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Er-6n
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August 14, 2010 at 3:29 pm #4172233jimParticipant
Does anybody have an opinion of a ER-6n as a “beginner bike”? I rode about 10 years ago after taking the MSF class. My 1st bike was an 82′ Honda CB650, which I switched within a year to a 87′ VFR 700 which proved too big for me (5’7 and 135 lbs.). Luckly I didn’t crash it, I just stopped riding it. I never got real comfortable riding it.
What I liked about the CB650 was how the weight (very close to VFR) seemed to ride a lot lower on the bike. I have been considered a SV650, but from just sitting on it, it seems to have a higher center of gravity than I like. Can anyone comment on the weight distribution of the ER?
I just stumbled across the ER-6n and it seems like it may be perfect for me. I have been considering a ninja 500, but the weight on the ER looks the same and the seat height is only 1/2″ higher. Plus I LOVE how it looks and the deals on them are great.
I also am thinking about 250 ninja, but main concern is alot of my riding will be in the 60 mph straight boring country roads to work and this does not sound like where this bike excels in terms of noise, vibration, acceleration (non aggressive driver, but do on occasion have to pass).
Anyways is the ER-6n a good bike for a mature, short, skinny, beginner rider?
Thanks for any details and opinions.
Jim
August 14, 2010 at 4:51 pm #28074Jeff in KentuckyParticipantAt 60 mph the 250 Ninja is fine, especially for someone less than 6 feet tall and if they weigh less than 180 pounds. The 250 Ninja gets more marginal for comfort at 75 mph, but the top speed stock is 95 mph so it is doable, but a lot less comfortable than a Honda Goldwing. Many do not like the narrow tire look of the 250 Ninja, even though it goes plenty fast enough for legal street riding. Also, the 250cc engine might wear out after 60 to 80 thousand miles- it has to spin faster on the highway.
The 650R is lower, the ER-6n is medium high, and the Versys is taller. You can get a 500cc Ninja or Suzuki for a lot less, since they stopped making them and they have older technology.
I like the looks and reviews for the Suzuki Gladius better than the ER-6n, but the ER-6n does have a better suspension stock for a track day, and the ER-6n muffler looks better to me. The Gladius needs more seat padding for me, after sitting on them.
A beginner is better off staying with 250cc or 500cc on the street- there is always some risk by starting with a 650 and trying to grow into the extra power and extra weight.
August 14, 2010 at 7:06 pm #28076AParticipantI tested a ER6N before I bought my Gladius, it seems to have less usable torque at low/mid rev range, when the torque do come on at higher rpm, the parallel twin has a different vibration than the v-twin that I prefer.
But riding position wise is comfortable, nimble.. I also had a hard time with the looks of it’s headlight.August 15, 2010 at 12:28 am #28077233jimParticipantAnybody compare the weight and ride of the EX500 and Er-6n. Seat height and DRY weights look about the same. Seat height of 2010 Er-6n may even be lower and from reviews seems like it has a low center of gravity.
August 15, 2010 at 12:47 am #28078WeaponZeroParticipantThe ER-6n is probably no better or worse of a beginner bike than the SV650 I started out on. From what I’ve read, it doesn’t quite have the down-low torquey grunt of the Gladius and SV so it needs to be revved just a tad more, but nothing like an I4. I’ve read quite a few reviews that say the ER-6n is more of a successor to the SV650 than the Gladius is.
August 15, 2010 at 1:56 am #28083JtownJJAParticipantThere are lots of articles online and videos on YouTube that compare these two bikes. They are very similar in their size and riding position. After checking it out online, you may want to go try sitting on a Gladius to see how it compares. The way I see it, since you have previous experience, I would expect that you would do well with either of these two bikes. I’ve read that the Er-6n is known to have it’s center of gravity low as you would like. I know the first time I sat on the Er-6n, it felt great to me as well, but either bike should easily handle the speeds you wish to go.
August 15, 2010 at 3:15 am #28084madjak30ParticipantThe ER-6n is the naked version of the Ninja 650R, in fact in Europe it is called the ER-6f (“n” for naked, “f” for faring). Everything is the same, the tune of the engine, the suspension and the steering…it has a slightly tighter rider triangle (your foot peg is closer to your butt) than the Gladius…but other wise, it is very similar…usually in comparison tests the Gladius gets the nod because of the slight edge on Hp (I think it has 5Hp more), and the engine runs slightly smoother (less vibration).
As for the bike being a good beginner, well like the SV650 it is on the edge of what would be recommended for a newbie…but you said that you had ridden before ten years ago, so it shouldn’t be a big deal. The biggest question is what will you be comfortable on, so go and sit on them…a lot…before you make a decission…if you are commuting on the hiway at 60mph most of the time, you may want to consider a bike with some kind of wind protection…the Ninja 650R (obviously), the Yamaha FZ6R, the Honda CBF600 and the Suzuki GSX650F are all in the same ball park…all of these are retuned versions of some potent equipment…they have had new cams and other tweaks to make them more newbie friendly…even they are probably too much bike for the first time rider, but being you are returning to riding, they should be okay.
