Well it’s been a week and a big learning curve. The advice I received on getting a bigger bike was, on the whole, pretty spot-on. More power = more responsibility (and, uh, irresponsibility).
The bike is very different from the GN (duh). It turns more sharply and has more grip than my old GN. The engine is more responsive everywhere and it’s much more comfortable through traffic and on the motorway. The GN would sit at about 7500rpm at 100kph and the ER-5 sits at about 4000rpm. The big difference is, instead of being carried along by the traffic “current”, I now have the ability to manoeuvre around traffic and set my own pace. I’m super-careful with following distances but would appreciate some advice from other ER-5 riders as the back brake is pretty woeful. The front disc brake’s “ok” but seems a bit undersized for the bike’s weight. Unlike the GN, the ER-5 throws me forward onto the tank under braking so it seems more powerful. I’ve yet to experience the bike on a really windy Wellington day - the GN didn’t give me any trouble there.
I’ve done 250kms on it and the fuel consumption (especially given the extra performance and engine size) seems as good, maybe better, than the GN. I commute 50% through traffic and 50% motorway. I filled it up last night and with the gauge showing just above red and put 9.6 litres in for 206kms. That means I had 7.4 litres still in the tank? How reliable is the fuel gauge then? Do others owners experience similar? Can it be recalibrated properly? It has a small screen at the front which seems to make a big difference to wind resistance/fatigue. I can tuck underneath the wind for short periods but staying hunched up isn’t that comfortable. Naked sports bikes must be tiring on long journeys. Not to mention all the bug-splatter on your jacket.
The controls are better engineered and more comfortable, no extra features really over the GN except positive neutral. It took two rides to adjust to leaning forward onto the handlebars. My legs are tucked tighter but the position is cosy. When revving the engine hard, I’ve had to re-learn how to change up and the engine has more inertia than the GN. I have to make sure my hand frees the accelerator completely or I completely fudge the change. Little steps there, I think. I do miss the gear indicator on the GN as I’ve had to learn to keep better track of what gear I’m in – but it’s not really a problem at all. Maybe I’m just being dumb, but there’s no off switch for the headlight. I suppose that’s safer but would like the option to turn it off.
Cleaning it took longer than the GN. It has more bodywork and lots of extra engine bits. The side stand has a greater lean than the GNs and feels a bit less sure. The Er-5 starts more freely than the GN and sounds a whole heap better too. Through Mt Vic tunnel it has an almost jet-like whine.
I miss the familiarity of the GN250 but the ER-5 is, so far, very comfortable and enjoyable. The seat is much better than the GNs and I can hug the tank for more stability under braking and cornering. My ER-5 is basically all black and looks mean to me. Was it worth the upgrade? Yes. However, I’m glad I started on the GN as it’s an enjoyable, forgiving bike to learn on. The big surprise is how different an extra 30hp and 30(?) kg weight makes. I know the ER-5’s another learner bike but it genuinely represents a big step up. I’d eventually like to move to a Street Triple but I think another interim bike would be advisable. I’d also like to try a big cruiser.
I think that’s everything? Might make another post in a month if anyone’s interested.
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by gnjackal
Bookmarks