ER6N or ER6F

[thewhyoffry]

Having passed my test I have always wanted a Kawasaki since I was a kid. Don't ask me why but it has always been my goal. I don't want to get anything too powerful so I am staying away from the Z800's etc and looking to get either a 6N or 6F.

I know it comes down to a lot of personal preference but at the moment I love the look of naked bikes and I am wondering what (apart from wind resistance,) a fared bike has to offer? I can always attach a screen to the 6N if I go on motorways etc.

Just looking for a bit of advice really, if you were going to buy one tomorrow which would you go for?

Thanks!
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The why of fry

[G]

For normal riding the fairing can often make going faster 'feel' slower. Good if you're getting from A to B. Maybe less good if you're trying to have fun and not lose your licence!

I'd just get a ZX6R G/J/A and not turn the throttle as much/restrict it a bit .

[thewhyoffry]

The ZX6R's are beautiful but a bit pricey for a first big bike. That's another reason why I find the 6n/6f so attractive because they are dirt cheap for what they are!

I would even look at the MT07 but my local Yahama dealership is miles away and I can't be bothered with a commute for a service. Kawa are 2 miles down the road for me
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The why of fry

[Polarbear]

Wifey has a 2008 ER6-N and loves it.

However she doesn't like the fact that she finds anything over 70 hard work with the wind/buffeting.

I expect I will be changing it for an ER6 F this year.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[_Iain_]

Have ridden a lot of new Kawasaki's.

Avoid the ER-6 completely and buy the Z800.

The ER-6 will bore you to tears within an hour of riding it. It's slow, the power deliverys boring, the stylings bland. I struggled to find something I liked about it, other than it changing direction quite quickly (which then made it feel twitchy at high speed)

The Z800 however is a shit ton of fun.

It corners brillaintly, makes women want you and does around 140mph (maybe more, but my shoulders started giving out), your other half will never want to be on the back of it for more than thirty seconds due to the pillion seat being incredibly uncomfortable thus meaning you don't end up with a 7 stone backpack whenever you mention you're going on a costal ride.

I absolutely LOVE the Z800, I'd happily go out and buy one if my credit rating wasn't totally trashed. It is my favourite current Kwak by a long way, although the Z1000SX may change this - we've got a 2014 demonstrater that I've not had a play on yet.

The thing is, the Z800 is quick, but it's still a naked. You cant go too fast without making yourself seriously uncomfortable which helps keep you in check, the engines tuned for midrange grunt which makes it a very easy bike to ride. It's just a fantastic all rounder, definately ride both.

Kawasaki have "Winners Weekend" coming up whereby you can register and go out and have a go on a few different demo's and work out what it's all about, then decide for yourself. You also automaticly get entered for a load of cool prizes and stuff, including a J300 which you could then PX against the Z800 https://kawasakivideos.co.uk/winnersweekend/

But yeah, buy the Z800 - You'll end up keeping it for a lot longer. It's most definately new rider freindly!
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Please be aware that the above post may be full of complete nonsense.
Riding: '07 KTM Duke II, Baotian BT49QT-20 Driving: '88 Volvo 340

[Rogue_Shadow]

Really depend on your riding style & the distance you'll be traveling.

If you fancy doing long trips or you commute, the fairing will be invaluable.

[Aff]

[Conzar]

I would never want to spend all that money on a parallel twin, i agree a early ZX6 or CBR is a more ideal choice imo
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Current ride: ZX6R 636 ------- Previous:KTM EXC 450 Supermoto --- ZX6R B1H --Hornet 600--CBR 600--SV650
11:05:35 Rob Fzs: i just wanna own an rd350 valve before they send us to war with durkadurkastan

[Bubblin77]

I second the z800, I'm also a new biker, boughtva bandit, then wanted a new bike.

Set my heart on the er6f but after riding one the sound and cheap feel made my heart sink.

I borrowed a z800 (probably the one Iain thrashed at 140mph!!!) And loved it.

Get this weeks MCN as there's a piece in there about the bike (I wrote a bit for it)

Plus they are cheaper new than you think.
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Kawasaki Z800 (SOLD)

[G]

ZX6R G/J/A models were on sale 98-03 or so and can be got for £1k-£2.5k.

Providing you get your bike serviced at an official VAT registered garage, you don't have to get it done at an official dealer for the warranty to be valid.

Me, if I wanted a bike like an ER I'd go for a cheap SV650. Pretty similar as far as the bike goes, but a lot less money.