Anyway, good luck!!
August 15, 2010 at 3:35 am #28085Jeff in KentuckyParticipantThis magazine staff in England liked the Gladius the best of a few of the budget nakeds:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKVEzLJroLA
The Motorcyclist magazine staff in the US liked the ER-6n the best, but they were riding the bikes a lot faster than most people would, and their one staff member wrote that he would rather buy a used SV-650 and put the extra money into making the suspension and engine better, instead of buying a new ER-6n or Gladius.
If you are tall, also check out the Kawasaki Versys, or the shorter-trip oriented Suzuki DRZ 400cc Supermoto.
To really stand out in a crowd on a budget, this V-twin below with a fairing has a frame made in the US and an engine made in South Korea:
http://www.fischer1.com/Fischer_motorcycles.htm
Another good choice similar to the Aprilia Mana is the Triumph Street Triple, but it also has a lot of power for a beginner to handle, both engine and braking power.
August 16, 2010 at 5:17 pm #28100CBBaronParticipant+1
The Ninja 250 will do 60 without a problem and have power to pass. However you will need to drop a gear or 2 to pass quickly while the bigger bikes will have enough power in top gear.
The ER-6n is a nice vehicle. The fuel injection and higher power are nice features. However you said that the VFR was too heavy a tall for you. You may find the ER-6N only slightly better. The little Ninja will be much more confidence inspiring as it is considerably lower and lighter than the ER-6N. I’m sure you would be able to handle the ER but perhaps you need some experience on an easier bike first. If you feel you need the bigger punch later you can always upgrade.Craig
August 18, 2010 at 7:57 pm #28142joepla03Participantand absolutely love it. I am a new rider, 45 years old, 5′ 8″, 170lbs and it fits me fine. Prior to purchasing the ER6N, I researched and sat on the Kawi Ninja 250R, Suzuki Gladius, Triumph Street Triple and the Ducati Monster 696. I chose the ER6N, primarily on price (got it for $5300 OTD clearance price), online reviews (which rate it about even with the Gladius and Monster), and looks (the Monster has the edge in this area but was too expensive for me and IMHO the Gladius is hideous).
Regarding it’s suitability for the new rider, from my experience it has been fantastic. I am glad I listened to my gut, rather than my friends who kept selling the Ninja 250. After passing the MSF course in June, I immediately went out and purchased the bike. Since then, I have put 1500 miles on it in about 2 months of riding. I commute just about every day on it and this is in Northern Virginia into the heart of Washington, DC and have ridden it on the interstate, back roads, city streets, in rain storms and blistering summer days and it’s been a gem.
I can’t really compare it to a lot of bikes, because I haven’t ridden a lot of other bikes, other than short rides on my friend’s Monster 1100 and another buddy’s GSX-R 750. The big difference, other than seating position, is that the throttle response on those bikes are just too aggressive for me, while the ER6N’s power delivery is very even and modulated. Throttle control was/is the biggest learning curve for me and I’m glad I didn’t chose the other extreme i.e. supersport bike.
Handling is everything that the professional reviews state–very stable, predictable and confidence inspiring when leaned over in a turn. It has the torque and power when you need it. 0-60MPH in 4-5 seconds is true. I haven’t ridden it past 90MPH but it doesn’t struggle at all at that speed. No issues with the brakes so far, but I haven’t had any emergency stops either.
The few negatives are–significant windblast after 70MPH; hard seat after an hour or so of riding; tach/speedo is difficult to read.
Again, I’m glad I chose this bike rather than the smaller 250, since I know now that I would have been bored with the smaller Ninja in no time. The ER6N provides the happy medium between the smaller bikes and the big supersports. Bottom line-this is a great beginner bike and if you can get a deal on one, grab it!
August 18, 2010 at 8:29 pm #28145JackTradeParticipantThe only things keeping me from buying one are the color (flat black isn’t my cup of tea; the overseas burnt orange, that’s another story entirely) and the odd-ball gauges. Once Kawasaki fixes these, I’m all over the ER-6n.
August 19, 2010 at 12:17 am #28149JtownJJAParticipantWhat’s with these bike companies? I drive a yellow bike because I like’em bright and easily seen. Suzuki has released a few 2011 models, and the Vstrom 650 colors… White or Black ???? Wheres the yellow, orange, or at least red or blue? And as you said, Kawasaki only offers 1 color now on the Er-6n, if you want to call flat black a color.
August 19, 2010 at 1:04 am #28153TrialsRiderParticipantBlack is no color at all, and how are you suppose to shine up a flat black finish anyway. Flat black is the paint you put on something that you want to disappear from view, put on your flat black helmet and black leathers and you have a combination that is dangerous for night riding.
Note to the joe, invest in some reflective tape asap.
White is not so bad, I’ve had white bikes before, visibility is good and at least the sun won’t fade it. Yellow is great, just look how much your bike stands out on the avatar. Kawasaki Green, not my favorite but it is the most easily perceived color to the human eye.
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