Is Kawasaki ER5 good beginners bike?

[Bootleg Betty]

Or are there any good alternatives?

I'm not looking for chopper or something, and I'm not looking to kill myself while going 300 kph. Though I might need enduro for European roads

I don't have a license yet and I have no idea how to fix stuff, but after linear algebra and c++ I think I can handle it.

 

[Fenixgoon]

the ER500 is the same as the U.S. GS500, right? if so, yeah that's a fine starter bike.

 

[PlasmaBomb]

the ER500 is the same as the U.S. GS500, right? if so, yeah that's a fine starter bike.

GS500 is a Suzuki parallel twin, the ER500 would be Kawasaki's version of it...

 

[SithSolo1]

The Kawasaki is also liquid cooled with 8 valves per cylinder while the GS500 is air cooled with 4 per cylinder. Servicing the ER 5 may be harder to do yourself or cost more at a shop because of this.

Edit

Above bold area shows my lack of reading comprehension and mechanical acumen.

The correct info is 8 valves TOTAL vs 4 TOTAL as seen here http://www.motorbikes.be/en/compare/205/143/

 

[PlasmaBomb]

The Kawasaki is also liquid cooled with 8 valves per cylinder while the GS500 is air cooled with 4 per cylinder. Servicing the ER 5 may be harder to do yourself or cost more at a shop because of this.

Might want to check the number of valves per cylinder

 

[superccs]

8 valves per...

 

[Greenman]

The Kawasaki is also liquid cooled with 8 valves per cylinder while the GS500 is air cooled with 4 per cylinder. Servicing the ER 5 may be harder to do yourself or cost more at a shop because of this.

That's a butt load of valves in one cylinder. Maybe it runs two pistons per cylinder as well?

 

[MiataNC]

The Kawasaki ER-5 is based on the 1980s GPZ500. The bike that came just before the "Ninja". The motor is a water cooled inline-4 and bullet proof. If properly maintained it will last forever. They are easy to work on, and cheap to keep running.

The ER-5 is a good choice for a "first bike". If you like the cafe racer look, it is the perfect bike to customize.

 

[SithSolo1]

Might want to check the number of valves per cylinder

Haha, I knew it didn't sound right but I read it wrong and then post what I thought I had read as fact. I fail at the internets.

 

[PlasmaBomb]

Haha, I knew it didn't sound right but I it wrong and then post what I thought I had read as fact. I fail at the internets.

No worries

The Kawasaki ER-5 is based on the 1980s GPZ500. The bike that came just before the "Ninja". The motor is a water cooled inline-4 and bullet proof. If properly maintained it will last forever. They are easy to work on, and cheap to keep running.

The ER-5 is a good choice for a "first bike". If you like the cafe racer look, it is the perfect bike to customize.

Isn't the ER-5 a parallel twin? (ER-5?)

Unless the US version is different?

 

[rstrohkirch]

No, you're correct. It's a parallel twin that makes just under 50hp stock at the wheel.

 

[Fenixgoon]

GS500 is a Suzuki parallel twin, the ER500 would be Kawasaki's version of it...

aw my bad. got my manufacturer's mixed up

 

[Bootleg Betty]

So ER-5 is a little bit stronger (I wonder if it's noticeable) but GS500 is easier to maintain and repair?

Okay, thanks.

 

[twinrider1]

Parallel twin, the engine is basically half of a KZ900 from the 70's. And Kawasaki used that parallel twin engine for a bunch of bikes. The engine is great for a first bike. Has some nice vibration and is pretty tame up to 7000rpm. Then it smooths out and finds it's power. So it's great to learn on and you won't outgrow it in one or two seasons.
My experience is with the U.S. EX500 and it has a different frame, with one rear shock instead of two. More of an economy sport bike where the ER5 looks more like a standard UJM. Still, I bet the ER-5 would make a great first bike.

 

[MiataNC]

Isn't the ER-5 a parallel twin? (ER-5?)

My bad. I was confusing it with the Kawasaki Zephyr 550.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

Isn't that a dual sport?

Engine/power is fine, I'd be a bit concerned about height and the fact that it's new.


IMO your first bike should always be used..

 

[Bootleg Betty]

IMO your first bike should always be used..

Sure. It's not like I have money for a new one :wub: I don't think they even make these anymore so it's not like you can get one new.

Height? What about height?

Also my friend said that air cooled bikes are actually harder to repair (or they require general repair in workshop that can't be done at home). Is that true? I'm asking because he's kind of full of ... stuff sometimes.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

That's generally not true, particularly from any of the Japanese companies.

BTW I was completely wrong about the er-5 seat height.. It's very low, and looks overall like a great beginner bike

And GS500 is a fantastic beginner bike as well, with similar styling :thumbsup: