Fazer or ER5/6 - first bike back.

Metalface Mark · 27 May 2011 at 16:01

Im looking at buying a new bike for a bit of weekend fun, probably about £2500 limit

Ive seen some pretty tidy ER5/ER6 (theres a nice ER6 for sale locally, 2006 for £1200 which seems a bargain), the local garage has a selection of fazers, both faired and unfaired between two and three grand.

Ive not owned a bike for 7 years, the last being a 636 ninja, if i go for a pottery thing like an ER5 or 6 I may want something a wee bit more punchy after a short time, but after not riding for so long im obviously concerned that my skills wont be up to par.

So, good starter back bike?

Reppyboyo · 27 May 2011 at 16:18

I would say an ER-6N.
Very nice bikes, engine is quite forgiving.
Doesnt have the top end rush as other bikes do but has a good amount of torque throughout the mid range.

kidloco · 27 May 2011 at 16:27

Personally I think it may be a bit of a drastic step, most modern 600s are pussycats if you treat them right. If you want tamer bike but still with a bit of ability how about a SV650?

Metalface Mark · 27 May 2011 at 17:25

kidloco said:
Personally I think it may be a bit of a drastic step, most modern 600s are pussycats if you treat them right. If you want tamer bike but still with a bit of ability how about a SV650?

I do like the newer 650's, but im not a fan of the older ones which i think would probably be my price bracket.

Dureth · 27 May 2011 at 17:38

The injected SV650 came in around 2003, I assume you mean this and not the older carby SV650 are not to your liking which is a shame because they are cracking bikes and far more capable than people give them credit for.

For £2500 you could do a lot worse than a Bandit 650 if the SV isn't your cup of tea.

Metalface Mark · 27 May 2011 at 18:26

Yeah, thats the one I mean, the reason I dont like it, my mate had the SV1000 and I just got bored of looking at its back end for so long!

Magic_x_uk · 27 May 2011 at 22:18

i have a fazer fzs600 (2003) thundercat engine, detuned R6 (or so i am led to believe). Plenty of torque, great bike. Think maybe some test rides for you to help make up your mind.

Dogbreath · 28 May 2011 at 05:42

I think you would get bored witih an ER5 very quickly if you had a ZX6 before. The ER6 and Fazer will be a bit more entertaining, but I'd echo the other response that 600cc sports bikes only go fast if you want them to. As long as you have a some measure of self control and self preservation then go for the bike you really want and just take it easy whilst you dust off your skills.

If you don't want a full on sports bike, then maybe consider something like a CBR600F?

Metalface Mark · 28 May 2011 at 11:34

Im going to go down and have a wee look at the fazers in the garage tomorrow, they have some nice 03-04 plate ones, fared and unfared which have the thundercat engines in them.

Nutbusta · 3 Jun 2011 at 16:41

If you used to own a 636 then any 650 twin (ER or SV) is going to feel very sedate and astmatic in about a week. So I'd have to say I'd go for a 4 cylinder. My first bike was a Z750 with 100brake. they can be had for peanuts now and it forgave me everytime I lost the back.

Apparently the old CBR600F was a bloomin' good bike. Thought about that?