Almost ready too buy an ER6F

[drew86]

its a 2008 with 3000 miles on and is like brand new. i'm on a restricted license so will have it restricted. just wondered if anyone has ridden a 33bhp ER6F and about their experience. is it totally useless? or is it a huge step up from my 125 days? will I find myself longing for the extra power? is it dangerous? does it suddenly stop revving for example?

Also, i'm thinking of fitting an alarm and have seen various self fit alarms on ebay for less than £30. does anyone have experience of fitting one? how'd it go etc?

now i've asked a million questions i'll stop typing
____________________
Now the very proud owner of a brand spanking new black ER6F
MOD2 recently passed... bring on the summer!!

[drew86]

Sorry, got one more question. does it have under seat storage?

is a tank or tail bag better? just soft luggage, can't afford a full on top box just yet!
____________________
Now the very proud owner of a brand spanking new black ER6F
MOD2 recently passed... bring on the summer!!

[Manuel]

You will long for the extra power but there is nothing you can do apart from wait or do the full licence!

Is 2008 the facelift model? If not the older one is alot more vibey! They apparently improved the engine mounted and dampening on the newer ones.

I liked the Er6f but found the mirrors were a nightmare and seat uncomfortable.

[_Troy_]

It will be a huge power difference, but a manageable one I'd imagine.

It should have under seat storage, but im not sure how much. Nowhere near as much as a tank bag or backpack though. Probably enough for a chain and a pair of gloves.

I have a Cyclone V2 alarm that I fitted on my bike. Unbelievably easy, even for a muppet like me. It works, and is loud when I want it to be, was about £30 I believe.
____________________
Current bike: ZX6R J1
Previous bikes: CLR 125 | GS500 | ZX6R G2 | SV650

[Manuel]

No centre stand either...

[drew86]

[drew86]

[Recluso]

Facelift model was 2009 onward.

I recently tried a 2008 ER6f and found it horribly vibratey. I believe there was some real issues with the fairings vibrating, especially at higher speeds.
____________________
'Just erotic. Nothing kinky. It's the difference between using a feather and using a chicken.'
Honda PS125i > Yamaha YBR125 > Yamaha XJ6 Diversion > Yamaha Tracer 900

[Rowey]

Take a test ride. I found the ER6f a bit uninspiring. Vibey, weak engine, noticably budget suspension and for a commuter bike not very comfortable either.

Get a hornet instead.
____________________
ZX6R C6F.
Never argue with an idiot. They'll only bring you down to their level, and beat you with experience.

[drew86]

[_Troy_]

You're welcome

Don't take others opinions as fact. They are just opinions after all. Get down to a dealer and take a test ride, and test ride a couple of others if you can. Even if you don't plan on buying anything else, at least you'll be able to make some useful comparisons.
____________________
Current bike: ZX6R J1
Previous bikes: CLR 125 | GS500 | ZX6R G2 | SV650

[kawakid]

The ER6 is a great bike, ignore the post about budget suspension, I have seen much worse on other bikes. I have owned my n for 3.5 years and I really like it.

Never had it on 33bhp though.

And there is zero and I mean zero underseat storage.

Not even a disk lock.

All I manage is some ear plugs. I am not exaggerating.
____________________
I've a twin and a 4.

[fozzym]

As said 2008 is pre facelift so the original er6, its does suffer from vibes more than second coming which has improved mountings and rubber coated foot pegs ect.

I've not ridden the earlier bike but from what I read whilst researching buying an er6 its a very good bike and a favourite in class, its likely that if you haven't got anything to compare it to (other than 125) you'll not think about the vibes. You'll also find it much quicker even in restricted form.

I may be biased because I have a mk2 er6f but I think they are great bikes.

Under seat storage is limited by the way so dont even factor that in when thinking about carrying stuff.

[fozzym]

[sickpup]

Is this the incredibly overpriced 08 model sat in South Wales Superbikes for about £3500 with the rear end butchered that I have already advised one member on here not to buy?

[Polarbear]

My missus has a 2008 ER6-N. I don't find it that bad for vibration to be honest.
____________________
Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[Reppyboyo]

[_Troy_]

Is this the one - https://www.sw-superbikes.co.uk/used-bikes/kawasaki/417-kawasaki-er-6f-abs.html
____________________
Current bike: ZX6R J1
Previous bikes: CLR 125 | GS500 | ZX6R G2 | SV650

[sickpup]

[Rogerborg]

[Fifteen15]

I'd do more research on what bike you want/is better. It seems you aren't that sure. I'd choose the bike which suits your requirements best rather than what's available right now.

Also, I'd recommend an SV650 over the ER6F. I was in the same situation as you, I did my research, literally months of it, ended up with an SV650 and so glad I did.
____________________
"Pain is weakness leaving the body, and blood makes the grass grow faster...but I'll wear my gear anyway"

[defblade]

[grant965]

hi, my mate has just got a 2009 er6n restricted and he seems to be enjoying it so far. His last bike was a cbr600f but had to sell because his insurance was over £1k !!
Don't get fobbed off with a FI international restrictor kit, it is just a bolt in the throttle body, standard thread size too
____________________
Ex bikes: 05 Suzuki En 125, '98 Yamaha Thundercat, '08 Honda cbr125, '05 Kawasaki z750, '03 Triumph Daytona 600, '91 Kawasaki ex250, '03 Hyosung Comet 125
Current Bike: '02 Suzuki TL1000R

[Recluso]

As someone who has also recently passed their test, I know how thrilling it is knowing that you can trade in the 125 and get a 'big boy/girl' bike.

DON'T RUSH IT.

Take your time. Don't jump onto the first thing that catches your eye - what if it turns out not to be the right 'fit' for you? Yes, it means you might miss a bargain or two, but wouldn't you rather be COMPLETELY sure that you've found the right bike rather than save some money on it?

On the ER6f front, whilst generally popular (hell they're nice looking bikes!) the advice I received from a few folks was to try and go for 2009 onward (look for the digital dash) as it was from the 'revamp' model and beyond that Kawasaki was ironing out some major kinks in the model.
____________________
'Just erotic. Nothing kinky. It's the difference between using a feather and using a chicken.'
Honda PS125i > Yamaha YBR125 > Yamaha XJ6 Diversion > Yamaha Tracer 900

[angryjonny]

ER6s are nice looking bikes. I rode a friend's one on a few occasions (pre facelift) and I concur with the "vibey" comments. I'm surprised it didn't shake its fairings off. It's not going to set the world on fire - I've never been a huge fan of parallel-twins to be frank - but you're not going to get anything mental on a 33bhp restriction. If you get one (this one or another) fit decent crash bungs to it because it'll end up on its side at some point and those plastics are expensive (I normally advise "nekkid" as a first big bike). I recall they were a PITA to fit on the ER6 - at least the mushrooms on my friend's were because the frame and fairing holes don't line up so you have to involve extra brackets etc. But they saved her ER6 when she threw it at the ground a couple of times.