All Tests – The new Green is ripe! – Stable and dynamic

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The new Green is ripe !

All Tests - The new Green is ripe! - Stable and dynamic

If the old model was unfairly served by a shy pencil stroke, the new 2009 Kawasaki ER-6f takes full advantage of its improvements to gain charisma. And now, the Green is as attractive as it is effective! Test.

Stable and dynamic

Fatally heavier from the front at reduced speed, the ER-6f can be understood with the same ease as the "stripped down" version and the well-thought-out general balance gives you confidence from the first half-turns, carried out like a joke.. The bike shines enough (35 ° on each side) to face the challenges of the city without trembling, especially as the clutch and the gearbox with the modified selector are as precise as they are pleasant to handle. !

Key argument of the ER-6 series, the vertical twin-cylinder (a four-cylinder cut in two, wedged at 180 °) with eight valves combines character and ease with mastery: flexible (it resumes without hiccupping at 1,500 revolutions per second!) and punchy with regard to its displacement (6.7 kgf-m at 7,000 rpm), the Kawa twin has seen its injection reworked to smooth the engine response under 4,000 rpm, while its radiator has gained in width (+ 40 mm) to improve cooling. The greenest will also appreciate the presence of 100 additional cells in the exhaust catalyst placed under the engine … and still as unsightly seen from the left !

Its "pot" side and its direct exposure to the projections indeed contribute to spoil this profile somewhat … Too bad the engineers did not think of wrapping it in the fairing, especially as the turntables are quite successful, just like the foundries and the new swingarm.

Discovered in the "Alpes mancelles", the ER-6f is gentle and playful: its engine does not hit 25 km / h in third and getting out of the traffic of Le Mans (the city, not the circuit!) Becomes so a formality … despite the low temperatures and the light drizzle that invite themselves to the party !

The opportunity to test the ABS (available for an additional € 600) which brilliantly regulates the ardor of the two 300 mm petal discs and the simple 220 mm rear disc just as stylish. Efficient and coming into action sufficiently late, the safety accessory simply suffers from an unpleasant noticeable activation in the lever and pedal. The fact remains that if the performance is very satisfactory, the device does not have the discretion of the models fitted, for example, Honda and BMW..

A few kilometers are enough to highlight the virtues of the fairing: correctly protecting the pilot up to the middle of the chin, the appendix does not cause any eddies or whistles and deflects the air efficiently up to 150 km / h. Beyond that, radars and wind pressure will take care of calming the ardor: a short peak at 200 km / h quickly identifying its protective limits, even if it is possible to “comfortably” stay behind the bubble by adopting the dab position , temporarily lured by the Ninja-typed front physiognomy !

A false sporty side fueled by the goodwill of the carton: it pulls gently from 4,000 rpm, then strengthens the thrust to 6,000 rpm before giving everything until the discreet ignition cut-off placed at 11,000 rpm! Abused, the procession then adopts an unreasonable rhythm (but so enjoyable!) And large curves with changing surfaces are responsible for highlighting one of the great qualities of the ER-6f 2009: the impressive stability of its front axle, which benefits full of the excess weight of the front fairing.

Slightly engaging at the entry of a curve, the front of the Verte then wedges itself with devilish precision on the desired trajectory and no longer moves whatever the speed of passage! More reassuring than the Naked version, the 41mm fork and Bridgestone BT 21 front tire assembly work effectively to deliver a stunning feel on a bike in this price range..

Certainly, the rear pumps a little on the big compressions – discreetly warning the neophyte that Sainte Gamelle is prowling in the area! -, but an experienced driver will find that these movements are ultimately not dangerous, because the Kawa enjoys royal traction and maintains its course even on small bumpy roads, apprehended with the knife between the teeth !

The braking (powerful and enduring) on ​​the angle, as violent and sudden as it is, has no parasitic effect on the front, whether on models equipped or not with ABS. Mass transfers are well contained thanks to the setting of different suspensions and the bike has really gained in pure efficiency and pleasure. The opportunity to have fun with the engine: always starting, the bi allows you to wind at will in the fat of the couple located between 4,000 and 8,000 rpm or to let off steam generously while maintaining the tachometer between 6,000 and 11,000 rpm !

A true temperament with two faces, able to give the banana to the pilot who can thus drive the ER-6f according to his moods, needs or points on the license (cross out the unnecessary mention!) The machine benefits from road handling worthy of some GTs (many pounds less), even if the practical aspects distributed to the snack bar were quick to recall its roadster origins.

If the dashboard receives a readable fuel gauge and displays the use indicators, a warning command is available, the passenger is greeted decently and the mirrors widen by 14 mm to improve – without real success – their efficiency, the absence of a central stand, a coded key, storage spaces in the front fairing and the low volume under the saddle – two cables are nevertheless present to secure luggage – obviously do not allow classification the ER-6f in the GT category.

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