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Kawasaki ER6f - larger engine alternative

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MilesH
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PostPosted: 21:24 - 09 Sep 2017    Post subject: Kawasaki ER6f - larger engine alternative Reply with quote

Did Kawasaki do a larger engine alternative to the ER6f. I like the style, riding position and the fact it is faired but not the lack of bhp compared to what I have?
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marlc0
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PostPosted: 22:58 - 09 Sep 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Z1000SX. Was thinking of one of these before I changed my mind and got a tiger.
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MilesH
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PostPosted: 23:41 - 09 Sep 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks.

I've just googled and they look good. It's a shame they only started them in 2010 as it puts the price a bit more than I wanted to pay (they seem to go for about 4-4.5k for early ones).
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Rogerborg
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PostPosted: 10:03 - 10 Sep 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Does it have to be a Kawasaki? And what is your budget?

If you want big, faired, uprightish and cheap, have you looked at the Suzuki GSX1250FA? Granted the ones for sale on eBay right now are mostly over £3K, but keep your eye open for a private sale and you might be able to bag a bargain.
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stevo as b4
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PostPosted: 10:37 - 10 Sep 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

V-Strom 1000 maybe? Probably the best use of that Suzuki engine they ever made.

Tiger 800? Or going older and cheaper a tidy TDM 900?
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RhynoCZ
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PostPosted: 11:04 - 10 Sep 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

KLR 1000 if you want a Kawasaki badge on it.
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stinkwheel
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PostPosted: 11:49 - 10 Sep 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

The only similar bike (vertically stacked paralell twin in a "street" chassis) I can think of that was larger was the MZ1000, but they went bust.

If you were to speak to some of the mini-twin racers, there is a fair bit to be done to those motors to extract more poke from them. Some of them are pushing 90+bhp at the back wheel.

Umm. Again, not a kawasaki but what about a TRX850?
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Rogerborg
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PostPosted: 18:21 - 10 Sep 2017    Post subject: Re: Kawasaki ER6f - larger engine alternative Reply with quote

Reminder:
MilesH wrote:
I like the fact it is faired

Stroms and Tigers likely aren't going to ding-a-ling OP's bell.
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stevo as b4
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PostPosted: 20:19 - 10 Sep 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Bollocks I may have gone off on a tangent in my ageing years. Laughing

I read that OP has ER6, and thought of a Versys 650 in my head.

So I'll revise it and say some other crap like:
BMW F800S
Yamaha FZ8S
Suzuki GSX1250F

If the big litre Kwak is out of budget, then at least one of the above should be?
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MilesH
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PostPosted: 20:31 - 10 Sep 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks chaps Smile

I'm not focusing on Kawasaki just I like the bike but not the engine.

Any other ideas based on my criteria in the first post feel free to mention them Smile I'll check out some of the suggestions so far.

I'm 6ft 3 so don't suit some bikes, but I'm not really after an adventure type bike like a Tiger/GS etc but can't fit comfortably on stuff like a street triple etc, so trying to find the middle ground.

I tried an Aprillia Shiver GT but hated the engine. I was keen to try a Tuono but not sure I could ride an unfaired bike over winter and enjoy it?

p.s budget up to 2.5-3k.
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Rogue_Shadow
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PostPosted: 22:13 - 10 Sep 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

MilesH wrote:
I'm 6ft 3 so don't suit some bikes, but I'm not really after an adventure type bike like a Tiger/GS etc it?


My only advise would be not to rule anything out till you try it Idea

I've been in a similar position as you, pigeonholing myself into a certain "type" of bike.
Bikes I thought would be a match made in heaven left me hugely disappointed, then on an off chance tried a bike I wouldn't normally consider and it's opened up a whole range of different bikes to me.

In a perfect world we would all have two bikes to compliment the shortcomings of each bike. But You'll quickly discover there are few great "all round" bikes, so dont make the list shorter Very Happy

I'm not saying try a GS1200R when you want a lightweight bike.
But if you want a street bike, try sports bike
Want a tourer, try an adventure etc etc.

If all you want is an ER6 with more power, that's fairly easy to accommodate.
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MilesH
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PostPosted: 22:26 - 10 Sep 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks, that makes a lot of sense Smile

Maybe I need a two bike garage!
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Mart_er6
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PostPosted: 08:03 - 11 Sep 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Honda CBF1000 perhaps? Though as you'll see below I went from the ER6f to a Triumph Sprint and am happy, only mention the CBF as it's a bit more upright than the Sprint!
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Rogue_Shadow
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PostPosted: 11:40 - 11 Sep 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

MilesH wrote:

Maybe I need a two bike garage!


