Kawasaki ER500

[StewartKnight]

I seem to be turning the General Chat forum into a biker wave!!

OK.....

Getting my new (well......used!) ER500-C1 on Wednesday (2001 model)

Anyone ridden one before? What are they like?

[StewartKnight]

and on a similar note.....

can anyone recommend a good blue tooth headset, preferably CHEAP!

[Domino]

I rode a er-500 for years.

Great little bike - small and light, great for chucking through bends.

Easy to get parts (both stock and upgrades) and cheap on the insurance.

Look after it (chain adjustments, regular servicing) and it won't have an issue


Have fun!

[CyberNerd]

I have one, they are great all rounders.
Unfortunately they suffer from typical kawasaki poor quality build.
I'm not a huge fan, I'm more into honda VFR's. but I have an ER5 to commute with (50mile per day round trip all weather)

IMO good points:
cheap to buy, cheap to run, cheap to insure.

bad points:
slow, poor brakes (single disk, rear drum), doesn't handle too well, slow.

[ChrisH]

I liked mine for a year but it really did suffer with riding it all through the year. The build quality on my ZR-7 is far better but I think thats a one off ! For your first bike though it is excellent.

[mattx]

You want an honest opinion ?

BORING BORING BORING.

I like a bit of fun whilst riding so my FMX suits me to the ground - yes it's expensive to run, but it's boy its a good lark.

The ERs remind me of the bikes you use when doing your training etc for the part 2 - In fact I am sure I passed my test on an ER....

I seem to be turning the General Chat forum into a biker wave!!

OK.....

Getting my new (well......used!) ER500-C1 on Wednesday (2001 model)

Anyone ridden one before? What are they like?

[ChrisH]

You want an honest opinion ?

BORING BORING BORING.

I like a bit of fun whilst riding so my FMX suits me to the ground - yes it's expensive to run, but it's boy its a good lark.

The ERs remind me of the bikes you use when doing your training etc for the part 2 - In fact I am sure I passed my test on an ER....

He is on a restricted license though so he isn't going to do much better.

[mattx]

He is on a restricted license though so he isn't going to do much better.

'nuff said then !!

[StewartKnight]

***BUMP***

ok....

How much choke do you ER5 owners use to start it from cold?

Before I flatten the blummin battery!!!

[CyberNerd]

leave it for 5min as you might have flooded it. Full choke, no throttle, when it fires blip the throttle a tiny bit and leave the choke on.
I found that if the battery is weak it will not start, but will turn over.