Kawasaki ER5

...I noticed a scruffy little Kawasaki stuffed into the part-ex corner looking pretty sorry for itself. I casually asked the salesman how much they were asking for it. I was pleasantly surprised when told it was advertised at £895. Upon further examination, the bike did look to be a bit of a state. The chain and sprockets were well knackered, one indicator wasn't working, the handlebar grips were torn and loose, one fork seal was leaking and the bodywork ...
...over. Pointing all this out to the salesman, I offered £750 for it, and after he had a brief chat with his manager, I was handed the key to my new bike under the strict understanding that I would not be riding the bike away as it had no MOT or tax! 1-0 to me! As I got kitted up and prepared to ride off, I gave the salesman a cheery wave, which he duly ignored. First impressions as I rode the bike home were not so good. The bike was so different ...

DarkDave 31.08.2005 · Read full review
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Review of Kawasaki ER5

My friend runs a motorcycle school and we often road test bikes. At present the ER makes up 70% of the school bikes. My experience of the ER is somewhat mixed. As a first bike it can be a really good bike. It depends on your weight. If you are small or under 11 stone, the bike tends to handle erratically. It dives over into corners and is quite easy to drop (Exhausts always hitting the deck). This is good for a new rider because it means less work, ...
...you gently draw it down and it shoots to the floor. It also seems to have problems with traction. If you hit a corner with and adverse camber, you have to force the rear down to ensure bite. These problems do seem to be weight-related. If you are heavier(or got a pillion) the ER handles like a dream. Acceleration is pretty good and it keeps on giving at the top of the gearbox (I have had more than the spec top speed out of it). The lower gears ...

FruitBatInShades 26.10.2001 · Read full review
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Review of Kawasaki ER5

I bought my Er-5 in March 2008. So far it has been a great bike! I bought it second hand with just 11,500 miles on the clock at a very reasonable cost of £1300.00. To date this bike has been a real money saver it is very economical about 65 miles per gallon with tax and insurance prices being incredibly low! It is perfect for everyday commuting and not bad on motorways and long journeys. All the power is midrange and shortlived. Don't expect much ...
...gear ALOT! Take off from a standstill start is ok and will beat average family cars off the mark. Handling is surprisingly agile with no dramas. Confidence in riding this bike grows quickly! The engine & exhaust has a nice thumping note that sounds better than the actual performance! Basic servicing is really easy on the ER-5 with most servicing parts available in Halfords although getting to the spark plugs and removing the fuel tank is a pig. These ...

Heights 07.08.2008 (08.08.2008) · Read full review
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Review of Kawasaki ER5

Motorcycle: Kawasaki ER5 (2001 model) For: Good commuter bike and fun to ride Against: Gets a bit windy at speed Value: No doubt that you are getting quite a bit of bike for the money! Costs: Parts are pretty cheap and servicing can easily be done at home in the garage. Fuel consumption is very frugal even when the bike is pushed hard and insurance is next to nothing, even for riders under 25. Reliability: Bomb proof Driving: The bike is fun ...
...sports. It turns in quick enough if you counter steer but would benefit from a stickier set of tyres than the standard tourers supplied if you want to push the bike harder. Lighter riders may have some trouble as this bike weighs in at 170kg so may drop into corners a little quick unless you are over 12 stone! Performance: Pretty good. It will leave most cars standing at the lights but it is not so fast that it will scare the living daylights out ...

RogerBVH 24.07.2003 · Read full review
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Review of Kawasaki ER5

My little ER5 has been my saving grace. I passed my motorbike test on this great little bike, despite falling off it 10 minutes before my test (hit a curb on my practice -u-turn). After passing my test i went to purchase my first motorcycle, i was dead excited and explained what i wanted to my local yamaha dealer, and they showed my the fazer 600. I sat on the bike and being 5"3 could just reach the floor. I asked if not having flat feet on the floor ...
...be fine and i stupidly bought the bike. After falling off three times in 6 months i had, had enough and wanted to change the bike and i was advised to get an ER5 because i knew the bike and was comfortable on it. I lost around £1500 pounds on the fazer and am still begrudgingly paying it back now. I picked up my ER5, a little black number, and was immediatley more comfortable. With the low seat option making the bike seat height 50mm lower it is ...

mogsie83 23.08.2007 · Read full review
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Review of Kawasaki ER5

I bought a second hand er-5 A3 with 9500 miles on the clock. This bike is like a Ronseal advert, does exactly what it says on the tin. Its a simple machine thats perfect for the daily commute or the simple fun of a ride. The engine is out of the ark but it starts every time and if you look after it will go on forever. The gearbox is a bit clonky and expect a good clunk between 1st and 2nd, otherwise its ok but make sure you move down the box as you ...
...to smooth things out. If you stop while still in say 5th then you could find yourself embarrassed trying to work down the gears. Handling is adequate allthough you will need to use the rear brake a bit, the front braking is a bit naff and needs a good handful. You will be hard pushed to lock up the front wheel and I changed my brakes for EBC with a braided hose...helped a bit. I have never needed choke to start it but use a bit once running to hold ...

raisebeck 19.05.2007 (04.10.2009) · Read full review
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Review of Kawasaki ER5

Moved up from 125 class to the ER 5 and what a surprise....... made me realise how dangerous 125's are. With this bike it does what you ask of it! Ok it aint in the super sports league but........lets face it you are still looking at Ferrari type acceleration all the way to 100 mph. It will go faster but the wind prevented me!!!!! 45mpg cheap insurance cant ask for more. 0-60 in 4.5 secs is that slow? No it isnt. Does me, I dont need a p*n*s extension, ...
...a fairing as 80 mph is your realistic sustainable speed, £50 from Skidmarx, but it gets there fast enough for me, you really dont need any more performance, also if you are 6ft or over, forget it, its too small. Im 5ft 9in and I wouldnt want it any smaller. Great sound from the throbbing power plant very satisfying. Update - Well afew more days have gone by and im afraid to have to report some bad news. After a visit to the local jet wash, and yes ...

