John Zamora: Associate Editor
Miles Ridden: 5200
Mods: TLC
Back in black, the er-6n hits...
Back in black, the er-6n hits the streets for the first time since its overhaul.
Last month I wrapped up all the modifications I had planned for the ER-6n. Upon completion, I decided it was time to unleash my little beast on an unsuspecting world of sportbikes and streetfighters. With a fresh helmet, jackets, gloves and a tank full of gas, I headed out to a local bike night. As I exited the freeway and got closer to the meeting spot, I noticed most of the other riders heard me before they ever saw me. The sound of the Vance and Hines amplified parallel twin is very unique and echoes like a four-stroke dirtbike on steroids.
I pulled up from the back of the bike night and parked right smack dab in the thick of things, then quickly stepped away to get an unbiased reaction from the masses. As the crowd walked by I noticed a few stopping to check it out. There were a few, "What is that?" but even more, "That's cool! I didn't even know they made parts for that bike!" Sadly there were also some, "Why would you put that on that bike?"
But overall, I think the bike was warmly accepted and most thought it was different at least, and cool overall.
Now that summer is over, the nighttime weather has become a bit frigid for this thin-blooded biker. While I'm not 100 percent sold on the looks of the windscreen, I do like the small pocket of protection it provides while blasting down the freeway. The reflection from the headlight off the windscreen gives it a luminous halo effect that can be a bit distracting at times.
The mirrors are parts I'm definitely in lust with. They are totally functional and adjustable on the fly for squeezing through tight places or folding out to see more of what's behind. You do have to get used to lifting your hands up when removing them from the handlebars. It doesn't sound like that big of a deal, but anything that breaks your concentration from the road should always be noted.
I have a feeling my time with the ER is coming to a close, as I've started to hear the calls from the Kawasaki press office wondering what happened to its bike. Kawi's going to have to find me first as I try to hit as many bike nights and city rides as I can before the season ends.
Coming next month:
More miles