Kawasaki ER-6n review, test ride

The ER-6n is essentially the Ninja 650 minus a front fairing. The ER-6n’s mass has been carefully centered for better handling, and this also helps it maintain a sleek design. Moving on to the details, the ER-6n's front headlight presses inwards, as its cowl flairs back into the bike. The headlight is a daytime running unit, and works well to provide ample visibility by night, with a wide, really bright and well focussed beam. Muscular radiator shrouds accentuate the ER-6n’s headlight when viewed head on, providing it a macho, broad-faced look. Top quality supple rubber grips, as well as alloy machined reach adjustable clutch and brake levers come as standard with the ER-6n, while its switchgear and mirrors do a fine job.

The ER-6n comes only in black here, metallic with dark matte plastic deployed in some areas, all imparting a Kawasaki-trademark top-quality feel. The bright red, single side-mounted shock absorber strut stands out as well and there’s a plastic underbelly cowl. Look down, and you can see the ER-6n silencer tucked away neatly beneath the engine. A stepped seat and grab bars are provided. Overall construction and fit-finish are excellent on the new Kawasaki.

The ER-6n is powered by a 649cc, four-stroke, parallel-twin and liquid-cooled engine which Kawasaki has given a black look. It uses a four-valve per cylinder layout and dual overhead camshafts. This potent Japanese engine provides a decent power output of 71.1bhp at 8,500rpm while peak torque of 6.5kgm comes in at 7,000rpm. The ER-6n’s fuel-injected engine displays torque rich character, with a meaty mid range that makes this an easy bike to zip past traffic in.

The smooth action ER-6n clutch proves comfortable while shifting through the slightly heavy feeling six-speed gearbox. Once used to its weight though, shifts are smooth and precise in a 1-down, 5-up pattern. The ER-6n engine does, however, send up a considerable amount of heat, and we noticed this despite riding in the early hours of cold winter days in Pune, on relatively traffic-free roads. So, this could be some cause for concern when riding the new Kawasaki in crowded Indian city traffic on a summer day.

We put the ER-6n through its paces on some really fast, twisting roads during its time with us, where its engine proved a willing, refined performer when pushing hard. The Kawasaki’s ample low and midrange catapulted us out of corners without calling for excessive downshifting. The seamless midrange of the ER-6n powerband also enabled a smooth ride on crowded highways, where brisk overtaking proved a breeze. The totally vibe-free ER-6n packs more than enough punch, the new Kawasaki being good for a sprint to 100kph in no more than 5.2 seconds, as tested by us. Top speed is more than respectable too, in the region of a true 210kph, the lack of a wind deflecting fairing becoming apparent when facing excess wind buffet when riding at anything over 160kph.

The ER-6n seats riders in an upright position, the handlebar in just the right position, but the rider footpegs sit a touch high and farther behind than ideal for that really comfortable riding position. The bike seat is comfortable, and well padded. Ergonomics on the ER-6n are good enough for hard riding, but not as ideal as could be for touring.

While no featherweight at 204kg in Indian city traffic, the Kawasaki ER-6n does handle well, allowing for enjoyable riding. The ER-6n inspires confidence while attacking corners, with neutral steering feel and nice ride quality. Thick front forks, a well engineered frame and a single side-mounted rear shock absorber provide the ER-6n good stability at high speeds. The ER-6n comes with twin petal type disc brakes up front and a single disc brake at the rear, that work well, providing strong bite, with progressive feel. We did, however, miss an ABS option, which Kawasaki has sadly not thought fit for the ER-6n in India.

The Kawasaki ER-6n makes a neatly styled, high quality motorcycle package, offering ample power for Indian roads, be it for a green horn or more experienced riders. Such good quality is sure to make this a reliable bike, with minimal maintenance costs. All of which make the Kawasaki ER-6n quite a tempting proposition, only really lacking in terms of ABS. To answer the big question then; yes, the ER-6n is certainly top value for its Rs 4.78 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) asking price.

Rayomand Darius with Rishad Cooper