ER-5 Or GS500E Which is better?

[sparkywilliam...]

Looking at a small bike for the missus and narrowed it down to these two but which would you think is easier to fix/get parts for when they do fail.
I'm familiar with Suzuki's but not kawasaki.

Any thoughts very much appreciated.
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Previously CG125,YBR125 Now GSF600 Bandit

[DrDonnyBrago]

[chris-red]

[sparkywilliam...]

CB500 - i have been looking but find they do ramp up the price (i know they are bulletproof) but i'm trying to keep it below a 1k.
Donnybrago,you told me of a website that deals with Suzuki -''Robinsonsfoundry'' who turned out tops for me but what direct parts suppliers do you know for kawasaki?
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Previously CG125,YBR125 Now GSF600 Bandit

[J4mes]

I found the CB500 very uncomfortable after riding the ER-5 and the GS. Although it was quicker and the brakes were great compared to the other two. Clutch was better on the ER than the other two.

But obviously the comfort is a personal thing. They were all learner bikes at different ages and mileages, so could have been at different levels of shagged-ness.

But I'd go ER>GS>CB based on my meager experience so far!

[sparkywilliam...]

Thanks Fellas,she's sat on the ER and found it comfortable although i may look to get it lowered and although i know you can do that with shorter dog bones on the GS i didn't know if you can do it on the ER?
Also it's a full power version which i would need to restrict and i ain't seen many kits for the ER on ebay.
It's kinda stupid question to ask really as she's only gonna have it for two years and want a sportsbike in no time.
Sounds like the ER is well thought of,i didn't think they were any good.
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Previously CG125,YBR125 Now GSF600 Bandit

[Taz69]

I picked up an ER-5 2000, X plate with 20k in excellent order for under £700, I rode it from Launceston to Bristol 126miles and it was amazingly comfortable I found, fairly good at acceleration, overall speed etc, its never going to set the world alight, I am used to a 1000cc V-twin but for what my 19yr old daughter wants for 2 years, it will do the job to and from Newport to Bristol etc.

I know a lot of people like the CB500 but from what I hear they are a fair bit heavier to move around etc than the ER-5.

HTH
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Honda Firestorm VTR 1000 in Yellow, Lubbly Jubbly

[sparkywilliam...]

Thanks Taz
Yes i think i remember someone saying on here that the ER is a bit like an over-sized 125 which would suit her fine.
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Previously CG125,YBR125 Now GSF600 Bandit

[MarJay]

The ER5 is a generation newer in design than the GS. The GS is a 1970's design really, whereas at least the ER is more eighties. ER has a bit more power... I'd go with that TBH.
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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.

[Taz69]

Also on the note of restricting, you can just purchase the washer's from Ebay etc, remove the air box and they fit between that and the carbs, then you can take it to a local tuning place that does Dyno testing and they'll charge about £30 for the test and give a printout stating its out putting 33BHP which is good enough for the insurance company and the Police.

Taz
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Honda Firestorm VTR 1000 in Yellow, Lubbly Jubbly

[whitedevil]

Id pick a gpz, er5 or cb over the pos suzuki.
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GPZ500 sold ~ CBR600FS-2 sold ~ ZX6R sold ~ Street Triple R

[iooi]

[flumpy7]

Stick with the kwack but get a GPZ instead. Same motor but a bit more highly tuned to give some more smiles. Also looks better!
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2012 Sinnis apache