Kawasaki ER-5

Kawasaki ER-5

Warm start-up using no choke with a Kawasaki ER-5 1997.
Manufacturer	Kawasaki
Production	1997–2006
Successor	ER-6
Class	Naked bike
Engine	498 cc parallel twin
Transmission	6-speed
Brakes	280 mm single disc with twin-piston caliper (front), 160 mm expanding brake (rear)
Tires	110/70-17M/C (54H) (front), 130/70-17M/C (62H) (rear)
Wheelbase	1430 mm
Dimensions	L: 2070 W: 730 H: 1070 mm
Seat height	800 mm
Fuel capacity	17.00 liters
Related	Kawasaki GPZ500

ER-5

The Kawasaki ER-5 is a naked commuter motorcycle produced in Japan by Kawasaki. The bike is powered by a liquid cooled four-stroke DOHC 498 cc engine based on the design used in the GPZ500. It can be restricted to 25 kW (34 hp), the maximum power motorcycle allowed by certain licences in Europe.

Engine

The Kawasaki ER5 is powered by a 498CC DOHC liquid cooled, in-line, parallel twin engine which produces 48BHP and 35kW. The engine is fed by two carburettors, one for each cylinder.

Braking

The ER5 has a twin piston front disk brake and a rear drum brake. Unlike many modern motorcycles, with fixed caliper and floating disk, the ER5 has a fixed disk and floating caliper. 'A' models have a trailing piston which is smaller than the leading piston but the later 'C' models have identical leading and trailing pistons, dramatically improving front braking. 'A' model owners often fit caliper units from 'C' models. As for most motorcycles, another common braking upgrade is to reduce sponginess by replacing the OEM brake hose with a braided brake hose.

Suspension

The ER5 has a non-adjustable female slider front fork, with 36 mm diameter tubes on the A series and 37 mm on the C series. The rear has a dual-shock swingarm with adjustable pre-load.

Controls

The ER5 uses standard motorcycle controls; left hand clutch, right hand front brake and throttle, left foot gear stick, right foot rear brake.