Long-term test: Kawasaki ER-6f

Owners of previous generations of Kawasaki’s ER-6f often complain of buzzing from the bodywork at specific points in the rev-range – nothing dramatic, just an irritation. 

It doesn’t happen with the current bike – of which my long-term test bike is an example – but I have noticed occasional vibes from the double-bubble screen I fitted recently. 

It only happens at low revs and I have only noticed it on trips where I have forgotten to put in earplugs, for example when I was nipping over to the jetwash in the next town at the weekend. Slight buzz aside, I’ve been pleased with the screen’s performance so far (it’s £54.95 from www.skidmarx.co.uk).

It’s only a matter of weeks before the long-term test loan period is up and the bike returns to Kawasaki, and I’m really going to miss it. 

It’s easy to think of a machine like this as purely entry-level but I have been riding 20 years and have more than enjoyed our time together. That’s party because the bike is so easy to ride and also because of the rewarding feeling that you are using the parallel-twin engine to its full potential. 

Never let anyone look down on your bike because it is ‘just a 650’.