Kawasaki ER-6n review, test ride

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.