Kawasaki ER-6n

Muscular street fighter looks with an easy going personality

Riders seeking the performance and practicality of Kawasaki’s popular Ninja® 650R sportbike, but desiring something with a tougher, more muscular image need look no farther than the new 2009 Kawasaki ER-6n. Sharing mechanicals with the Ninja 650R, but with street-smart styling that reveals its trellis frame and compact parallel-twin engine, the ER-6n offers a unique blend of stunning good looks combined with nimble handling and a comfortable riding position. The ER-6n has all the performance of its Ninja sibling, in a new and distinctive guise.

The key to the ER-6n’s slender size is its compact liquid-cooled, fuel-injected, DOHC, 8-valve 649cc parallel twin engine, which permits the use of a narrow, lightweight frame. Its fuel injection settings grant the engine plenty of bottom-end torque and smooth low-mid rpm response. Its coolant is routed to the cylinder and head through the engine cases, reducing the number of hoses and simplifying the cooling system.

The size-efficient engine delivers good fuel economy and also meets stringent Euro-III emission regulations thanks to its precise fuel-injection and a new three-way catalyzer system equipped with a small and light 300-cell catalyzer.

The non-intimidating twin-cylinder appeals to riders with its excellent mid-range and plenty of character to thrill more advanced riders. This manageable powerplant offers superb roll-on response and enables the ER-6n to fluently slice through commuter traffic or carve canyons like a skilled surgeon.  

The new ER-6n shares its signature trellis frame, offset laydown rear shock, swingarm, suspension and its chassis with the new Ninja 650R. The chassis rigidity balance and suspension settings, and the rubber upper-rear engine and handlebar mounts offer vibration dampening and lighter handling qualities. The rider and passenger footpegs are also rubber coated for a further reduction in the amount of vibration transferred to the rider. A slim and low seat further enhances the ER-6n’s natural riding position and makes reaching the ground painless.

Part of the ER-6n’s distinctive character is its sharp, muscular bodywork that gives it an aggressive, dynamic persona. The ER-6n’s bodywork accentuates the frame, rather than hiding it. The angular lines and simple design flows through the frame, rear suspension and swingarm creating an integrated line running from the steering head to the rear hub. Its tall fuel tank, raked-back radiator shrouds and sharp tail cowl further enhance the bike’s front-to-back compactness. The attention to detail is evident in the ER-6n’s high-quality paint finish.

The instrument cluster is uniquely stacked with a sharp design and easy layout from the analog speedometer to the multi-function LCD screen. The instrumentation features include a new fuel gauge, bar-style digital tachometer, clock, odometer and dual trip meters. Besides the rubber coating on the footpegs, the passenger also benefits from the easy to reach aluminum grab rails — nothing like a relaxed passenger to allow the rider to fully enjoy the ER-6n’s friendly ergonomics and a versatile cockpit.

Quite simply, this is a motorcycle that both novice and experienced riders can be at home on and equally comfortable employing its assets to the fullest, whether it be navigating urban environs or enjoying a weekend canyon run. In other words, this real world overachiever begs to demonstrate its versatility and everyday usefulness.

Quick-Revving, 649cc Parallel-Twin Engine
- Liquid-cooled, DOHC, 8-valve fuel injected twin cylinder delivers smooth, responsive performance, especially in the low to medium rpm range
- Excellent mid-range power, exceptional roll-on response and impressive passing performance make even commuter traffic enjoyable
- Silky smooth engine vibes via a 180° crankshaft driven balancer shaft, which in turn drives the water pump
- Oil jets on the connecting rod big ends spray oil on the undersides of the pistons to aid cooling
- Lightweight plug-mounted ignition coils deliver a hot spark and save space
- Wide radiator offers plenty of cooling efficiency
- New coolant routing travels directly to the engine cases, then on to the cylinder and head through internal passages, which reduces external plumbing and keep the cooling system simple
- Fine-tuned shift lever position is easy to use

Digital Fuel Injection
- Fuel injection settings permit a healthy bottom-end torque while letting the engine rev fast
- Sub-throttle valve equipped 38mm Keihin throttle bodies offer optimum performance and rideability
- Located behind the main throttle valves, the sub-throttles are controlled by the DFI® system ECU for a precise throttle response, similar to a constant-velocity carburetor
- Auto-fast idle system simplifies starting and helps ensure the catalyzer reaches optimum temperature quickly
- The lightweight fuel pump is mounted inside the fuel tank.

 Compact Engine Design
- Powerful twin-cylinder engine is the most compact in its category, which helps reduce the dimension of the entire motorcycle and allows use of a slim, minimalist frame
- Triangular setup of the crankshaft and transmission shafts makes the engine short front-to-back
- Transmission input shaft, output shaft and change drum are contained in a “cassette”-style package that allows a compact layout and eases transmission maintenance chores
- Semi-dry sump design reduces engine height
- Plated, linerless aluminum cylinders with a narrow cylinder pitch keep the engine light and slim

Cleaner Emissions
- Efficient fuel injection and a three-way catalyzer inside the exhaust produce very low emissions, able to pass the stringent Euro-III emission regulations
- Utilizes a compact and light 300-cell catalyzer unit
- Under-engine muffler placement improves mass centralization and the bike’s low center of gravity
- The exhaust pipe bend and under-engine muffler arrangement contribute to the ER-6n’s attractive styling

Good Vibrations
- Rubber upper-rear engine mounts decrease the vibration transferred to the rider through the seat
- Handlebar is rubber-mounted to lessen vibration transmitted through the handle grips
- Rider and passenger footpegs are rubber coated to further reduce vibration

