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My new ride : Kawasaki ER-6f (Ninja 650r) Metallic Diablo Black

I've been less motivated for work lately because I kinda got bitten by the motorcycle virus.

A couple of months ago I did my training and started with a Honda CBF250. I kept saying that it would be sufficient for at least a year and shushed people's remarks away that claimed it would not keep me happy for a long time. Well ... I admit it, I was wrong. I did learn how to ride with a very forgiving bike though, however I quickly felt that it was not powerful enough on highways. So I set out to replace it and finally found the bike I fell totally in love with, my new Kawasaki ER-6f Metallic Diablo Black (Ninja 650r in the US).

If you've wondered why it was a bit quiet on the open-source front (RIFE and such), you now know why

Here are the pics, taken right after today's delivery:

Kawasaki ER-6f (Ninja 650r) Metallic Diablo Black picture 1
Kawasaki ER-6f Metallic Diablo Black picture 1

Kawasaki ER-6f Metallic Diablo Black picture 1

Kawasaki ER-6f (Ninja 650r) Metallic Diablo Black picture 2
Kawasaki ER-6f Metallic Diablo Black picture 2

Kawasaki ER-6f Metallic Diablo Black picture 2

Kawasaki ER-6f (Ninja 650r) Metallic Diablo Black picture 3
Kawasaki ER-6f Metallic Diablo Black picture 3

Kawasaki ER-6f Metallic Diablo Black picture 3

Kawasaki ER-6f (Ninja 650r) Metallic Diablo Black picture 4
Kawasaki ER-6f Metallic Diablo Black picture 4

Kawasaki ER-6f Metallic Diablo Black picture 4

Kawasaki ER-6f (Ninja 650r) Metallic Diablo Black picture 5
Kawasaki ER-6f Metallic Diablo Black picture 5

Kawasaki ER-6f Metallic Diablo Black picture 5

Kawasaki ER-6f (Ninja 650r) Metallic Diablo Black picture 6
Kawasaki ER-6f Metallic Diablo Black picture 6

Kawasaki ER-6f Metallic Diablo Black picture 6

posted by Geert Bevin in Motorbikes on Feb 6, 2007 9:50 PM : 22 comments [permalink]

Comments

Re: My new ride : Kawasaki ER-6f (Ninja 650r) Metallic Diablo Black

Hi Geert,

don`t now that you are driving motorbikes

Nice one, but i prefer my old lady (Africa Twin 750) with some
offroad features.

Have fun with it. And i will lookout for you on the road.

cu odo

posted by Odo on Feb 7, 2007 9:15 AM

Re: My new ride : Kawasaki ER-6f (Ninja 650r) Metallic Diablo Black

Hi Geert,

nice bike ! Good to see you have some crashprotectors added because you know there are only two types of drivers : those that have dropped the bike and those that will.

(have learned it the hard way myself).
See you on the road (when the snow is gone, in my case).

Henk

posted by Henk on Feb 7, 2007 11:08 AM

Re: My new ride : Kawasaki ER-6f (Ninja 650r) Metallic Diablo Black

this is the bike i want to buy, it totaly roxes

enjoy it and may it take good care of you

Dan

posted by MarlboroRed on Mar 9, 2007 11:39 PM

Re: My new ride : Kawasaki ER-6f (Ninja 650r) Metallic Diablo Black

Hi Gert

Just purchased the same but UK version, after some 30+ years out of the saddle WHAT a revelation.
Im am sure they should bring in a grin factor like sun tan protection to describe the appeal.

Have good safe riding as the weather gets better.

JOHN alias ICANOPIT

posted by JOHN UK on Mar 28, 2007 1:24 PM

Re: My new ride : Kawasaki ER-6f (Ninja 650r) Metallic Diablo Black

i didnt know your windscreen is so different from the u.s. version

posted by Anonymous on Apr 25, 2007 9:54 PM

Re: My new ride : Kawasaki ER-6f (Ninja 650r) Metallic Diablo Black

Actually, the windscreen got replaced. I have the taller one. It's a standard accessory.

posted by Geert Bevin on Apr 26, 2007 12:39 AM

Re: My new ride : Kawasaki ER-6f (Ninja 650r) Metallic Diablo Black

hi geert
i have just looked(drooled) at a blue ER 6F in my local bike showroom.Is it as good to ride as it looks?
i am looking for a good fun bike to ride after test

safe riding

posted by colin...scotland on May 16, 2007 6:22 PM

Re: My new ride : Kawasaki ER-6f (Ninja 650r) Metallic Diablo Black

Hey Colin, this bike is a joy to ride ... the playfulness of the twin motor together with the 650cc and the excellent steerability are just awesome. Highly recommended!

