spot on it. despite being used and abused daily by learner riders they'd get rinsed with a hose after a days ride. My CBR which i wash once every few months shows a heck of a lot more signs of rust.

Personally i'd probably say the GS500 would be most suitable if you want something that feels small and light. But try get a test ride on one if you can, as the weight disappears once you start moving, its just slow maneuvering and when its particularly windy you'll notice the different in weight and size.
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VFR400NC30 > ZZR600 > CBR600FX > CBR1000rr

[kawakid]

The older ER5s have a lower seat height than the newer ones.

You can also get a low seat for it.

Other than that you are looking at custom shocks.

My ER5 was very low, it didn't have a low seat, being only 5'8" myself I could push my feet all the way out to the left and right and still touch the ground with both feet. Something I wish I could do with other bikes.
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I've a twin and a 4.

[Thom]

CB500 - God of the major 500 twins
GS500 - A close runner and feel very tight and nice to ride
ER-5 - bouncy, dull, everything does as its should with no surprises, but i found little fun either.

SV650 has a lovely low seat and has a twin engine, much better quality than the 500's i dare say and generally a good fun bike.
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Current Bike: 1996 Yamaha TRX850 (The Japanese-Ducati One).
Previous Bikes: 1990 Honda NSR125 'Rothmans' (The smoking one), 1990 Suzuki GS500e 'Caf? fighter' (The loud one), 1987 Kawasaki GPX400r (The quick one), 1997 XJ600s Diversion (The reliable one), 2000 Kawasaki ER-5 (The spontaneously combustive one)

[MarJay]

[Smooth]

I had an ER5 after DAS. It did the job fairly competently with more oomph than a GS500.

With the standard seat I found it a bit cramped (6' tall), so it could be ideal. With a bit of fettling (Renthals, pre-load spacers, yokes dropped, longer Hagon shocks) it handled ok too.

An SV650 is in a completely different class.
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TDM850

[MissR]

Thanks guys

I'm having to wait till Easter to do my practical test (so MarJay not sure what bike I'll be doing it on yet), but I guess the best thing is to have a sit on a few as most of you said. Dunno whether I'd want to jump up to a 650 from a 125 though, I think a 500 is enough for now!

Really need to be able to touch the floor, so I think the CB is out - its a right struggle manouvreing with just my toes, and have to end up getting off just to move it which is a bit of a pain. Maybe when I'm a bit more experienced I could get a higher bike...?

So I guess its just between the GS and the ER... Any other suggestions? Thanks for all your comments

x

[MissR]

Thanks guys

I'm having to wait till Easter to do my practical test (so MarJay not sure what bike I'll be doing it on yet), but I guess the best thing is to have a sit on a few as most of you said. Dunno whether I'd want to jump up to a 650 from a 125 though, I think a 500 is enough for now!

Really need to be able to touch the floor, so I think the CB is out - its a right struggle manouvreing with just my toes, and have to end up getting off just to move it which is a bit of a pain. Maybe when I'm a bit more experienced I could get a higher bike...?

So I guess its just between the GS and the ER... Any other suggestions? Thanks for all your comments

x

[crowe]

I own and ride an ER5 currently and i too am a bit of a short arse (5'6"). Any bike bigger than a 125 will feel 'big' but you do get used to it and i personally think the ER5 is perfect for your needs. If you do get one get the rear suspension put down to the lowest setting and if it's still a bit high you can always get the seat 'trimmed' narrower (it's just foam after all!). It's a great lightweight bike with way more character than a CB/GS (in my opinion ). Plus they are generally cheaper which is ideal for a first big bike that, let's face it, you are more likely to drop).

Get one

[chris-red]

I at 20 I weighed nearly 3 times what you do
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[Mord]

[chris-red]

[MissR]

Thanks crowe, yeah I think I'm probably gunna go for the er-5 after i've had a sit on one to check!

I'll get the boy to sort out all that seat lowering malarky, I haven't got a clue!

[chillyman0]

just get some retro wedged boots from the 70's, no problem then :p

[chillyman0]

just get some retro wedged boots from the 70's, no problem then :p

[c_dug]

Dont know the exact seat hights but my GPZ was pretty low, great fun and better looking than the other 500 twins IMO

c_dug
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