Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

Due to the demise of the ZZR-250, i was contemplating buying something a bit bigger as i have to comute to the city (200km round trip) 3 times a week this year. I have only just got my P's so i am stuck for the next 12 months. Opinions of the ER-5

Boring as batshit. But does it's job well. So I take it you cannot get anything bigger then?

More power than the ZZR, rode well (it was pissing down raining the day I rode it though). The lack of fairing might start to become a problem with the extended freeway runs to the city too.

Compared the the spewzi GS-500 that it competes against it is a superior machine in every way; water cooled, better suspension, more modern engine, much better frame.

My final comment will be a quote from Almost Famous - if you haven't seen it you really should

Almost Famous wrote:quite frankly your looks are starting to become a bit of a problem

... I think the ER-5 is butt-ugly.

agreed... I think they are butt ugly too....

having owned a similar looking bike (gs-500) for a while, I can tell you..... its not the same..... its a commuting bike, it looks like a commuting bike....

Have you thought about a ZZR600. If you're not after something like a ZX6 then the ZZR would be a sensational step up. They really are a great bike and do everything well.

Oops, scratch that, just noticed you've only got your P's. ER5's probably not a bad choice. Very practical albeit a little bland but you could probably do a bit to it

I even thought about buying a EX400 / ZZR400, but i have only been able to find 1 to date. So without switching sides the ER-5 Is all i can find.

These are your only Kawasaki choices from the LAMS list so the ER5 might be the go unless you want a classic ie Z650
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/licensing/tests/motorcycleridertrainingscheme/motorcyclesnoviceriders.html

EN450
ER500A
ER500C
EX400
EX500A
KL600
KL650A
KL650B
KL650C
KLE500A
KLX300B
KLX400B
KLX650B
KLX650C
KZ400
KZ440
KZ500
KZ550
LTD440
Z600A
Z650B
ZR550B
Z500

Good luck.

They're few and far between - but a zephyr 550 could be a good option too if you can find one.
You could also make Dave#3 jealous and find a KLR650 - pretty sure they're a LAM.

I personally don't mind the ER5. Looks like a decent enough bike. Is the ER6 gonna be a LAM? could maybe wait for that.

Or just steal the missus' 250 until you're off your P's
ty

You don't know how many times i've looked at that list, just hoping something would change or jump out at me. The only other thing i've really looked at was a Hyosung GT650 which is LAMS approved (has restrictors in the carbie to limit revs, then can be taken out to give full range) But i've heard very mixed reports. Oh well Guess i'll just be a butt ugly commutor

ty wrote: Is the ER6 gonna be a LAM? could maybe wait for that.

I went to Newcastle Kawasaki last week. They said it probably won't be but if it does get LAMS approved then it would be a detuned version and would have to stay that way for its life.

ty wrote: Or just steal the missus' 250 until you're off your P's

She already thought of that , problem is (according to her) she gets a new bike...

By another 250 cheap one at that,till u get of P's

I dont know why everyone is so down on the ER5. Ugly, boring, bland - its all subjective. I owned one and i thought it was a great bike for what it was. For a learner or the inexperienced it provides more than enough power both in acceleration and for highway duties. Buy a screen if youre worried about windblast. Buy braided lines if you want better stoppers. Cheap fixes. Theyre reliable, inexpensive to buy, maintain, repair and insure. Id go so far as to say that Id buy another one if I wanted an around town commuter. Id even ride it to P.I for the GP no worries.

Get the Hyosung GT650 or get a Ducati 600 Lams approved or the Suzuki SV650 lams approved or get a Zx6 we wont tell

CLASSIC Z650 sounds like a good option if you can find one,set of smooth bore carbs ,good cams, Hi comp pistons ,should go ok and keep it and it will be worth lots more in time.Plus that classic z look

Nah, they're good...I still have mine

Does everything, commutes, tours, even is ok for twisty stuff - you just wont be winning any races...