posted by Geert Bevin on May 16, 2007 6:47 PM

Re: My new ride : Kawasaki ER-6f (Ninja 650r) Metallic Diablo Black

What brand of frame sliders did you purchase for your bike? Where did you purchase them? I really don't want to cut the fairing to install them. Yours appears to not impact any of the plastic.

posted by Dwight on May 19, 2007 3:58 PM

Re: My new ride : Kawasaki ER-6f (Ninja 650r) Metallic Diablo Black

These are the official Kawasaki ones and they work really well. I already dropped the bike twice and there was not a scratch on the fairing.

posted by Geert Bevin on May 19, 2007 4:21 PM

Re: My new ride : Kawasaki ER-6f (Ninja 650r) Metallic Diablo Black

Hi Geert!, I'm test riding an ER-6 tomorrow morning. I'm swapping my Yamaha R1, 2002 model. I'm fed up with leaning over all the time, aching wrists, back, etc. I'm getting a pre registered 2007 Model same colour as yours. I was pretty unsure wether to do the swap but after reading all the reviews (all of them good) i've decided if i enjoy the test ride i will do the swap! My mates don't think i will be able to put up with the loss of power but if i'm honest, riding is meant to be fun and i'm not having any fun anymore, looking forward to throwing a light, agile, fun bike around so i know i won't mind the loss of power. I'll let you know how i get on!!!

posted by Pete on Jul 23, 2007 10:01 PM

Re: My new ride : Kawasaki ER-6f (Ninja 650r) Metallic Diablo Black

Hey Pete, hope you like the bike. I haven't driven with a more powerful bike yet, but I certainly don't feel restricted at all with the ER-6f. Actually, I'm totally loving it. It's so maneuverable and there's plenty of power, enough anyway to not feel restricted with our speed limitations in Belgium. The only reason why I'd consider trying out another bike would be for the looks. I quite like the look of driving a supersports bike, but I think I need to be more experienced with driving the motorcycle than I am now. Anyway, that would be an additional bike for fun, since I'm not sure that a supersports is practical enough in town and small roads. Anyway, good luck with the test drive.

posted by Geert Bevin on Jul 23, 2007 10:33 PM

Re: My new ride : Kawasaki ER-6f (Ninja 650r) Metallic Diablo Black

Everyone has had the same experience as me. I finally got round to getting a bike after a fair number of years in March 2007, I bought a 3 year old ER5 which was OK but worn and after 2500 miles I traded it in against a new silver ER6f in may. Since then I've done 3000 miles in all weathers. I bought the crash posts, the rack and a topbox first and since then have bought the higher seat, as my knee doesn't bend as much as it should and got uncomfortable after an hour or so, the first seat was a poor fit and badly finished so I rejected it but the second was good . I've also bought a fender extenda and a hugger from Pyramid both work really well and were easy to fit and after 100 + miles on the M6 motorway I've bought the extended screen which is made by MRA and is very good.
I use the bike everyday with longer rides out at weekend its also comfortable for pillion passengers (I'm told).

posted by Eric @ CSE on Sep 7, 2007 12:39 PM

Re: My new ride : Kawasaki ER-6f (Ninja 650r) Metallic Diablo Black

Hi Geert,
Sexy looking bike. I love the black frame. My is a black with red frame/gray bottom faring.
I want to get frame sliders and choosing between Kawasaki and R&G. When you dropped your bike, what parts got scratched? Were you moving when you dropped it and it went sliding, or you just slowly put it down in parking lot?
Thanks

posted by Nick on Sep 13, 2007 6:32 PM

Re: My new ride : Kawasaki ER-6f (Ninja 650r) Metallic Diablo Black

I've been lookng for a proper commuter for a long while and think I've found it, With all of the reviews I've read I have decided on the 6F and it looks a beauty. Just one question how does the bike handle heavy traffic?

posted by Eddie on Sep 22, 2007 3:38 PM

Re: My new ride : Kawasaki ER-6f (Ninja 650r) Metallic Diablo Black

What do you want to know about 'handling heavy traffic'? The bike is small enough to easily get in between cars and it's got more than enough power to quickly shoot forward when needed.