 
Lighter Handling Trellis Frame
- Frame has all the key ER-6n elements — slim, low, lightweight and compact design that is narrow at the knees and footpegs for rider comfort and control
- The strong, high-tensile steel trellis frame not only looks lightweight, but it is – rivaling that of aluminum frames
- Featuring balanced rigidity, achieved through extensive 3D analysis translates directly into superb handling
- The frame, rear suspension and swingarm designs flow together with an integrated line running from the steering head to the rear hub
- Short front-to-back dimensions of the engine allow for a long swingarm and a short wheelbase combination that contributes to the light and nimble handling

Rigid Swingarm
- Swingarm stiffness to balance the frame rigidity – due primarily to the rubber engine mounts
- The D-shaped cross-section swingarm, stabilizer, chain adjuster design and elegant one-piece rider/passenger footpeg stays complement to the ER-6n’s high-quality appearance

Suspension
- Front and rear suspension settings to match the frame and swingarm rigidity values for lighter, rider-friendly handling
- Shape of the 41mm fork lower ends around the axle shaft adds to the bike’s performance and high quality image

Confidence Inspiring Ergonomics
- An ideal handlebar, seat and footpeg relationship results in a comfortable and natural riding position suiting a wide range of riders
- Frame narrows just aft of the fuel tank enabling a slimmer seat, making the reach to the ground even easier
- The offset single-shock rear suspension layout with the battery located beside the shock instead of beneath it allows a lower seat height as well
- Low seat height and slim overall design make it easy to plant both feet firmly on the ground when stopped
- Aluminum passenger grips are positioned and shaped for easy grabbing by the passenger

Sharp Masculine Styling
- Angular, stacked dual headlight and its shroud contribute to the ER-6n’s masculine image and features two position lights
- Headlights can be adjusted behind the headlight cover
- Reinforcing the ER-6n’s masculine styling, the sharp, edgy radiator shrouds feature integrated front turn signals with clear lenses and orange bulbs and forward-leaning lines
- A flush-surface fuel cap and its sharp-edged motif give the tank a distinctive look
- The new ER-6n’s compact front-to-rear appearance is enhanced by the short front cowl, short rear cowl with its LED tail light and shrouds that start behind the front fork
- Finishing out the bike’s aggressive image is a sharp tail cowl design featuring a slimmer rear mud flap and turn signals that can also function as hazard lights
- A long front fender keeps the mud splashing to a minimum and its two-tone design matches the ER-6n’s light, compact theme
- An inner rear fender helps keep the underside of the tail cowl clean
- Storage options include four tie-down hooks for baggage or a spare helmet to be secured to the seat and a storage space under the seat with room for a U-lock or similar device

Mirrors
- Mirror design is a similar supersport-style and offer an unparalleled rear view
 
Brakes
- Dual 300mm front petal disc brakes with twin 27mm piston front brake calipers and a single 220mm rear petal disc deliver plenty of braking power
- Housed in a curved brake master cylinder reservoir , the front brake lever utilizes an optimized ball-joint and pivot location to deliver smooth actuation of its 14mm master cylinder piston

Wheels
- Attractive six-spoke supersport-style wheels augment the bike’s light look while reducing unsprung weight

Instruments/Controls
- Stacked instrument cluster has a sharp design and clean layout with an analog speedometer that uses white LED backlights for excellent visibility at night
- The multi-function LCD screen has amber backlighting and its features include a fuel gauge, bar-style digital tachometer, clock, odometer and dual trip meters
- Inner cover inside the front cowl provides a clean appearance in this area
- Handlebar mount design and curved shapes on the brake master cylinder reservoir and clutch lever contribute further to the ER-6n’s masculine appearance

So is the 2009 version better than its predecessor? The guys at Motociclismo recently got to ride the bike, and here are some excerpts from what they have to say about the ER-6n:

In the ER-6n, Kawasaki have a bike that responds to the needs of the urban biker, and it’s one machine that’s actually attracted many new/first-time buyers to the Kawasaki brand. It's utilitarian, modern and inexpensive, and it’s been further improved for 2009.

With the 2009 ER-6n, the aim was to improve the aesthetics, improve the finer details and make the bike even more stable and easier to ride. The overall styling has been retained, but the seat and bodywork have been chiseled, making the bike more compact and muscular.

While the new ER-6n looks more attractive, it actually feels a lot like the older model to ride, and that’s a good thing. Various things have been improved – the asymmetrical placement of the mirrors (for improved visibility), the lower seat and the different handlebars, which now seem closer to you, the additional hooks for securing soft luggage and other knick-knacks. However, the instrument panel, which looks cool, isn’t very readable…

Kawasaki ER-6n, the bike to have if you want to ride, not pose...

Coming to the more important developments, the 2009 ER-6n’s front suspension has been firmed up quite a bit, which feels right. The new bike feels more agile than its predecessor and the fuel injection system seems to have been improved, so engine response below 4,000rpm is quicker and more consistent.

The ER-6n’s 649cc, 8-valve, DOHC, liquid-cooled parallel twin isn’t as smooth as an inline-four. And despite all the rubber-lined handlebar grips, seat and footpegs, some vibration still filters through to the rider, especially above 7,000rpm. But it isn’t nearly enough to make it annoying.

With just 72bhp, the bike is easy to manage, fun to ride and practical for everyday use – both experts and beginners are likely to enjoy the ER-6n. At 200 kilos (204kg for the ABS version), the bike isn’t very light, but given its ergonomics, it feels very manageable and handles well. The brakes are adequately powerful and the ABS is non-intrusive.

So there you are – here’s a Kawasaki that’s just right for most types of riding and is capable enough to be fun for experienced enthusiasts as well as those whose riding capabilities are relatively modest. And at around 6,000 euros (about US$7,680), the price is just right. If you’re into riding – and not posing – the 2009 Kawasaki ER-6n could be the right bike for you.