Nice updates! The Candy lime green looks pretty awesome. http://www.kawasaki.com/Products/product-details-features.aspx?autoplay=false&id=570&scid=6 the ER-6n gets and update too but it doesn't look like we will be getting it in the US. That yellow sure looks nice... http://www.moto-station.com/article12364-news-moto-2012-kawasaki-er-6n-et-er-6n-abs.html
Nice pics here: http://www.moto-infos.com/photos-actualite-7687-nouveaute-2012-kawasaki-er-6n-et-er-6f.html
Necessary evil those things, but I know you know that. But yes, that is a LOT of extra plastic that add nothing to the bike. If I were to have one of these, that would probably be the first to go
Interesting that for this year the naked version seems more appealing than the faired version, they finally nailed it with the naked this time Maybe some day ill try one, for now im just too happy with my bandit
I had one, an '06. If I were to do it again, I'd get the naked version. Little bit less weight, better looking, lower bars, more wind, more fun.
I can see now why Honda have that new 700cc motor in a variety of guises. I just wish Kwak didn't have such an aversion to center stands. Makes life much easier.
I don't think it is an aversion to center stands as much as it is a desire to maintain the weight balance and style they've created with the sideways battery, laydown shock, and underbelly exhaust. It really is a tidy package - the bike feels smaller than it weighs, and it is very flickable. I had a rear stand for mine at home, and I've seen fairly effective little stilts for the rear axle that allow you to at least spin the rear wheel for chain maintenance on the road.
Nice looking bikes! Looking at their other models, it seems they are trying to make all of them appear more aggressive. I have an '07 and really enjoy it. As a short female I really like how narrow and light this bike is. It has more power than I'll ever need and handles very nimbly (at least on public roadways). (Sidetrack - I have to laugh at people that claim it lacks power or is a "snooze" to drive - they demonstrate how clueless they are with regard to their motorcycle knowlege, driving skills or both) At some point I'll have decide if I want to make serious modifications, or change bikes (financially neither is a current option), but the more I learn about different bikes, the more modifying and keeping this one looks like the better option.
Maybe I'm demonstrating how little I know about these things, but given the configuration on the underside, could a centerstand be mounted? If it could, would it be very stable given the width of the frame? When I'm working on it or won't be riding it for a while I put the rear on a PitBull stand.
Ogre took this one, but there really isn't any place to mount it, as the frame doesn't extend below the motor or exhaust. Look at that versys centerstand, holy shit what an ugly convoluted mess. I guess it works, but, wow.
When there is a will, there is a way. Personally, I'll stick with my pitbull. Next dumb question - what are the advantages of having a center stand? (The only things I can think of, are chain maintenance and tire inspection/repair away from home.)
My FZ6 came stock with one, and that is the long and short of it. Chain lubrication and adjustment, tire changes, etc. Only other nice thing is when fully loaded with luggage and stopped on soft ground, I'll put it on the centerstand to both level the load and keep it from auguring in. A sidestand puck or crushed soda can fixes that just as easily.