Kawasaki er5

[Charlie0560]

I've seen an immaculate er5 in a local dealership at a fair price with low mileage.
Am thinking of doing a test ride, but so far have been put off by some poor comments on the bike from some mates.

Anyone out there got any proper objective comments on the bike?

What's it good for? Commuting only? Jack of all trades?? Only any good as a "first big bike"???
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CBT 04/06/11. Theory 10/08/11. MOD1 19/02/12. MOD2 03/04/12
The only silly question is the one you didn't ask!

[Fowlersrs]

[flumpy7]

Pretty dull though.

If you must get a 500 twin go for the gpz - more highly tuned and looks better.

However, for a little bit extra cash you can get yourself a 400,600 or if you fancy a v-twin, maybe an sv. All a bit more fun.
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2012 Sinnis apache

[goto10]

I do 450 miles a week on my ER5 - it's a cheap and cheerful workhorse IMO. Water cooled so it can handle slow moving traffic without overheating too.
I've had a few niggles with mine (side stand switch, chain snapped, regulator/rectifier died...twice - now replaced with an uprated unit) - other than that it's been a solid performer considering the mileage. It's not exciting to ride and once it hits 60 the acceleration tails waaaaay off.
If you want it for weekend fun, then look elsewhere - but if you want something reliable for commuting then you can't go far wrong.
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'12 NC700S & '12 CB600F Hornet [Stolen by some dickless twat] Suzuki GT500 shed

[flumpy7]

[goto10]

[kawakid]

I'd have my old ER5 back. I loved it.

Great bike, parts are cheap, excellent mpg, I often got more than 70 miles to the gallon. Low seat height, it has a centre stand so adjusting and lubing your chain are easier than any new bike.

I had the rectifier issue and I also had the rear wheel go oval with it's drum brake.

Try it.
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I've a twin and a 4.

[goto10]

[kawakid]

Good idea is the volt meter.

My bulb blew, then I put another in and it blew. Then I put a pound shop one in and it didn't.

Then I thought i'd better test the volts, sure enough it was pumping out 15volts under heavy revs. You have to be really careful because you can blow all the electrics.

I can't remember which I got, I think I got one from Wemoto.

Great replacement wheels by the way, I just checked them out on ebay. Tbh I do prefer now having rear brake pads, a lot easier to change.
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I've a twin and a 4.

[Rogerborg]

[dan_flash]

For what it's worth I bought mine cheap and had to put a little bit of work in to get it up-to-scratch, but now I couldn't be happier.

Cheap MPG, insurance, enough power for me, happy to ride 2 up, low seat, solid all round ride.
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Yamaha XJ600S, Volvo v40.

[goto10]

This is a link to the uprated reg/rec I'm talking about - Mudplug is the guy who puts them together (I believe he's a member here too)
After the first one went I bought a 2nd from eBay for around £75 and fitted a cheap voltmeter (about £4 from eBay for an LED waterproof one), after about 2 or 3 weeks the voltage started creeping up to 17 volts again. I fitted the upgraded one in December and it's been as good as gold since.

https://www.bikersoracle.com/er5/forum/showthread.php?t=5927
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'12 NC700S & '12 CB600F Hornet [Stolen by some dickless twat] Suzuki GT500 shed

[RhynoCZ]

I think it's not worth it, as others said, only few extra pounds and you can have a lot of better bikes, GPz500 or CB500, or whatever in-line four around this displacement.

ER5 is cheap, its brakes, suspension, even the fuel cap, but it has very reliable engine.

I've got some experience with '99 CB500 and its fuel consumption was amazing, brembo brakes were also great and the fact that it's a honda makes it even better. It has great reliable engine with 44kw. Just change the oil and fill up the tank and you'd be careless 125mph rocket on the road. Take the brembo brakes version only. The older type has less power and drum brake in rear wheel.
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'87 Honda XBR 500, '96 Kawasaki ZX7R P1, '90 Honda CB-1, '88 Kawasaki GPz550, MZ 150 ETZ
'95 Mercedes-Benz w202 C200 CGI, '98 Mercedes-Benz w210 E200 Kompressor

[FerretFing]

Good, solid reliable bike - ideal for 1st big bike....a dealer is going to want way too much, I'd not pay more than £1k for a mint one no matter how new/mileage, go private imo...they are not exactly rare bikes

[kawakid]

I sold mine with a long MOT and 35k on the clock for £850.

It was in a good condition, but it probably would have needed a new exhaust in a couple of months.

Tbh I think I sold it too cheap the phone didn't stop ringing.
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I've a twin and a 4.

[flumpy7]