Menus
- A very stylish and punchy little urban
- WA (pronounce Wouah)
- New design, new technique.
- An innovative front design but disappointing rear flanks.
- An hourglass figure.
- Getting started
- A sound.
- Engine flexibility and power
- Punch and agility.
- Availablity
- Beautiful and inexpensive.
- The options.
- A little girl with a big future.
A very stylish and punchy little urban
The
city of Mozart sounded for three days of a superb symphony
in major exhaust. Orchestrated by Kawasaki
making available to each of the French journalists
invited an ER6N. And this only to make people discover
the new style (pronounced "staïle") of the brand
renowned for its sports. Le Repaire was able to discover
the youngest and discuss with the engineers in charge
the development of this model.
And yes it was not less than 25 models in preview
who have been made available, accompanied
of a whole team of mechanics in charge of pampering them
so that we can try it with confidence.
It was an opportunity to discover that Austria,
at the beginning of July presents a very green landscape
due to its humidity. Rain gear required for
this test but you will be able to verify that the pleasure was
very present.
WA (pronounce Wouah)
In
done, Mr. Tanaka – formerly designate at Mazda and since
over three years at the Greens – appropriated a new
playground. He explained to us the general concept
having resulted in the delivery of the latter.
His goal: to create a model that meets several
criteria.
First of Japanese inspiration, this bike had to adapt
to the European market. A Europeanized Japanese concept
sort of. But it must also foreshadow a new
era for a brand usually known for its models
sportsmen. Designed for beginners, whatever their
age, it had to be as economical.
Important novelty, the adaptation of the motorcycle to the
morphology, both female and male, of its users
and not the opposite. Large or small, everyone must be comfortable
on the handlebars of this two-wheeler.
The stage of creation therefore begins with the creation
of a virtual model incorporating the main aspirations
future users. Once the base was designed, it took
adapt the technique and not the other way around. Our chief designate
by modifying the usual work data of the teams
has achieved the feat of imposing a new method
working for Japanese employees. The style is now
Kawasaki’s priority. Especially since for once,
the technique was designed around mechanics
and not the opposite.
The main concept comes from the NO theater, theater
Japanese using masks for actors. Two masks are in
oppositions, light and shadow. The Japanese word symbolizing them
is WA. This word will therefore become the common thread of the concept.
New design, new technique.
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Once drawn, we had to create an engine for it.
The narrowness of the model made it impossible to resume
an already existing engine. Although we are in the presence
half a ZX12R engine, it was completely
redesigned. The challenge for the technicians was to make
enter the mechanics into the little space left by the
designers. A brand new little twin was born as a result of their
cogitations. The use of techniques borrowed from the circuits,
(and Kawasaki knows them well) made it possible to adapt to the obligations
designers.
It was also necessary to meet the expectations of the famous euro standard
III which will become effective in 2007.
The ER6N is therefore equipped with a gearbox at
cassette similar to those used in competition.
This saves significant space but also saves money.
of labor in the event of a problem. For Kawasaki this
also represents savings for the manufacture of the model.
We see the appearance of pressure lubrication, semi-dry sump
: "Two oil pumps are present, one takes the oil
at the bottom of the housing to transmit it to the gearbox
and the second is used in the box to lubricate the engine. The
gearbox is no longer bathed in oil ”. What
explains the low quantities of oil for this motorcycle either
2.4 liters of oil in all. So that if we change the filter
oil a two-liter container is sufficient.
Economical, it should be for its future owner
who will only bring back his beauty every ten thousand kilometers
for a review. Knowing in addition that the air filter of
foam type, as on the cross models but much more
wide in order to compensate for the slowing of the passage of air, do not
can not be changed and is simply cleaned.
Valve clearance adjustment will only be necessary
every 42,000 kms.
The revision invoices should therefore logically
feel and the cost per kilometer drop in a way
consequent.
An innovative front design but disappointing rear flanks.
It
therefore remains to visualize this famous motorcycle other than on the
paper. You have to touch it. Brought to the hotel parking lot,
25 machines are waiting. The three colors are represented
(and the back of each is delicately adorned
of a French flag). The yellow catches the eye
immediately, then the gray presents its red frame
and finally the black one which although discreet shows its presence
due to a sobriety enhanced by a frame
bronze colored.
The aesthetics are undeniably surprising at first glance.