Shaun.er5 07.07.2004 (02.08.2004) · Read full review
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Review of Kawasaki ER5

I bought a new ER5 in 2005 It has served me well with no major headaches. It costs next to nothing to insure and runs on fresh air. My wife and I go out on it all the time, we bought a gel seat because she complained of a sore bum, apart from that its stock. It looks good and is simple to maintain but must be kept clean and tidy otherwise problems with rust on the forks start showing. I have ridden bigger bikes in my 34 years of riding but enjoy my ER5 very much. I recommend them for new riders as a step into a bigger bike without being to powerful and fast. ...

jfreear 25.06.2008
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Review of Kawasaki ER5

I've owned my ER-5 for exactly 1 year now from new. I had been riding a 125 for years. I'm no loony just to and from work so this bike is ideal. It gets me away from the lights in front of all the cars, stops without too much fuss (even with a fat sod like me on it), but I will agree that it does drop in the slow corners normally if I'm not relaxed. The foot pegs are a bit high for me and I've got short legs but that may be just my preference, try ...
...me is the paint finish. Within a few months the paint on the engine casing has started to bubble and lift, even with regular washing, the footrest hangers also suffer where your boots rub but the worst I feel is the tank. Mine is a lovely black/purple colour and even though I put a tank protector on there were still nasty scratches down the side where I get off. I recently replaced the tank after the bike fell agaist a tree which actually crushed ...

peter2704 28.09.2003 · Read full review
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Review of Kawasaki ER5

The Kawasaki ER5 is as always stated an ideal first bike. I have owned a 1997 model for about 18 months, since passing my test and have covered many miles since its purchase. Is it any good? Well yes the ER5 is a totally competant machine, it does everything a novice rider could ask of it. It is reasonably quick, handles well, giving a feeling of confidence which the inexperienced need, and most of all the bike stops well. With a top speed of about ...
...motorway speeds is reasonably comfortable. Acceleration is okay, it allows quick overtaking, and probably compares well in this respect to some vastly more expensive and exotic cars. The down sides. It is unfaired which can be very annoying when at high speed, the first two gears don't seem to have much in them and the position of the foot pegs means that feet drag on the floor whilst cornering. It might not seem like much but it annoys me. Another ...

Noel 08.08.2000 · Read full review
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Review of Kawasaki ER5

The Kawasaki ER5 is as the title states an excellent first bike. The handling is smooth and user friendly and the fuel consumption, (when riden in a sensible fashion)can exceed 65mpg which is not too shabby for a 500cc machine. I bought my bike new two years ago and have not had any mechanical failings or starting problems, in fact the only expense has been for general wear and tear, tyres brakes etc. I travel to work on a daily basis on the ER5 ...
...can probably work out that sort of mileage soon mounts up and I have clocked up 27000 miles in two short years. The bike copes easily with winding country lanes and motorways with ease, and because of its nimble handling central London traffic is not a problem either. Cheap to buy in comparison with other 500cc machines, cheap to tax (as it is actually 498cc) and reasonably cheap to insure I can recommend this bike for anyone who has recently passed ...

Alterego 02.08.2000 · Read full review
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Review of Kawasaki ER5

This is a perfect bike if you've just passed your test. I had a 550 Virago before this and is truely a breath of fresh air. Performnace is very good for the size of the bike, sits at 80 or 90 easily on the motorway, even two up or with luggage on the back. I took my bike round europe for 4 weeks and did 5000 miles and didn't have one fault. its fule economy is excellent. About £11-£14 to fill up depending on petrol prices and touring at 80mph easily ...

gordo316 29.10.2009 · Read full review
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Review of Kawasaki ER5

I bought one new in 2001 for 1995, and still have it. I am a part time biker though! It is good fun and will be comfortable for around 300 miles before seat goes hard. It is capable of fast gettaway at lights but most saloon cars will out run it on the open road- so what. I had it ip to 110mph(not saying whichcountry) but is was 'cling ing on' best at around 80 mph. Does 140 before needing to fill up, do not go onto reserve.cnahe oil and filter ...
...rust in winter. No as good finish as Honda, but better than Suzuki cheap insurance, brakes adequate but rear drum lacks bite but probably does not get seixed like a disc. oil chain every week. engine been around fr years in different bikes, but so what. Get a trick 600 for £6K if youwnat to go so fast This suit mea and probably oldish folk like me., ...

oldhenry 20.01.2007 · Read full review
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Review of Kawasaki ER5

...Oh yes they do the kawasaki er500 weather this bike has been standing for a year in total solitude press the button and she will go excellent .Fuel consumtion ? well fat wallet does not come into it .I have had lots and lots of motorcycles and indeed own fifteen now (greedy man)..and one is a er500 p reg red . This bike is a twin cylinder machine which gives it plenty of grunt such as ridding up say Mount Everrest in 5th gear well something like ...

richard420337 20.01.2004 · Read full review
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Review of Kawasaki ER5

I recently purchased a Kawasaki ER-500 A3 (1998). This is a very good 'beginners' bike and holds the road very well. The ride is good. Not as much ooomph as I expected, but fun! I feeel safe on this bike, and that is some going for a two wheeled vehicle!. I don't think the model I drive is necessarily the 'top of the range', and I would be interested in comparing to the one I have. As for reliabilty, the only thing I have had is a broken throttle ...

jon805 12.07.2007 · Read full review
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Review of Kawasaki ER5