[TheSmiler]

I'd go for the ER6-F purely on looks because the N looks ugly.
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CB125>CG125>GN125>ER5>K100RS>R1100RS>K100RS
A2 completed 23/07/15 Ready for the Golden Crisp Packet

[Nexus Icon]

I'd go for the F over the N just for the wind protection, especially as your first bike you're really going to notice it over 80mph.

Being honest though, I'd probably not choose either.
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Greetings from Shitsville!

[Rogerborg]

[Monkeypony]

I can never see the attraction in naked bikes.

Given the choice, why wouldn't you want better protection from the wind?

But that's just me. My brother would only ever buy naked bikes because they 'feel' faster.

Which is almost certainly because he rides like a 6 year old on stabilisers.

Try both. Buy the one you prefer. Enjoy.
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Current bike - 2018 H2-SX, 2004 SV1000s, 2016 Aprilia RSV4 RF, 2017 Sherco SERF 300, 2003 Suzuki DRZ400 (stolen - AY53 JUU)

[Conzar]

Buy a R1 simple (1998-1999)
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Current ride: ZX6R 636 ------- Previous:KTM EXC 450 Supermoto --- ZX6R B1H --Hornet 600--CBR 600--SV650
11:05:35 Rob Fzs: i just wanna own an rd350 valve before they send us to war with durkadurkastan

[fozzym]

I bought a new ER6F (2nd gen) which was a very good bike to me having just passed my test at the time. Kept it for just over 2 years and probably should have kept it really as the mrs wan't go on the back of my new zx6r, should have both as they do completely different jobs.

The F is a do it all bike all be it slightly on the budget side of things from the point of view of suspension but really as a new rider you won't be putting it though the paces to the extent to find the bike out.

I'd choose the F over the N as I don't like nakeds and don't like being buffeted about so the more the protection the better.

[G]

[_Iain_]

[G]

In my experience fairings can act as a vital secondary layer between engine casings and road.
It may seem like much, but that extra bit to wear through I've seen a good number of times being the difference between a holed engine casing and scratches (all anecdotal, of course).

[Polarbear]

[G]

Then you shoulda bought the ZX6 G/J/A, insured it TPO/TPFT and used some of the thousands of pounds cash you have left to buy a cheap fairing on ebay .

If fairing damage might write a bike off, you can be pretty sure contaminated stuff in the engine WILL write it off.
With the fairings you get to ride home, which is useful.

[Monkeypony]

[Monkeypony]

To be honest, it's horses for courses really.

I really like the look of my brothers little street triple, and if I had the space for a second bike as a toy, or only needed a bike to whiz around town, I would certainly consider one.

But for a full days riding? In British weather? Nah. Give me the comfort and peace of a fairing and bubble any day!
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Current bike - 2018 H2-SX, 2004 SV1000s, 2016 Aprilia RSV4 RF, 2017 Sherco SERF 300, 2003 Suzuki DRZ400 (stolen - AY53 JUU)

[wots]

It's like this .....

In my short time of riding (about 18 months), I've had so many bikes I've surprised myself. If we were only considering the ER-6F / ER-6N then I would stick with the ER-6F I have, with some caveats!

It 'looks' like a sports bike aside from the sit up and beg riding position, so it looks quite good. If you are riding in and around town a naked bike is more fun, however at higher speeds and longer distances the fairing is excellent. On the subject of fairing, my bike has been dropped twice, on either side. Once by me, once by the wife both at very low speed (hence dropped). Both times they snapped a foot peg and no other damage. Because it had crash bungs fitted, no faired bike should be used without these, as they'll save you ridiculous bills. In terms of power, it's got more than enough for the first jump up, 70Bhp and a fair amount of torque. I've kept up with the big boys on a hoon, I'd catch up with them (eventually) and maintain a ridiculous speed on it.

I've ridden to Belgium and back in a day with the wife attached, we were both relatively comfortable.

BUT, If I knew now, what I knew then. I wouldn't buy that bike in either guise. The engine is very vibey, the fairings are very vibey, the exhaust downpipe snaps and the wheel bearings have a shorter life than tyres. The main reason though, a four cylinder is heaps smoother and more flexible.
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Currently: Yamaha DT 125 LC2,Repsol Fireblade, and Bumblebee MSX 125

[Clutchy]

SV650S>ER-6F


ER6-F was a POS to ride, my mate who is a massive kwak fan boy got it for the same reasons as you and has ridden mine versus his and he deeply regrets getting the kwak
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Malaguti F12 Phantom-Dead, Suzuki AY50- Dead, NRG power DD LQ, CBR125.
*33 BHP restriction up on 10/12/14* Current bikes/car: SV 650 S/ MKIV GOLF
Guide to pass your test with no lessons!