The double lighthouse with its optics placed one on top of the other
and surmounted by a triangular outgrowth which shelters the
dashboard, gives it a nice little air. 
The
Radiator scoops incorporating the front turn signals surprise
by their presence and serve as a link between the reservoir
and the tiny fork crown that hides the different
connections. A more pronounced look allows you to see
that the shape of the reservoir remains relatively classic (for the year
2005). The rear leaves you hungry with a classic design
flanks. Large turn signals have a shape
admittedly slightly new but we take it
wish to be integrated into the rear flanks, or
less more discreet. And we can not say that the back plate holder
can claim its integration into the line
general. Aesthetic innovation mainly concerns
on the front.
On
the right side it is possible to see a shock absorber
whose painting of the spring takes up the tone of the frame. No
connecting rod, fixed directly in line with the frame and a
hoop located on the swingarm, it has only one
preload adjustment dial. Purists will find there
to be criticized, but considering that the ER6N is intended for
to beginners this choice seems logical. Careful consideration
then allows to see that the exhaust is made
discreet while remaining aesthetic. Because of this discretion,
he participates in the design of the whole. Good idea, on
traces of Buell who has already equipped some
of its machines. This exhaust is a good illustration of the technique
at the service of design. The technicians had to integrate
three-way catalytic converter and silencer in a rectangular box
placed under the engine and behind. Protected,
by a black plastic shoe, the exhaust lowers
the center of gravity of the machine thus also participating
in its own way to general behavior.
Brake discs participate in the current fashion by displaying
petals of the best effect as well in the front
than at the back. It does not improve
braking but offers a little touch of style that does not go unnoticed.
Note that a U-shaped lock can be housed under the
saddle in a place provided for this purpose. And the icing on
the cake the frame allows its hanging after a post
by a U-lock.
An hourglass figure.
Observation
that’s fine, but you have to get on it to ride. The first one
surprise comes from the fact that we find our place quite naturally.
We immediately sit in the right place, our hands
naturally fit on the handlebars. My size ? 1m83, but the smallest
don’t seem to have more difficulty than me. The feet are
flat on the ground. The saddle height not communicated by
Kawasaki will make it accessible to all sizes. It gives the impression
finesse and lightness from the start.
If the supposed agility is present,
it should turn into a really great little urban toy.
easy.
The narrowness of the model surprises for a 650. Immediately
it emerges the feeling that the designers favored
narrowness and agility.
The rounded instrument panel displays a small tachometer
analog under which sits a speedometer with display
digital. One of the three lights under the tachometer indicates the moment of
fill up. No reserve on this model. The two small
ears bordering the tachometer and the counter display the indicator lights
turn signals, neutral and headlight. Two buttons, mode and reset allow
to adjust the digital display, hour total mileage
or partial mileage and adjust.
We immediately notice a small button on the left side
with a triangle. The command for missing warnings on many
even significantly more expensive models.
Getting started
Distribution
keys, start…
First observation, the key switch is too close
of the handlebar mounting bracket. With gloves, the maneuver turns out to be
embarrassing. A quarter of a turn the machine starts and seems to be racing
around 2000 turns. Very quickly it goes down to 1000 revolutions its speed
normal.
No panic, without a starter, the injection manages itself
the engine speed necessary so as not to stall when starting.
A sound.
A slight noise comes from the exhaust … a noise
serious but far from deafening. The 20 machines that
start at the same time fill the atmosphere
a very pleasant little muffled music.
The engineers would they have worked the noise at the same
time that the technique ?
Engine flexibility and power
First
and on the way to Austrian roads.
Smoothness of driving takes precedence. The flexibility of the machine gives you confidence.
At low speed the engine vibrates a little. It responds well to
the demand on the throttle and from 0 to more than
140 makes the pilot feel his presence.
In town, the engine’s power and its flexibility allow it to be
the first at red lights. If we add to this
the narrowness of the machine, it becomes easy to understand
why the urban domain is his favorite playground. Especially
that the liquid cooling that equips the beauty will allow him
precisely such journeys without fear of overheating.
At low speed the engine vibrates slightly. He is
easy to notice in the following vehicles which become
blurs in the mirrors. At least, those that we can
see beyond the pilot’s elbows. Narrowness
of the machine means that the field of vision of the mirrors is
limit.
Punch and agility.
Of
anyway we’ll have to leave town to find out if the beautiful
remains able to leave the urban realm to allow his
pilot to escape.
