Kawasaki ER6-F (First big bike CONFIRMED)

[Fat Angry Scotsman]

Still in two minds on whether to get a big bike brand new on finance or buy a cheap second hand one outright in cash.

Any opinions on this bike?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/bike-details/202107034592646
____________________
PRESENT: 2018 BMW S1000XR SE Sport.
PAST: 2009 Kawasaki ER-6F. 2021 Zontes ZT-125U.

[ThunderGuts]

Looks pretty good to me. They're not exactly thrilling but they're solid and reliable, enough power to "learn" big-biking and sellable enough to move on at a later date. I had an ER5 and it was a solid bike, the ER6 is supposed to be better.
____________________
TG.

[A100man]

Looks nice and clean, but you'd want to knock 500 quid off - judging by ebay prices...

..but you do get a nice box to put your helmet in.
____________________
Now: A100, GT250A, XJ598, FZ750

Then: Fizz, RS200, KL250, XJ550, Laverda Alpina, XJ600, FZS600

[wr6133]

I don't like them for numerous reasons but it's probaly a good starter bike. Price seems a bit much though you could get a very nice GSXR600 for that.

[Easy-X]

Fireblade

/thread
____________________
Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[xX-Alex-Xx]

[Kris]

pm sent
____________________
NSR125RR - ZXR750H1 - ZX9R E1 - GSF600S - GSF600SK3 - VFR400-NC30 - SV1000N - ST1100-R - CBR900RR-R - GSF1200SK5 - GSF600SK1 - VFR1200FA - GSXR1000K2 - ZZR1400 D8F
www.prisonplanet.com

[MarJay]

That does look to be decent value. I'd want to hear how loud the exhaust is though, as that could be deafening. I'd also want to look under the fairing and see how much corrosion etc there is.

My other half has an ER6N of 2012 vintage, and it's rather nice. It's better built than the equivalent SV650 and it goes well, it corners nicely, the brakes are OK and it's very very comfortable. The only downside is it's a weighty thing, but for my other half that's not a bad thing. She's reasonably tall and relatively strong, and is now very used to it. She doesn't make full use of the rev range of the engine a lot of the time, so a fairly grunty twin is good for her. She's smooth, safe and confident on it, despite only having ridden for a short amount of time.

It's not got that zing that something like my Street Triple has, but it's a good solid bike.
____________________
British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Fat Angry Scotsman]

[Ste]

[Fat Angry Scotsman]

Don't know if it sheds any like on the bike in particular but here is the MOT history:

https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/?_ga=2.95752596.941941382.1627651781-777682944.1627651781

EDIT: Sorry didn't realise the GOV UK links work one time only.
____________________
PRESENT: 2018 BMW S1000XR SE Sport.
PAST: 2009 Kawasaki ER-6F. 2021 Zontes ZT-125U.

[wr6133]

I'd bet even with the cost of getting it collected and delivered you could get this one for a similar price in total. 5 years newer and under 1/3rd the miles. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/294288301995?hash=item4484f31fab:g:mCgAAOSwPWhg-CaR

[Keithy]

I paid £3.5k for a ‘64 with 8,700 on it, so it’s a little pricey but you probably have limited options. No point in saving £200 if you have to travel to Birmingham or similar to get it.

[Fat Angry Scotsman]

[MCN]

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

[Fat Angry Scotsman]

[stinkwheel]

You get 12 photos included with an ebay vehicle auction. I'm always suspicious when people don't use them all.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

[UncleFester]

Just to throw a penny in the pot ....

if you get t he relevant protectors fitted, depending on the drop etc ... no reason dropping a new bike should be any worse than dropping an old one from a damage point of view.

That said, i ran an old CB500 for a couple of years and had no complaints whatsoever. It came pre-dropped and the couple of times i dropped it added no more visible damage. Sold it for what I paid for it.

ATEOD buy what you will enjoy and can afford.
____________________
Module 1 and 2 passed - October 2014. Happy owner of a 2017 Z1000SX, ex owner of a YBR125 / CB500 / VFR800.

[Fat Angry Scotsman]

[quote="trevor saxe-coburg”]Soz not following this - are these reasons for buying from a dealer or not?

I'm absolutely all for taking a little time - in fact, a lot of time. But for me the reason to take time would be to wait for a bike to come up within 30 miles offered by a private seller that I could schlep out to tyre kick. I'd be looking for ER6s, SV650s, Gladius, Hornets, CB500s, possibly even Bandit 6s.10-15k on them, £1750 price region. Put 5k on one of these to properly get your big bike eye in, punt it on for similar money, get the bike you feel a bit of lust for. Sh1t like that.[



Sorry I should have made it more clear. The reason I was using a dealer is because in a non-finance deal I am hard-capped to a budget of £4,500 (and it would initially be on a credit card) so I can’t do a literal cash in hand private sale until I get paid at the end of the month. I am impatient so might not be able to hold out a month.

Using finance I have a loan from my credit union available with £2000 from me additionally if needed.

At present if I want to buy anything over £2000 I need to use a dealer unless a private seller somehow can accept a credit card.
____________________
PRESENT: 2018 BMW S1000XR SE Sport.
PAST: 2009 Kawasaki ER-6F. 2021 Zontes ZT-125U.

[Easy-X]

For a first "big bike" (although these days a 650 barely counts as middleweight) I'd go for something cheap and convenient to source. Rag it for a year and then get the bike you really want

There's also something to be said for pre-loved bikes. I got my Rebel factory fresh and always felt a bit guilty if it got dirty, I'd certainly be horrified if I scuffed it let alone dropped it. But the XSR... any marks you may notice were there when I got it! Like a nice pair of shoes someone else has broken in
____________________
Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[wr6133]

A sensibly bought 2k-ish bike now and ragged for 6 months to a year isn't a bad way of learning. Don't fuck it up too much and its worth 2k when you sell it.

[Marcg868]

My first big bike was a Bandit 650 was cosmetically poor with corrosion to the wheels, scrapes on the upper fairing,25k miles and 10 year old.
Engine was sweet as, kept it for 6 months then bought a Brand new Ninja 650. I only lost £100 on the bandit using it as part ex.
____________________
JACK, MISS YOU LOADS YOU LEGEND.

[Tdibs]

Why can you only use a credit card? If I am honest, I would have a good think about what this stuff is really worth, if you have to fuck around with a credit card, loans or sorting out finance... its just not worth it. A older 1.5k 600/650 is more than enough for a first larger bike, its all going to feel like a rocket ship and you will probably want to change in a year or two to something else.

Have a good think about if it gets stolen too, is stretching hard to pay for something gucci going to put you in a hard spot?

Also have a really good read of any 3 month or so warranty a dealer is offering, they make it sound like its a huge safety net but most of the time they will be able to get out of it.
____________________
Previous : 09 Vanvan 125| 02' Sv650s || Current: 1999 Xj600n | 1992 DR650 RSE | 2005 Fazer 1000