posted by Geert Bevin on Sep 22, 2007 5:22 PM

Re: My new ride : Kawasaki ER-6f (Ninja 650r) Metallic Diablo Black

Hi I would advise using the Kawasaki crash posts as there has been some reports of cracked engine mounts which Kawasaki say is due to other peoples posts but the manufactures say thats rubbish. Trouble is that the Kawasaki ones are £90+ but you don't have to cut the fairing I had them fitted from new and so if there are problems its got to be Kawasaki's fault. I dropped the bike at walking pace and it all looks OK.
No problems in heavy traffic I travel 9 miles each way in heavy traffic most days and only used the car 3 times since March. Its worth looking at the big suppliers who are offering large discounts.
Still makes my day - buying this was the best decision I've made in years!

posted by Eric @ CSE on Sep 25, 2007 9:17 PM

Re: My new ride : Kawasaki ER-6f (Ninja 650r) Metallic Diablo Black

Hi Geert
Great choice of bike. I bought a blue ER6-F in late June after riding a Honda Deauville for five years. I've put nearly 4000 miles (about 6000 km) on it and I have no regrets at all. The ER6-F is fantastic in every way - easy to ride, fast when needed, light and narrow for filtering through traffic, incredibly economical with petrol - I can get nearly 170 miles on a tankful without even trying - and best of all it has real character and personality. I just love it to bits. I'm not a new biker - I'm 55 years old with more biking years than I care to remember - but I've never had a bike that is just so much sheer pleasure. The only slight downside is that the taller windscreen directs rain and spray straight on to my helmet visor which can be a nuisance. I'm thinking of trying a Skidmarx screen to see if that help.

All the best and stay safe

posted by David from Scotland on Oct 6, 2007 6:44 PM

Re: My new ride : Kawasaki ER-6f (Ninja 650r) Metallic Diablo Black

Hi, just ordered a black er6f and picking it up next week! Cant wait!

One question, anyone know if hard panniers are available for it in the UK?

posted by John in Leeds on May 15, 2008 6:44 PM

Kawasaki ER-6f Metallic Diablo Black

Nice to see so many people get on with the ER6F bought mine 2 months ago and done 2.7K!! There are vibrations at 4k coming from the faring, but get in touch with teh dealer and they will install dampers free of charge under warranty. Also dropped it at a few mph, no damage other than a small sratch on the faring, took the decision to have a damaged faring rather than a damaged frame so no crash bung on mine.
Going to get a hugger for it any advice on weather a Skidmax or Ermax is teh better of the two? also which is teh easiest to fit?

Cheers Frex

PS: Kawasickie, new word - call into work sick when the weather is good and get some milage on A & B's . . . . !!!!

posted by Frex on Jun 11, 2008 3:30 PM

Re: My new ride : Kawasaki ER-6f (Ninja 650r) Metallic Diablo Black

Hi,

I just picked up my new Kawasaki er-6f, just like Geert's last weekend in the pouring rain in Manchester, due to nerves, new tires and slippery roads, it skidded and slipped when stopping at a traffic light. Fortunately my crash mushrooms protected the fairing big time. The mushrooms are covered by the warranty, and are fitted onto the new strengthened part of the bike, so should have no frame issues. I thoroughly recommend them. Already been getting lots of gawping looks whilst riding the bike, or its just sat on its stand, as it is one sexy beast. And it sounds awesome. Got up to 80mph comfortably, whereas at 90, the bike was fine, but the wind was quite strong. Can't wait for the rain to stop so i can take it out more. Fucking British weather!

posted by Colin on Aug 16, 2008 11:25 AM

Re: My new ride : Kawasaki ER-6f (Ninja 650r) Metallic Diablo Black

Hi everyone, What a miserable year its been, rain, rain and more rain! I'm now up to 9000 trouble free miles commuting and longer rides when I've got time. My Silver ER6f is still great though the tyres are getting done. I have cruised at an indicated 125 for a while it gets a bit windy above 90 but controllable. I live just outside Manchester and get out into the Peak District, Yorkshire dales and North Wales, there are some great roads and the kawasaki is perfect even 2 up.

posted by Eric@CSE on Sep 1, 2008 1:55 PM

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< Handy one-liner: get current IP address on Linux

Continuations interview on Artima Developer >