The roads around Salzburg will make it possible to test it in all
conditions ; countryside, mountain, dry but also wet road
(Sadly !). It will be possible to attach to
study the road behavior of the ER6N because the landscapes that
we guess sublime remain hidden behind a mist
persistent.
The whole displays a safety of good quality. One
beginners will immediately feel confident on their handlebars.
The bends do not put her off, on the contrary. She is playful. She
lets himself be swayed to the right, to the left without ever demonstrating
a moment of bad humor The engine displaying 72 hp on the paper,
delivers its power regularly until
130 -140 without forcing.
Agility is at the rendezvous, the alloy trellis frame
and a very low center of gravity make it possible to roll up
in mountain bends without ever scaring the pilot.
The braking responds to each request and proves
particularly effective. The test models are
Sportmax shoes that suit him perfectly as well
in the dry than in the wet. There is no doubt that in the mountains she
will freelance several of her better-equipped big sisters
but much heavier.
But be careful, do not believe that she will be ridiculous on
country roads. Its engine makes it easy to overtake the car
which "corks" at 130 on the national road. And not everything will be
not finished once displayed 150 on the digital counter.
The numbers will scroll less quickly but they will rise steadily
to display a little more than 200. You risk giving money to
our very expensive Minister of the Interior at
because of her.
Availablity
Salon requires, the first client version will be available in September.
It will therefore be stamped 2006. For the ABS version, it will be necessary
wait two more months. Anyway go to the site
for a more complete test as soon as possible. Of course
beginner’s bike requires, it exists in 34 CV version.
Beautiful and inexpensive.
Kawasaki by announcing a price that should be between
6,000 and 6,500 euros clearly shows his desire to be stylish
economic its hobbyhorse with regard to the ER6N. She
is a direct competitor of the 650SV (whose engine weighs
all the same 2 Kg more) or the 650 bandit but its aesthetics
particular allows us to think that it will take the
not on these two aging competitors.
The possibility of customizing it for not too expensive will make it a
machine to which the pilot will attach himself.
The options.
The
designers should quickly take an interest in
machine to transform it and take advantage of the base thus offered for
customize the models of their
clients. Moreover Kawasaki was not mistaken by offering
already several options in the catalog such as: indicators
tiny (but homologated), mirror of different shape,
top case with a comma in the color of the motorcycle, protects
frame marked KawasakiI.
The designers, attached to the style of the machine, simply
forgot to create him a turn of the wheel that protect
the rear of the engine and the projection damper
many. Luckily, props should get over it quickly..
Some negotiations in prospect with the dealers
to be offered the accessory for purchase.
A little girl with a big future.
The ER-6N
is a good little well-equipped motorbike.
While cursing at a few small missing details, we must
not to forget that, not only its priority remains the beginners
but that in addition she should not empty their wallet too much.
It should appeal to passing motorists
the 125 by obligation who would now like to try
to more powerful. School motorcycles who love models
economic and easy will surely be keen to change
their current fleet of ER5. And let’s not forget women often more
small who will then be able to put their feet on the ground at each fire
Red.
Insurers should position themselves fairly quickly on the model
and offer reasonable prices for this model.
If the style appeals, the price announced for its acquisition will allow
to have a little traveling companion put off by no whims.
It will then remain to assess its behavior over time in order to
to verify that the economy will not influence
the quality.
It remains very likely that the ER6N will be the first of a whole
line of machines equipped with the same engine,
although the Japanese engineers suddenly become silent as soon as
that we evoke this subject. However, the manufacturer will look for
to make the development costs of this whole
new engine.
Logic would want, in spite of their statements, that a version
S quickly saw the light of day and the KLE 500 was equipped with a
650 engine which would give it more character than it
currently does not have one. Anyway this engine
fully meets the Euros III standards coming into force in
2007 whereas the current engines of the mark do not satisfy it.
Strong points
- The ease of the machine
- The engine punch
- The advertised price if it is around € 6,000
- Economic machine (purchase maintenance insurance)
Weak points
- The rear design: lack of rear wheel washer,
bib - the retro
Don’t hesitate to donate
your opinion on the forums. It would appear that the color model
Noire received the approval of the French public. Initially
the bike was designed in yellow.
Marc Julien – July 8, 2005
Photos: Daniel Geiger, Jean Pierre Boulme, David Reygondeau
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