The dream Crying or Very sad
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sickpup
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PostPosted: 13:07 - 11 Sep 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

stinkwheel wrote:
If you were to speak to some of the mini-twin racers, there is a fair bit to be done to those motors to extract more poke from them. Some of them are pushing 90+bhp at the back wheel.


I thought mini-twins was restricted to 72hp?
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redeem ouzzer
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PostPosted: 15:47 - 11 Sep 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

sickpup wrote:


I thought mini-twins was restricted to 72hp?


Indeed, and at BEMSEE enforced by mobile dyno.
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stevo as b4
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PostPosted: 19:03 - 11 Sep 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Not the lightweight TT bikes though. Companies like FW developments and others have been making 90-98ish bhp 650cc hand grenades for bikes like the Paton racers.
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Golgarth
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PostPosted: 20:26 - 13 Sep 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

If you want a quicker, better built ER6 surely the Honda VFR 800 is the natural choice?

Similar style, similar riding position, bit quicker, better built.
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grr666
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PostPosted: 21:10 - 13 Sep 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

MT09 = A massive barrel of laughs for not much dough.

Way better than ER6f, I had a 2013 one of those before and in all ways except perhaps range, I find the MT superior.
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barrkel
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PostPosted: 21:29 - 13 Sep 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Golgarth wrote:
If you want a quicker, better built ER6 surely the Honda VFR 800 is the natural choice?

I think it's hard to compare an ER6 and a VFR. They're very different bikes.

ER6 is very flickable and feels quite light, and very narrow between the legs (suitable for short people).

The VFR by comparison is much fatter, more reluctant to turn, but it's infinitely more stable and composed when it's cranked over.

ER6 is a fine bike for city commuting. VFR is much more of a chore, bigger turning circle, more top-heavy, and just not as easy to get in and around the traffic.

VFR is far nicer on a motorway. You could cruise along at 95mph, a speed that would feel like hard work on an ER6.

If height (or rather inseam length) isn't a concern, and not doing lots of city work, I'd take a VFR every day of the week.
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stinkwheel
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PostPosted: 12:17 - 14 Sep 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

sickpup wrote:

I thought mini-twins was restricted to 72hp?


Could well be. I know a guy who was racing an ER6 in the mini twins and he'd done a couple of very simple mods to get more poke out of it. Stuff like fitting an exhaust cam where the inlet cam should be (or vice versa) and lifting the tank a little to improve air ingress.

People are also getting 90+ bhp out of them though. Perhaps not in the mini twins specifically.

Said mate says really liked the ER6 though as a bike to ride. He's now back on 600 Ducatis which he says he likes more. Perhaps OP should try one of the bigger monsters?
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I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.
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stevo as b4
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PostPosted: 18:17 - 14 Sep 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

It impresses the hell out of me when an ER6 engine making a rear wheel (not crank') 90 something bhp, lasts a lightweight TT race intact, as it's a hell of alot more poke from the engine that it wasn't designed to produce.

Maybe the 1/2 a ZX12R lineage is what's helping them do so well?
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MilesH
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PostPosted: 20:19 - 14 Sep 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

stinkwheel wrote:


Said mate says really liked the ER6 though as a bike to ride. He's now back on 600 Ducatis which he says he likes more. Perhaps OP should try one of the bigger monsters?


Not thought of the larger monsters. Any model in particular?

Are they reliable?
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stinkwheel
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PostPosted: 21:57 - 14 Sep 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

MilesH wrote:


Not thought of the larger monsters. Any model in particular?

Are they reliable?


900 would be a classic Ducati.

Reliable? Ducati? Probably not but I've never owned one. People do seem to persevere with them though.
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“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.
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sickpup
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PostPosted: 23:45 - 14 Sep 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

stinkwheel wrote:
Could well be. I know a guy who was racing an ER6 in the mini twins and he'd done a couple of very simple mods to get more poke out of it. Stuff like fitting an exhaust cam where the inlet cam should be (or vice versa) and lifting the tank a little to improve air ingress.


Changing cams isn't allowed in Mini-twins and repositioning the tank is not explicity allowed so probably naughty as well. Don't think this has changed in many years but could be wrong.
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