Kawasaki ER-6n (2009-current)

I picked up my new ER-6n from the dealer yesterday. I rode through central London and boy...is this bike easy to ride or what!! After riding my much loved Honda CBF125cc for 8 months it was a piece of cake to make the transition to the ER6. It felt so light and easy right from the start and all the controls felt in exactly the right place. Admittedly I do not have much experience ,( having ridden only my CBF 125 and the ER5 where I took my test on) so I dont have much to compare with but I take that as a proof that this bike is very easy and forgiving to ride. It looks stunning in white too. I am a bit worried about the reported cracks on the frame but the dealer reassures me that this has only happened in the previous models and if anything similar happened it will be covered by the manufacturers warranty. I will put some miles in and I will let you know how it goes.Hence the reserved 3* for quality and reliability.

The bike picks up quite nicely for it's power band. The revving through the gears is nice and smooth. The bad points; Uncomfortable seat. The part of your arse that sits on the sides of the seat gets sore because the seat squashes down basically onto steel. The wide open front end means you take a battering - as with all nakeds. The clutch is very bumpy. Bike almost jolts forward just putting it into first. The suspension is RUBBISH, and non-adjustable. Go over any bump at any sort of high speed and you feel really unsafe. The suspension feels wobbly and as if it's going to chuck you off. Good stuff: Nifty little electronic speedo.

was given one as a loan bike while my gsxr1000 was having repairs carried out, collected the bike with 40 miles on the clock,After an hour of gentle riding started to get used to the feel of the bike, and was really impressed, using the bike to comute 60miles a day in all weather gave me a good test ride, really impressed with cornering abilities, No chicken strips left there,lights were brilliant, engine good right through the rev range, could possibly do with a slightly higher ratio 6th gear, seating position great,higher speed riding 60+ got a little uncomfortable, but this is a naked bike after all, seriously considering buying one for commuting on, would fit a small wind deflector screen and hand guards, but all round bloody good bike

I wanted a bike to get me to work everyday, all year round, in comfort. Not that my ZX6R was failing me, I just wanted a new toy. I had decided on a second hand ER6N with a budget of £2500. I headed to the kawasaki dealership and asked them to keep an eye out for used one for me. After a couple of months, Bournemouth kawasaki sorted me out a really good and affordable 0% finance deal on a 2009 ER6N, in Black. It was much better looking than its predecessors, more angular and mean-looking. The engine was now black in colour and the grab rails in silver finished the look. Even running it in and keeping the revs low, there was plenty of grunt off the line and enough to make dual carriageways comfortable. Now thatit's run it, the commute is even more enjoyable. the engine pulls all the way through the rev range with ease. The ride height is low, which suits my 5'3" frame. It's the first bike I have ever owned that I can actually get two feet on the groudn and actually walk backwards while on it. Bonus. The fuel economy is great. A full tank will give you about 125 miles before the fuel light starts flashing, and then only about £9.00 to fill it up again. In the wet, the tyres handle grip well, and because of it's relatively low power (compared to sportsbikes, etc) You can ride it hard in the wet too, full power and it holds. Handling - it flicks from left to right and back again like a dream! It feels so light and don't let the 200kg weight tag fool you, it is well distributed so the balance is superb for low speed maneuvers around town. The insurance was really cheap, and I reckon it would suit a newbie down to the ground. Especially with the finance deals available and the price tag. My friends love to look of it, and all want a ride on the back. It handles pillions very well, not squatting too much to affect the handling. It looks to them like a safer option to be pillion on than the ninja. The seat is more comfy and those grab handles provide added feeling of security for them. Fantastic all rounder. And sexy looking too.