ER-6f - first impressions

**Bob** · 8th April 2006, 22:02

Just put an initial tyre-scrubbing 50 miles on the clock and now breaking for breakfast before putting a few more miles on.

But the initial feeling? Imagine if a (original) Fazer and an SV650S had a b*st*rd child...

... you'd be looking at the ER-6f.

Initial thoughts? Handling is far more Fazer-like. The bars and more upright seating position seem to give it that Fazer-ish "think and you're turning there" feel. Engine - though I'm in that asthmatic running-in period - feels like a more revvy SV. It clearly wants to work higher up than I'm taking it at the moment, but you can tell once I can open up, it'll want to do a lot of the work over 6K (redlines at 11).

At the moment, still getting used to the box, which is a bit clunky and it feels like a long reach to the upper gears. And sitting very upright, it feels odd in a straight line. Brakes are good though - much better than the SVs, but not as good as the Fazers (though I'd say not that far behind).

Impracticalities? There is space under the saddle for a disc lock, but you have to undo it to squeeze it in! If I lose the toolkit there will be room for a bit more, but not much. And there are only TWO underseat hooks. So to fit the cargo net means a fight to get it down to the slots by the pillion pegs. And the mirrors (especially the right hand one) aren't that great - overtaking is going to have to see religeous use of the life-saver.

But in terms of riding it, it is fun. No idea what it'll be like when you really crack on (as holding revs down), but I've taken it up to 70 and at that speed it is light and poised - though you get a bit more wind thrown at you than the fairing would lead you to expect.

But so far, so good. Obviously getting used to being more upright and reverting to bars from clip-ons is a bit of a leap, but the transition isn't going to be a chore.

There will be a full review done, once running in out of the way and I can give it a proper workout (which will go on the Motobke.co.uk site - I'll put a link to it in the "Bike and Product Reviews" section... which hopefully will be allowed to stay in there)

**Pixie** · 9th April 2006, 11:28

I like the ER 6.There was someone racing one at Paeroa.
And it doesn't have one of those stupid bent engines.

**Bob** · 9th April 2006, 22:08

The french (I refuse to give them a capital letter!) have an entire race series based around the ER-6n.

Sorry this link is all in french, but it is their series!