Kawasaki ER-6n Review : Bare Brawn

Engine, ride and handling:

The liquid-cooled parallel twin from the 650 remains virtually unchanged.However it does gain revised fuel-injection settings and ECU. All of 649 cc, the liquid cooled, 4- stroke DOHC unit generates a maximum output of 71 bhp at 8,500 rpm and 64 Nm of torque at 6000 rpm. The engine’s power is controlled by a six speed transmission with wet, multi-disc clutch.

Give some twist and the ER 6n screams away, the parallel twin’s rising inferno making the digital speedo struggle. Make no mistake, it’s properly quick, and is the cause of plenty of laughs and smiles under the lid, but how is it different from the 650?

• If you’re still blindfolded and thumbed the starter, you’d still be forgiven for down-sizing it – the thwarted bubbling and rasps at idle misleading its big bike intentions. Also, it’s noticeably gruffer than the 650’s creamy engine note, though things even out as the revs rise.
• Like its cousin, the ER 6n is characteristically long-legged. The parallel twin doesn’t rev itself to bits, but packs ample torque throughout the range, peaking out at 64 Nm at 6,000 clicks. Accompanied by collective kick of 71 horses when she peaks at 8,500 revs, the performance gives the Kawasaki plenty of shove for the highway. Mid-range is particularly meaty and enjoyable.
• The 6-speed gearbox is on the heavier side, especially when slotting into first, but gets along fine as speeds increase. Clutch action happens to be on the stiffer side as well. Using slightly altered gear ratios from the 650, the ER 6n puts its power down with a longer first gear, while also bringing in a subtle raucousness to the power delivery.
• The revised fuel-injection settings and ECU re-maps account for a wider spread of torque and slightly stronger acceleration than the 650, and is perceptible to the experienced rider.
• What else? Just like the 650, all that torque makes it presence felt, the linearity of which makes it trundle around at affable speeds in top gear, while also kicking the bottom like a mule when asked for.

To put it numbers, the ER 6n does 0-100 km/hr in just about 4 seconds, while riding it with a deft right hand saw us average about 19 kilometers to the liter.

Cradling the parallel twin is a tubular frame which is essentially the same as the 650. Even the single sided, rear mono-shock is carried over. For Indian roads, the ER 6n’s ride is on the firmer side. The suspension can be softened up, but is unadjustable apart from preload on the shock. As a result, the ER 6n feels a little skittish over undulated and broken patches of a typical Indian state highway.

The capable chassis makes the handling safe, planted and predictable, but start pushing it and the bike loses some enthusiasm to relinquish those eager responses from the rider. Turn-in is great, and the punchy motor ensures lightning quick getaways from corners. 348.5 bhp per tonne helps things here. The ER 6n cuts through long, sweeping curves like hot knife through butter, but show it a tight hairpin bend, and it feels a little out of whack and unsettled, the slightly heavy front end coming to terms with the rest of the mass. That said, straight line stability is stellar.

Braking is crisp and confidence inspiring, and is handled by dual 300mm petal-shaped disc brakes with twin-piston Tokico calipers up front, while at the rear a single 220mm petal-shaped hugged by a single piston caliper disc does duty. There is no dearth of braking power or feedback. However, ABS isn’t even an option, and the lack of which gave us some chills under hard braking.

Verdict

So is the ER-6n the perfect commuter for new or less experienced riders? Well it’s definitely one to consider, but it isn’t perfect. Straightaway it lacks that big-bike feel, which may or may not appeal to all of its targeted audience. Besides that, handling isn’t as nimble and engaging as we would have expected from this machine. The firm ride also makes the ER 6n a little nervous when speeding over Indian bumps and undulations, especially while leaned over. And as far as touring credentials go, it’s quite redundant, as the bikini fairing offers zero wind protection, and the seats are as firm as ever. As for the pillion, there’s a single sided grab rail, while the one for the other side comes as an optional fitment.

The fiesty engine gives it the punch, and at the same time offers a better spread of torque, courtesy of which one can travel all day long with the speedometer needle above 130km/h in sixth gear with the engine totally unstressed. But these are all Ninja attributes, which were already embedded in the ER 6n, which brings nothing new to the table as such. In the realm of performance motorcycling, the ER6n does make a point to justify its existence. But just as a street-fighter, not as the Ninja alternative. Unless you’re absolutely enamored by the naked looks and can’t resist the Rs. 4.78 lakh price tag, you’re better off with the 650.

Kawasaki ER-6n Technical Specifications

Price	Rs 4.78 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)
On sale	Now
L/W/H	2110/770/1110mm
Wheelbase	1410mm
Fuel tank capacity	16 litres
Kerb weight	204kg(wet)
Engine Layout	Four-stroke, parallel-twin, liquid-cooled
Displacement	649cc
Power	71.1bhp at 8500rpm
Torque	6.5kgm at 7000rpm
Specific output	109.6bhp per litre
Power to weight	348.5bhp per tonne
Gearbox	6-speed, 1-down, 5-up
Front suspension	Telescopic forks
Rear suspension	Offset single shock, twin tube swingarm
Front brake	300mm petal discs
Rear brake	220mm petal disc
Wheels	6-spoke alloy
Rim size (f-r)	17 inches
Tyre size (f-r)	120/70 x17- 160/60 x17 inches